The first day of summer is the longest day of the year, and for ABC Maine, it meant an opportunity to head north and share the benefits of being a member during our annual Summer Solstice Membership Reception. These gatherings are important because we not only highlight everything good about our organization, but we connect with our members, showcase their work and talk about ways to improve Maine’s construction industry.
During the June 21 event at The Tarratine restaurant, we welcomed new members and discussed several important topics, including the ABC Action app, our apprenticeship program and STEP. We also celebrated the birthday of Shari Johnston, our workforce development coordinator. Happy birthday, Shari!
The evening also included mingling, good food and libations, and catching up with members like Janette Giles, the vice president, controller and treasurer of N.S. Giles, a concrete contractor based in Bangor.
Giles, who has been an ABC Maine board member for three years, says the company joined the organization because of its dedication to the merit shop philosophy and its push to allow local businesses to operate in their own way.
“Businesses should join ABC Maine because it fights for free enterprise so that its members can do the work they want to do,” Giles said. “The organization fights for businesses to be able to work under their own stipulations and guidelines, and it creates jobs for Maine’s construction industry with quality benefits and good pay.”
Membership Has Its Privileges
Jim Maloy, a sales representative with United Rentals—which has been with ABC Maine for 15 years—says ABC Maine does a great job sharing information with its members, especially about legislative matters.
“ABC Maine coordinates and communicates what we need to know, and they’re always looking out for your business and your employees,” Malloy said.
The ABC Action mobile advocacy app features one-click messaging to elected officials, priority issue information, latest industry news and federal voting records on construction-related matters. The tool provides our members the opportunity to become a vital part of the national organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts and allows members a chance to make their voices heard locally and nationally.
For more information about the app, click here.
During the event, we also shared information about our apprenticeship program, an earn-while-you-learn model for member company employees that offers on-the-job training and classroom sessions.
The program is great for new employees because of its focus on fundamental skills, and offers several trades to learn from.
For more information on our apprenticeship program, click here. To get involved, contact Shari Johnston at 207-560-7573 or shari@abcmaine.org.
Giving Thanks
We’d like to thank members of our board in attendance, including Mitch DeBlois, Glenn Adams, Bruce Cates, Janette Giles, David Jean, Deb Plowman and Matt Greenleaf. We were also joined by young professionals Conrad Gilman, Tom Saxby, Ronda St. Louis and Krysten Quinn. Also, we want to thank our sponsors that make possible this event and the events we host throughout the year. Thanks to premier sponsors CIANBRO, DeBlois Electric, NS Giles Foundations, The Rowley Agency and Travelers. Gold sponsors include Cross Insurance and Metro Walls, and supporting sponsors include Clark Insurance, Machias Savings Bank and Resource Options.
