March 2012

Dear Members, Thank you for your continued support in helping to legitimize our profession. From our combined efforts of educating the public we are able to help cus-tomers choose the best playground installer for the job. By this I mean edu-cating them on the current standards and the proper evaluation and metrics for a QUALIFIED contractor. I know we all visit the customers for the first time and start talking about CPSC and ASTM guidelines. We also may get into items like use zone, entrapment hazards and critical fall height. And then we start talking about age ranges. These are all very important to making sure the customer is making a wise decision on their future playground design. Equally important is discussing the installer and the qualifications of that installer. Too many times I am faced with customers that want to save a few dollars just to install themselves or have the local xyz company do it as a gift. I have to remind them about the guidelines again and how having a knowledgeable contractor can save them from having to fix any mistakes later. Or perhaps in some cases having to call us in to resolve an incomplete playground build. In the end these re-do's and improper installs can cost more over the long term. When selecting a Qualified Playground Contractor the customer can be more confident that the playground will be installed safe for their kids to play. So inevitably the question arises from the customer, "How do I select a qualified playground contractor?". Good News! The Inter-national Playground Contractor Association (NPCAI) has those certifications. These certifi-cations can give the customer and end users (kids and parents) the comfort level that their playground was supplied AND installed to meet all safety standards. In order to emphasize the merits of the program please remind them of the requirements of the certification and how you have achieved those and received this certificate. And the bo-nus, if you have been to the playground construction school and passed the test, you can add that to your list of qualifications. This will put yourself several notches above the compe-tition with no qualifications. In the current climate of competitive playground estimating, it is important to remind custom-ers of the possible outcomes of cheapest at all costs versus the quality of a great product installed by a Qualified Contractor. More often than not, the customer that has pride in their playground and wants the job done right the first time will see the benefits in a qualified play-ground installation. I think everyone knows the old adage, you get what you pay for, and most can recognize junk when they see it. So emphasize your value as a qualified contrac-tor and win the customers trust that you can make it happen, and then do just that. We all know that everyone wants to be the hero on ribbon cutting day, including the installer!

Regards, Jamey Snider NPCAI CHAIR Public Relations Committee Chair James Charles Snider. Snider & Associates, Inc. North Royalton, OH 44133 P: 440‐877‐9151 F: 440‐877‐9159 E‐mail: jcsnider@cvsnider.com

Letter From The Chair

Post Office Box 2364 Salt Lake City, Utah 84110-2364

P: 888-908-9519 Fax: 801-355-2788

E-mail: npca@playground-contractors.org

Playground Photo of the Month

This month's Playground Photo of the Month recipient is Playground of the Landscape Structures, Inc.

Wheeler Farm. The equipment is manufactured by Landscape Struc-tures and it was installed in Salt Lake City, Utah. The equipment materials are plastic, steel, alumi-num and fiberglass reinforced con-crete. Sonntag Recreation, LLC Holladay, Utah ph: 801 278-9797 www.sonntagrec.com If you are interested in submitting your playground for consideration please e-mail us at npca@playground-contractors.org. If your photo is selected for the any month in 2012, we will have it pub-lished and your will receive recogni-tion for your work and a gift from us, for your participation. Digital Speci-fications: High Resolution PDF files are preferred. Deliv-ery: Files will be accepted via

March 2012

NPCAI Board of Trustees The NPCAI Qualified Contractor How to Make It Work For You and Your Customer Hello To All Our NPCAI Members, As Playground Contractors and especially in this slowing economy we need every advan-tage we can get when it comes to getting specified in a bid situation. This is also true and can really be of great benefit to us in non-bid situations. With that said, let’s talk about what it means to be an NPCAI Qualified Contractor. First, we start with: 1. Third Party Verification of Credentials from the NPCAI which includes verification of

our licenses in the states where we do business. Then we have to provide proof that we meet the

2. Provide Insurance Requirements of: General Liability: $ 1 Mil Per Occurrence with a $2 Mil Aggregate State Project Owner As An Additional Insured Provide Workers Comp that Meets State Minimum 3. Have an On-Site NPSI Certified Installer 4. Have Factory Certification with the Equipment to be Installed (if available) or Successful Completion of the NPCAI Playground Construction School 5. Provide References of Completed Work of Similar Scope 6. Provide a 1 Year Installation Warranty. Once the above is verified and the NPCAI confirms that your payment status is in good standing you will be ready to present yourself as a True NPCAI Qualified Contractor. Now let’s discuss how to Make Being a NPCAI Qualified Contractor Work for You and Your Cus-tomer.

First, educate your employees on what it means to be an NPCAI Qualified Contractor. Empower them with that knowledge and make sure they represent themselves in the field with a professional attitude and work ethic that is congruent with the NPCAI Qualified Con-tractor status. You may consider using the NPCAI Qualified Contractor Status as part of your Mission Statement and Core Values. Second, educate the Manufacturers and Sales Reps you do business with on the impor-tance of using a NPCAI Qualified Contractor on their projects. If they are not Members now, recommend that they join the NCPAI as The NPCAI seeks active participation in and contributions from its membership and corporate sponsors for the development and growth of individual members, their contracting businesses, and the playground construction pro-fession worldwide. This will be tremendously beneficial to you and your customer who is trying to make sure they get the best bang for their buck, especially in today’s market with numerous companies to choose from. Third and maybe most importantly educate your customer(s) on the true value of what using a NPCAI Qualified Contractor on their project can mean to them! This can quickly narrow the field of competition; increase your sales potential while ensuring the best out-come for the customer. Keep in mind that using a NPCAI Qualified Contractor can certainly be written into a bid spec but it can also be used as a Sales Tool in everyday sales situa-tions where the customer is trying to decide on who will be doing their playground installa-tion. After all, our ultimate goal is ensuring that the children who will be using the play-ground have a properly installed and safe playground to play on. Our vision is for our customers, sales reps and the playground manufacturers to under-stand, expect and require the use of a NPCAI Qualified Contractor for their playground installations to become a recognized Industry Standard. I like think of this as a Code of Honor where those planners and decision makers have the desire and the vision that their new playground will be installed by a NPCAI Qualified Contractor. With that said, let’s revisit our role as a NPCAI Qualified Playground Contractor.

Feature

  CHAIR 2012‐2014 Public Relations Committee Chair James Charles Snider. Snider & Associates, Inc. 10139 Royalton Road Ste # H North Royalton, OH 44133

P: 440‐877‐9151 F: 440‐877‐9159 E‐mail: jcsnider@cvsnider.com PAST CHAIR 2010‐2012 Playground Construction School Chair & Member-ship Committee Chair Roger Davis Playground Safety Services. Inc. Po Box 2729 Shelby, NC 28152 P: 704‐487‐7774 F: 704‐480‐7775 E‐mail: rdcpsi@carolina.rr.com

TREASURER 2012-2014 Dr. Joe Deutsch, CPSI Imagination Play, Inc. PO Box 452 Moorhead, MN 56561‐0452 P: 888‐788‐9504 F: 888‐788‐9546

E‐mail: joe@imaginationplay.com SECRETARY Tom Peeples Peeples Play-ground Safety Consulting, LLC. Po Box 745657 Arvada, CO 80006‐5657 P: 720‐351‐7309 F: 303‐421‐6675 E‐mail: play-groundsafety@live.com

March 2012

NPCAI Board of Trustees

Feature

TRUSTEE Nominations Committee Chair Jeff Barber, CPSI Playground Specialist, Inc. 17352 N. Seton Avenue Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Office: 301‐447‐1890 P: 800‐385‐0075 C: 301‐748‐3056 F: 301‐447‐3556 E‐mail: jeff@playspec.com 

TRUSTEE Tom Norquist GameTime 150 PlayCore Drive Fort Payne, AL 35968 P: 256‐845‐5610 F: 256‐845‐9361 thomasnorquist@me.com

TRUSTEE Research & Development Committee Chair Marylou Iverson Iverson & Assoc. P.O. Box 1387 Kingston, WA 98346 P: 360‐297‐8887 C: 360‐908‐3479 F: 360‐297‐8220 E‐mail: ml.iverson@gmail.com

NPCAI Office Sylvia Salazar, Executive Director. PO Box 2364 Salt Lake City, UT 84110 1‐888‐908‐9519

F: 801‐355‐2788 npca@playground‐contractors.org www.playground‐contractors.org

The NPCAI Qualified Contractor How to Make It Work For You and Your Customer (con’t) The Playground Contractors Role with the NPCAI As we come to the final link in the chain in becoming a True Playground Contractor. The NPCAI Mission is: To professionally construct today's pre-manufactured playground equipment. THE NPCAI IS: A worldwide partnership formed to contribute to the advancement of the playground building industry by promoting playground installation as a legitimate contracting profession within the play-ground industry. THE NPCAI LENDS SUPPORT: To all playground safety programs, guidelines, and stan-dards that promote playground safety by assisting the public in identifying the need for a professional playground installation. THE NPCAI SEEKS: Active participation in and contributions from its membership and cor-porate sponsors for the development and growth of individual members, their contracting businesses, and the playground construction profession worldwide. THE NPCAI OFFERS: MEMBERS A VOICE in the playground industry through leadership opportunity and networking to affect industry changes to address developing needs. MEMBERS ANSWERS to everyday installation questions and immediate access to infor-mation regarding certification, licensing and industry standards. Please See The NPCAI Code of Conduct (page 4) Upcoming Events: • October 16-18, 2012 Anaheim, CA NRPA Congress & Exposition • October 17, 2012 Anaheim, CA NPCAI Social Event • November 14-16, 2012, Las Vegas, NV Playground Construction School • February 27- March 1, 2013, Charlotte, NC Playground Construction School In closing I want to offer you an idea on how to improve your company’s bottom line as a NPCAI Qualified Contractor. Use Performance Measures: The NPCAI Qualified Contractor Status As A Tool Performance Measures quantitatively tell us something important about our products, ser-vices, and the processes that produce what we do. Performance Measures are a tool to help us understand, manage, and improve what our organizations do. Performance meas-ures let us know: 1. How well we are doing. 2. If we are meeting our goals 3. If our processes are in control 4. If and where improvements are necessary 5. If our customers are satisfied It is a proven fact that when Performance Is Measured: Performance Improves! Being a NPCAI Qualified Contractor is a very important Performance Measuring Tool. Here at the NPCAI, we have the foundation in place. Now it’s up to you to:

Best Playground Contractor You Can Be! Become a NPCAI Qualified Contractor and Continue to Sup-port The NPCAI! Roger Davis – CPSI www.playgroundsafetyservices.com rdcpsi@carolina.rr.com

The NPCAI offers many benefits to its members. Such benefits include • NPCAI embossed membership

certificate. • NPCAI membership card • A monthly E-zine • Free Listing on the Online Directory • Free Website Listing • RFP Listing • Playground Wiki • Free Access to over 200 forms. • Aflac Discount Program • Imprint Plus Name Tags • General Liability Insurance Program • Free copy of the Playground

Magazine. • Free Classifieds • Your company information is given

out to any interested individual seeking your services

• $100 savings on the Playground Construction School.

• Errors & Omissions Insurance Coverage

• Annual NPCAI Social Event • Sponsorship Opportunities • Qualified Contractor Credentials. Most Important NPCAI will support you every step of the way.

March 2012 Feature

The NPCAI Code of Conduct

Upon completion of the NPCAI Playground Contractors School, graduates have a commit-ment to ethical professional conduct in upholding the laws and regulations of playground construction in all business practices and in all installation. In carrying out responsibilities as professional installers, care should be given to follow ac-cepted practices and moral judgments in all activities. • Playground Construction School graduates should accept the obligation to act in a way

that will serve the public interest, honor the public trust and demonstrate commitment to professionalism by performing with the highest sense of integrity.

• Playground Construction School graduates are expected to provide quality services,

charge fair and equitable fees, and offer a range of playground services in a manner that demonstrates a level of professionalism consistent with these principles of the code of Professional Practice.

• Playground Construction School graduates have an obligation to follow the standards

set forth by the ASTM International Playground and Surfacing Standards, Guidelines of the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety and the ADA Playground Guidelines.

• The quest for excellence is the essence of due care. Due care requires a Playground

Construction School graduate to discharge professional responsibilities with compe-tence and diligence. And imposes the obligation to perform professional services to the best of the contractors ability with concern for the best interest of those for whom the services are performed and consistent with the profession's responsibility to the public.

• Competence represents the attainment and maintenance of a level of understanding

and knowledge that enables a Playground Construction School graduate to render qual-ity services with insight and understanding.

• PCS graduates should be diligent in discharging responsibilities to clients, employers

and the public. Diligence imposes the responsibility to render services promptly and carefully, to be thorough, and to observe applicable technical and ethical standards, guidelines and codes.

• The Playground Construction School graduates honesty is an essential component of

trust. Without trust of its members the NPCAI cannot function effectively, therefore the honest Playground Construction School graduate will not make deliberately false or deceptive claims in any business transaction, but will be honest about his or her own qualifications, and about any circumstances that might lead to a conflict of interest.

• Excellence depends on individuals who take responsibility for acquiring and maintaining

professional competence. A Playground Construction School graduate should be a part of the process by participating in setting standards for appropriate levels of competence and strive to achieve those standards by upgrading technical knowledge, knowing the current standards, guidelines, laws and codes, and continuing to learn by attending seminars, conferences, courses, including being NPSI Certified and being involved in professional organizations to include the NPCAI.

• The PCS graduate should observe the Principles of this Code of Professional Practice

in determining the scope and nature of serviced to be provided, honoring contracts, agreements and accept personal accountability for work provided. On some occasions ethical principles may take greater priority in committing to an obligation.

Playground Construction School graduates, those who are or become NPCAI qualified con-tractors and fail to uphold the professional standards set forth in this Code of Professional Practice shall be subject to loosing their certificate and membership in the NPCAI upon a negative finding on review of the of the complaint by the Executive Board and Playground Construction School Board of the International Playground Contractors Association (NPCAI).

Benefits Available to Members! Making us

March 2012 Feature

CPSI Course Calendar April 10-12, 2012 Bismarck, ND 701-355-1962 April 11-12, 2012 Saint Paul, MN 763-571-1305 April 17-19, 2012 Columbus, OH 614-794-9190 April 17-19, 2012 Chicago Area, IL 708-588-2287

April 18-20, 2012 Henderson/Las Vegas, NV 702-455-7723 April 25-27, 20112 Omaha, NE 402-289-0451 For more information contact NRPA at certification@nrpa.org

March 2012 Feature

PERSONAL HYGIENE - WHAT TO DO WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM It is often uncomfortable for employers to deal with employees who have poor hygiene hab-its. A direct approach can be a source of discomfort for both parties. Sending a company-wide reminder bulletin outlining the company's hygiene policies, is the beginning of the solu-tion; however, it's an indirect approach to the problem. Employees need to know what is expected of them and why.

Employers should deal with hygiene problems directly, or select one competent company person to handle the situation. Plan a one-on-one meeting in a private place, away from other employees. Decide whether or not the source of the complaints should be divulged; a customer or another employee, and be prepared to discuss the problem in a candid fashion. Lastly, suggestions for dealing with the problem must be offered, and a time-line for compli-ance should be outlined.

Being both direct and sensitive is a challenge in delicate situations such as this. So begin the con-versation by letting the employee know that being sensitive and direct is the primary goal; let the em-ployee know that he/she has a hygiene problem that must be addressed. Sometimes the reasons for such problems are financial difficulties or cultural differences. An employee may be unaware the problem even exists, so the employer should be prepared with specifics; smell of urine or feces, bad breath, excess smell from sweat, un-kempt appearance, dirty clothing.

Let the employee know how the problem is affecting the workplace; bothering co-workers, customers complaining, etc. The employer should outline expectations for change in appear-ance and/or improvement in hygiene habits: "Your unkempt appearance needs to be re-placed with clean shirts, shoes, and combed hair." And give a time frame for compliance: "How soon can we expect this change to take place?"

Next, enroll the employee in the company's image goals by helping them visualize how, once the problem is resolved, their personal hygiene habits will contribute to the company's image in a positive way. A follow-up meeting should be planned. If the employee comes into compliance, the hygiene problem is resolved. If not, pre-explained disciplinary action should take place. Know what the weather will be and dress appropriately. See example below.

SOURCE: The Job Accom-modation Network (JAN) is a free service that provides information on job accom-modations and the employ-ment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). http://www.jan.wvu.edu

Employers should never assume the reason for the

hygiene problem is related to a disability the employee may have, unless the employee indi-cates as much. In this case, employers should initiate an interactive process to determine whether the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies, and whether there are accommo-dations that may resolve the problem.

Good personal hygiene habits contribute to the company's image in a positive way.

Source: NPCAI Archives

The Playground Contractors Role with the NPCAI!

The Playground Contractors Role with the NPCAI

As we come to the final link in the

chain in becoming a True Playground Contractor.

The NPCAI Mission is:

To professionally construct today's pre-manufactured playground

equipment.

THE NPCAI IS: A worldwide partner-ship formed to contribute to the ad-

vancement of the playground building industry by promoting playground

installation as a legitimate contracting profession within the playground

industry.

THE NPCAI LENDS SUPPORT: To all playground safety programs,

guidelines, and standards that pro-mote playground safety by assisting

the public in identifying the need for a professional playground installation.

THE NPCAI SEEKS: Active participa-tion in and contributions from its

membership and corporate sponsors for the development and growth of

individual members, their contracting businesses, and the playground con-

struction profession worldwide.

THE NPCAI OFFERS: MEMBERS A VOICE in the playground industry

through leadership opportunity and networking to affect industry changes

to address developing needs.

MEMBERS ANSWERS to everyday installation questions and immediate access to information regarding certi-

fication, licensing and industry standards.

March 2012 Feature

NPCAI members are encouraged to participate in the National Recreation and Parks Association Congress & Exposition This year’s event will be October 16-18, 2012 Anaheim, California

October 16-18, 2012 NRPA Congress & Exposition Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA October 17, 2012 NPCAI Social Event Anaheim, CA

NOW SEEKING SPONSORS!

Why Sponsor the NPCAI Social?

With money very tight this year we wanted to provide the benefits to you of social sponsorship! NPCAI has created sponsorship packages to meet almost all budget sizes. These premium packages are loaded with additional value-added exposure that helps to make your sponsorship investment even more visible. NPCAI invites you to consider sponsorship of an NPCAI Social. event as an essen-tial component of your 2011 market-ing plans. Consider these five reasons of how sponsorship can help to achieve your marketing goals: 1. Enhance company image 2. Heighten visibility 3. Differentiating from competitors 4. Helping with good "Corporate Citizen" role 5. Increase booth traffic

NPCAI Calendar of Events Mark your Calendar Upcoming

Play Industry Events

April 1- 4, 2012 Iowa Park and Recreation Association

Spring Conference 2012 Location: Ramada Inn / Five Sullivan

Brothers Convention Center-Waterloo, IA Contact: http://

www.iowaparkandrecreation.org

April 2- 4, 2012 Maryland Recreation and Park Associa-

tion Annual Conference and Exhibit Location: Ocean City, MD Contact: www.mrpanet.org

April 18- 20, 2012

Nevada Recreation & Park Society Annual Conference 2012-

"Raising Your Sail" Location: Black Mountain Recreation

Center-Henderson, NV Contact: www.nrps.org

April 29 – May 1. 2012 Midwest Conference and North Dakota Recreation and Park Association Spring

Quarterly Meeting Location: Grand Forks, ND

Contact: http://www.ndrpa.com

March 2012

Random Funny Playground Picture

WARNING: Playground May Cause Laughter!

This month's Random Funny Playground Picture recipient is According to the Playground Inspector this photo says it all If you are interested in submitting your playground for consideration please e-mail us at npca@playground-contractors.org. If your photo is se-lected for the any month in 2011, we will have it published and your will receive recognition for your work and a gift from us, for your participation. Digital Specifications: High Resolution PDF files are preferred. Delivery: Files will be accepted via email UNLESS they are over 6 MB. For-mats: Grayscale / CMYK color images must be TIFF, .PDF, or .EPS format. 400 dpi or higher.

Feature

Earth Day is April 22– here are some resources for you! By Erica Hilton

Looking for a project in honor of Earth Day this April 22? Look no further than your neighborhood play-ground.

KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to saving play for America’s children, is offering Let’s Play Main-tenance grants to fund Earth Day projects that help to spruce up neighborhood parks and playgrounds. Let’s Play Maintenance grants provide $750 for organizations to make their local neighborhood cleaner, safer and more inviting. These grants can cover Earth Day playground activities such as:

Landscaping (i.e. stepping stones, community gardens) Building and Updating Play Elements (i.e. chalkboards, asphalt games, sandbox, perform-ance stage)

Painting Projects (i.e. murals, maps)

Building Shade Structures

To apply for a Let’s Play Maintenance grant, an organization must show it has led an im-provement project within 6 months of its application. Organizations and groups that have demonstrated this will receive $750 to further improve their playspace.

Grant applications are available on the KaBOOM! website (www.kaboom.org/grants), where there is information about other grants made possible through a three-year, $15 million commitment from Dr Pepper Snapple Group designed to get kids active across the country. Applications for grants are accepted throughout the year.

Little Buddies Connection PF March 29, 2012, BCI Burke introduces a new connection system for Little Buddies® play system, the playground manufacturer’s line designed specifically for pre-school age chil-dren. It offers endless design options for you to create your own custom Outdoor Class-room. This recent innovation builds on the acclaimed connection design of Burke’s powerfully built Nucleus™ and Voltage™ play systems. It blends the architecture of Burke’s 2 3/8” O.D. upright support posts, an array of play events, the innovative design elements of a direct-bolt fastening system and Burke’s industry leading EZKonnect® self‐leveling deck mounting system.

The result is easier installation and supreme playground options for small players. The just-released Little Buddies connection system features a cast aluminum clamp and Burke’s CNC direct‐bolt through technology. Only two styles of castings are used to promote ease of installa-tion, and the connections are aesthetically pleasing, cre-ating a clean look to the design. The clamp system is offered in 12 stunning powder‐coat colors provide and protect against corrosion. Burke is the only playground manufacturer to offer an unmatched Total Cost of Ownership Package™ and Generations Warranty™ free with each Little Buddies

play system! Check out our new 2012 Early Childhood Catalog at www.bciburke.com/digitalcatalog.

March 2012 Feature

Join us on these social networks

New & Renewed Members!

Children Must Play Playgrounds have always been important, and playgrounds designed and manufactured by qualified professionals who have a child's safety and growth in mind is imperative. To assure that playgrounds will be safe and endure for the children who use them, Installers must be trained by the manufacturers of the equipment they install or qualified in playground installation by an organization such as the National Playground Contractors Association International, (NPCAI). Children learn from social interaction, they grow through physical, emotional and cognitive challenges, which are presented, and what better way to foster this need than to build a playground? Today’s playgrounds are not only a want, but are a need. As today’s children’s play envi-ronments are filled with concrete and asphalt, playgrounds and play areas have become crucial. Natural play spaces are decreasing, there’s an increase in gang activity, drugs and alcohol are prevalent, both parents are having to work, and with the increases in popula-tion, society's heightened pace and incessant traffic all creating less time for family, safe play areas are essential for our children to prosper. We've always needed playgrounds, as children have always needed to play. What's changed is our knowledge of the importance of play and our understanding that much of their safety comes through professional design, qualified installation, certified inspection, proper maintenance and repair. We can no longer just hang a swing in a tree in a city park and call it macaroni, as safe play areas have become a must! Playgrounds are essential for our children. Parents and caregivers assume that play-grounds and play areas are safe. Thus, it is crucial for these areas to be designed, manu-factured, installed, inspected and maintained on a regular basis only by professionals; trained, qualified, and certified personnel.

Tom Peeples, CPSI, NPCA Peeples Playground Safety Consulting, LLC www.playgroundsafetyconsulting.com

• Barcon Construction • Childscapes • DL Small & Sons • Haemker Construction • KC Equipment, Inc. • The Iverson Associates • Jones Lawn Care • Majestic Playground Services • Mike's Professional Playground Installation • Paladino Concrete Creations

Corporation • Playground Medic • Playground Safety Solutions • Parks for Play, LLC. • Planet Recess, Inc.

© Peeples

March 2012 Member Advertisers

March 2012

Member Discount Programs NPCAI General Liability & Errors and Omission Program

The NPCAI Group Liability Insurance Plan and Errors & Omissions Insur-ance Coverage for Playground Safety Inspectors. Steve Carraway Cooper Insurance Services, Inc. PO Box 638, Lapel, IN 46051 (800) 252-3153 steve@cooperindiana.com http://www.cooperindiana.com

~ NPCAI Worker's Compensation Program

Resources to Keep Your Business in Play. A Tailored Approach for NPCAI Members. Mille Wood Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc. 222 North Lafayette Street, Ste 11 Shelby, NC 28150-4450 (800) 482-3461 MWood@ASCENSIONNC.COM http://www.ascensionnc.com

~ NPCAI Supplement Insurance for Individuals Program

Aflac policies are 100% employee-paid and area available on a volun-tary basis. Many companies choose to make AFLAC policies available as a cost effective solution to help em-ployees with the raising cost of out-of-pocket health care expense. Member Discount Rate - 5% to 10% Discount over direct rate. Steffanie Staples 8833 S Redwood Rd, Ste D, West Jordan, UT 84088 801-674-6310 Steffanie.staples@gmail.com www.aflac.com

Hello Members, While viewing the sky from my third-floor window office, I notice how gloomy it is. But what can you expect? It's still winter and it's 40º here. I am so looking forward to warm weather again and knowing that our industry will be back on track.

As we prepare for Spring, we empha-size the importance of NPCAI Qualified Playground Contractors for our industry. In this issue, we will be addressing all your questions related to the NPCAI Qualified Playground Contractors Pro-gram. The Qualified Contractors Logo repre-sents your business as a Professional Qualified Playground Contractor. This is a huge reflection for your company and is the foundation of your qualification as a professional. Also I have spoken with many members this week and I will be posting additional information on utilizing the NPCAI e-mail systems for members who are in-terested, if you are please let me know. If we do not meet your needs, please send me an e-mail and I will respond promptly.

Sylvia Salazar Executive Director npca@playground-contractors.org

Blueprint By State

The statement and opinions express in the foregoing articles are those of the author, and not those of NPCAI. Copyrighted © 2011. International Playground Contractors Association. The Playground Insider is a registered trademark owned by the International Playground Contractors Association. All rights reserved. This is members ezine.

Blue Print for Becoming an Arkansas Licensed Contractor

State of Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board

Greg Crow, Administrator 4100 Richards Road, North Little Rock, AR

72117 USA Phone: 501-372-4661 Fax: 501-372-2247

Website: www.arkansas.gov/clb contractors.licensing.board@arkansas.gov

The state requires a Building Contracting Li-cense for Recreational Equipment and another classification for Recreational Surfaces. The State of requires that contractors register with the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board and complete a New Applicant Commercial or Resi-dential Questionnaire form which has a $100.00 application fee. The application must be completed in its entirety; any individual may complete the application. The application re-quires the following information: (all to include, name, mailing address, city, state and zip code working phone & fax #, along with a contact person for each of the 3 written references. The application has to be on file for 30 days prior to a board meeting which are held quar-terly. They do have reciprocity with Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana you have to be li-censed for 3 years consecutively with the same classification you are wanting in Arkansas. Contact the State of Arkansas Contractors Li-censing Board at (501) 373-4661 or online at www.arkansas.gov/clb

Message from the Executive Director