LETTER FROM THE CHAIRS
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
As the holiday season quickly comes at us and year-end, I’m sure we are either looking back at the year to see everything we have overcome (in fast forward mode for me), or we say ba humbug 2020 and look forward to 2021. No matter, either way, it’s whatever fits you and your life and what it means to you. I say this as we think about Christmas and what it means to everyone. First, a funny story to go with this. KPost Roofing is running some fun radio campaigns with KLTY a Christian radio station in Dallas. One promo is a virtual visit with Santa Claus so you can talk to Santa safely about your wish list and know that your roof is being Santa Certified by KPost Roofing. When I pitched it to my boss he said, “Don’t you find that funny?” And I said, "No, should I?" He said a Christian radio station promoting Santa just seems a little funny. I sat back and thought about it and I can see what he is saying but it didn’t phase me. I think we have to look at Christmas and know we all have our own vision or mixed visions of it. To some, it is a favorite memory from childhood or a tradition that you have carried on since being a child and continue to pass to your children. To some, it is deeply religious and is a day to be extra thankful for the blessing in life, big and small. Others may be about volunteering to help others with donations or possibly helping in person for an organization. For some it is Santa Claus and celebrations with cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer, hot chocolate and Christmas morning opening gifts. For some, it is simply being with family and a quiet meal. For each of you, it is whatever it means to you. That is the beauty of us all being so diverse in thought, background and reality.
This year the COVID wrench has twisted us in ways that we didn’t even know we could be twisted, and this has probably given you a new or different perspective on life. As you go into the holiday season it may look different than past years, and that’s ok. Do what fits, what touches your heart and the hearts of those important to you, reach out to friends and family, be kind to everyone as you never know how it can change someone’s day, be safe, give yourself a hug (dang COVID), and be happy. Wishing you all a blessed holiday!
Renae Bales, VP of Brand & Risk at KPost Roofing & Waterproofing
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COMMUNICATIONS
Anna Anderson, Art Unlimited; NWiR Communication Committee Chair
Liz Garza, MyRoofingCrew; NWiR Communications Committee Vice Chair
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NWiR is looking for budding photographers who would like to share their love of photography and roofing. We would like to visually promote women in the roofing industry. The NWiR women are amazing and we need to promote your awesomeness!
If you are interested in this opportunity please reach out to Anna Anderson at - anna@artunlimitedusa.com
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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Rae July, RC Roofing; NWiR DEI Committee Co-Chair
Jess Cress, Bone Dry Roofing Company; NWiR DEI Committee Co-Chair
Meredith Marsh-Shaevitz, Pitch Perfect Roofing; NWIR DEI Committee Vice Chair
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We are excited to begin the first NWIR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. With our liaisons in place and our mind pointed toward the future, we are ready to hit the ground running. In January, we will begin a campaign that will exemplify the diversity and wonder of the women within our industry. All of us suffer and benefit from the verbs, pronouns, and infinite descriptors that precede our name and proceed our introduction. The campaign #morethanjustalabel will break these barriers of predisposed judgments and dispositions. Join us as we celebrate our individuality and congratulate the enormous differences that make up women in roofing. Please reach out to Jess (jess@bonedryroofing.net) Rae (rae@chinookroofing.com) or Meredith (pitchperfect.mms@gmail.com) to participate. We are looking forward to the 2021 year of DEI in NWIR.
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EVENTS
Melissa Mulligan Chapman, M2C Services; NWiR Events Committee Chair
Monica Pedrique Vornbrock, Marketing & DesignSolutions; NWIR Events Committee Vice Chair
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The International Roofing Expo Adds a Virtual Conference & Expo in 2021 and Announces New Show Dates as it Continues to Connect the Industry
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 The International Roofing Expo, with the full support of the NRCA and NWiR, is excited to launch a virtual conference and expo in 2021 in addition to their physical event. The virtual event will be held on March 2-4, and the in-person event is rescheduled from April to August 10-12 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Read more...
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MENTORING
Melissa Walker, Johns Manville; NWiR Mentoring Committee Chair
Chelsea Steinbock, JFerg Pros; NWiR Mentoring Committee Vice Chair
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Five Questions with Wise Women in Roofing: Stephanie Baird
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 When you were starting out did you have a mentor, and if so was it someone you sought out or they found you?
No
How did you get into the roofing industry? Were you in something different prior?
By pure chance
What would be one of the biggest challenges you have overcome?
Fear of making mistakes, you cant grow without bumps
If you were to give your younger self a quote to hold tight, what would it be?
Young and old me use the same quotes, you can’t unscramble eggs, you can only move forward and listen to learn.
Are you open to taking on a mentee?
Possibly
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 National Women in Roofing is accepting nominations for the next WORLD Award recipient AND the first ever Rising Star Award! These awards will respectively recognize the achievements of a roofing industry veteran and the next generation of a rising industry leader. Nominations accepted through January 31st.
A Rising Star is a young professional who has exhibited outstanding leadership in the roofing industry. These emerging leaders anticipate (internal or external) customer needs, are team players, innovate, and inspire those around them. These ladies are admired by their peers and foster and encourage collaboration. Nomination information here
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COUNCILS
Karen Edwards, Casimir Group; NWiR Councils Committee Chair
Christine Mockenhaupt, SRS Distribution Inc.; NWiR Councils Committee Vice Chair
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If you have been part of a successful council startup, consider joining the NWIR Councils committee. We meet regularly with councils across the country who are looking for guidance and support to get their own local councils established. Your insight and wisdom will go a long way toward helping others find success. If you are interested, please contact the Councils Committee Chairs at councils@nationalwomeninroofing.org.
Here’s what some of our councils have been up to lately:
NWiR Northern New Jersey Council
Summited by Lynn Picone
The Northern NJ Council held their monthly meeting virtu ally on November 18, 2020. In a continuation of content developed to address membership requests, November’s round table discussion was titled “Thriving in a Male Majority Space”. The discussion included; Erica Sherman of GAF, Christine Mockenhaupt of SRS, LeeAnn Slattery of ATAS International, Eilleen Troia of PB Roofing, and Frances Rodriguez of Roof, Roof, Roofing. Lynn Picone of GAF acted as moderator. The panel shared positive messaging around career growth in a male majority industry. Read more...
NWiR Indiana Council
Submitted by Brenna Driver
 The Indiana Council participated in the 30 Days of Gratitude by taking a collection for the O’Connor House. The O’Connor House Mission is to provide a safe home to help single, pregnant, homeless women improve life for themselves and their children. Items were delivered right before the Thanksgiving Holiday and the ladies at the O’Connor House couldn’t be more grateful!
NWiR Tampa Council
Submitted by Christina Smith
No Greater Sacrifice Clay Shoot, October 17th. NWIR Tampa Council volunteered at the No Greater Sacrifice Clay Shoot Saturday October 17th 2020 at Fishhawk Sporting Clays Complex. The fourth annual “No Greater Sacrifice” Clay Shoot has one focus, to remember Florida’s fallen military men and women and to honor our Gold Star families. This is a joint fundraising event and all proceeds with benefit the Gold Star Fathers of Florida, Gold Star Teen Adventures, and the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club Inc. This was a great opportunity to stand with Gold Star families and let them know we honor their family’s great sacrifice to our nation. Read more...
NWiR Oregan Council
Submitted by Rachel Garcia
 The NWiR Oregon chapter loves this time of year! We couldn’t wait to get the word out about our Thanksgiving event. We had over 12 companies participate, delivering over 100 giving boxes and $2,000 worth of monetary donations to the Oregon Food Bank. We were overwhelmed with gratitude by the amount of participation given by our council members. One of our drop-offs had to reroute our donations due to their lack of space and our large volume – it was a great problem to have!
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SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS
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Rackley Roofing Promotes Women…In the Roofing Industry and Beyond
Submitted by Michelle Boykin
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 Rackley Roofing is always focused on our 6 core values. One of those core values is Innovative, meaning we look for ways to think outside of the box, and more importantly, we are open to change. As a Founding Sponsor of National Women in Roofing, we quickly understood the positive impact that NWiR would have on the roofing industry as a whole, and we love being part of such an incredible organization. Read more...
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Elite Roofing Supply, Where Our Name is Our People
Submitted by Emily McManus
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 Elite was founded in 2013 to provide opportunities for driven, hardworking people who, when enabled to make decisions, will wow customers with their can-do attitude and commitment to superior service. We are committed to remaining independent, as evidenced by the transition between Elite’s founder, Brian Torry and his daughter, Sarah Weiss. Elite has only begun its journey to bring independent distribution with inspired local leaders to markets nationwide. Read more...
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SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Celebrating women and their accomplishments
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Megan Keyes, Preferred Accounts Leader
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 Megan Keyes has accepted the role of Preferred Accounts Leader for Johns Manville. In this role, Megan will be assisting the members of the Preferred Accounts team in continuing to foster relationships with key business owners and influencers to improve JM’s portfolio and profitability. Megan joined JM in 2003 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is currently working on her MBA at LSU. She began her career in Roofing Systems in marketing and has served in roles of increasing responsibility in both Roofing Systems and Building Insulation since then. Megan will continue to live in Houston, TX with her two sons. Caleb will be graduating from Texas A&M University in the spring and Carter is navigating first grade.
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Managing Fear and Anxiety for Parents and Children
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 The Mental Health Matters Series continues to be a success with membership. National Women in Roofing continues the series on January 7th with the topic of managing fear and anxiety for Parents and Children. In this webinar, the discussion will cover how to identify if your child is struggling, how to set up a plan to keep your child safe and happy and help plan for the future when the future is uncertain.
If you would like more resources or would like to be part of the Mental Health Matters initiative, please reach out to Jennifer Keegan or Delisa DiMercurio.
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NWiR DAY
Jennifer Stone, Johns Manville; NWiR Executive Committee Co-Chair
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Save the Date for NWiR Day 2021
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 It’s been a year of frequent changes, but we haven’t had our enthusiasm diminished for the 4th annual NWiR Day, which is now scheduled for August 8, 2021, in Las Vegas. Our format will be a full day of education, mentoring, and networking while we empower each other as women in the roofing industry.
We will also have a presence at the IRE Virtual Edition during the first week of March, and we are excited about the opportunity to deliver additional content to NWiR members and the industry.
Stay tuned and we will see you soon!
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In Memoriam ... Cara Marie Lunn
Submitted by Christee Holbrook
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 You know when you find your person at an event that you are nervous being at because you don’t know anyone… Cara Marie Lunn was that person for me at NWiR Day 2018 in New Orleans. I was fortunate enough to be at brunch with her that day and get to know her a little bit. She’s unforgettable to me. She was loud, beautiful and confident; especially confident as she was singing Chicago at the top of her lungs with the band that was playing for our t able.
I’m so sad to hear that she passed away. It has been heavy on my heart since I saw this news a few weeks ago. Cara was so full of life and made you feel like you were one of “her people” when you were around her. Read more...
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Roofing Education from IIBEC
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 IIBEC is an international association of professionals who specialize in roofing, waterproofing, and exterior wall specification and design, and works together with NWiR as an association partner to provide benefits to the roofing industry. Roof consultants are part of our industry and we have many NWiR members who are roof and building envelope consultants. IIBEC has some education coming up that is appropriate for people who may be new to the roofing industry and are interested in learning more about the relationship of construction documents to how it looks on the roof. Please contact IIBEC directly with any questions. https://iibec.org/
Rooftop Quality Assurance – December 15-16, 2020
Save money with these Education Bundles
Free Webinar: IIBEC Joins Forces with DOE for the Building Envelope Campaign – January 12, 2021
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EVENTS, WEBINARS & VIRTUAL
MEETINGS
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Upcoming Webinars and Virtual Meetings
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NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
MyNWiR Members-only Area
We’ve improved your MyNWiR members-only area to include all password-protected pages. You no longer need to use separate passwords to access certain areas of the website. Now, you simply login to the website, using your current username and password, to access these member-only resources:
- Webinar archives
- Resource library
- NWiR logos
- Mentoring blog
- and more! Read more...
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Update Your Member Profile to Improve Communications
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One of the most significant benefits of membersh ip in NWiR is connecting with authentic, like-minded women from across the country. There are so many opportunities to develop meaningful relationships and build your personal and professional communities of support.
It may sound overly simplistic but, the better your profile, the better your connections. Read more...
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