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June 30, 2023 | Vol. 6 Issue 5
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At Summer Conference 2023, a vote was held and passed regarding the layout and look of the Regions. GPCA is moving from Eighteen (18) Regions down to Seven (7). There have been Region Director vacancies and low Region Director engagement for a long time.
"This deliberate movement from 18 to 7 is to help us better engage pest control companies and individuals. For too long some regions have been under-served, while other regions are consistently served," Kelly McLendon, CAE, said. "This smaller board will help GPCA have more engaged Region Directors."
Region Directors not only coordinate monthly CEU Meetings, and they also attend the four (4) Board of Directors Meetings that coincide with the four major conferences (Winter, North Georgia, South Georgia, and Summer) to monitor the financial and physical progress GPCA is making, give input about the future of GPCA, and assist in immediate changes to support that future that might need to be made. Further, the Region Directors attend the annual Strategic Planning sessions where goals from the previous year are analyzed and goals for the coming year are set.
If all of this planning and engagement inspires you, and you live in any of these regions, we would welcome you to run for Region Director in your area. Simply complete this volunteer form and mention that you want to run for Region Director and what Region you would run in. |
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Need to find a new employee, GPCA has a deal for you. We will post your job on our JOBS Board for thirty days for FREE, if you are a GPCA Member! What are you waiting for? Go find that new technician today!
READ MORE ABOUT IT
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Individual Member
now
Education Member
A change to the By-Laws makes Individual Membership = Education Membership
For years, Individual Membership has always given membership discounts on all education invents and free access to Region CEU meetings.
The difference between an Individual Member and an Active Membership is Active Membership permits member discounts on all forms, marketing materials, and service tickets that GPCA can print and provide.
"GPCA wanted to clarify what Individual Membership has always granted: discounted CEUs. This change simply makes that clear," Kelly McLendon, CAE, said.
Most importantly this opens our membership up to be inclusive of Honey Bee Operators (HBR) and Wildlife Removal Specialists, who in the past would have been denied membership because they did not have pest control licenses in the state of Georgia.
Bob Russell Entomology Scholarship Open Year Round
The Bob Russell Entomology Scholarship is open to applications year-round.
The Bob Russell Entomology Scholarship was established in 2005 to honor long-time and dedicated leader Robert M. Russell. It was Mr. Russell’s vision in the 1980s to seek an Urban Entomology Program at the University of Georgia. This scholarship honors his memory and will serve to encourage those students who seek to pursue Entomology as a course of study. The program is funded by the interest earned from a trust fund established by the Russell family and Bob's friends, who contributed memorial gifts to honor him. Additionally, the GPCA Charity Golf Tournament contributes to the fund.
The Georgia Pest Control Association is offering a $1000 scholarship to a student
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who is enrolled in the Entomology Program at the University of Georgia.
To apply, applicants should complete the application and a 250-word essay answering,
“How do you plan to incorporate pest control into your career plans?”
To qualify:
- You must be enrolled in at least one entomology class to qualify
- Complete the essay
- Complete the application form
Burnett Scholarship Deadline Extension
The Glen H. Burnett Scholarship application remains open for graduates from 2023 to apply for these scholarships. These general scholarships permit persons who meet the following criteria to apply and get much-needed funds for their education:
- Have a parent or legal guardian presently employed and have been employed for at least three (3) years by a licensed pest control firm or firms that is an active or allied member, in good standing with Georgia Pest Control Association and has been for three (3) or more years.
- Must have been accepted to be a full-time (fourteen (14) hours either quarter or semester) undergraduate student at a college, university, or technical college which has been accredited by the Association of Schools and Colleges.
- Have at least a 3.0 high school cumulative grade point average (equivalent to a B average) and a 960 S.A.T. or 28 ACT score.
The deadline normally closes on May 15th and has been extended this year to July 31st. See the full list of requirements on the application.
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PCO Cert Op Exam Cram Days for August Announced
Jim Chase is back to bring you 8 hours of HPC and 8 hours of WDO over the course of two days of cramming for the PCO Certified Operators Exam.
August has already set the coming event. Register today!
 Spring Virtual Roadshow Announced - February 9, 2024
Abbey Gretsch Moves to Corteva's Pasture and Land Management Business as a Land Management Specialist
Abbey Gretsch said, "It has been my pleasure to work within the Urban Pest Management business for the last four years of my career. Recently, I have accepted a new position within Corteva working as a Land Management Specialist in our Pasture and Land Management Business. The friendships I have made here far transcend your typical “business counterparts” title. Thank you so much for welcoming me into this business with open arms, and know you can still reach out to me personally if ever I can be of help."
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Haider Ibrahim New Territory Manager for North Geogia for the Southern Pest Management Team
Haider has worked as an Associate Territory Manager in the Columbia Basin of Washington for the past two years. In this role, he has worked with retail accounts, provided sales support, and delivered technical presentations. Haider has actively supported the crop protection team in conducting trials and launching Salibro™ nematicide and Biologicals on specialty crops in the NW District.
He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BS in Entomology and Plant Pathology and from the University of Baghdad with a BS in Agriculture Engineering. Originally from Baghdad, Iraq's capital city, Haider gained experience in the Pest Control business, specializing in termite, cockroach, and rodent control. Moreover, he worked as an experimental agronomist for an agricultural company in Baghdad, successfully overseeing herbicide trials for Dow AgroSciences, particularly focusing on wheat and rice crops.
In his free time, Haider enjoys photography and even worked as a photography teacher. Haider and his wife, Marwah, and his two kids (Noor, 12 years old & Ameer, 6 years old) will be relocating from WA to GA in the next few months.
Haider's email: haider.ibrahim@corteva.com
Haider's cell: 509-303-5476 |
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