Accelerate Your Impact

Accelerate Your Impact is designed to arm new and existing Chapter Executives with the industry, business, labor, and legal knowledge to successfully serve their contractors members, promote the industry and represent their contractors with labor and before law makers.

About The Program

Accelerate Your Impact is program is structured around the many essential areas of knowledge for an effective chapter operation. Programmed to span a 12-month period to be delivered via monthly zoom seminars in conjunction with 3 to 4 in-person events, the subject matter to be covered include:

Construction Industry: the contractor business, sheet metal industry, construction trends

  • Association Management: meetings and events, industry promotions basics, finances, insurance, HR practices, 501(c)(6) laws and regulations, antitrust considerations
  • Labor: NLRA and LMRA overview, Union structure and politics, maintaining a labor-management relationship, multiemployer trust funds
  • Legislative Advocacy: Lobbying to local, state, and federal legislative bodies, political donations and legislation types most likely to impact the sheet metal contractor.

Additional resources for self-study, as well as educational events to expand their knowledge base will be provided with each seminar.

Download the PDF

Download the PDF outlining the important dates for Accelerate Your Impact. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your career and improve your earning potential.

Upcoming Webinars

Sep 12 2024

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The Art of Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette. It's about as much as politics as politeness and punctuality.  In this interactive webinar with communications coaches, Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein of TALLsmall Productions, learn top do's and don'ts for etiquette excellence.  

  Keith and Rebecca will hit on hacks for success when it comes to: 

  • Communication: Top words and phrases to use and avoid. 

  • The Politics of Behavior: When someone encourages you to have that extra drink or turns the conversation to a controversial topic, what are the dance steps you should take to be polite and also professional.  

  • Networking and protecting your personal space.  

  • Dressing for Success at the office and networking events/conferences. 

  • Cell Phones: When to check and when to wait.  

  • Confidentiality: What to do when someone brings gossip to you.  

The session will feature discussion, an extended Q&A and a number of communications challenges designed to put your skills to the test. Keith and Rebecca have led workshops at two national SMACNA conferences and speak around the country at chapter events. 

Nov 06 2024

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Understanding Davis-Bacon Act Compliance: A Guide to Prevailing Wages and Benefits

 

The Davis-Bacon Act requires contractors and subcontractors to pay prevailing wages and benefits to workers on federally funded construction projects. Failing to comply can result in penalties and legal issues. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of what chapter executives need to know to help their contractors comply with Davis-Bacon, covering:

* The history and purpose of the act
* How prevailing wages are determined
* The process of Davis-Bacon Surveys
* Compliance requirements, including certified payroll reporting, fringe benefits, and recordkeeping
* Common compliance issues and best practices for avoiding them

You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get expert advice during a Q&A session. Join us to stay up to date on Davis-Bacon compliance and ensure your members are in compliance with this critical requirement.

Previous Webinars

August 19, 2024 Aug 19 2024

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Understanding Grievance Arbitration Provisions of the SFUA and the Grievance Process

In this webinar, you'll gain a thorough understanding of grievance arbitration provisions of the Standard Form of Union Agreement and explore the grievance process in detail, from its initial definition to the final resolution, including the common causes of grievances and the typical steps taken to address them. You'll also gain insights into the roles and responsibilities of arbitrators in the grievance process, learning how each party contributes to reaching a resolution. By examining examples you'll better understand how grievances are resolved in the sheet metal industry. Lastly, we'll share best practices for effective grievance handling, communication strategies, and tips for resolving conflicts promptly and fairly.
 
 

July 23, 2024 Jul 23 2024

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Understanding Unfair Labor Practices

This webinar, led by Tom Trachsel of Felhaber Larson, is tailored for chapter executives aiming to deepen their comprehension of unfair labor practices (ULPs) and equip them with strategies for prevention and resolution. 

The webinar aims to enhance understanding of labor laws, improve labor relations, and mitigate legal risks, empowering Chapter Executives to promote fairness, and compliance within their organizations. 
 

 

May 1, 2024 Jun 06 2024

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Workshop on Best Practices for Association Policies and Procedures

Join us for a workshop tailored to chapter executives, designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective association management. Chapter executives have a lot to manage while running an effective association and staying within budget. Clear policies and procedures are vital for smooth operations, upholding values, and risk mitigation. 

Facilitated by Dan Kelly of Felhaber Larson, this workshop offers valuable insights and tools for chapter governance and management excellence. Whether seasoned or new to a chapter executive role, join us to enhance your Chapter's operations and mission achievement. 

May 1, 2024

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Avoiding Monkey Mayhem

We all have monkeys (aka responsibilities) in our barrels. The challenges occur when some people pass their monkeys off to others, which can have a ripple effect, or when others take on more monkeys than can fit into their barrels. As leaders, we are challenged with guiding our teams to keep their barrels in balance. This course is based on principles in the book, *Shifting the Monkey: The Art of Protecting Good People from Liars, Criers, and other Slackers* by Tod Whitaker.

April 2024

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Construction Trends

In conjunction with the New Horizons Foundation, NEMI and the ITI, this seminar will explore trends in the construction industry and future trends that are predicted that chapter executives need to be aware and potentially provide education on to their contractors.

March 6 2024

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Fringe Benefit Funds

A multiemployer plan is a foreign concept to most people who come from a world of single employer health plans and 401ks.  This seminar will help executives understand the basic functions of multiemployer retirement, health and training funds.  Additionally, the seminar will cover the fiduciary role of the chapter as a benefit fund sponsor.

Feb 15 2024

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What You Need to Know About the Rapid Response Protocol

This Protocol is intended for use by businesses and chapters to help prepare for and respond to incidents of bias, discrimination, and harassment. It contains best practices and recommendations for the entire industry, and a version of this Protocol has also been developed for use by local unions, regional councils, and JATCs. It is acknowledged and underscored that creating respectful workplaces is a responsibility shared by everyone in our industry, however, it’s contractors who face the greatest liability exposure when this does not occur.

Dec 07 2023

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Sheet Metal Industry Introduction

SMACNA’s Executive Director of Technical Services, Eli Howard, explains what the sheet metal industry is for those who have not worked for a contractor or in the field.  This session will introduce chapter executives to common terms, systems, and technologies within the sheet metal industry as well as an overview of the major sectors that most sheet metal contractors work within.

November 14 2023

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Insurance Policies

SMACNA Premiere Partner, Federated Insurance, will  detail the types of insurance every association should have in place as well as the factors the association should consider when determining coverage levels.  Federated will also discuss optional coverage lines and when they should be strongly considered.  Finally, Federated will also give a brief overview of common construction business coverage and answer common questions a chapter executive may be asked.

November 17, 2023

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Politics and Structure: Working with Your Union Partners

Former SMART Local 80 Business Manager, Mark Saba, will describe the inner workings of a local union.  To truly work effectively with a local union, one must understand the interplay between the business manager, the local’s executive board and the local’s members, both active and retired.  SMART International’s structure and relationship with its locals will also be covered.

Oct 05 2023

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Association Law

Chapter executives must concern themselves with not only non-profit, association, and tax laws but be familiar with the complex legal concepts around inurement and antitrust to keep their association out of trouble.  This seminar led by Dan Kelly, of Felhaber Larson, will cover these laws and the best practices for operation that will safeguard an association from potential liability.

Aug 10 2023

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Labor Law 101

Labor law expert, Tom Trachsel, from Felhaber Larson, will provide the legal framework within which unions and associations must operate.  Topics covered will include common terms and phrases explained, unfair labor practices (ULP), communicating with union members, hot cargo provisions and more.

June 29, 2023

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Understanding a Contractor's Business Webinar

This seminar presented by Western Allied former CEO, Angie Simon, will cover the primary factors impacting the profitability of sheet metal contractors’ business. From change orders to labor costs, this session will give chapter executives a working knowledge of what generally makes or breaks a contractor’s business.

May 17, 2023

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An Association’s Books and Records

An introduction to the basics of bookkeeping, taught by an accounting professional, Dawn Minemier of The Bonadio Group, will cover how to prepare an association budget and track expenses against budget line items. Additional items to be covered are Form 990’s, understanding a financial statement and common financial mistakes of small associations.