March 2, 2020 INDEPENDENT ROOFING CONTRACTORS OF CALIFORNIA, INC. WWW.IRCC.ORG
IRCC Continues To Support Growing Influence Of Women Leaders in Roofing Industry
Lorelei S. Upshaw, the IRCC's Apprentice Training Coordinator, seen in above photo third from the left, keys in on full day schedule of training and information at the National Women In Roofing's (NWIR) two-day conference in Dallas in February in conjunction with the NRCA's International Roofing Expo. Lorelei also contributed time to the organization's booth at the expo, educating industry foot traffic at the convention hall of the growing and important role of women's role in professionalizing industry across the United States.
By Lorelei S. Upshaw
A National organization dedicated entirely to “Empowering Women in the Roofing Industry”? Can it be possible? Can it be successful? Yes, yes and yes! The National Women in Roofing, in its infancy (3 years old), has taken the Roofing industry by storm. By reaching out in all disciplines of the trade and including women with their unique skill sets, they are raising the caliber and improving the image of the entire Roofing Industry.
The day before the IRE kicked off in Dallas, Tx, the NWiR held a full day conference for “multidisciplinary women professionals in the roofing industry to get together to learn about the latest business strategies, and tactics and share their secrets to success”.
Over 320 women from all over the USA, Canada and even New Zealand started the day at 8:00 AM with breakfast and registration. Each woman got a bag full of relevant and extraordinary “bling”!
A series of eight “Turbo Talks” designed to “Drive your Success” followed. Topics included:
Setting goals and Visions, Community Service projects, Diagnostics of Emotional intelligence,
Unconscious Biases,
Attracting Women to your Pit Crew, Technology to Fine Tune Efficiencies,
Diversity and Inclusion, and Crossing the finish line.
A Safety Fashion show which was held during lunch proved there are boots, slacks, shirts, vests, gloves and hard hats designed especially for women. Even though a Harness system is still in the R&D phase, a few manufacturers are getting close to producing safe and effective fall protection for women.
The afternoon segment of the day included breakout sessions: Ask a Mentor, Professional “Head Shots “photos, live demonstrations, Council I & II – setting up and growing local NWiR councils, Managing Your Money and videotaped testimonials. The day wrapped up at Fine China to watch the Super Bowl, where enthusiastic women rooted for the San Francisco 49 and the Kansas City Chiefs!
