The Colorado Chapter of the ICC was named Chapter of the Year during today's Awards Luncheon. To earn this designation, a chapter must demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in promoting the vision, mission and goals of the Code Council. The Chapter of the Year also distinguishes itself through the development and implementation of programs designed to increase the professionalism of its members and code officials everywhere, and participate in local, state, regional or national activities to increase the public awareness of safety in the built environment."The Colorado Chapter worked with the Colorado Governor's Energy Office to develop a free International Energy Conservation Code training program," Awards Committee Chairman Tim Ryan (right) explained. "Its green efforts also include an instrumental role in developing an online code forum with the U.S. Department of Energy and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory."
The Colorado Chapter offers disaster assessment evaluator training, and a train-the-trainer program. When the most devastating tornado in Colorado's history struck on Memorial Day weekend, Chapter volunteers assessed more than 1,000 damaged structures and then worked with local officials to process more than six-thousand repair permits.
"It took us 56 years to get here, so I accept this for more than four and one half dozen past presidents, hundreds of Board members, and at least 1,000 men and women on chapter committees that have served over those past five decades," said Chapter President Steve Kanipe (center). "As we all know, the more involved individuals become, the greater the chance of success for the larger group."
Merit Awards were presented to the Code Administrators Association of Kentucky (CAAK), the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association (VBCOA), and the Washington State Association of Permit Technicians. Merit Awards are presented to chapters that distinguish themselves through activities that demonstrate the goals and objectives of the association.
"I sit on a couple of other Boards at home, but I can honestly say that the Board of Directors of CAAK—you can't make up the chemistry that we ended up with in a lab," said Code Administrators Association of Kentucky Chapter President Alex Olszowy (center). "These guys work very hard to stay on our point for our mission, and never forget that there is a vision that you have to have."
"Accepting this award on behalf of the VBCOA membership and Board of Directors is very gratifying," said Virginia Building and Code Officials Association Chapter President Jim Collins (third from left). "They've worked very hard toward this endeavor. Members have strived to raise our image and profile, and we'll be successful with that."
"We accept this award, not only for our chapter, but for the permit technician profession," said Washington State Association of Permit Technicians Chapter President Judy Pozarich (center). "I would like to personally thank (ICC Board member) John Darnall and (Vice President of Chapter Relations) Laura Scott for their support and encouragement. They have been instrumental in our success. We would not be here without them."