NPBA Newsletter March 2012

Mission Statement The 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

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 available. Call the office at 452-8160 for more information or e-mail faleana@npba.info.

New printed Membership Directory arriving soon!

The 2012 NPBA Membership Directory is nearing completion and will be arriving in your March 28 issue of the Sequim Gazette and Peninsula Daily 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 associates 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.

March 2012

Vol. 5, Issue 3

March 2012

Dear Donna Donna L. Knifsend

Dear Donna: What is mediation and how can it help in a business dispute?

Mediation is a form of alternative or appropriate 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, confidential, 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 resolution. 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 disputants 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 disputants should be sure that the mediator conforms to the type of assistance that the parties desire and are comfortable with. Mediation is not about splitting-the-baby-in-

Free publicity opportunity Feature 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 wellwritten, 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 faleana@npba.info or call 452-8160 for more information.

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

In any dispute, including business disputes, conflict can be good if it is acknowledged and approached with an open mind.

Often business relations become stale, employee disputes arise and the economy takes a toll on business owners. However, a proactive 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 being said.

As an investigator of employment discrimination cases, I often hear facts and complaints that should have been discussed between the parties early on to avoid the escalation 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 alternative 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 solutions on their terms. Once workable solutions have been agreed upon, put it in writing. Should adjustments need to be made to the written agreement, revisit the viability of the agreement with the assistance of the mediator 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.

Garden Glory available!

“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/transferstation.htm.

The product is a mixture of yard waste and biosolids composted 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.

Vol. 5, Issue 3

March 2012

BIAW Marketing Webinars If you missed the wildly successful NPBA Marketing 101 Series, here is your chance to participate in a series of four BIAW Marketing 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 amanda@biaw. com or 800-228-4229.

The schedule as follows: March 22 - Introduction to Online Marketing (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 online 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.

April 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 massive traffic engine to get in front of potential clients at exactly the right moment.

May 3 - Erasine Online "Graffiti" and Protecting Your Reputation Online (LMS106) Unhappy customers, angry employees and unethical competitors can destroy your reputation. 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.

Look for the Logo!

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 companies who have the NPBA logo are serious about business.

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 April 21 April 26

NPBA Board of Directors Meeting Surplus Sale, Clallam County Fairgrounds General Membership Meeting

Builder’s Surplus Surplus Sale Builder’s Sale April21, 21,2012, 2012, Noon—3 April Noon—3pm pm ClallamCounty County Fairgrounds Clallam Fairgrounds New and used building materials,

New and used building materials, overstocks and over-runs, perfect forand youover-runs, project! overstocks perfectandforbark youforproject!

Mulch, topsoil, compost your landscaping project.

Too many items to to attend and find the project.

Mulch, topsoil, compost andlist-plan bark for your landscaping perfecttothings for your project!and find the Too many items list-plan to attend perfect things for your project!

If you have items to donate, please contact faleana@npba.info or call the office at 452-8160.

If you have items to donate, please contact faleana@npba.info or call the office at 452-8160.

2012 Officers and Board of Directors President: Rick Gross, Estes Builders LLC 1st Vice President: Garret DelaBarre DelaBarre Construction 2nd Vice President: Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Treasurer: Julie Myers, First Federal Secretary: Donna Knifsend Lawsuit Prevention & Mgmt Immediate Past President: Tracy Gudgel Zenovic & Associates State Directors: Annie O’Rourke, Drafting Solutions Scott Schwagler, J & J Construction Garret DelaBarre, DelaBarre Construction Mark Smith Builder Directors: Alex Anderson, Alex Anderson Concrete Larry Hanna, L.P. Hanna Construction Bill Feeley, Feeley Construction Inc. Greg McCarry, Westerra Homes Associate Directors: Kelly Raymond, Sound Community Bank Dan Donovan, Allform Welding Inc. Roger Wheeler, RJ Services Life Director: Bill Roberds, Excel Utility Construction Inc. Executive Officer: FaLeana Wech

Vol. 5, Issue 3

March 2012

Featured member benefit of the month Through 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 VZEmail 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 Brett.Green@verizonwireless.com for more information.

NPBA welcomes the following new members: JK Carpentry and Home Repair John King 890 Hooker Road, Sequim, WA 98282 360-477-3031

Loch Ness Mobile Locksmith Carol and Larry McCormack 21 Molenda Lane, Sequim, WA 98382 360-808-6565 lochnesslocksmith@yahoo.com

Pantry and Latch

Andrew Thomas 122 W. Washington St. 105 Oso Vista Court Sequim, WA 98382 360-460-1403 andrew@pantryandlatch.com pantryandlatch.com

NPBA would like to thank the following companies for their continued support: Clallam County PUD Fairchild Floors H20 Plumbing Contractors Integrity Property Developers Mill Creek Construction Inc NTI Engineering & Surveying Security 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

CODE CORNER

Clallam 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 containing 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.