Bulletin Board Magazine 2018 Volume 1

Professional Women in Building

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN in Building by Georgette Kyriacou

ProfessionalWomen in Building of the Garden State: New President, New Initiatives, Same Mission “As a female in the 97% male-dominated field of construction, as a female member of our 85% male-dominated military, and as a female student in the 76% male-dominated college of NJIT, to all of my fellow females I say this: Be confident in your self worth. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Be passionate about your goals. Surround yourself with people who support you, and realize that being passionate about yourself enables other women to be As I posted this statement to my Facebook page on International Women’s Day I was reflecting on my career and the path that I’ve chosen in the building industry. What I didn’t realize at the time is that it truly aligns with the overall mission of our council. “Professional Women in Building of the Garden State is dedicated to promoting and supporting all aspects of building and empowering women within the industry.” It is my honor, as President of the PWBGS, to lead our council through its initiatives this year. Our outreach will include introducing the next generation of female leaders to the opportunities available in the building industry. In addition, we will continue to develop programs our charitable efforts to enhance our community outreach, as well as promote and support the members of our council. passionate about themselves.” #internationalWomensDay

Our mission for 2018 is to continue to working with some of the community organizations from past years, such as supporting member Danielle Bagdzinski in her efforts to become the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2018 Person of the Year. Her campaign will officially begin on April 4th and more information is available here. We will once again accept donations for the United Way’s school supply drive, known to us as Tools For School this summer. Drop off locations will be announced. This fall we will be forming a walk team for the second year in a row for Hope Sheds Light’s Walk for Hope. Last year we raised $1500, and this year we are aiming to exceed that total. We are also looking forward to providing a second program for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County, as well as support for Collier Youth Services this year. We also have a few new community outreach programs for this year that we are looking to participate in, one of which is the New Jersey Sharing Network’s 5K in Pier Village, Long Branch. This especially hits close to home for all of us because NJBA Past President Winfield (Ziggy) Ziegenfuss plans to build a group home in Glassboro for physically and mentally challenged adults for The Arc Gloucester. The BLSJ Charitable Foundation will be raising money through several fundraisers this year and we are also accepting donations on the project's behalf. Ziggy donated the lot and all Another project we are hoping to contribute to is the ARC Gloucester Group Home project.

Georgette Kyriacou

of his time and labor to construct the home at cost. It will provide a home for four consumers, one of which will be Ziggy's son Gabriel. The PWBGS would like to support his efforts this year. Education is a crucial part of the programs we will be planning this year. I encourage all of our members attending the Atlantic Builder’s Convention to register and participate in the Poker Divas & Dudes program, which will be held on the convention floor on Thursday, April 12th. There will also be a Green Living webinar in May, more details will follow. We have also discussed educational seminars for students entering the building industry through high school workshops, adult education, and OCVTS. Again, these programs are in development and details will be shared as they become available. As you have just read, PWBGS has a lot happening this year! Our membership is growing, but we are always looking for new members throughout New Jersey. If you are a member of any local home builders association in the state, you can join the Professional Women in Building of the Garden State. If networking with other successful women in the industry, providing support to local community groups and charities, and increasing opportunities for professional development are your goals this year, then PWBGS is for you! For more information on joining the council, or to come to a meeting, please contact Shore Builders Association or read more here.

Bulletin Board | 35 | www.shorebuilders.org

Bulletin Board | 36 | www.shorebuilders.org