NPBA Newsletter March 2012

Mission StatementThe North Peninsula Building Association

represents builders and associates of the building industry. We advocate constant improvement of

building and business practices to provide quality construction in our community.

Vol. 5, Issue 3 www.npba.info 360-452-8160 PO Box 748 • 3430 E. Highway 101, Ste. #1, Port Angeles, WA 98362 March 2012

Plan to attend the 15th annual 2012 Building,

Remodeling and Energy Expo!

It’s hard to believe that it is that time of year again but Expo 2012 is right around the corner. This year’s show will feature the latest and best products and services for your next project. The show runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m Sunday with a variety presentations featuring landscaping, energy audits and aging in place topics.

You also can enter to win a shopping spree and other great prizes to celebrate our 15th year! For a complete list of presentations and vendors visit sequimexpo.com. We look forward to seeing you at the show! If you have a service or product you would like to present to the public, booth space still is avail-able. Call the office at 452-8160 for more information or e-mail [email protected].

The 2012 NPBA Membership Directory is near-ing completion and will be arriving in your March 28 issue of the Sequim Gazette and Peninsula Dai-ly News. The directory can be found in the center of the Official Expo Program Guide. Once you have finished reading the Official Expo Program Guide, just pull out and save the center section

for easy reference to tradespersons and associ-ates who can help you with your next project. The NPBA would like to thank the Sequim Gazette for printing and producing the 2012 directory and also Trina Stern of by Design Group and Donna Pacheco of Lumber Traders, Inc. for all of their work on this project.

New printed Membership Directory arriving soon!

Vol. 5, Issue 3 March 2012

Donna L. Knifsend

DearDonna

Dear Donna: What is mediation and how can it help in

a business dispute?Mediation is a form of alternative or ap-

propriate dispute resolution that helps the parties understand their rights, obligations and concerns, and then explores mutually workable solutions that fit the parties’ needs.

Mediation provides a voluntary, confiden-tial, non-binding opportunity for the parties to discuss differences with the assistance of a neutral third-party.

The parties, not the mediator, make final decisions which allows for a win-win reso-lution. Disputants may not walk away from the mediation process feeling like a happy camper, but in arbitration and litigation there is a win/lose decision made by a third party decision-maker that actually binds dis-putants to something they may not be able to fulfill. In short, having a judgment does not mean that you can collect what is owed.

Mediators come in all styles and the dis-putants should be sure that the mediator conforms to the type of assistance that the parties desire and are comfortable with. Me-diation is not about splitting-the-baby-in-

half or compromising to where both parties walk away feeling like losers. Rather, media-tion is about collaborating to help the dispu-tants obtain more than they probably would have gotten had they gone to court.

In any dispute, including business dis-putes, conflict can be good if it is acknowl-edged and approached with an open mind. Often business relations become stale, em-ployee disputes arise and the economy takes a toll on business owners. However, a pro-active approach to a dispute allows for the business to move forward, often saving good customers and employees. This does not mean a business owner must give in to an unreasonable request or customer, but open your communication to hear what is not be-ing said.

As an investigator of employment dis-crimination cases, I often hear facts and complaints that should have been discussed between the parties early on to avoid the es-calation of costly protracted litigation and irreparable harm to business relations. The best approach to conflict management is to discuss disputes directly with the other

party(ies) involved as early as possible. That is not always feasible due to emotions, closed minds or other factors, so the next best alter-native is to meet with a mediator that can help you open communication.

A good mediator is an agent of reality while helping the parties think outside of the box. The mediator should be part of the solution and not part of the problem. In family and business disputes, mediation is a process that helps empower the parties to put accountability and responsibility back into the equation while finding workable so-lutions on their terms. Once workable solu-tions have been agreed upon, put it in writ-ing. Should adjustments need to be made to the written agreement, revisit the viability of the agreement with the assistance of the me-diator so that communication remains open. In short, mediation is good business.

Disclaimer: The advice given herein is strictly for informational purposes only and does not reflect advice to the readers. If you have a legal issue, see an attorney for full evaluation and advice.

Free publicity opportunityFeature article submissions are now being accepted from members for publication in our monthly NPBA newsletter. Introduce your company, staff, services or special news in a well-written, editorial article geared toward consumers, of up to 500 words. Be sure to supply a high-quality color photo, company logo and contact information. Submissions will be considered based on newsworthiness and relevance to the building industry. E-mail your story, photo and logo to [email protected] or call 452-8160 for more information.

“Garden Glory” compost is available for purchase at the composting facility in the Regional Transfer Station.

Compost can be purchased 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call the Transfer Station informational line at 417-4875 and press “5” for more information or visit www.cityofpa.us/trans-ferstation.htm.

The product is a mixture of yard waste and biosolids compos-ted at the composting facility. Yard waste includes grass, leaves, branches and other yard debris from residences and commercial activities in Clallam County. Biosolids come from the treatment of wastewater at the city wastewater treatment plant.

The city produces approximately 3,000 cubic yards of compost each year. These biosolids are treated and strictly monitored in accordance with regulatory requirements. The City of Port Angeles certifies that this product complies with all applicable standards and participates in the U.S. Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance Program, test results available on request.

Garden Glory available!

Builder’s Surplus Sale April 21, 2012, Noon—3 pm Clallam County Fairgrounds

New and used building materials, overstocks and over-runs,

perfect for you project!

Mulch, topsoil, compost and bark for your landscaping project. Too many items to list-plan to attend and find the

perfect things for your project!

If you have items to donate, please contact [email protected] or call the office at 452-8160.

Vol. 5, Issue 3 March 2012

Calendar of events:March 3 3rd Annual NPBA Bowling Tournament 6 p.m.March 29 General Membership Meeting 6 p.m.March 31-April 1 15th Annual Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo

April 12 NPBA Board of Directors Meeting April 21 Surplus Sale, Clallam County FairgroundsApril 26 General Membership Meeting

2012 OffiCerS and BOard Of direCtOrSPresident: Rick Gross, Estes Builders LLC1st Vice President: Garret DelaBarre DelaBarre Construction2nd Vice President: Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc.Treasurer: Julie Myers, First FederalSecretary: Donna Knifsend Lawsuit Prevention & MgmtImmediate Past President: Tracy Gudgel Zenovic & AssociatesState Directors: Annie O’Rourke, Drafting Solutions Scott Schwagler, J & J Construction Garret DelaBarre, DelaBarre Construction Mark SmithBuilder Directors: Alex Anderson, Alex Anderson Concrete Larry Hanna, L.P. Hanna Construction Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Greg McCarry, Westerra HomesAssociate Directors: Kelly Raymond, Sound Community Bank Dan Donovan, Allform Welding Inc. Roger Wheeler, RJ ServicesLife Director: Bill Roberds, Excel Utility Construction Inc.Executive Officer: FaLeana Wech

If you missed the wildly successful NPBA Marketing 101 Series, here is your chance to participate in a series of four BIAW Market-ing Classes in a webinar format. Each class will last 45 minutes with time at the end for questions. The cost will be $5 per class. To register, contact Amanda at [email protected] or 800-228-4229.

The schedule as follows:

March 22 - Introduction to Online Mar-keting (LMS100)

If you are new to online marketing, or you just don't understand how marketing online can help your small business, this webinar is for you. You will learn the basics of how on-line marketing works, how to generate leads and how to integrate your online marketing strategy into your business.

April 5 - How to Find Your Ideal Client Online (LMS101)

Do you struggle with how to target your market online? You're not alone. Learn how to identify your target online, find what they are searching for and target their intersts to generate more business.

BIAW Marketing WebinarsApril 19 - Local Search Marketing

Explained (LMS102)An entire webinar focused on targeting a

local market. If you have a service business or retail storefront, you need to know these secrets. Learn how to leverage Google's mas-sive traffic engine to get in front of potential clients at exactly the right moment.

May 3 - Erasine Online "Graffiti" and Pro-tecting Your Reputation Online (LMS106)

Unhappy customers, angry employees and unethical competitors can destroy your repu-tation. If you think this isn't for you, think again. Now more than ever your prospects can assess your reputation online in seconds and it could cost you real business.

The ability to use the NPBA logo is another great member benefit!

NPBA members love to "Do Business with a Member" and the public recognizes that compa-nies who have the NPBA logo are

serious about business.

Look foR thE LoGo!

Builder’s Surplus Sale April 21, 2012, Noon—3 pm Clallam County Fairgrounds

New and used building materials, overstocks and over-runs,

perfect for you project!

Mulch, topsoil, compost and bark for your landscaping project. Too many items to list-plan to attend and find the

perfect things for your project!

If you have items to donate, please contact [email protected] or call the office at 452-8160.

Vol. 5, Issue 3 March 2012

Featured member benefit of the monthThrough the NPBA’s affiliation with the Home Builder Purchasing Program, our

members can save big on their Verizon Wireless bill! Qualifying members may be eligible to receive 22 percent off monthly access calling plan fees, unlimited VZE-mail for only $20 per month and 35 percent off Verizon Wireless accessories. This is a benefit that also can be extended to your employees on their lines of service. The discount for qualifying employees is 18 percent!

Give our Verizon Wireless business account executive a call at 360-710-5050 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

JK Carpentry and Home RepairJohn King890 Hooker Road, Sequim, WA 98282 360-477-3031

Loch Ness Mobile LocksmithCarol and Larry McCormack21 Molenda Lane, Sequim, WA [email protected]

Pantry and Latch Andrew Thomas122 W. Washington St.105 Oso Vista CourtSequim, WA 98382360-460-1403 [email protected]

NPBA would like to thank the following companies for their continued support:

Clallam County PUDFairchild Floors

H20 Plumbing Contractors Integrity Property DevelopersMill Creek Construction Inc

NTI Engineering & SurveyingSecurity Services Northwest

Service Master of the Olympic Peninsula Sherry Grimes Designs

The Plumbing Connection Inc Tim's Custom Cabinets, Inc.

Town & Country Post Frame Buildings

Wilson Welding & Fabrication

NPBA welcomes the following

new members:

CoDE CoRNERClallam and Jefferson County, Port Angeles,

Port Townsend, Sequim, Juan de Fuca Chapter of ICC

Did you know … that you can access floors of 200 square feet or less in size without a code compliant set of stairs? The State of Washington allows lofts or mezzanines contain-ing bedrooms, bonus rooms and bathrooms in single-family residences to be accessed by a ladder or other means as long as the space does not contain the primary bathroom or the kitchen.