AGC Nebraska Building Chapter's E-Update

July 2, 2009

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Thank you to corporate sponsor SilverStone Group!

Current Economic Statistics From Ken Simonson

Last week Ken Simonson presented a summer update of economic conditions in the construction industry to the Executive Leadership Council.  Click here to view the PowerPoint slides from that presentation.

Mark you calendar now! Ken Simonson will be in Nebraska for Regional Member Meetings on Wednesday, November 11th.  The times and locations are:
7:30am Breakfast Meeting Omaha
12:00pm Luncheon Meeting in Lincoln
4:00pm in Kearney. 

 

Annual Education Fundraiser Coming Soon

The future workforce of the construction industry is very important to all of us!  This is why one of the goals of the Chapter is to support five AGC Student Chapters in the state.  Each year our Chapter raises funds to support the Student Chapter projects and fund scholarships awarded to individual students members.  The Progressive Charity Raffle is this year’s major activity to raise money to support the AGC Student Chapters and annual scholarships to future employees of the industry.

The tickets are $100.00 each and only 400 will be sold starting July 15th.  The grand prize is $5,000.  There will be many other cash and gift prizes; 38 cash prizes and 25 gift prizes to be exact.  Yes, that is a 1 in 9 chance to win!  You may view the list of prizes at the Chapter’s website after August 1st.  More info on purchasing tickets on July 15th!

 
Update Of City Of Omaha Plumbing Code

The City of Omaha has completed a first draft of proposed changes to the Omaha Plumbing Code (Chapter 49, Omaha Municipal Code).  Jim Wonder, Chief Plumbing Inspector, is coordinating this effort and he is providing the initial draft, schedule for comments, public hearings and adoption information.  The City is asking for your assistance in reviewing these changes and letting Jim know your comments. To view the changes and form for comments click here. Comments are due by July 20th.  Jim plans to give the Plumbing Board a final draft on the 29th of July.  

 

central community college

Heavy Equipment Training
Central Community College-Hastings

  • 22 two-day workshops, April-October
  • Each focuses on one type of equipment
  • 10 types of equipment included

All sessions cover:

  • Basic equipment orientation and operation
  • safety procedures
  • loading and excavating

Click here for schedule and details or go to
www.cccneb.edu/HeavyEquipment

 

New, Updated Resource From AGC of America

Federal Government Contractor Ethics and Compliance Programs Toolkit and Guidance

Federal contractors face a multifaceted and complex regulatory environment. The landscape is now more complicated thanks to new rules approved in 2008 requiring contractors to have a code of business ethics and compliance in place, an internal control system and new mandatory disclosure requirements. This publication is designed to provide federal contractors all the necessary tools they need to navigate these stringent requirements.

Item No. 2060.  Member Price: $75.00
Call or email Linda at the Chapter office to order!

 
Book Review for a Good Summer Read if You Have Time

The following book review was provided by Robert Bowen, President of Bowen Engineering.  Bowen Engineering is a general contractor member of AGC in Indiana.

Book Review: IT’S YOUR SHIP
Title:  IT’S YOUR SHIP
Author:  Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
Reviewed By: Robert Bowen

Captain Abrashoff took over the USS Benfold.  The ship was in total disarray.  He took the ship from being the worst ship in the US Navy to being the “Best Damn Ship in the Navy”.  He did it by developing his own leadership skills to bring the entire crew to a level of excellence.    Before he took over the Benfold, retention of seamen at the end of their tour of duty was 2%.  After his tour on the Benfold, seaman retention was 98%.  The Navy now uses crew retention as a measure of command effectiveness.

Of all of the management training books I have read, this is the best.  It was an absolute page turner.  Each successive chapter was filled with exciting events that took the reader right into the situation.  You felt like you were right there and walking in the shoes of Captain Abrashoff...

Click here for the rest of the review.

PS:  Jean has this book and will be finished reading it very soon.  Contact her if you would like to borrow her copy.  It is an excellent read!

 
Construction Learning Center @ the Nebraska State Fair

This is a “new and cool” event we are co-sponsoring with the Nebraska Chapter, in partnership with the Nebraska State Fair from August 28th to September 7th.  This public event will provide us with a great opportunity to showcase our industry in the state. 

WE NEED MEMBERS TO VOLUNTEER TO TAKE PART IN THE “NEW AND COOL” EVENT! (Cool in temperature too; we have 7,000 sq. feet of air conditioned space.) Click here to view details about the event! Click here to view the volunteer sponsorship packages!

 
One Last Change of Email Reminder

The email address for the Building Chapter has changed to agcnebuilders@windstream.net. This address goes to Linda. Jean’s direct email address has changed to jdpetsch@windstream.net. 

Since May 15th, emails using the "@alltel.net" extension will not reach us. Please make the above changes in your address books.

 

EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE AND RELAXING 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

 
If there are other people in your company who would like to receive this E-Update, please send their e-mail address to agcnebuilders@windstream.net or call (402) 438-0400.