Board Retreat Gives Members Insight Into Legislation & Training
A total of 23 board members participated in the September 22-24 Board Retreat at Carneros Resort in Napa. The consensus on the industry is that conditions are currently slow or steady; however, there’s a sense of optimism for 2025 and completing backlogged work.
Everyone acknowledged that this slower period allows us to take a more proactive course rather than being reactive.
During the main session, Chris Walker gave the CAL SMACNA update on upcoming legislation and propositions that were on the November ballot. He also encouraged members to save the date for Day at the Capitol on February 10-11. This event is dedicated to educating our legislators about our industry. In 2025, it will be even more important since over half of the legislature will be either new or have less than two years’ experience. They are not as familiar with Sacramento or our industry and we need to make them understand the issues we face. Children in fifth grade and older are welcome to attend.
The Executive Board then gave updates on the finances, training trust and pension.
A highlight of the session was an exciting conversation about the new class recently conducted at the San Jose JATC. For the past several years, Bay Area SMACNA has held contractor orientations to set contractor expectations for first-year apprentices. Led by contractors, the program expanded to fourth- and fifth-year apprentices this year, focusing on the fundamentals of running a business and covering essential topics like project costs and the business owner’s perspective. This hands-on approach gave apprentices valuable insight into the financial and operational aspects of the industry. Executive Board members emphasized the importance of continuing to enhance educational opportunities for apprentices, as these classes play a crucial role in shaping our future workforce. Apprentice feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the success and impact of the expanded program.
Overall, the Board Retreat left everyone with a positive tone for navigating the challenges and opportunities in the upcoming year.
