THE INSIDER
March 13, 2012

Inside this issue:
• CALENDAR 
• FROM THE EO’S CORNER 
• SCHOLARSHIP INFO 
• "HELP US HELP YOU” with claims management 
• "Lunch and Learn”:  KEEPING LOCAL BUSINESSES STRONG 

CALENDAR
March 13 – 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., QR Code Seminar
March 13 - 4:30 p.m. Executive Committee
March 15 – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Board of Directors
March 14-16 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., CESCL training
March 20 – 11:30 a.m. Membership Committee
March 21 – 7-9 a.m., LinkedIn Seminar and Breakfast sponsored by Moss Adams LLP
March 21 – 1:30 to 1 p.m., Keeping Our Local Businesses Strong, an Overview of Effective Financial Management
March 22 – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., GAC
March 28 – 4-5:30 p.m., Home Show Committee
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FROM THE EO’S CORNER
I think we’ll call it a Home show Home Run. Were you there? What did you think? You weren’t there? Shame on you! "Best show in years” was just declared to me by a long time member who spent more time than usual at the event this past weekend.
Water, water everywhere.
Over at Lake Whatcom, its phosphorous and the Dept. of Ecology. Stay tuned. Lots of unproven remedies are being proposed, if not mandated. The Whatcom County Planning Commission is pushing back – thank-you for asking the tough questions.
Throughout Whatcom County the discussion is heating up about water rights and the Nooksack River watershed. The tribes have petitioned the federal government for adjudication. Stay tuned on this one. If the Feds agree to adjudicate, you might not be able to take your water for granted anymore…
Thanks for being a member and supporting our industry. We’re here working for you.
It’s a new day at BIA!
BAE
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SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
If you know a student who’s interested in a homebuilding career, please forward this information!  The BIAW is accepting applications for $5,000 Mackenzie Cowell Memorial Scholarships, a program to assist and encourage workforce training in the construction industry.  Anyone can apply. Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2001, BIAW’s Education Committee volunteers and BIAW staff have devoted countless hours resulting in the award of 249 scholarships totaling nearly $345,000.

Scholarship information and an application form are available online www.biaw.com or by calling Amanda Beth or Jan in the BIAW Education Program, 1-800-228-4229 ext. 114.  Completed applications must include 3 letters of recommendation, a short essay about the applicant’s career goals, and a signature noting support from the local BIAWC. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 13, 2012.  For a signature of support from BIAWC, please contact Linda Twitchell, BIAWC Education Director, at 671-4247. 
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"HELP US HELP YOU” with claims management
April 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at BIAWC
Members enrolled in the R.O.I.I. program, here’s a benefit for you !  BIAW is offering a very successful basic claims management workshop at the BIAWC.
COST : $15.00 per person, includes lunch
REGISTRATION: 1-800-228-4229 and ask for Amanda Fields, or contact her at amandaf@biaw.com
The workshop was designed for business owners and their staff who handle L&I claims and includes:
• A presentation by Dr. Clyde Wilson, the Regional Medical Director for US HealthWorks on the importance of partnering with the physician treating the injured worker in returning the employee back to full duty quickly.
• Allen Larson, the Vice President of Marketing for Court Trax, presented information on how BIAW’s Quick Check program works and the value of doing background checks before hiring a new employee.
• R.O.I.I. Staff provided simple steps in the ‘20minute/$20 investment segment that can be used to prevent a future claim.  
• And of course, the ABC’s of claims management. 
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"Lunch and Learn”:  KEEPING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES STRONG, AN OVERVIEW OF EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Wednesday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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
Taught by Stephanie Artino of Metcalf Hodges.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35.  Price includes lunch for those who pre-register.
To register online, click here.
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