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Building connections: New professional women in building council seeks to build up the next generation of women in construction

By Staff Report, posted Mar 14, 2024 on BizFayetteville.com

Leaders receive the PWBS charter on Feb. 26 at the International Builders Show 
in Las Vegas, NV - Photo provided by HBAF

The Home Builders Association of Fayetteville NC (HBAF) is calling all women in the building industry to be part of a new career resource dedicated to promoting industry professionalism and supporting members at the local, state and national levels.

The HBAF is excited to announce the launch of their Professional Women in Building Council (PWB): Professional Women in Building of the Sandhills (PWBS). 

This initiative aims to empower and connect women in the housing industry through “A series of inspiring events, networking galore and growth opportunities that will elevate your professional journey.” 

According to HBAF Executive Officer Natalie Fryer, the paperwork was accepted through the National Association of Home Builders, the parent organization of Professional Women in Building Councils across the country. 

PBWS received their charter on Monday, Feb. 26 at the NAHB International Builders Show held in Las Vegas, NV. 

Charter bylaws state that “The PWBS is first and foremost an organization dedicated to supporting the professional development of women in the home building industry. Its members consist of NAHB and HBAF Builder, Associate and Affiliate members.”

Along with already having more than 20 charter members, Fryer shared how leadership was selected.

“I gathered a small group of our women members to begin the conversation of starting a PWB. From that group grew a larger group that helped with research last spring. We attended a NC PWB event so we could meet other ladies already involved. The officers were chosen from that group of women,” said Fryer.

LEADERSHIP INCLUDES: 

“As chairperson, I am so excited about starting our PWB charter. This charter will allow us to interact with so many amazing women in the building industry and to spread the word to other women who may not realize the opportunities available to them,” shared Furr. “The incredible thing about PWB is that it creates a platform for us to show other women and girls what they can do, and that the possibilities are limitless.” 

Fryer shared that according to the charter bylaws, the core purpose of the group is to uplift women in the building industry by “providing direct member services through education and training programs which focus on professional and leadership development, networking opportunities and industry related information.” 

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Fryer also shared membership is open year-round and is annual from the day someone joins. She also shared that the goal for the next two years is to meet quarterly. 

The HBAF has also launched a monthly newsletter for PWBS called “Building Bridges” which will be packed with information and connections.

The first event for the PWBS will be on Thursday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Fayetteville Urban Ministries (FUM).

“We chose FUM as our charity for the next two years. Our community projects will focus on their needs. One need they have is for a dedicated portion of their current clothes closet to be clothes that women need for interviews, etc. The PWBS is going to make that happen. We will meet on March 21 to look at the space and lay out plans for the closet; both in design and the donations,” shared Fryer.

“If you’re a woman in the local construction sector, we welcome the opportunity to connect with you! Our membership encompasses a variety of roles, such as builders, designers, real estate brokers, lenders, developers and more. There’s a space for you within our community,” concluded Furr.

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Learn more about PWBS and how to join and how to get involved at www.fayhba.org. 

 

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