chapterawards.html

ICC eNews

Chapter Merit Awards

The Code Council currently has more than 330 chapters worldwide, with new ones forming each year. Chapters provide a means for industry professionals to stay current with building safety industry news, network with colleagues, increase their knowledge of the Code Council through chapter-sponsored continuing education and enhance their reputations in local communities.

The Annual ICC Chapter Merit Awards are presented to chapters that distinguish themselves through activities that demonstrate the goals and objectives of the Code Council. The 2008 recipients are:

Michigan Association of Housing Officials

Committed to improving the condition of housing in communities throughout the state, the Michigan Association of Housing Officials encourages its code enforcement members to work closely with housing agencies, associations and individuals who support housing safety. Members promote a housing strategy and plan to address Michigan’s housing problems, and they assist fellow members in handling difficult situations of vacant buildings, evictions, absentee landlords and more.

“On behalf of the Michigan Association of Housing Officials, we deeply appreciate this honor today,” said Chapter Past President Howard Asch. “A couple of years ago, we were facing a lot of problems and we began a five-year plan to try and deal with those things. We didn’t just deal with the problems, we also started to dream and to imagine what we could be like as an ideal chapter of the International Code Council. We began to capture ideas that we could do more than we had ever done before and that excited our membership and it drove us to more new ideas and the courage to try new things. The award is especially important to us because one of the elements of our vision was that within five years we wanted to be nationally recognized for something that we were doing. You've helped us to reach that goal three years early. Thank you.”

On behalf of the Michigan Association of Housing Officials, Past President Howard Asch (second from left) and Chapter President Dave Vincent (second from right) accept the Chapter Merit Award from Code Council outgoing Board President Steve Shapiro (right) and Awards Committee Chairman Tim Ryan.

Rainier Chapter

The Rainier Chapter increased its membership by more than 50 percent and took an active role in the communities its members serve. The chapter is developing new education materials, preparing seminars and contributing to the code development process. Members have also begun a building inspector awareness program by performing community work—assisting with inspections and recovery efforts during recent floods in its region—and helping an elderly flood victim rebuild her home.

“On behalf of the Rainier Chapter, I’d like to thank you for this award,” said Chapter President Paul Ilg. “Chapters are what make the International Code Council what it is, and we feel that all are responsible for making the Code Council a better place.”

On behalf of the Rainier Chapter in Washington state, Chapter President Paul Ilg (second from right) and Chapter Vice President Jeff Cook (second from left) accept the Chapter Merit Award from Code Council outgoing Board President Steve Shapiro (right) and Awards Committee Chairman Tim Ryan.

Tennessee Building Officials Association

Members of the Tennessee Building Officials Association demonstrate their commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Code Council through education, professionalism and building public awareness of the role of code officials. The chapter has been instrumental in promoting the licensing of building inspectors through certification with the State Department of Commerce and Insurance. And the chapter often partners with other organizations such as the Tennessee Municipal League to advocate positions they feel will benefit the interests of code officials.

“Thank you, and on behalf of the Tennessee Building Officials Association, I’d like to just take a brief moment to thank the Awards Committee, our Board of Directors and every one of the members involved in the Tennessee Building Officials Association,” said President Tim Ward.

On behalf of the Tennessee Building Officials Association, TBOA President Tim Ward (center) accepts the Chapter Merit Award from Code Council outgoing Board President Steve Shapiro (right) and Awards Committee Chairman Tim Ryan.

Virginia Building and Code Officials Association

The Virginia Building and Code Officials Association has more than 1,000 members and conducts numerous activities to support ICC and code officials. Chapter members are active in code development, Building Safety Week, education and scholarship programs, and community activities. Members continually work to raise the profile of code officials throughout the state of Virginia.

“It’s my honor to accept this award on behalf of the 1,000-plus members of the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association,” said Immediate Past President John Glover. “This award represents a lot of hard work by all the VBCOA members. These members, along with many others back home in Virginia, work very hard to keep homes and businesses safe through education, public awareness and our participation in code development activities. We are very proud to assist the International Code Council in raising the profile of the building official. Thank you very much.”

On behalf of the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association, VBCOA officers accept the Chapter Merit Award from Code Council Board Immediate Past President Steve Shapiro and Awards Committee Chairman Tim Ryan. From left: Ryan, VBCOA Past President Guy Tomberlin, VBCOA Immediate Past President John Glover, VBCOA President Lynn Underwood, VBCOA First Vice President Jim Collins, VBCOA Second Vice President Joel Baker, and Shapiro.