April 2025 Newsletter Print

President's Report

Spring is Here

March rolled in with a bang as it was the start of WIC Week. We had a full week planned starting with a Joint Lunch with AGC Alabama, where several members spoke on a panel about what NAWIC is, why they joined and what NAWIC has done for them and can do for others. We ended the week with a small team judging Power Up Inc. Mother-Daughter essays.  But don’t fear in between those two events we had 2 local proclamation signings, a Joint Chapter lunch with North Alabama and Montgomery at The Club in Birmingham,  participated in an ACE Mentor Tradeshow at the Academy of Craft Training, had a lunch and learn with ABC Alabama also at the Academy of Craft Training (including a tour of the facility) and a wrap up party hosted at Robins and Morton.  We couldn’t have pulled off such and amazing WIC week without the help and support of all our WIC Week Sponsors, Go Build Alabama, ABC Alabama, AGC Alabama, Robins & Morton, Adams Flooring, Garrett, Perkins & Horton, Hoar Construction, Dunn Building Company and BL Harbert.

We kicked off April with an after-hours last Thursday at Big Whiskey in Hoover, and rolled right into our monthly Business Meeting where we heard from Tom Robinson of AGC Alabama talk with us about the new Mental Health assistance program that AGC is piloting.

Connection Opportunities

We have a member-only cooking class scheduled for April 24th @ 6:30 at Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato, space is limited so if you haven’t already, please go ahead and get signed up. You can click this link to go directly to the registration page for this event.  In addition, our monthly lunch and connect event which is open to anyone in the construction industry is scheduled for April 25th at 11:30 at Yo Mama’s Downtown, if you plan to come, please click here so we can plan accordingly.

MEMBER Reminder

Ladies, chapter Officer and Board elections will take place on May 14th at our Monthly Business Meeting. We need all members to make a valiant effort to attend this meeting, and to hold elections, we will need to one-third (1/3) of the voting members present.  I would like to thank our nominating committee (Gloria Cook, Elizabeth Sanfelippo, & Amber Kinney) for their support and assistance in securing nominees for our 2025-26 Board.

NAWIC Pals has gotten off to an awesome start!

Reminder, if you signed up to be a NAWIC Pal for the 2024-25 year, please make sure that you are encouraging and supporting your NAWIC Pal. Our commitment when we signed up was to support and encourage your PAL monthly in the smallest of ways. If you need additional ideas for your Pal, remember you can reach out to our PAL Coordinator Morgan Puckett, she can assist you with getting some additional ideas from your PAL. You never know how the smallest encouragement can make a difference to your pal and potential change their day.

 Let’s make this year memorable by building strong connections and growing together! Remember, you get out of NAWIC what you put into it. With our carefully planned year ahead, I look forward to connecting with each of you throughout the year, making it another fantastic NAWIC year.

If I can assist or support you in anyway, please reach out.

Sincerely,

 

Tina Thompson

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CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

We would like to welcome the following Ladies to our Chapter:

Deitra Dunn                     CS Beatty Construction

Tina Simmons                CS Beatty Construction

Ashlyn  West                    CS Beatty Construction

Davina Clifton                HPM Leadership

Erin Patterson                 Hoar Construction LLC

Kristy Knight                   Timberline Construction Group

Tisha Chatmon              Timberline Construction Corporation

Nikki Wyatt                     Travelers - Bond & Specialty Insurance

We’re proud to share that as of April 11th, the NAWIC Greater Birmingham Chapter has grown to 75 members representing 54 different companies!

If you or someone you know is interested in joining our dynamic chapter, please register using the link below. We’d love to welcome you to our community!

                      JOIN NAWIC

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MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING

May Business Meeting

We will hold 2025-26 Officer and Director Elections at this meeting. 

I encourage all members to attend this meeting as this meeting will better who will be leading our chapter next year. 

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Membership Committee

Embracing our theme of Connection, we provide multiple opportunities each month for members to engage, network, and build lasting relationships.

Join us throughout the month at one of our connection events click here for the latest details on these events. We hope to connect with you at one of these events!

Another GREAT way to connect is by joining a committee

As women in construction, we understand the importance of connections in growing our membership and ourselves. Despite our busy schedules, making time for these connections is crucial. Joining a committee is a fantastic way to make a small commitment while building valuable relationships within the industry.

Why Join a Committee?

  • Networking: Meet and connect with other professionals in the industry.
  • Skill Development: Gain new skills and experiences.
  • Contribution: Make a meaningful impact on our organization and industry.

Opportunities Available Interested in joining a committee, reach out to a board member or myself for more information.

Let’s make the most of our time and grow together through these valuable connections!

 

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Chaplain/Friendship Committee

Our 2024-25 NAWIC PALS program is underway, and the ladies seem to be having and amazing time. 

Can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for our NAWIC Pals. The love support and encouragement will be amazing, I am sure. 

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Legislative Industry Issues Committee

On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released an updated Form I-9. However, employers can continue using the previous versions of the form.

The Updates
The new Form I-9 has the following changes:

  • The term “noncitizen” was replaced with “alien”
  • The term “gender” was replaced with “sex”
  • A new edition date of 1/20/25

The Form I-9 Instructions also contain similar terminology updates and a revised Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Notice. These changes will also be reflected in E-Verify and E-Verify+ beginning April 3, 2025.

The Takeaway
Because use of the new Form I-9 is currently optional, employers don’t need to take any action at this time. The previous Form I-9 versions (both of which have an 8/1/23 edition date) are still valid through their respective expiration dates in 2026 and 2027.

Employers that use E-Verify and continue to use the 8/1/23 Form I-9 versions should note that there will be a difference in the language that refers to noncitizens. Specifically, if an employee selects on Form I-9 that they are “a noncitizen authorized to work,” the employer must select “an alien authorized to work” in E-Verify.

More Information
For more information, see the USCIS announcement and the updated Form I-9 and Instructions.

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Topgolf

It is that time of year to start getting ready for NAWIC’s 6th Annual Topgolf Tournament. We would like to invite you and/or your company to come enjoy an afternoon of friendly competition while you network with individuals involved in all facets of the construction industry! Also, this year we have added an Exhibit Table option.

Spots are going fast so use this link to register your team today. You can hold your team with TBD members for now. 

Questions reach out to Virnetta Woodbury at [email protected] or Tina Thompson at [email protected]. 

If you would like to participate and/or sponsor the event, please see the attached registration form, or click the link below:

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Calendar

Locations of After Hours and Lunch and Connect are subject to change: 

Click Here for the latest information and to register for upcoming events.

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RENEWAL

For questions, please contact [email protected]. 

 How to renew your membership:

 1. Log into your portal account.
2. Click the profile icon in the top-right of the screen, then click "My Profile." 
3. Click the header labeled “Membership.”
4. Click “Renew” button on your current Membership and follow the prompts to select your Membership Type and then complete the remaining steps through checkout.

Renew today

Need additional assistance with renewal check out this link

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Scholarships

The NAWIC Founders' Scholarship Foundation (NFSF) awards over $100,000 in scholarships yearly. The award amounts range from $500 to $2,500. For questions on eligibility of the national scholarships please email [email protected].

Our chapter offers several scholarships, including one in collaboration with Brasfield & Gorrie, to Auburn University. Each applicant must meet the requirements of the individual University/College and submit the application though the school's scholarship platform. 

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Platinum Sponsors

 

 

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Be A Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

See link below

NAWIC Gr. Birmingham Chapter 53 - Become a Sponsor (nawicbirmingham.com)

NAWIC's mission is to empower women in the construction industry and our core value is to enhance their success. A NAWIC sponsorship allows companies to annually demonstrate commitment and support of these values. NAWIC offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities to help companies communicate their message to the industry and our members.

The Gr. Birmingham Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction is looking forward to your support as we begin the next year with a strategic plan that incorporates membership growth, education, and professional development goals, through events that empower, promote, inspire and connect the women of our chapter and yet to be members in our industry. Your donation qualifies you to be a sponsor for the entire year! As we share the value of NAWIC throughout all our events, we want to let the construction industry know that you believe in the values and core mission of NAWIC. Sponsors like you allow the leadership and membership of our chapter to execute programs that introduce construction as a viable career path, promote construction trades as another alternative to a successful career choice, work with students and introduce a library of professional development strategies and tracks that ultimately escalate professional growth.

 

If you are a Small Business/Minority Owner Business, you will received 10% off the sponsorship package of your choosing. Sponsorships run October 1st through September 30th each year (NAWIC fiscal year). Disclaimer: These sponsorships only include items listed. It does not include dues, etc.

 

Events

Networking | Community Service Projects | Scholarships | Block Kids (K – 6th) | Professional Speakers

*Women in Construction (WIC) Week

**Annual TopGolf Sponsorship forms will be separate

 


 

Annual Sponsorship Opportunities

   Sponsorships run October 1st through September 30th each year (NAWIC fiscal year)

Platinum Sponsor $2,000.00

·         Logo displayed on website for full year with link re-direct to your company website

·         Logo displayed at all monthly membership meetings

·         Recognition on 12 monthly newsletters

·         Monthly social media recognition

·         Recognition at Empowered Small Group Coffee & Connect events

·         Recognition during WIC Week* events virtually and in-person

Gold Sponsor $1,500.00

·         Logo on website for full year with link re-direct to your company website for ½ of the year

·         Logo displayed bi-monthly at membership meetings

·         Recognition in 7 monthly newsletters

·         Bi-monthly social media recognition

·         Recognition during WIC Week* events virtually and in-person

Silver Sponsor $1,000.00

·         Logo on website for full year

·         Logo displayed at bi-monthly membership meetings

·         Recognition in 5 monthly newsletters

·         Recognition during WIC Week* in-person event

Bronze Sponsor $750.00

·         Logo on website for full year

·         Name and Logo displayed at board meetings

·         Recognition in 2 monthly newsletters

·         Recognition during WIC Week*

Lunch Sponsor $500.00

·         Logo next to Food/Drink table

·         Company swag accepted to provide attendees

·         15 minute speaking opportunity to showcase your organization and the benefits it brings to the construction industry

·         Acknowledgment on monthly email following the event 

Committee Donation

·         Committee Specific Donation

o    Block Kids

o    WIC Week

o    Community Service (Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Habitat for Humanity, She Builds, food collection during holidays, etc.)

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