NRCA Resources

Center members view European roof-integrated PV systems

In October 2008, members of the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing were invited to tour Belgium-based DERBIGUM's manufacturing facilities in Belgium to view roof-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system installations. The company manufactures DERBIGUM, DERBICOLOR, DERBIBRITE and DERBISOLAR products.

The group included NRCA President Rob Therrien, president of The Melanson Co. Inc., Keene, N.H.; NRCA Vice President Rob McNamara, president of F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co. Inc., Milwaukee, a Tecta America company; Reid Ribble, president of The Ribble Group Inc., Kaukauna, Wis.; Jerry Schaefer, chief executive officer of Sellers & Marquis Roofing Co., Kansas City, Mo.; Craig Silvertooth, the center's executive director; and NRCA Executive Vice President Bill Good. They were accompanied by DERBIGUM's European and U.S. executive officers and members of e-PGEN, DERBIGUM's Energy Preservation and Generation division.

The group visited various sites in Belgium, including a vegetative roof system on the Commission of European Community in Brussels, and took a roof tour of VMM, a Brussels-based television station with a 400-kilowatt roof-integrated PV system. The group then traveled to Nantes, France, to view a DERBISOLAR installation that, when complete, will be the world's largest roof-integrated PV system on a polymer-modified bitumen surface.

"The trip was a great opportunity to show some of our DERBISOLAR installations abroad and allow the contractors to see the manufacturing and testing procedures we have implemented to ensure we are putting the best product available on the market," says Travis Wallace, Performance Roof Systems' director of marketing and customer support. "We used this as an educational opportunity for us, as well—understanding the roofing contractor's perspective of the changing landscape of our industry and ways we can make sure roofing professionals still own the roof."

Good valued the opportunity to see new technologies being implemented on roof systems.

"The contractors who were invited are all founding members of the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing and have a keen interest in learning about emerging technologies," he says. "There is no better way to learn than to actually see roof system installations using the newest technologies, and they are impressive. We're grateful to our friends at DERBIGUM for giving us this great opportunity."

Kickoff to Rebuild 2009

On Jan. 30, Washington, D.C.-based Rebuilding Together,® NRCA's national charity partner, will hold its 14th annual pre-Super Bowl event, Kickoff to Rebuild.

This year, National Football League players and officials, as well as community members, will volunteer to help rebuild the community of West Tampa by providing free home repairs that embrace energy efficiency and safe and healthy housing principles. Volunteers will work to rehabilitate the area of old West Tampa, which is located in the heart of the West Tampa district and includes many historical buildings.

For more information about Rebuilding Together's 14th annual Kickoff to Rebuild, visit www.rebuildingtogether.org.

Register on NRCA's Web site

NRCA members are eligible to register on www.nrca.net to gain access to the Members Only section and receive NRCA's electronic communications.

By registering online, members will have access to the latest industry news, extensive technical and market information, a public relations guide, educational programs, an industry calendar and more.

Additionally, members can renew their memberships online, download NRCA's logo and learn how to hyperlink to NRCA's Web site. The Members Only section also features a comprehensive list of NRCA's Special Reports, which are listed in chronological order and provide updates about current industry-related issues.

Those who register online also can choose to receive E-News, NRCA's weekly electronic newsletter, and e-Briefings from the Center, a monthly electronic newsletter about roof systems, energy and the environment from the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing.

To register online, a member must enter his or her company's member identification number and choose a user name and password. After completing the required fields, including a valid e-mail address, and opting in to NRCA's newsletters, members will have instant access to the section.

Nonmembers also can register on NRCA's Web site to receive E-News and e-Briefings from the Center, but only NRCA members can access the Members Only section.

For more information, contact Laura Lewis, NRCA's director of Web site development, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7560 or llewis@nrca.net.

Roofing 101 is a success

More than 1,200 people successfully have completed NRCA University's Roofing 101 interactive online educational program since the program's launch June 15, 2008.

Roofing 101 features animation, graphics, videos and interactive learning activities that address roofing terminology, roof assembly components and roof systems. The program benefits people new to the roofing industry, building owners, facility managers, architects, appraisers, inspectors, government agencies, general contractors and civil engineers.

The program consists of five self-paced learning modules: The Basics, Roof System Basics, Low-slope Roof Systems, Steep-slope Roof Systems, and Roof Flashing Systems and Accessories. Each module requires about one hour each to complete.

Roofing 101 modules can be purchased individually or in customized packages. Participants can earn various continuing education credits and receive a certificate of completion following an exam at the end of each module.

For more information, contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net or visit www.nrca.net/nrcauniversity.

Link to NRCA's Web site

NRCA members can promote NRCA and the value of NRCA membership by adding a hyperlink from their Web sites to www.nrca.net.

Under the "NRCA services" heading in the Members Only section of its Web site, NRCA provides instructions and the HTML code to add a linked NRCA logo to your company's Web site. Your Webmaster can follow NRCA's step-by-step instructions to update your company's Web site.

By linking to NRCA's Web site, you can increase your company's credibility by promoting your NRCA membership and advance NRCA's visibility among other industry professionals and consumers.

For more information about linking to NRCA's Web site, contact Laura Lewis, NRCA's director of Web site development, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7560 or llewis@nrca.net.

NRCA offers retirement program

The NRCA Retirement Program allows NRCA members to provide retirement benefits for their employees. The program offers a flexible package of legal, administrative and investment management services at a price that may be significantly less than an individually managed plan. Currently, 36 members are participating, and the plan's assets total more than $46 million.

The NRCA Retirement Program's development is overseen by an advisory committee consisting of NRCA members who have experience managing retirement plans. Participating companies receive quarterly newsletters updating them about fund performance, as well as monthly and quarterly performance evaluation reports.

For more information about the NRCA Retirement Program, contact Harry Ryder, NRCA's associate executive director of finance, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7545 or hryder@nrca.net.

NRCA holds convention sale

Everything in NRCA's bookstore will be 20 percent off during NRCA's 122nd Annual Convention Feb. 1-5. The discount is available at the convention, online and by calling NRCA's Customer Service Department; you do not need to attend the convention to receive the discount.

NRCA's bookstore offers various resources for roofing professionals, including NRCA's roofing and waterproofing manuals, as well as technical, worker training, health and safety, business management, marketing and legal resources. The bookstore also offers various Spanish-language guides and programs.

For more information or to place an order, contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or info@nrca.net or access shop.nrca.net.