PWIPM November Meeting Summary

The meeting, led by Samantha, reviewed 2024 accomplishments and laid out plans for 2025. Discussion focused on growing the women’s industry group, fostering community involvement, enhancing mentorship opportunities, and improving employer engagement.
Key achievements included stronger member connections and successful in-person and virtual events. Proposed initiatives for 2025 include a mentorship program, a dedicated website for women's achievements, and community-driven events.

Spring Initiatives:
- A “Starve the Mosquitoes” blood drive in Tacoma in May.
- A Steps of Hope event in June at Ocean Shores, featuring a barbecue and beach walk.
Summer Activities:
- Exploring options for our traditional events, such as a private suite baseball experience at Cheney Stadium.
Other Event Adjustments:
- Feedback was sought on whether to continue the "PWIPM at the Park" event or replace it with more relevant activities.
- Plans for a Habitat for Humanity Women's Build Day were introduced.

Samantha proposed creating a mentorship program to connect members with industry mentors based on location, needs, and professional interests.
Suggestions included a survey to identify mentors and mentees, informational handouts at events, and including mentors’ professions in the program.
A scholarship or grant program to support women's attendance at events was discussed, along with the development of a customer service training series focusing on soft skills.

Community engagement efforts were emphasized as a way to promote pest management as a career and build stronger local connections.
- Suggestions included spring bug hunts for children and participation in local events such as music festivals and hydro races.
- PWIPM members will work on organizing community service projects under the group’s umbrella.

Plans for showcasing PWIPM on the website were discussed, highlighting women's achievements, creating a resource library, and sharing success stories.
Members were encouraged to update their email subscriptions in the WSPMA portal to stay informed about group updates.

The NPMA PWIPM grant was highlighted as an annual opportunity to support women in the industry, with applications for 2025 to open soon.
Samantha shared information about upcoming women-focused conferences:
- Women in Pest Control Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in March.
- NPMA Women’s Forum in Austin, Texas, in May.
- Both events include strong speaker lineups and grant opportunities to offset costs.

The group discussed strategies to engage employers and secure support and involvement for PWIPM initiatives. Suggestions included:
- Creating a flyer outlining the benefits of PWIPM for employees and employers.
- Reaching out to larger companies through the board to promote broader engagement.
Emphasis was placed on making the program inclusive and ensuring it is supported by all industry stakeholders.