Thank you to all who participated in the survey we launched last month to learn more about the current state and needs of our Sections. The response was strong. We received 135 responses in just the first 2 weeks that the survey was open. Those responses represent 92 unique Sections, including 3 International Sections!
We will be combing through each of the responses and following up, one-on-one, to learn a little more based on some responses. I look forward to sharing a broader report out of our findings and having some new solutions in place to support your efforts prior to the start of the next "season" of Section activity - August/September.
If you have not yet completed the survey, please do set aside 10 minutes to provide your input. The feedback you provide will allow us to make enhancements to existing resources and be more informed as we work to develop new resources and tools to help you in your role as a leader of an AWS Section.
Darrill A. Gaschler Sr. Manager, Sections and Student Chapters American Welding Society® P: 305-443-9353 x260 | E: dgaschler@aws.org
Now, onto the news...
In The News This Month
1. Section Annual Reports - Headed Your Way and Due July 1st
2. FABTECH Is ON! September 13-16, 2021
3. AWS Certified
4. AWS Section Solutions Conversations - Next Up: 5/26
5. Updates from AWS Foundation and AWS Education
BONUS: WEMCO Excellence In Welding Awards - Deadline Extended to 5/14!
1. Section Annual Reports - Headed Your Way and Due July 1st
It's that time of year: the 2021 AWS Section Annual Report is here!
We know the annual report may seem to be a daunting task for some, but the information you submit via the annual report helps us to ensure our records are up-to-date and we are providing the types of support that will help you, our volunteer leaders, serve more efficiently, create greater impact, and get more enjoyment out of your efforts.
The 2021 Section Annual Report will cover the Section 2020-2021 fiscal year (June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021) and, as is traditional, will be divided into 2 parts:
The Part I (Secretary's Report) will be distributed to all Section Secretaries no later than May 14th.
The Part II (Treasurer's Report) will be distributed to all Section Treasurers in early June. Section Chairs will be copied on each of those distributions.
A Section's completed submission (consisting of both Part I and Part II) must be received by AWS World Headquarters by July 1, 2021 in order for AWS to issue an Anniversary Payment and Dues Rebate to your Section.
Please contact AWS Sr. Manager, Sections and Student Chapters, Darrill A. Gaschler, with any questions or requests for support with the 2021 AWS Section Annual Report.
*You can also view the recording of the April AWS Section Solutions Conversation which featured an overview of the 2021 Annual Report.
2. FABTECH Is ON! September 13-16, 2021
FABTECH 2021 will bring the welding industry back together September 13-16. In a recent Freeman Event Research survey, 87% of FABTECH attendees indicated they are ready to get back to in-person events want to see the products and services showcased by exhibitors. We’ve all missed the connections and collaboration that take place at FABTECH and we are happy to provide the opportunity to safely reunite exhibitors and attendees in Chicago.
Welding is among the most crucial and essential skilled trades that impact everyday life, yet the number of skilled welding technicians and professionals continue to decline. To promote welding as a viable, lifelong career, we are launching a new initiative titled "AWS Certified."
We relied heavily on recent research highlighting what welders’ value, so we could address their feedback in our online, video and traditional advertising formats. Some highlights of the AWS Certified Campaign include how being AWS Certified:
is like getting a badge of honor.
can help you to earn a better living.
can help you prepare to mentor and train the next generation.
The AWS Certified initiative provides information on all our certifications as well as training and exam preparation opportunities. For more information, visit our landing page (aws.org/certified), check out the three videos of Nate Bowman explaining how he uses his CWI, CWS and CWE to advance his career, and find our social media posts and reshare them.
4. AWS Section Solutions Conversations
Reminder to join us on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11:00-11:30AM EST OR watch the recording at your convenience.
May 26 – Join us for a quick update on news from AWS HQ and a feature on how to get the most out of the District Conference experience. Click here to join us on 5/26 at 11:00AM EST
Welding Helmet Prizes for Competitions and Section Student Nights
The American Welding Society Foundation is providing red or black auto-darkening welding helmets, courtesy of Jackson Safety, to be used as prizes for welding competitions or as door prizes at AWS Section student events.
Requests must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the event to allow time for processing.
100% Matching Program
The AWS Foundation Board of Trustees has approved the 100% matching program through 2021. All donations to new or existing scholarship or grant endowments will be matched at 100%.
A minimum contribution of $10,000 will establish a Section Scholarship that awards $1,000 per year.
A minimum contribution of $50,000 will establish a Section Grant that will award $5,000 per year for a local welding education or training institution.
Transfers from Section Investment Accounts (SIA) to new or existing endowments are also eligible for the 100% match.
To learn more, or to establish a scholarship or grant, contact John Douglass at jdouglass@aws.org – ext. 212
District Scholarship Selection Process
As a reminder, District Scholarship applications will be available for all Districts to view in April or May. An email will be sent to the District Directors and Section Chairs with a link to access the scholarships for upcoming District Conferences at that time. If someone other than the District Director or Section Chair needs access to review the scholarships, the District Director or Section Chair should submit the name and email address to Whitney Minor (Districts 1-11) at wminor@aws.org or Nazdhia Prado (Districts 12-22) at nprado@aws.org.
Scholarship Selection Best Practices
To avoid conflict of interest, selection committee members should not participate in the review or selection of a scholarship if he or she:
Is an applicant
Is related to an applicant
Works directly with an applicant
Is an instructor, teacher, group leader, or mentor of an applicant
Has written a letter of recommendation for an applicant
Has any other type of personal relationship with an applicant
AWS Education Update
Take an AWS course from the comfort of your own home!
Visit us at awo.aws.org to learn more about the above offerings as well as our in-person seminars.
Extra! Extra!
For those who want more...
BONUS: WEMCO Excellence in Welding Awards - Deadline Extended to 5/14!
The deadline to apply for the 2021 WEMCO Excellence in Welding Awards has been extended to May 14th. There is a Section category, and self nominations are welcomed!, so please do let WEMCO know about your Section, and join the likes of the AWS Los Angeles/Inland Empire (2019), North Texas (2018), and Mobile (2017) Sections - and others - as a WEMCO Excellence in Welding Awards winner!
What Are Other Sections Doing? See For Yourself!
The Upcoming AWS Section Meetings page was created to make AWS Section meetings and events more visible and more accessible than ever before. Click over to review the page and learn how you can join the AWS Connecticut Section for a presentation on Heavy Equipment Repair by Albert Moore on March 9th or join the AWS Iowa Section on March 19th for "ISO 3834 Review and Accreditation Process" with Jeff Hesse and AWS Past President David Landon.
More events are being added each week, so bookmark the page, share it with others, and check back often to see what is going on around the Society.
Want your upcoming meeting or event to be added to the page? Simply select the "Have your meeting/event added to the list of Upcoming Section Meetings" option the next time you submit a request via the Section Request Form.
Don't Forget About the AWS Section Toolkit!
Resources like those noted in this newsletter, and so much more, are ready for you in the AWS Section Toolkit. While you're there; bookmark it!
One last request: Please share this with your fellow Section leaders to ensure they stay up-to-speed on all Section-related news.
About this email:
Each month, I will distribute an electronic newsletter to all active Section Officers and Section Committee Chairpersons (who have a valid email address in our database).
The goal of distributing these newsletters is to effectively communicate important details we want you to be aware of.
I encourage you to discuss these details with your Section’s leadership team to ensure everyone is up-to-speed on all relevant news coming from AWS Headquarters as well as a feature on recent successes from some of your colleagues in the field. Reviewing these details as a team is a great way to promote and foster a strong line of communication among Section leadership as well as within your Section.
American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36th Street, Doral, FL 33166, United States, 8004439353
