The International Code Council held its inaugural Chapter Leader Symposium in Oklahoma City, Okla., June 20-22. Forty-one Chapter leaders attended the symposium, representing numerous states throughout the country, including Hawaii and Alaska. Representatives from Trinidad and Tobago were also in attendance. ICC Board or Directors President Alex "Cash" Olszowy and Vice President Dwayne Garriss presided over the event, delivering opening and closing remarks, participating in work sessions and providing advice and guidance. In addition, several ICC staff representing Government Relations, Business and Product Development, and Member Services, as well as ICC subsidiaries ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and the ICC Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC), facilitated discussions and provided presentations throughout the symposium.
Setting the tone for the symposium, President Olszowy stressed the importance of mentoring as a fundamental function of leadership. He shared his experience entering the building safety industry through the encouragement of his mentor. As part of a self-introduction exercise, participants shared a brief introduction of their respective mentors. This led to a lively discussion on the value of mentoring.
Nationally recognized Generation Y and Millennials expert Paul Moya delivered the keynote address and facilitated an interactive group session on leadership essentials and mentoring. The theme of the session was based on President Olszowy's initiative to recruit and engage the next generation of ICC Leaders — Safety 2.0. Moya will be joining President Olszowy to deliver a special Safety 2.0 presentation at the 2016 Annual Conference in Kansas City this fall.
Mayor Mick Cornett stopped by during the first day to welcome the group to Oklahoma City and share a few inspirational words regarding Oklahoma City's impressive transformation and revitalization during his tenure.
Day two focused on providing innovative tools for code officials. Presentations by ICC-ES and ICC-SRCC illustrated some of the ways ICC is helping our Members to promote innovation. The symposium concluded with a group session on dynamic chapter leadership and open discussion on recruiting new ICC leaders through grassroots advocacy. President Olszowy provided a preview of Safety 2.0, his signature initiative, to the group. Information regarding Safety 2.0 will be released throughout the summer, leading to a formal launch of the initiative at the Annual Conference in Kansas City. |
