By / Chris Schneider, Executive Director, SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington
Thank you for opening up the introductory issue of the SMCANA Oregon & Southwest Washington Sheet Metal Journal. This journal will be an opportunity for contractors to share their successes and for the Chapter to share updates, events, ongoing and new initiatives, and news and stories about issues impacting the industry.
If you are a signatory sheet metal contractor and are not yet a SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington member, you should join. The cost is only $200 per year and membership comes with real benefits.
How We Help Our Members
The association offers contractors professional assistance in the following areas:
- Labor relations
- Legislative assistance and advocacy
- Research and technical standards development
- Safety
- Business management education
- Project management education
- Essential industry communications and updates
- Social and networking opportunities
Membership with SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington also entitles members to all education, training, and development opportunities made available by SMACNA National.
If you would like to become a SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington Contractor Member, just reach out to me and I’ll help you through the easy process.
SMACNA National Resources
As we move into a new year, I’d like to offer a refresher on some important resources available to all SMACNA members through the national association. These additional resources are available on the SMACNA National website:
- Events & Education smacna.org/learn/events – Access lists of all upcoming events and educational opportunities, including networking opportunities where members can establish life-long friendships while learning best-in-class approaches from their peers.
- Educational Programs smacna.org/learn/events/education-programs – SMACNA offers multi-day educational programs developed for owners, managers, project managers, future managers, and supervisors. Classes offered include Business Management University, Project Managers Institute, Advanced Project Managers Institute, Financial Boot Camp, Supervisor Training Academy, Leadership Development Program, and more.
- Advocacy smacna.org/government-affairs – With a legislative office just two blocks from the United States Senate, SMACNA takes a leadership role on Capitol Hill and offers members the resources needed to stay on top of industry issues in the nation’s capital. SMACNA leaders and members know that competing interests will step up to the plate and important battles will be lost without our experience, knowledge, and input.
- Safety & Health smacna.org/resources/business-management/safety-and-health – SMACNA’s Safety and Health Department develops safety programs, publications, services, and videos to assist members in establishing and managing effective safety programs. SMACNA’s Safety and Health Department also communicates with OSHA and other federal agencies on issues affecting members and provides members with briefings on regulatory compliance.
- Publications Store store.smacna.org – Visit SMACNA National’s online store to purchase SMACNA technical publications, manuals, and standards at member prices and for updates to current editions.
- SMACNA National Subscriptions store.smacna.org/my-bookshelf – Annual subscriptions to SMACNA’s technical library are available via the cloud.
- Technical Resources smacna.org/resources/technical – Technical standards and manuals developed by SMACNA members have worldwide acceptance by the construction and code community, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has accredited SMACNA as a standards-setting organization. SMACNA standards and manuals address all facets of the sheet metal and HVAC industry, including duct construction and installation, indoor air quality, energy recovery, roofing and architectural sheet metal, welding, and commissioning.
SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington also hosts a number of events each year that bring members together for networking and education. See our events calendar and reach out to me if you have any questions. I hope you have a safe and productive new year. ■
Don’t Miss the 2025 Crab Feed to fund the Oregon PAC
All SMACNA Oregon & Southwest Washington contractors and affiliate members are invited to the 16th Annual Crab Feed from 6 to 9 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Milwaukie Elks Lodge #142. Enjoy fresh caught crab from the Oregon Coast, networking, and fellowship. All proceeds from this event will go to the Political Action Committee and aid in the chapter’s lobbying efforts. In 2023, the event drew 200 guests who enjoyed tasty crab and side dishes and an evening with colleagues.
Reach out to the SMACNA Oregon & SW Washington office to register! ■
