Our committees do important work, but in-person meetings can be hard to fit into a busy week. Some committees meet too rarely to move projects forward, and others ask for more meetings than most members can give. We want to change that. We are launching a set of Microsoft Teams channels that replace our standing committees and let members contribute day to day, from a phone or laptop, on the topics that matter most to your business.

Four New Teams Channels

Each channel is open to members who want to share ideas, follow updates, respond to quick questions, and help with focused tasks:

• Government Affairs. Follow state and local policy, share what you are seeing in your market, and help staff prepare for advocacy efforts and legislative outreach.
• Safety. Share field observations, best practices, and safety resources, and help shape the chapter’s safety guidance for members.
• Workforce Development. Support construction education and workforce pipelines, including school partnerships, and industry-recognized credentials.
• Apprenticeship. All things specific to the association's registered apprenticeship program, including standards revisions, wage schedules, and governance policies.
• Membership. Exchange ideas on member recruitment, retention, and value, event engagement, and help us understand what members need from the chapter.

Why Teams Works Better

Short, focused, and ongoing conversations replace the need for a standing meeting for every question. Members can post an update, weigh in on a decision, or volunteer for a single task without making a long calendar commitment. When a topic needs a live discussion, a committee meeting may be scheduled as a result of Teams activity, so meetings happen when there is real work to do. Staff will post regular summaries so that members who cannot follow every thread still stay informed.

Board Service and Leadership Opportunities

These channels are also a good way to find out whether board service is right for you. Board members set chapter policy and guide our strategic plan. If you are interested in serving, the channels give you a low-pressure way to see the work up close and to show your commitment before you take on a formal role.

Participation in these channels, however, is not a requirement for board service. If you are interested in board service, please contact Bart Hacker at [email protected], and he will share the board expectations and the monthly meeting calendar.

How to Join

To join a channel, contact Bart Hacker at [email protected], and he will add you.

Questions? Contact the chapter office and we will be glad to help you get started.

Thank you for building this association with us.