LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
I’m honored to be Chair of National Women in Roofing this year. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Renae Bales for leading us over the past year (really, 2 years) and for all the wisdom she provided myself and the Executive Committee with during her time as Chair.
It’s amazing that a month has already passed since NWiR Day 2022! Thank you to all attendees who filled out the survey—we are already reviewing the information to help us plan for NWiR 2023 in Dallas (Save the Date!). I’m excited for what the next year brings us, and I encourage you to watch for upcoming events (our calendar can be found here).
Be on the lookout for some major projects with our Recruitment Team in the upcoming months. They have been working on some incredible content behind the scenes over the past few months.
March 6-12 is Women in Construction Week! Look for ways to celebrate, and make sure you follow us on social media for all the details.
NWiR will have a presence at Roofing Day in DC in April in conjunction with the NRCA. I’ve personally attended in years past, and it is one of the most fulfilling days of the year in our industry. This is YOUR chance to talk with Members of Congress about the critical issues facing our industry. Our Events Committee will be having a webinar with a panel discussion to educate and empower our members on what Roofing Day in DC is like, and how to advocate for roofing-specific issues in politics. This will be on Wednesday March 30. Be on the lookout for registration information.
I look forward to what 2022 will hold. Let’s make it an amazing year!
Michelle Boykin, Cheif Operating Officer at Rackley Roofing
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 DIVERSITY, EQUITY &
INCLUSION
Rae July, Chinook 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 Stand with  Ukraine
The DEI Committee would like to publicly address the invasion on the people of Ukraine. We make this announcement on the platform of basic human rights, and we want to be clear this is not a political stance. There are many women, and men, within our industry with ties to Ukraine. We hereby declare our support to those affected by the atrocities of war and the threat to freedom. While we understand this is a powerful message and may offend some who read this, we stand true in our conviction of being the voice of the voiceless. Read more...
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 MEMBERSHIP
Christee Holbrook, Graham Roofing; NWiR Membership Committee Chair
Kathleen Howard, Tremco; NWiR Membership Committee Vice Chair
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Welcome New Members!
The 3rd Monday of every month, the NWiR Membership Committee has a Stand Up introduction for new members. The Membership Committee takes this opportunity to introduce ourselves, and to learn a bit about the new member. Our goal is to help them learn more about NWiR, answer any questions, get them connected with local councils and also the different committees that are always looking for help and involvement of members. Our next STANDUP will be March 21, 2022 at 5pm EST.
During our January 2022 Stand Up we had the pleasure of meeting Brittany deRonde from Massachusetts, Leanne Waldal from San Francisco, Rachel Hoover from Montana, Jessica Knight from Arizona and Jessica Morey from Montana.
We look forward to getting to know these Women in Roofing!
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 MENTORING
Kelley Caron, OMG Roofing Products; NWiR Mentoring Committee Chair
Kyrah Coker, National Roofing Partners; NWiR Mentoring Committee Vice Chair
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Look What the N.E.W.S Winners Had to Say About Their NWiR Day Experience!
Penny Hewey – Gardner Contracting LLC.
Being able to attend NWIR day was a memorable experience that I can't imagine ever forgetting. I learned about myself and others through a behavioral assessment class that will help me at work and with people in general. It was so nice to just BE in an atmosphere of women that know what you've experienced in the roofing industry and even have a general idea of what you do for work. I'm glad I know where next year's event will be held so that I can begin my planning to attend next year. Thank you so much to those that provided for the N.E.W.S. scholarships; without it, I would have missed out on such a wonderful experience. Read more...
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 RECRUITMENT
Brenna Driver, Owens Corning; NWiR Recruitment Committee Chair
Paula Felix, AMS; Recruitment Committee Vice Chair
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From The Great Resignation To The Great Inflation. It’s Time To Get Creative.
Does it feel like you're spinning your wheels when it comes to effectively recruiting and hiring? Now is the time to change things up and be much more creative than dropping degree requirements. The big shift in recruiting is a focus on “fit” not “pedigree.” In other words, it doesn’t matter what school you went to or what jobs you’ve had, do you have the skills, ambition, interest, and personality match with the team? These latter “non-pedigree” factors are the ones that drive success. Read more...
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How to Recruit More Women: Improve Your Job Postings
Showing you have an open, inclusive culture starts with your recruiting practices and job postings. A quick fix to improve your postings? Stop using words like rockstar. Descriptive words like “rockstar”, “hacker” and “ninja” are typically not as appealing to women when searching for a new job. Masculine words imply a masculine culture, which alienates female applicants, not only to women but to all minority groups. Removing “kick-ass” from your job descriptions is going to help. Look for collaborative team-players instead. Read more...
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 COUNCILS
Christine Mockenhaupt, SRS Distribution Inc.; NWiR Councils Committee Chair
Mary Beth Reed, GAF; NWiR Councils Committee Vice Chair
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:
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Welcome to New Approved Councils
The Councils Committee would like to welcome these newly approved Councils to NWiR:
Iowa
Puerto Rico
Baltimore
Northwest Ohio
Welcome to NWIR!!!!
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The Northern New Jersey Council
"Gets Cheesy"
A r are 60 degree February day provided a preview of what it will be like to return to “normal” as the Northern New Jersey council gathered in person for the first time in many months.
In celebration of all things delicious, the group got “Cheesy” as local celebrity cheese maker “Vinnie Mootz” (Vincent Morelli) held a private lesson for the council, sharing his secrets for the perfect fresh Mozzarella at his storefront location in Lyndhurst, NJ. Some council members traveled over 100 miles to reconnect and network.
We were greeted with a beautiful specialty hors d’oeuvre platter, highlighting the multiple presentations and uses for the evening’s star. Read more...
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NWiR Tennessee Council
The Tennessee Council met February 16th for a Galentine's Day themed Lunch & Learn. Liz Garza of My Roofing Crew provided some tips and tricks related to the NWiR Day breakout session "45 Marketing Tips in 45 Minutes." A key takeaway is you're a walking billboard for your company. Another key takeaway is Crumbl Cookies are delicious!
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NWiR Tampa Council
GAF Plant Tour and Lunch
Join the NWiR Tampa Council on Thursday, March 10, 2022 for a GAF Plant Tour and Lunch
Diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams are at the heart of leadership at GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. Whom are committed to fostering a culture that reflects their values to connect, empower, evolve, and inspire where they embrace
Make sure to RSVP by 2 PM March 7, 2022 here...
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NWiR Oregon Council
Spreading Kindness
The Oregon Council hosted their February meeting online and in-person at Bliss Roofing. The group gathered, writing their favorite qualities of each member of the group and sharing them out loud. It was a wonderful opportunity to spread kindness and gratitude throughout the community.
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NWiR Cleveland Council
Kent State University WIC Week Event
Attention O hio:
You're invited to join the NWIR Cleveland Council in conjunction with the Kent State University Construction Management Student Organization to celebrate Women in Construction week! The Cleveland Council has been invited to speak as a panel about NWIR and the benefits of joining women centered organizations.
The NWIR panel will begin at 5:30pm on Friday, March 11th at the KSU College of Architecture and Environmental Design located at 132 South Lincoln St, Kent, OH 44240.
BONUS – there will be a free yoga class led by Mandy McIntyre at 4pm prior to the event!
For more information or to register for any of the events that week please sign up here. https://www.kentstateconstructionmanagement.com/projects-3
Feel free to email mandy@1stchoiceroofing.com with any questions or further details.
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NWiR Philadelphia Council
Save the date!
The planning committee has been meeting regularly to plan events for 2022. Our first activity will be a Cinco de Mayo themed networking event. Please save the date and plan to join us 5/5/22, 5:30-7:30pm. More details to come!
Interested in joining the planning committee? Please contact Barb McDonough barbara.a.mcdonough@saint-gobain.com
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NWiR Seattle Council
GAF Expo and NWIR Hands-On Event
NWIR Seattle teamed up with GAF at their annual Northwest Expo for a hands-on training event! Thank you to GAF and all the members who attended! We can’t wait to put these skills to work at our SHEBUILDS with Rebuilding Together South Sound in April!
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NWiR Northern California Council First event!
NorCal Council first in person event has been set. We would like to thank Letitia Hanke, Chief Executive Officer, at ARS for sponsoring this event. We are excited to meet everyone in person.
When? Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 3 PM - 6 PM
Where? St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery - 8440 St. Helena Highway Rutherford, CA 94573
Please make sure to RSVP here!
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 SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Celebrating women and their accomplishments
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Stephanie Kiriazes
Stephanie Kiriazes has been promoted to Senior Codes Engineer for Firestone Building Products. She is a classically trained Mechanical Engineer and has been with Firestone Building Products since September of 2019. She currently serves as the Chair for the Tennessee Council and is a member of the Councils Committee for National Women in Roofing. Congratulations on the promotion, Stephanie!
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NWiR at Roofing Day in D.C. 2022
Save the Date for April 5-6 when NWIR will be descending on Washington, D.C. to participate in Roofing Day.
Women have been involved in politics for a long time in their local communities and in the national arena; and the 2018 election saw women elected to Congress and to state and municipal offices in record numbers. There are also other ways to be politically engaged without running for office, and one of those ways is by participating in Roofing Day to make sure that members of Congress are hearing directly from the roofing industry about our thoughts and concerns.
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NWiR at the IIBEC Annual Convention 2022
Many NWiR members attend the IIBEC Annual Convention & Tradeshow and NWiR has a significant presence there, including an informal get-together and a booth at the trade show. The IIBEC Convention 2022 information is below:
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida
March 17-22, 2022
IIBEC’s premier annual event features over 17 hours of live, in-person educational seminars, a two-day trade show, and live product demonstrations.
For more information and to register, click here...
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The Power of Networking
The power of networking is within every professional but not
always obvious. This workbook easily lays out how to put together a networking plan for success in any career. Looking at community, industry and company networking, professionals can work to create a plan for strong networking that will enhance and excellerate career ambitions.
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Sales and Marketing for Roofing Contractors
An easy to read and understand tour through sales and marketing practices for roofing contractors. With information that will help any small business, this book shows how marketing is an integral part of the sales process. It highlights the role of marketing in generating, managing and handling leads that sales professionals can close.
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 EVENTS, WEBINARS &
MEETINGS
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NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
Ellen Thorp, M.A., CAE; NWiR Executive Director
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Survey shows increasing customer inquiries and increasing project contracts
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The Q4 2021 Market Index Survey for Reroofing shows increasing customer inquiries and increasing project contracts.
Below are a few topline highlights of the recent survey:
- Business Type: Roofing contractors comprised 73% of respondents; roofing consultants comprised 27% of respondents.
- Market Type: 88% of respondents indicate their business is primarily low slope or a blend between low and steep slope; 12% of respondents are engaged in steep slope only.
- Customer Inquiries: Approximately 49% of all respondents reported that customer inquiries increased for Q4 2021 as compared to the same quarter previous year; 31% reported no change; 21% reported a decrease.
 Project Contracts: Approximately 44% of all respondents reported that project contracts increased for Q4 2021 as compared to the same quarter previous year; 33% reported no change; 22% reported a decrease.- Project Backlog: 51% of all respondents reported a project backlog of 3 months or longer as of January 2022 compared to 44% of respondents that reported a similar backlog in October 2021.
The next call for responses will come in early April. Please make a note and be sure to complete the survey on behalf of your company or forward it to the proper person. We’d really like to see more respondents so that we can have a more accurate picture of business activity in the reroofing market.
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