Flashings

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Massachusetts supports Helmets to Hardhats program

Massachusetts Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Gov. Kerry Healey (R-Mass.) signed a resolution for the Helmets to Hardhats program on March 10. The national Helmets to Hardhats program connects National Guard, reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities in the construction industry.

Signing the resolution was a show of support for the program's efforts to link former and active military personnel with civilian employment opportunities. Because the proclamation was signed, former military personnel now will have easier access to apprenticeship programs.

Massachusetts is the 17th state to adopt the Helmets to Hardhats program.

Did you know...?

• Women lead the ministry in only one country—Belgium.
• Israel is one-quarter the size of Maine.
• Infants spend more time dreaming than adults do.
• Diamond rings rarely were given as engagement rings before the 1930s.
• If you shave the striped fur off a tiger, you will find striped skin underneath.
• Half the population in Uganda is younger than age 15.
• Nutmeg is poisonous if injected intravenously.
• In an average hour, there are more than 61,000 people airborne over the U.S.
• India was the richest country in the world until the British invasion during the early 17th century.
• Saturn's rings are about 500,000 miles (800000 km) in circumference but only about 1 foot (0.3 m) wide.
• Only one in three people pay off credit card bills every month.
• Moviegoers in India visit the theatre 3 billion times per year.

Source: Adapted from NationMaster.com and HookedonFacts.com as cited by First Draft, June 2004 issue

Beware of false promises

"Don't make promises you can't keep." This is a good rule of thumb to employ, especially when dealing with your staff. It may seem basic, but many managers do not follow this rule and ultimately alienate their employees.

It is much easier to tell people what they want to hear than deliver unwanted news, but resist the urge to be a people pleaser. Telling employees what they want to hear may keep them happy temporarily; however, when you cannot keep up your end of the bargain, it is likely employees will feel demotivated and leery of your credibility.

The best course of action is to avoid promises altogether if there is any chance you will not be able to fulfill them. This will prevent loss of trust between you and your staff.

Source: Adapted from the Negotiation newsletter as cited by First Draft, August 2004 issue

Ditch computer cramps

Do you work at a computer for extended periods? If your joints are stiff and cramped from too much PC time, try these stretches recommended by Karen Jacobs, professor of occupational therapy at Boston University.

1. Stretch your forearms. Put your palms together in a prayer position. Keeping them together, slowly push your hands down until you feel a stretch in your forearms. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds.
2. Stretch your wrists. Extend your arms out in front of you with your elbows straight. Bend your hands at the wrists so your fingers point toward the floor. Hold for 15 seconds. Then, bend your hands so your fingers point toward the ceiling. Hold for another 15 seconds.
3. Stretch your fingers. Make a fist and squeeze for five seconds, then stretch your fingers outward so they separate. Hold for five seconds, and repeat with your other hand.

Source: Adapted from Parenting as cited by First Draft, August 2004 issue

Foulke chosen to head OSHA

On March 13, the U.S. Senate approved Edwin G. Foulke Jr., an attorney with Jackson Lewis LLP, Greenville, S.C., as head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Foulke graduated from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., in 1974 and received a Juris Doctor from Loyola University, New Orleans, in 1978 and Master of Law degree from Washington, D.C.-based Georgetown University Law School in 1993.

Foulke has served as chairman for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and Jackson Lewis' OSHA practice group, as well as an adjunct professor at St. Mary's Dominican College, New Orleans.

As head of OSHA, Foulke will manage an extensive program to ensure the safety and health of U.S. workers by establishing and implementing standards; provide training, outreach and education; and create partnerships that support constant development in workplace safety and health.

"Ed has extensive knowledge and experience in workplace safety and health issues that he will put to use to protect workers and promote employer compliance," says Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Until Foulke assumes his position at OSHA, Jonathan Snare will continue his role as acting administrator.

Details

Ken Tetterton
President and general manager of Curtis Construction Co. Inc., Kinston, N.C.

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
Reroofing the North Carolina governor's mansion—I gained the experience of dealing with a historically significant project. I was intrigued by the original details and their simplicity.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
After spending two years in property management, I knew there had to be a better way to make a living. A door opened to work for a local roofing contractor, and the doors just kept opening.

What was your first roofing experience?
I went with a small crew to install a ballasted PVC roof system. I had no experience to lend to the job. I started by doing only the most menial tasks and was respectful of the roofing crew's skills. I quickly realized my value to the company was to eliminate confusion and organize the jobs to make the crew's time more productive. The excitement of seeing estimates become jobs and job cost analysis being your report card still excites me.

What are your favorite items on your desk?
Old things that remind me of the past and how far I've come.

What do you consider your most rewarding experiences?
Being a parent and taking pride in the people my son and daughter have become. There is no greater responsibility than being a parent, and to have your children become good, caring people is most gratifying.

What was your first job?
Growing up on a small farm, the chores started early and became my job. I was responsible for hand pumping water for livestock.

What is your favorite vacation?
My wife and I took our son and daughter on a cross-country vacation to the West Coast, stopping in most of the major cities and watching Major League Baseball games. The memories from that vacation are priceless.

What do you consider a waste of time?
Redoing work not done correctly the first time.

What are your best and worst habits?
My best habit is being generous, and my worst habit is being unorganized.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Dealing with people who can't see the big picture.

If you could invite any three people to dinner (dead or alive), whom would you invite and why?
My father, son and daughter—I would like my children to meet and know a man whose greatest accomplishments were his family and friends.

What is your favorite stress reliever?
Weekends at the beach.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Keeping each person in the mindset that his or her performance is important to the outcome of every project.

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I've been involved with our local association for 20 years. I started as a district director and moved up to president. Most recently I have been named an NRCA director.

People would be surprised to know...
There is not much surprise with me—I'm very transparent. What you see is what you get.

Employees don't buy it

About one-fifth of employees don't believe information communicated by their companies, according to a survey conducted by Towers Perrin, Philadelphia, in 2003.

Of the 1,000 employees surveyed, only a little more than half said they generally believe what their companies tell them, and 55 percent believe their companies sugarcoat the information they supply. However, according to the survey, employees tend to believe information about pay issues and benefits. They take this information as true because it is "concrete."

To gain more loyalty, motivation and a bigger bottom line, employers must apply the "concrete" aspects of their messages so employees have something they believe is honest and tangible.

Source: Adapted from IndustryWeek as cited by First Draft, June 2004 issue

Create a useful job description

Many organizations require job descriptions for their employees. However, the descriptions often are outdated and ambiguous. To compose a meaningful job description or update an old one, follow these guidelines:

• Use clear language. Try to use words that have only one meaning, and give explanations for words that have several meanings. For example, "Punctual means being at your desk by 7:30 a.m. every day."
• Use specific language. Instead of requiring "good communication skills," require an employee "be able to communicate technical concepts to a nontechnical audience," for example.
• Begin sentences with active verbs, and use the present tense. For example, "Record all telephone messages, and deliver them to appropriate staff members."
• Use nontechnical language. A meaningful job description explains job objectives and responsibilities in a way comprehensible to all. However, if the job is technical in nature, it is appropriate to use such language.
• Describe the desired outcome of the work rather than a method for accomplishing it. For example, replace "write down telephone messages" with "accurately record telephone messages."

Source: Adapted from "How to Write Job Descriptions," www.careermideast.com, as cited by Communication Briefings, August 2005 issue

Late contractor established foundation for children

Gary L. Houck Jr., former director of operations for Houck Services Inc., Harrisburg, Pa., who passed away in 2005 at age 29, has left a legacy in the form of a children's foundation.

Before his death, Houck established The Kids Trust, an organization for abused children whose mission is "to help young children of abuse grow up in a safe, happy and exciting environment." The foundation is aligned with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

The foundation's board of directors and Houck's family will determine the activities and benefactors of The Kids Trust. A perpetual foundation, The Kids Trust always will accept contributions and suggestions, as well as strive to fulfill its mission statement.

Visit www.thekidstrust.com to learn more about The Kids Trust foundation and child abuse.