WHAT'S GOING ON?

As we approach our first Board Meeting of the year in Monterey (Sept. 28-29), I want to reach out to every member to let you know what our committees are working on. There is a lot going on and there are many ways to become involved. Here is just a snippet of what is going on in the standing committees. As PCOC members, you are invited to attend these meetings and if you are so inclined, ask the chair to appoint you as a member to their committee.

The Termite Committee will be working with the Fumigation Committee on some key issues. One will be to create a checklist for Branch 3 operators to ensure their subcontract fumigators are complying with CAP and all other regulations. Another is to draft a "what to look for" tip list that can be provided to local law enforcement so they can help put a stop to the break-ins that are occurring on fumigations. They will also be working with Cal OSHA consultants to help Branch 3 companies develop their own Fall Protection Plan. The chair for this year is Mike McKenzie.

The Fumigation Committee will work closely with the Termite Committee to create the fumigator compliance checklist and the tip list for law enforcement. This committee will also continue their work on Fall Protection, as it applies to Branch 1 companies. Additonally, they will continue their usual role in tackling the constantly changing regulations facing fumigators, working very closely with the Fumigation Enforcement Committee. The chair for this year is Victor Tinoco.

The Fumigation Enforcement Committee will continue their critical role of bringing together DPR, the Structural Pest Control Board, County Agricultural Departments, fumigant registrants, distributors and Branch 1 operators to fine tune and focus the efforts in fumigation regulatory enforcement. The challenges on the horizon for this committee are the reworking of the CAP document and continuing the effort to upgrade the enforcement program so that it is as effective as possible in creating and maintaining that level playing field for all Branch 1 companies. John Sansone will return as chair for the upcoming year.

The General Pest Committee will continue its focus on rodenticide issues as well as assisting all member companies in seamlessly integrating the new water quality standards into their daily practice. This committee will also be working with Cal OSHA consultants to develop Fall Protection plans specific to Branch 2 work. The chair for this year is Dave Harmon.

The Membership Committee will be striving to create new and exciting offers for non-members to entice them to join, while at the same time increasing the value of membership for all of us. Josh Adams will be working very closely with this committee so that great ideas can become reality. If you want to help create more value for all of us and want to see PCOC's membership numbers grow, this is the place for you. The chair for this year is Terri Bacchetti.

The Media Committee is truly on the cutting edge of what is happening at PCOC. Under Jim Steed's visionary leadership, this committee is working on enhancing our website so that we get even more "bang for our buck" while also developing webinars for members and plugging us in with the media tools that are available at NPMA. This innovative group is also in the process of producing our own Public Service Announcements, establishing a Facebook page (for PCOC and for each district) and training those who wish to work with the media to promote what we do as an organization. Jim Steed will be the chair again this year.

The Affiliate Committee is open to all affiliate members. They focus on putting all of the pieces together for the exhibit hall at our Expo, while also reaching out to other companies to join PCOC and enjoy the benefits of an affiliate membership. As the Membership Committee continues to search for new vendors who will bring special deals and member-only programs to us, the Affiliate Committee will add them as members and bring those new vendors into the fold. Nate Tamialis will be chairing this committee.

The Convention Steering Committee's main function is to research and find exciting and high-value locations for our upcoming Expo events. After researching everything from meeting room space to local amenities and maximum value for the price, this committee then presents the finalists to the Board for a vote on where the Expo will ultimately take place. This group also works closely with the Affiliate Committee to work out the logistics of the exhibit hall so that we get the most for our money. Joe Gatto will be heading up this committee.

The Legislative Committee has a very full plate these days. This committee works closely with the elected trustees of PAPCO and with Dominic DiMare, our Legislative Advocate, to develop our responses to legislation that affects our industry. They also are an integral part of our annual Legislative Day event, possibly one of our most exciting events of the year. If you have a political bone in your body, this is the committee for you. The chair for this year is Darrel Ennes.

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will have a busy agenda this year. I have asked the returning chairman, Scott Heinkel, to put together a committee dedicated to vetting the new and exciting ideas designed to enhance and reinvigorate the membership of PCOC. There are many notions floating around about how to do this and I am sure many of you have an opinion about them – perhaps you have an idea of your own that deserves to be heard. Whether it is reducing the number of directors, or combining our quarterly Board meetings with other events (e.g., Legislative Day, Fumigation School or Leadership Academy), these ideas will all be vetted here first before making it to the Board for an up or down vote if they require a change in our bylaws.

The function of the Ethics Committee is to hold closed meetings to discuss ethics complaints made against PCOC members and to manage the ethics complaint process outlined in our bylaws. While the meetings are restricted to those on the committee, the members will be appointed by the chair. If you have an interest in being on this committee, contact the incoming chairman, Dan Prechtl.

There is a lot going on at PCOC this year. I encourage all of you to attend the upcoming committee meetings in Monterey on Sept. 28. To those of you who have been and continue to be involved, I thank you and I ask you to continue to keep that flame burning. For those who have never been involved, please come and join us – we need to hear your voice and depend on your involvement so that PCOC can reach its true potential.

Pest Control Operators of California
www.pcoc.org

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