BIAWC 2012 CLASSES, by date:
Please pre-enroll, some classes have size limitations. LUNCH is served, where scheduled, for those who register in advance.Thank you!

Wednesday, Feb. 8 – Employee vs Independent Contractor
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost includes lunch.
Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges,instructor.
One of the hottest employment tax topics!  Do you know the criteria used by the IRS and State of Washington to determine independent contractor status?  This session will help you understand the rules and correct reporting to help avoid costly penalties and back taxes.  We'll also cover the new IRS amnesty program to correct for improper classification of contractors. 
Taught by Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35. 
To  sign up online, click here, select "type" and complete "details."

Wednesday, Feb. 15 – EPA Certified Lead-Safety/Renovation/Repair/Paint
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  (registration closes after Feb. 8)
8 Real Estate Continuing Education, 4 Plumber Clock Hours.
Does your business involve the renovation, repair or painting of structures built before 1978? If so, there are new federal regulations that took effect, April 22, 2010, which may prevent you from performing your work. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agencies Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Program. Construction firms must apply for and receive EPA Certification to disturb paint as part of their work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. In addition, all of these jobs must be supervised by Certified Renovators; specifically, individuals who have completed an EPA-accredited, full-day training course. The training course is required for any contractor that is involved in any activity that will - or has the potential to - disturb six square feet of lead-based paint in a room or 20 square feet on the exterior. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities; however window replacement is not considered minor maintenance or repair.
Instructor: Kris Alberti, CGP, of the Northwest Independent Contractors Association (NICA).
Cost: $225 for BIAWC members, $275 for nonmembers.
To register, click here or contact Kris Alberti, NICA, at (509)750-7553.

Wednesday, Feb. 22 – How to Effectively Grow Your Business
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost includes lunch.
Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges, instructor.
There are a number of strategies to grow your business, but which ones are most effective?  This session will show you there are only 4 ways to truly grow in the direction you want and how you can incorporate networking effectively into your strategy to achieve the results you desire.  
Taught by Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35.  Course includes lunch.
To  sign up online, click here, select "type" and complete "details."

Wednesday, March 7 – Bonding: Current Trends and Issues Contractors Should Be Aware of
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost includes lunch.
Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges, instructor.
Do you receive bonding each year or are you looking to bid on jobs that require a bond?  The bonding environment has tightened substantially.  Your odds of receiving bonding can be increased if you understand what the sureties are looking for from your company.  This session will discuss what you can do to make your company more attractive for bonding purposes, including the important financial reporting and ratios that can make or break the bonding capacity of your business. 
Taught by Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35. 
To  sign up online, click here, select "type" and complete "details."

Wednesday-Thursday, March 14-15 – Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead Training
Friday, March 16 – CESCL Recertification
CESCL training is a two-day session. Retraining is one.  If your project disturbs more than an acre of land or is in a subdivision, you probably need a Construction Stormwater General Permit from the Department of Ecology. All such sites now require a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) on-call or on-site to inspect, install and manage stormwater controls. This course is designed for residential builders. It offers16 Appraiser classroom continuing ed hours. Re-certification credit: Certified Graduate Associate (CGA), Builder (CGB), Remodeler (CGR) and Graduate Master Builder (GMB). 
Register through BIAW at www.biaw.com. Or call Amber at BIAW: 1-800-228-4229. 
These 2 CESCL classes also will be offered in early October.

Wednesday, March 21 – Keeping Our Local Businesses Strong, an Overview of Effective Financial Management
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost includes lunch.
Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges, instructor.
It's now more than ever that local businesses need to change their focus to stay alive.   In this session, we will look at a short case study of a business that nearly went broke by looking at the wrong measures of performance.  This session will give you an overview of what you can do in your business to increase profitability and value as well as measure what matters.   For a three-minute overview of this class, click here.
Taught by Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35. 
To  sign up online, click here, select "type" and complete "details."

Wednesday, April 4 – How to Make Your Business More Bankable (and Appealing for a Loan)
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost includes lunch.
Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges, instructor.
Are you considering changing banks?  Ever wonder what the banks are really looking for when they analyze your business?  Wondering if you would qualify for a new loan?  This session will talk about the steps you can take to make your business more attractive to banks and lenders.  We'll also talk about key financial ratios that are important to banks and lenders.
Taught by Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35. 
To  sign up online, click here, select "type" and complete "details."

Thursday, April 5 – Help Us Help You! The ABC's of Claim Management
11 to 2 p.m, $15 – cost includes lunch
BIAW course – open to for ROII/CAP members only. 
THE BEST CLAIM IS NO CLAIM! This BIAW member-only workshop will talk about related injuries that impact the premium rates that employers pay to L&I. An effective claims management and return to work mean lower workers' comp rates and greater returns from the BIAW R.O.I.I. Select Program. This workshop will provide an overview of basic claim management principles and loss control strategies that will help employers reduce the frequency & severity of injuries. Come and meet your BIAW Claims Manager. Instructors: Our BIAW Amazing Claim Management Team
To sign up online through BIAW, click here. Or call Amber at BIAW: 1-800-228-4229.

Wednesday, April 25 – Fraud in the Workplace
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., cost includes lunch.
Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges, instructor.
Statistics show that fraud is widespread and affects EVERY organization, regardless of size, location or industry.  The average company will lose 6% of its annual revenue to fraud.  That's a costly expense going out the door.  This session will help you understand what fraud is and the many forms it can take.  Learn how to identify, prevent and fix fraud without getting stung, including the 3 conditions that will lead to fraud.
Taught by Stephanie Artino, BIAWC treasurer, Medcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35. 
To  sign up online, click here, select "type" and complete "details."

Friday, May 4 – Forklift Safety Training & Certification
1-5 p.m.
This course will cover all required regulations regarding forklift safety and provides the necessary certification.
Instructor: Joe Teeples
$80 members / $125 nonmembers – minimum 8 people.
Sign up online through BIAW at www.biaw.com or call Amber at BIAW: 1-800-228-4229.

IN SKAGIT COUNTY:

May 8, 15, 22 -- Built Green Professional Training in 6 sessions
$25 per session – 2 sessions per day, 8:30 am-11:30 am and 1-4 pm in Mount Vernon
Sponsored by SICBA, North Puget Sound Association of Realtors and others.
This Built Green® Professional Training series is designed to provide community-building professionals with local, accessible, and relevant information to be positioned in the new marketplace. Six sessions provide detailed information to help you navigate green building certifications, understand and communicate basic building science, market to savvy consumers, and build your client base. 
Explore green real estate in this engaging series that serves to help you define the many shades of green building and to distinguish green building programs, topics, and terminology that will enhance your marketability.  Navigating this expanding market is made easy by 20-year veteran of green building and winner of the 2010 Built Green Pioneer award.  Learn about the features and benefits of green homes that sell and enhance value.  Green homes are selling for more and in less time in King County and the market transformation is beginning in Skagit County. Be on the forefront of this emerging market by distinguishing yourself as a Built Green® Professional. 
This 18-clock hour series is certified by Built Green®. 
Each session priced at $25, including certified Real Estate and Appraiser Clock Hours.
Contact Mary or Laura at NPSAR, 1-360-416-4902 or Mary@NPSAR.com to register for all six sessions, 2 each on Tuesdays, May 8th, 15th, and 22nd 2012 in Mount Vernon.