Get ready to celebrate being a woman in construction!!!! March 7-13 is WIC (Women in Construction) Week and our WIC Week committee has put together some great activities, something for everyone. Activities that will both celebrate us as women and benefit us in our hard hit industry.

The objectives of NAWIC are:

• To unite for the mutual benefit of the women who are actively engaged in the various phases of the construction industry.
• To promote cooperation, fellowship and a better understanding among members of the Association.
• To promote education and contribute to the betterment of the construction industry.
• To encourage women to pursue and establish careers in the construction industry.
• To provide members an awareness of the legislative process and legislation as it relates to the construction industry.

WIC Week allows us to celebrate being a woman, and being a woman in this construction industry that we love. Construction is something that gets into your heart and won't let go. There's just something about the smell of sawdust mixed with the faintest hint of Chanel No. 5 that provides the best of pairs....like sweet & sour or peas & carrots.....some things just go together for certain people. We definitely fall into that category. Even though women make up just less than 10 percent of the construction industry, could you imagine doing anything else??

Come celebrate with us - our Monday night dinner meeting on March 8th will be a formal networking event led by Dale Appell, we have a lunch on Thursday and a wine tasting on Friday. Somewhere during that week we will also have a volunteer service project with the Centre for Women, a great organization that ensures help is here for those who need it most, from substance abuse treatment and employment services for women, to family counseling, services for seniors, and programs for girls. We have gained an awesome member from the Centre for Women in Tammy Criollo, who usually brings coworkers with her to our dinner meetings as visitors.

Don't forget to save the date for Region 3 Forum in Orlando on April 30th and May 1st. The CADD Committee is in full swing, the awards will be given out in May. The Super Committee is working hard planning our chapter's 50th Anniversary in June and our 5th Annual Golf Tournament, which will be in the fall. And last but not least, don't forget that the Tampa Chapter is hosting Region 3's Annual Planning Convention (APC) for Fall 2011.

There's always something to do and things to be involved in. Don't hesitate. Just ask me and I'll point you in the right direction.

Have a wonderful month. Hope to see all of you during WIC Week. I promise you'll have a great time!!