Sweeping Magazine - August 2021

AUGUST 2021

SWEEPING THE JOURNAL OF CHIMNEY AND VENTING TECHNOLOGY

FUEL CHOICE FUEL BANS

VS

Can We Find Some Common Ground?

DRYER VENTS: Do I Really Need to Sweep Those?

IN THE

KNOW

RE WH AT A T TEES OMMI C G S C N U P TO ?

MEMBERSHIP STATUS Have You Renewed Yet?

FROM THE EDITOR I’m a big fan of tradition and nostalgia, but I also like to challenge the notion of that’s just the way it’s always been done.

Sometimes in order to grow, we need to embrace a little bit of change in our lives.

And there are quite a few changes happening around NCSG, one of which is “Sweeping.” I’m sure you noticed when you opened your mailboxes, the look of the magazine is a b i t different. Not only does this change further align our updates to branding, but brings new, more engaging life to the pages and content; with me as your new Editor. That being said, I’d like to introduce myself for those who haven’t yet met me.

My name is Kacie Krominga, and I am the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for NCSG. My very first day on the job included a deep dive into the Guild – I sat in on a meeting with the Board, where our bright, new future was discussed. Before joining the team, I spent the last nine years working in advertising and multi-media design.

I hope to be an advocate for the Guild as a new staff member, and I look forward to learning more about its rich history and present growth opportunities.

Thank you to those I’ve met so far for the warm welcome, and I look forward to serving you for years to come.

SWEEPING THE JOURNAL OF CHIMNEY AND VENTING TECHNOLOGY

NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway Ankeny, Iowa 50023-7068 (515) 243-1558

August 2021, Volume 45 #7 STAFF Executive Director Easton Kuboushek, MPA director@ncsg.org Marketing & Communications Coordinator Kacie Krominga marketing@ncsg.org Membership & Events Coordinator Brittney Burton bburton@ncsg.org Education Coordinator Marshall Peters certifications@ncsg.org

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Sweeping do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Chimney Sweep Guild or its employees.

Kacie Krominga, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, NCSG

DID YOU KNOW?

As a member, you have access to multiple advisors from the industry’s leading professionals, known as the Technical Advisory Council.* This benefit is available to all NCSG members. To access the TAC Line and phone number extensions, go to ncsg.org, and log in to the member portal.

TAC LINE

2

*Be advised that advice given by NCSG’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) reflects best practices of the chimney sweeping industry. However, we are unable to account for any particular type of situation since regional variations in construction practices and additional environmental, physical and geographical factors necessarily vary the level of service appropriate for a particular fireplace and/or chimney. Additionally, local laws and ordinances may govern and/or supersede the information and any recommendations provided.

Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with firsthand knowledge of the situation, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Neither NCSG nor any member of TAC will be held liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on information provided by anyone associated with TAC. By your use of this member benefit, you acknowledge acceptance of these terms.

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

ADVERTISING To advertise, e-mail Malisa Minetree at sweepingads@me.com or call (317) 815-4688.

NCSG further reserves the right to reject at any time any advertising determined not to be in keeping with the publication’s standards.

Acceptance of advertising by Sweeping magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers.

LAYOUT AND DESIGN Kacie Krominga, Editor ARTICLE SUBMISSION NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to Editor, Kacie Krominga at marketing@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices or other forms of advertising verbiage. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a JPG format.

In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions for space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing, nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release.

© 2021 National Chimney Sweep Guild

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

Letter from the President ������������������������������������� 4

Technical Q & A ��������������������������������������������������� 12 A Word from Spark Marketer ���������������������������� 13

Coach's Corner ���������������������������������������������������� 27

21

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

IN THE KNOW - Committee Update �������������������� 6 New Certifications ������������������������������������������������� 7

EVENTS

IN THE KNOW - Committee Update �������������������� 8 Upcoming Events & Dates ��������������������������������� 10

MEMBERSHIP

IN THE KNOW - Committee Update ������������������17 Member Advocacy ���������������������������������������������� 18

Meet a Member ��������������������������������������������������� 21

New Members ����������������������������������������������������� 22

REGIONS

Member Regional Map ��������������������������������������� 22 Region Updates �������������������������������������������������� 23

23

DIRECTORY

Board Of Directors ���������������������������������������������� 29 Committee Chairs & Task Forces �������������������� 29 Classifieds ����������������������������������������������������������� 29 A U G U S T 2021

3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT NCSG Membership Expectations

Find out why membership with the NCSG is important and some benefits that are worth noting – directly from NCSG President, Tom Hunkele.

I’m hoping everybody has had a chance to get away from the busyness of work and take some time to enjoy the greatest gift we have this summer – being with our family and friends.

Our legal team continues to make progress with our OSHA settlement and we should have an answer soon. Many of our other committees continue to bring new ideas and innovation to what’s happening in the Guild. Discounts on supplies and even roadside assistance are available to our members.

I say this as my wife, kids and grandkids gear up for our vacation to Disney World in Orlando. Yes! I’ve got some Mickey ears and my poncho ready for the daily Florida rains.

The Guild continues to take bold steps in everything, especially when it comes to having a choice in what certifications and training will best suit you and your company's needs.

We’ve already embarked on having the only fully accredited certification in the industry with.

For most of us, August THOMAS HUNKELE is when we start gearing up PRESIDENT for the busy season, and like you, we at NCSG have started to gear up as well. For our staff, the process of Membership Renewals has already begun. This year our team already have the process well in hand. So, be watching your inbox!

Having a voice is imperative in today's industry and having that ability to select those individuals you want to represent you is the backbone of all that the Guild stands for as an organization. I’m going to ask that you make the best choice, and continue your membership with the NCSG by logging into your account online and renewing today!

Having that ability to select those

This year, it’s different for me as your individuals you want to represent you is President. I have to always be looking at the bigger picture and the many changes the backbone of all that the Guild stands for... that have occurred over the past several months. We’re navigating a new course and direction for the Guild, and we see how the With your continuous support along with changes are positively affecting not only our your member renewal, we can continue “Serving industry, but more importantly you, those that service America’s chimneys.” our members.

Our mission remains to be the promotion of the chimney sweep, the chimney sweep industry and the advocation of issues affecting our members.

The Government Affairs Committee monitors and is continuously on the alert for any legislation that might affect our industry.

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

Thomas Hunkele, NCSG President

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IN THE

KNOW

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

Look at Education with a Long-Term Lens An Update from the NCSG Education & Certification Committee “If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it from him. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — John Adams In recent months, the Guild has heard feedback that education has somewhat fallen on the priority list. “We’re too busy to take the time,” or “I know we need to catch up, but it hasn’t been in a convenient time or place for us,” are some of the common responses.

Another challenge is attracting employees to train in the first place. Some chimney sweep businesses simply can’t find the help, so training is disregarded entirely.

These serious challenges are shared by Guild members. As the NCSG Education and Certification Committee looks at ways to support members on these issues, it’s important to keep a long term plan in mind and know of current training opportunities.

Planned versus Passive Education It’s inevitable that life and day-to-day business gets busy — that’s where many members are now. By carving out the time and resources for 6-12 months in advance, you can plan business around the designated training dates that are locked on the calendar. Setting aside an annual training budget is also important so costs do not become a surprise or barrier.

Having up-to-date knowledge leads to higher quality performance and customer satisfaction. Informed chimney sweeps are also safe sweeps, reducing risk for employers, and most importantly, the homeowner. Ultimately, education isn’t just a good idea — it’s necessary to maximize performance, reduce risk and keep your business at the forefront of innovation.

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

Education Opportunities that Already Exist When you check out the new calendar and list of events on our website, you’ll see dates for flagship events like the NCSG Convention and NCSG Chimney Expo coming up in 2022. On a more regular basis, Guild members can take advantage of state and regional education, like: •

Certified Chimney Professional & Reliner Events — These half- or full-day trainings are happening nearly every week. In August, training events will be held in Chicago, Kansas City, Louisville and California.

•

Hands On Training (HOT)— These on-site project-based trainings are a great way to introduce new talent to the trade. Join passionate Guild members to get real experience in the field and with fellow Sweeps trying to get better. Or, plan one for yourself and let NCSG know! The Guild is here to partner with you to host HOT events!

•

Online Opportunities through CVC Success Group — Sometimes the cost and time away from the business just doesn’t work.

The team at CVC can help train your team with their expansive library and interactive solutions. NCSG members can access their services for one month at no cost. Contact office@ncsg.org to learn more.

One thing that is certain is NCSG members are among the highest skilled sweeps because of their emphasis on quality education. Regardless of how you get training, make it easier and a greater priority with a long-term plan. If you need help, reach out to your regional director, or the NCSG Education and Certification Committee for support!

NEW CERTIFICATIONS Pray, Aaron Roberts, William

REGION 1 Connecticut

Bilodeau, Jonathan Connors, Thomas McGill, Kwame Simmons, Jaden Tefoe, Thomas

Maine

Fish, Mason Gray, John Henderickson, Bruce

Massachusetts Ciufo, Adam Fenner, Buddy Girouard, Brian

New Hampshire LaSalle, Josiah

Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Casco, ME Orland, ME Waldoboro, ME Palmer, MA Charlton, MA Charlton, MA Milford, NH

Bilodeau, Jonathan Connors, Thomas McGill, Kwame Simmons, Jaden Tefoe, Thomas

Maine

Henderickson, Bruce

Massachusetts McGill, Cory Ciufo, Adam

Metcalf, Jon

Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Vernon, CT Waldoboro, ME Williamsburg, MA Palmer, MA

Poro III, Robert Schoonmaker, Bill Tifft, Colby Trites, Robert

Milford, NH Nashua, NH Troy, NY Feura, Bush, NY Selkirk, NY Patterson, NY Patterson, NY Bennington, VT Bennington, VT Bennington, VT Bennington, VT

REGION 2 Maryland

Stinchcomb, Robert

Roberts, William

New York

Short, Christine Short, Michael

Vermont

Schoonmaker, William Merrill, Chad Trites, Robert Poro III, Robert Schoonmaker, Bill

Pasadena, MD

Ware, MA Nashua, NH Patterson, NY Patterson, NY Ferrisburgh, VT North Clarendon, VT Bennington, VT Bennington, VT Bennington, VT

REGION 2 Ayer, MA

New York Shear, Jonathan Shear, Joseph

Vermont

New Hampshire

REGION 1 Massachusetts

Garmley, Joel Garza, Mike Shear, Joshua Short, Christine Short, Michael

Walling, Josh

REGION 1 Connecticut

New York

June 4 – June 30

Feura Bush, NY Selkirk, NY

Maryland

Matthew, Keith

Pasadena, MD

REGION 3 Florida

Walker, Jay

Tallahassee, FL

A U G U S T 2021

7

IN THE

KNOW

EVENTS COMMITTEE

The NCSG Events Committee is celebrating the success of two major events this summer.

Both the NCSG Chimney Expo and the NCSG Virtual Convention gave an opportunity for the chimney and venting industry to come together once again and share knowledge, insights and friendship. The buzz at Expo was palpable.

You could feel the excitement to be together in person with fellow professionals and learn from some of the great minds in the industry.

The general session room was packed to the brim even needing more chairs added for additional attendees.

The evening networking events from our hosts National Chimney, Saver Systems, Priorfire and HeatshielD were well attended and were full of handshakes, hugs and laughter as old friends reconnected after over a year apart and

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

new friendships were formed. Of course you could also always find a group of sweeps in the Tavern or restaurants swapping stories.

The Virtual Convention has had great feedback thanks to our amazing speakers and exhibitors. Most of our live sessions went off without a hitch, and the On-Demand library of the recordings was heavily utilized to collect every last CEU. We may even be able to bring in some of the virtual technology to our future in-person events to take them to the next level, and give you every opportunity to take advantage of all the educational content.

Between the two events, we were able to bring together over 600 sweeps to connect, learn and have a good time.

As we close our 2021 events we look forward

to bringing both events to you in person in 2022 with Convention in Las Vegas, NV and Expo once again in King of Prussia, PA. We are currently looking to welcome new members to our NCSG Events Committee to help plan the 2022 events. If you are interested in helping to develop the future of NCSG Events we invite you to reach out to office@ncsg.org to join the committee.

Sponsors

Finally, we would also like to send out a SPECIAL THANKS to our sponsors and exhibitors for both events!

Exhibitors Approved Industries - Smoketite A W Perkins Co. Barnhill Supply Bear Hands Pro Blaze King Industries, Inc Blue Collar Magazine Brandtastic CCP Discovery Chimney Products, Inc. ChimSpect Software Copperfield CSIA CVC Success Group Enervex Inc. EPA Burn Wise Estoban Corporation Good Marketing Group Hartman Agency, Inc. ICP Inc. Imperial Manufacturing Group USA Inc. Ingenuity Media In-O-Vate Insurance Canopy Jeremias Exhaust Systems KW USA Lindemann Chimney Market Hardware Inc. Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild MasterHeat

MF Fire Mid-Atlantic Chimney Association Mongoose Metals My Fireplace Products National Chimney National Fireplace Institute New England Chimney Supply New York State Chimney Sweep Guild Outside the Business Box Pennsylvania Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps Peke Logistics Quick Industries R. F. Fager Co. Ray Murray Inc. Regency Fireplace Products Rooftop Safety USA Sand Hill Wholesale SaverSystems Service Titan Skytech Control Systems SMG Hearth & Home (ComfortBilt) SnapLok Systems Southeast HPBA Spark Marketer SteelGrip SAMM SureFire Training Academy Trans Continental Equipment WeatherTite Wilkening Fireplace Wohler USA

A U G U S T 2021

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August 10-11 SaverSystems, National Chimney & PriorFire 14 Woodshire Court Ballston, NY 12019

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August 9 CCP & CCR Training Chimney Mechanix 942 South Waukechon St. Shawano, WI 54166 August 10 CCP & CCR Training Lindemann Chimney 86 Albrecht Dr. Lake Bluff, IL 60044

August 12 CCP & CCR Training Hampton Inn – Shawnee 16555 Midland Dr. Shawnee, KS 66217 August 13 CCP & CCR Training Hilton St. Louis Frontenac 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63131 Check out ncsg.org for all future member events!

August 18-20 CSIA 2021 Homecoming Summer Conference www.csiaconference.org August 23 CCP & CCR Training Embassy Suites Anaheim Orange 400 N. State College Blvd.

Orange, California, 92868 August 25 CCP & CCR Training Hampton Inn LODI 1337 South Beckman Road Lodi, California 95240 August 27 CCP & CCR Training Chimcare Portland 27929 SW 95th Ave. Wilsonville, OR 97070

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TECHNICAL Q & A Do Dryer Vents Need Swept?

Short answer: Yes!

STEVEN SCALLY

SECRETARY AT LARGE

I watched Lee Roff’s weekly online LWL show (Lunch with Lee) at the end of June 2021. It focused on dryer vents and when to have them serviced. Lee indicated that dryer vents should be serviced yearly and also in the following instances:

1. When clothes are still wet after the appropriate cycle has completed.

2. When the dryer doesn’t shut off when the dryer is on sensor dry.

3. When the dryer smells like smoke during use.

4. W hen the dryer top is really hot when the dryer is running. Warm is OK but hot is not.

5. W hen the dryer does not heat the dryer may need to be repaired.

6. W hen a light that indicates that the dryer is not venting properly (in newer dryers).

Lee emphasized that to assure quality, the service should be done by a Certified Dryer Vent Technician. He also stressed that one should never leave home with the dryer running. Lint can back up into a heating element and possibly cause a fire. So, get those vents swept today!

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

A WORD FROM SPARK MARKETER Now, If I Could Only Find Help…

At the Chimney Expo at King of Prussia, PA and the NCSG virtual convention, one thing stood out in pretty much every conversation: Everyone is looking to hire help.

CARTER HARKINS & TAYLOR HILL SPARK MARKETER

We heard stories of companies being booked out, not just a couple of weeks, but four to six months! And as crazy as that sounds, it’s not really unique to the chimney and venting industries. If you look into other home service business verticals, they are all having the same challenges around hiring and supply line issues.

But what are you able to do differently so you don’t continue to have these issues?

Invest the Money One person we spoke with told us that, even though he has invested all kinds of money into marketing and training, he doesn’t have anyone to train. Which brings me to my first point: Are you putting money and resources into your hiring process?

Prepare Beforehand All business owners are really busy and, trust me, we get it. But if you don’t do some prep before you need to hire, you will be behind before you even start.

How should you prep? Make sure that your job ad is up-to-date and as relevant to the position you’re trying to fill as possible. It may be tempting to reuse an old ad because time is of the essence. But it can also end up costing you an enormous amount of time and money if the job ad isn’t up-to-date and tailored to the role you’re looking to fill. The time it will take you to go through the job description and the ad will pay for itself in the long run, so just stop and get that done.

Now, take a look at the ads on Indeed and other hiring platforms and do a comparison.

Does your ad stand out from the crowd? Many companies are using hiring bonuses to set their job ads apart, but I caution you that if this is the route you are going to take, make sure you do everything you can to qualify that person for the job before bringing them on.

Take a few minutes, go to Indeed.com, and look at all the job Your next best hire may not come from an postings that are much like what you ad placement on a platform like ZipRecruiter. are hiring for. You will start to see hiring bonuses, benefits offered, and pay in those areas. Pay attention to these things, because these are the incentives If you really want to stand out, you will need other companies are offering. If you want people to highlight not only the job but your company coming into your hiring pipeline, you’re going to as well. Why should potential candidates choose have to be competitive in your market -- which your company over another? That’s the real means you’ll have to meet or exceed the offers question you want to ask as you write the ad. you see across hiring platforms.

If you can truthfully say that you would want to work for you, then you are a good way down the right path.

A U G U S T 2021

13

The more self-selection they can do on the front-end, the better. It will save you both time and money.

Consider Ad Placement Now that you have your ad ready, it’s time to consider ad placement. There are multiple places you can place an ad: ZipRecruiter, Craigslist, LinkedIn, Indeed, and Facebook, to name a few.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Another way to help your potential employee see if they’re a good fit is to be clear about things like: •

What kind of company you run

•

What the typical day will look like

•

What you expect of your employees

•

What type of career and lifestyle you can provide for someone who works hard and does the job right

While we wish we could tell you which one you’ll have the most success with, we can’t. We know folks that have been successful on each one of these platforms. It’s like everything else in marketing, you’ll have to test and see what happens. So try each one out and see which one works the best for your area and company.

A quick note: Your next best hire may not come from an ad placement on a platform like ZipRecruiter. One thing that has worked well for us and other companies is giving hiring bonuses to current employees who refer new employees.

If the new employee sticks around for X number

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of months (you determine the number), give the referring employee some money and make it a big deal. That way, other employees will see the benefit of referring friends and associates. Make it worth their while.

Always Be Looking

It’s a great tool to explore before those interviews take place, so you’ll be armed with questions that will help eliminate those people who don’t fit the job or culture and illuminate those who do. Doing this ahead of time is another way to ensure you’re ready when you need that next person.

One of the biggest mistakes we’re all guilty of making is putting off looking for our next One of the biggest mistakes we’re all guilty of hire until we absolutely *need* someone. But if you make it a making is putting off looking for our next hire until point to ‘always be hiring,’ then we absolutely *need* someone. when you really need someone, you’ll be ahead of the game.

You’ll already have a pool of qualified people ready to join the team.

The Hiring Magic Bullet!

To ‘always be hiring’ also means being willing to look and think outside the box. What unusual backgrounds do other employees in your company have -- backgrounds that may not seem like a direct career path to your company, but that prepared your employees to hit it out of the park in ways you may not have anticipated?

Here are a few we have heard of: chef, server, farmer, nurse, electronic technician, and customer call center.

The truth is, there are a lot of people out there right now who are looking for a different type of job. People who did some self-reflection during the quarantine and decided that what they were doing wasn’t giving them satisfaction or making the best use of their skills and talents.

So, be open to training someone from a different career field, and keep your eyes open, even if you’re not ready to hire at the moment. If you’re always looking, then when those people inquire, you’ll be ready.

Have Your Questions Ready Ahead of Time It can be tough figuring out what to ask during an interview. What questions will give you insight into the individual’s skills, mindset, and abilities?

How can you get a sense for someone with just a few questions?

Now, you’re armed with some good tips, but maybe you’re still waiting for the hiring ‘magic bullet.’ Well, sorry to disappoint you, but there is no hiring magic bullet.

Hiring is hard. We know, because we have to do it, too. Sure, we’re in a different industry and we have a few different challenges, but ultimately, the struggle is the same no matter what industry you’re in.

We are all competing with each other for people as the economy opens back up. That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news: If you practice all of the above tips, you’ll have much better success than if you act out of desperation, and you’ll be armed and ready to hire when the time is right for your company.

About the Authors: Carter Harkins and Taylor Hill are the co-founders of Spark Marketer, a Nashville, Tennessee-based digital marketing company that works primarily with service businesses. They’re also co-authors of the book, Blue Collar Proud: 10 Principles for Building a Kickass Business You Love. Both regularly speak at service industry trade shows and conferences across the nation. Visit sparkmarker.com or facebook.com/sparkmarketer.

One of our employees found this handy resource to help you come up with the best questions to ask in an interview for each position you are hiring for: Behavioral Interview Questions Generator.

A U G U S T 2021

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IN THE

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

What a productive and busy summer it’s been for Membership! We have been hard at work on several member benefits that will roll out in the coming months. The biggest one has been the redesign of the NCSG website and membership portal. We would love if you would make it a priority to log in to give us some feedback! Let us know what you’d like to see that would benefit us all. If you are unsure of your login info, please contact office@ncsg.org.

Along with the website redesign, came a redesign of the NCSG logo and marketing materials! Be on the lookout for the new logo stickers, decals and merchandise! Want to be some of the first to get the new swag? Renew your membership by September 10 to be a part of the SweepStakes drawing! Kick off will be August 16 and will run through September 10.

All the details will follow in email, so be on the lookout for those! In short, there will be a drawing once a week on Fridays for those that have renewed their membership each week. The winners will receive some new NCSG swag and other exciting prizes! That’s a whole lot of new!

For those of you who are on social media, the NCSG has a Facebook group, NCSG Discussion List and Instagram. Please give us a follow and participate on there! We will be rolling out a tool tip of the month to give you some new ideas to aid you in the field.

Email office@ncsg.org or call your Regional Director to get involved or send feedback on how we’re doing! You can find your Regional Director or the Membership committee contact info on our website at ncsg.org. Stay tuned for more membership benefits coming soon!





 

 

 

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        

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  

 

   

A U G U S T 2021

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MEMBER ADVOCACY Opinion: Fuel Choice vs. Fuel Bans Recently, there was some good news regarding consumers having fuel choices for their homes.

On July 1, 2021 Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio signed into state law legislation that blocks cities or counties from burning natural gas or propane hook ups to decarbonizing new buildings. This makes Ohio one of 19 states that have either passed, or will do so upon gubernatorial approval, what’s known as a “Fuel Choice” preemption REGION 4 bill. This particular legislation would block any city or county from issuing any law or zoning code that “limits, prohibits, or prevents“ people and businesses from obtaining natural gas or propane service.

is very informative and useful in presenting a path towards protecting the planet and energy security for all people. I would encourage you to take the time to listen.

Quoting Tim Reed in his synopsis of the podcast, in this episode you will learn: •

What we as an industry need to know when it comes to gas bans (and how becoming informed will allow us to unite and stand up for the solution).

•

Why equity and affordability – the most overlooked factors when it comes to electrification – need to be brought up (accounting for lower income individuals is crucial in understanding the pain points in transitioning to an electrified nation).

•

How having fuel diversity is more practical and reliable than a solely renewable grid ( this will prevent future blackouts similar to that of Texas).

JEFF KEEFER

There is a growing list of progressive cities and states around the country that have passed legislation banning natural gas hook ups in effort to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and thus completely relying on the electrical grid. The reality is people die when the grid goes down in the middle of winter. In Texas alone, 111 people died as a result of the grid going down.

For our members who would like to learn more regarding Fuel Choice, read the article Forbes published entitled “This Blizzard Exposes the Perils of Attempting to ‘Electrify Everything’” by Robert Bryce.

There is also great information on the The Fire Time podcast by Tim Reed. In episode 95, he interviews Bryce. Along with the article, it

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

The reality of consumers having fuel choices is going to be a long-term battle. Like so many other areas in our country it is split 40/ 40 with 20% being undecided. It is hard to convince someone to change who believes fervently that they are trying to save the world due to burning hydrocarbon fuels.

In the current atmosphere, the climate change proponents have the majority of the money and the media on their side. Even with all the fortunes of oil and gas companies, they are being drastically outspent by very well-funded organizations. I have no doubt that in the past, these companies had more money to lobby, but the table has flipped.

Well-funded organizations such as the Sierra Club, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the Bezos Earth Fund all advocate for the right to ban the burning of hydrocarbons. In addition, the natural gas and propane companies are competing directly with electric, solar and wind generating companies. The latter two have

received billions in government funds. Electric generating companies see it in their best interest to add new customers.

In the best case for the foreseeable future even with the expansion of all renewable energy’s, there will always be required a back up system of hydrocarbons or people will die.

When the electric grid goes down, you can’t just “fire up” a solar or wind generating system. Our electrical grid is vulnerable to simple weather events, especially if there is not a natural gas backup, to kick in as demand is needed. I believe electrifying everything will do the opposite, and put us humans at risk.

“In addition to being bad for energy security, these bans are a form of regressive tax on the poor and middle-class because they compel consumers to use electricity, which costs four times more than natural gas on the energy equivalent basis.” Robert Bryce said in the interview. “Despite these very cold facts, it is certain that efforts to ban natural gas and electrify everything will continue.”

Why is this on our radar? On January 22, Bill McKibben, arguably America’s most famous environmentalist, published an article in New Yorker in which he said if there is a “basic rule of thumb for dealing with climate crisis, it would be: stop burning things;“ including natural gas, propane and solid fuel.

I think we have a target on our industry. Ask those sweeps in the country where you can’t install a wood fireplace; now many where a gas fireplace is not to be installed as well. Just think how far we’ve come as an industry in improving the air quality of wood stoves alone. Old stoves would belch out 30-60 ppm of particulates. The stoves today are under 2.5ppm.

Most importantly, there is a public awareness to have these stoves serviced annually as a must; it is in black and white in their owner’s manual. I believe there is a possibility for a reasonable path forward that can be explained to your local community officials if you are armed with the facts. Get informed.

A U G U S T 2021

19

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MEET A MEMBER Meet Tyler Scott

Tyler Scott represents Aaron’s Alternative Energy & Chimney Services of High Ridge, MO. Contact Tyler at Tyler_scott223@yahoo.com or aaronschimney@yahoo.com for service inquiries.

TYLER SCOTT

How did you get started in the industry?

In what area are you focusing on improving this year?

My sister actually; she was the secretary for the business before I purchased it. She came home one day and said “Tyler do you think you can help my boss, Gary, tomorrow? He’s trying to retire but needs a hand.” I had no idea that less than 20 words would change my life in such a positive way.

What is your favorite/most useful tool?

What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?

Get to know your customers from day one.

Spend some time after the job talking about what THEY want to talk about not what you want to talk about. Not everyone wants to talk about huntin’, fishin’, and Ford pickup trucks.

Who has been your biggest influence?

Definitely has to be Mr. Gary Hart. I can’t express enough how thankful I am to have met Gary.

I have and still continue to learn from Gary regarding our industry.

What unrelated skill/knowledge did you come into the industry with that has suited you well?

Welding and fabrication; it really helps out when you have to build or modify your own tools, or build custom parts.

Inventory management/organization My SnapLok 3 motor vac. I couldn’t imagine cleaning chimneys without it. If only I could keep it from sucking up drop cloths and gloves.

Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?

A clothing iron, with a short piece of broken rope attached to the handle. We still have the iron on display in the stove shop.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Eagle Scout. Takes a lot of dedication at a young age to achieve the Eagle Scout rank. I wouldn’t have achieved that if I didn’t have friends and family helping and encouraging my goals.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Play! We love to fish, ride side by sides, hunt, scuba dive, truck pulls, float trips, take the boat to the river. We don’t let any dust settle.

What is the best class you have attended?

Masonry Heater Association HMED class. Not only did I bring a lot of knowledge home, I also met over 120 other heater masons that were all willing to share their thoughts, interests and stories for the whole week.

Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show and/or the Chimney Expo? What was your favorite takeaway?

What questions do you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? What is your answer?

I have! I try to go every year. I like that I get to meet new friends, get to see places I never would have thought about going, and swap stories with other chimney sweeps.

A lot of people ask me how long I have been a chimney sweep. I have been a sweep for almost ten years now, over a third of my life.

Brotherhood. Always has been; always will be.

What is in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?

A U G U S T 2021

21

NEW MEMBERS Region 1

Region 4 Ohio

New Hampshire Kris Kessler Granite Ridge Chimney

Laconia, NH

Abra Cutforth Best Cincinnati Chimney

Cincinnati, OH

Region 5

Region 2

Colorado

Pennsylvania Michael Zabriskie Stroudsburg, PA S.A.F.E Chimney Service LLC

Alice Baer Littleton, CO Midtown Chimney Sweeps of Colorado Springs

Texas Angela West Top Hat Chimney Sweeps

Taylor, TX

MEMBER REGIONAL MAP REGION 1

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REGION 2

REGION 3

NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

REGION 4

REGION 5

REGION 6

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR REGION? RE

GION

1

Hello Region 1!

After arriving home after the last Chimney Expo, I’m glad to report that it was a resounding success - great attendance and everyone had a great time and learned a lot! We have a lot of projects currently going right now with the new logo, website, and (soon to be) accredited certification program and need a lot of help. If you have ever considered getting involved and want to help out please reach out. Currently we need members for various committees and members interested in participating in industry studies for the accreditation project.

Accreditation is an important step for us because like many trade industries we have to deal with a constant labor shortage. Having an accredited program will enable us to make inroads into organized trade schools and promote our industry to the incoming labor force. So, we. Need. Help. Yes you. The new guy, the old guy, the owner, the employee.

Aside from that basically everyone in the region are thrilled to have normal events starting up again. Myself and a few of our employees will be attending the New York Guild Summer Workshop in a few days - I firmly believe these regional events are the heart and soul of our industry and some of the best opportunities for newer operations to get some real hands-on experience. I hope to see you there!

I hope everyone is doing well. The next Silly Season is knocking on our doors.

Do you have everything ready?

RE

GION

2

MATT MAIR

Training Opportunities Continue in Region 2 This Month The PA Guild will sponsor a two-day Ropes Course on August 27 and 28 in Green Lane, PA. This will be taught by Jim Brewer of Rooftop Safety USA. Cost: $399. See PAGuild.org.

The Mid Atlantic Chimney Association will hold an OSHA 10 class August 30 & 31 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Frederick, Maryland also taught by Jim Brewer. Cost: $399. See ChimneySafety.org. This will wrap up training for most local Guilds till next year.

One other project that has just been completed, was an outdoor fireplace at the PA Guilds Camp 93. This was quite the build; taking the last 4 Summers to complete. Many helped and we expect many years of service!

This theme of safety classes will most likely continue in next year’s training schedule.

Taking an OSHA 10 course is a good start. It exposes you to what the current requirements entail.

BILL THORNTON

A U G U S T 2021

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RE

GION

3

The Great Southeast is Alive and Well!

For most in Region 3, sweeping and restoration are all beyond expectations.

Employment of more qualified personnel, beating the heat and storms seem to be the biggest challenges.

I’m happy to announce the South Carolina Chimney Sweep Guild “Gathering” is back and happening September 17 and 18 on beautiful Lake Murray in Prosperity, SC. Attendees will begin to arrive on Thursday and with departure on Sunday. The weekend will feature incredible camaraderie, exceptional education and a really unique experience with fellow sweeps. Add to that, the best of Southern Hospitality, which will include enjoyable boat rides on the lake and most excellent food and libations.

Seminars include the Prior Fire Retro Fit Fireplace system and several other seminars with CEU’s. The Stump Hunt, Memorial Fireworks Display honoring Sweeps Gone Too Soon, and the lively, Who Can Bid the Most auction will all be happening.

For more information go to southcarolinachimneysweeps.com. Everyone should experience this event at least once and most keep coming back.

RE

GION

4

RON RUST

Region Four Members, Wow! It was good to see members in person again! Whether at the Chimney Expo or the manufacturer training in our region, the synergy created from face to face communication was priceless. There are a few more available training sessions available this summer before the fall begins in our region.

Just to name a few: Copperfield Academy Business Forum in Republic, MO and Chimney Inspection in Springfield; the NCSG Certified Chimney Professional & Certified Chimney Reliner courses in Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, Ann Arbor, Canton, and Chicago; the National Training Academy, formerly the National Chimney Sweep Training School, has a course this summer.

Most of the members I’ve spoken with reported a quick start to their masonry business due to the region’s hot start to summer. Many are already scheduled out until the fall. Most are busier than they can remember. Many members have complained about supply chain issues for product, service parts and equipment. My opinion is that it is only going to get worse until the middle of 2022, so stock up if you can.

I’ve had the exciting opportunity to speak with several new members recently. Most of their inquiries were threefold about the upcoming NCSG Convention in Las Vegas, how to get involved, and how to take advantage of the member benefits. Information regarding the Manual Library and the TAC line were most prevalent.

The majority of the inquiries I received has regarded the path forward of the Certified Chimney Programs. The ANSI accreditation information that was in the official release and on the website has many members enthusiastically anticipating the final product which will have the highest standards in the industry.

That brings me to a call to action for our members. We need your help.

Are you interested in assisting in the accreditation process? Go to ncsg.org/certifications, under Accreditation Development Application to fill out the application.

Warm regards, Jeff Keefer

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

JEFF KEEFER

RE

GION

5

“Labor Omnia Vincit.” - Work Conquers All Region 5 consists of 13 states throughout the Midwest. We currently have 150 members, which is roughly 11.5 sweeps per state. I’ve not yet figured out how that half a sweep can do a whole day’s work but they’ve got my respect!

I want to first thank the constituents of the fifth region for their support of my endeavors to represent our region on the national board. I look forward to serving and representing the interests of Region 5 on a national level.

I have hit the ground running since my seating on the board in March of this year.

I currently have traveled to educational events in Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and Oklahoma. At these events, I have spoken personally to over 185 sweeps about the Guild and the benefits that come with being a member. Many are already members and are excited about the change of direction. They are anxious to know how the acquisition of the CCP will affect their current credentials. Some have expressed interest in volunteering at future events or on committees. If you would like to help with the upcoming conventions, membership benefits, or governmental advocacy, please let me know!

Region 5 was proud to host the first installment of the HOT Hands On Training provided by former Region 5 director Jasper Drengler. At this event, 20 NCSG Members came out to learn the ins and outs of a factory built rip and replace. One attendee was not a guild member and has since signed up and is excited to help in the future! Two of the attendees are now on the Membership committee and have given some great ideas to move our membership forward!

Region 5 Members Jason Clough of Perry, KS and Thaddeus Vinson of Omaha, NE recently attended an educational event in Skiatook, OK with me and about 20 other sweeps!

Our region has been filled with educational events from suppliers and guilds throughout this summer! If you haven’t attended the Wisconsin State Summer Workshop, you’re missing out! I will be there next year and hope to see you there as well! A huge thank you to all who strive to offer education to our region!

I have also been working to personally touch base with every Region 5 member. I have been contacting many via phone during my travel days. So be on the lookout for a phone call if you’re a member living in Region 5! I look forward to seeing many of you at events this summer and in Vegas for the NCSG National Convention March 30 - April 2, 2022! Until then, Sweeps Luck to you all!

RE

GION

6

DAVID STEWARD

Hello to Region 6 Members!

Region 6 is busting with opportunity and the memories of a "slow season" have drifted away. The region has opened up and mask mandates have disappeared. Traffic is getting back to normal and days of open roads have gone away.

The California Guild held their annual Golden State Conference with great attendance. It's nice to see sweeps gathering again like they recently did in King of Prussia. Having that personal interaction is good for the soul and our businesses.

We are seeing consumers in Region 6 have a big appetite for fixing up their homes which consist of their fireplaces. As we approach the busy season that's not too far away, we must staff up and take advantage of this rare opportunity.

JESSE PERALTA A U G U S T 2021

25

COACH’S CORNER Building Your Company Culture

A business succeeds not only when your customers are satisfied, but when your employees are thriving and feel heard.

Recently, I listened to a video by Gary Vaynerchuk entitled “Why You May Need to Fire Your Most Talented Employee.” Listen here:

JERRY ISENHOUR

In a time of the most challenging job of a manager being to find and recruit new employees. It is hard to fathom that a path to success may well be to fire your most talented employee, even when you would have an exceedingly difficult time replacing this person with today’s tight labor market. What’s more distressing may be the sales dollars this person is bringing the company, or the factor of the thousands of dollars you may have spent in training this person.

CVC SUCCESS GROUP

more as a coach. This is an often-discussed subject matter with my clients. In today’s world quite simply, people are more easily offended than at any time in our history. Ask any public speaker or those in the public eye about how they must speak and act with a keen eye to avoid saying anything that will offend others.

One newscaster even has referred to our society today as “The United States of the Offended”!

In the video, Gary refers to the need for emotional skills to be a particularly important part of how you react with others in the present day and into the future. One of the points he stresses is that you build culture by talking to people one by one and finding out what they care about. What you learn is that some people want: •

Money

•

Time with their family

•

Title

•

Creativity

It is the job of the manager to know of and understand the behavior patterns, wants and needs of each person that is on their team.

As you listen to this video, several thoughts likely will surface in your mind, a leading one is how many people this rock star is making miserable, and how many will decide to leave because of this person. A person who is a misery to be around is a form of cancer to the workplace and work force. And a cancer in the workplace must be removed just as it needs to be removed from our bodies. The difference is, cancer in a person at times may be found to be inoperable.

Cancer in a company can always be removed.

The video shares that the number one thing that will “make your company go fast” is continuity and lack of politics. I could not agree

A U G U S T 2021

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Every day, a 25-year-old, a 35-year-old and a 45-year-old likely all want different things. These different desires rank at the top of the list of what they want for happiness in their lives and careers. Even within the same age group, the struggles and desires may also differ.

For success in the present time and into the future, as managers, we must recognize that our teams are composed of a diverse group of individuals. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each person, and respecting their rights and feelings as individuals, are how we will mold a strong team. And being one with significant culture as they also must know and believe that the thoughts and dreams of others is important to move to a successful future.

If building a team of robots that think like you is your course, then you are sadly not on the course to build culture and success, and likely failure will be in your future!

This is why leadership is the trait that every successful manager must strive to build their skills in. A positive culture will always be a trait

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NCSG SWEEPING MAGAZINE

in a successful company, and as my friend and mentor Randy Pennington has often said, Culture Always Wins.

About the Author: Jerry Isenhour is an industry consultant, educator and coach who authors a monthly article in Sweeping as a service to the industry. A Past President of NCSG & CSIA along with serving in several volunteer industry positions over his career. For more information about Jerry and how his team can assist you individually and your business in your quest for success and your ascent to the next level, take a look at his web site www.cvcsuccessgroup.com He can be contacted at jerry@cvcsuccessgroup. com or by phone at (704) 425-0217.

You can also obtain great business tips from his Facebook page CVC Coaching and YouTube channel CVC Coaching.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS '21-'22 President | At-Large

Region 3

At-Large

Thomas Hunkele topnotchchimney@gmail.com

Ron Rust tophatswp@aol.com

Joe Sauter joe@yourchimneysweep.com

Vice President | Region 1

Region 4

At-Large

Matt Mair matt@blackmoosechimney.com

Jeff Keefer jeff@chimneycareco.com

Tim Smith certifiedchimneycare@gmail.com

Treasurer | Region 2

Region 5

Supplier Representative

Bill Thornton wissahickonvalleysweep@yahoo.com

David Steward copperridgechimney@gmail.com

Stuart Karanovich stuartk@saversystems.com

Secretary | At-Large

Region 6

Steve Scally firesidesweeps@comcast.net

Jesse Peralta chimcare@hotmail.com

COMMITTEE CHAIRS '21-'22 Bylaws

Governance

NFPA 211

Matt Mair (603) 525-7905 matt@blackmoosechimney.com

Ron Rust (803) 730-5858 tophatswp@aol.com

Steve Scally (603) 895-8746 firesidesweeps@comcast.net

Convention & Expo Stuart Karanovich (765) 966-5084 stuartk@saversystems.com

Government Affairs

NFPA 31

Education & Certification

Jeff Keefer (513) 248-9600 info@chimneycareco.com

Steve Scally (866) 283-8667, Ext. 700 firesidesweeps@comcast.net

International Relations

NFPA 54

Victor Imgarten stlswp@accessus.net

Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com

Joe Sauter (317) 243-9687 joe@yourchimneysweep.com Ethics Joe Sauter (317) 243-9687 joe@yourchimneysweep.com

Membership

Technical Advisory Council

Jesse Peralta (503) 655-2446 chimcare@hotmail.com

Steve Scally (603) 895-8746 firesidesweeps@comcast.net

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A U G U S T 2021

29

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