PLC Member Weekly Update February 2, 2024

Do you know a person or business involved in the logging industry who ought to be recognized for service to the community, outstanding professionalism or service to the industry? If you do, please NOMINATE THEM for one of the PLC’s annual awards.

PLC Logging Contractor of the Year Award – The PLC Logging Contractor of the Year award recognizes a PLC Logging Contractor for their commitment to the sustainability of the industry and logging as a profession.

PLC Community Service Award – This Award is given annually to a PLC member, Supporting Member or affiliated organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to giving back to their community.

PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award – The PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award is presented annually to a PLC Supporting Member who has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to logging contractors in the Northeast.

Nominations should be received no later than March 29, 2024.

Awards will be presented at the PLC Annual Meeting on May 10 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME.

A list of previous winners is available HERE

NOMINATION FORM HERE

Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast Log A Load for Maine Kids effort raises record $287,691 in 2023

Funds raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

AUGUSTA, ME – The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast raised a record $287,691 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals in Maine in 2023 through its annual Log A Load for Kids fundraising efforts.

The total shattered the previous record set in 2022 of $262,403, with the PLC’s two Log A Load golf tournaments and the Log A Load live auction at the PLC’s annual membership meeting performing strongly while funds raised at the American Loggers Council (ALC) annual meeting in Bethel, ME also contributed to the total.

“It is truly inspiring that despite the many challenges facing the Northeast’s logging industry, PLC’s Members, Supporting Members, friends, and families rallied once again in 2023 to raise a record amount for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC, said. “No matter what the conditions in the industry are, this group always reaches deep for the kids and their families.”

This year, the PLC Annual Meeting, Dinner, Awards Ceremony and Live Log A Load Auction will be held on May 9 – 10, 2024 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport!  Please be sure to block the dates in your calendars.

We are planning for a fun social event on Thursday, so stay tuned for more updates.

Below is the reservation link for early booking information.

Reservation Booking Link:

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Code: 051024plcm

Northeastern Loggers’ Association Expo 2024

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

PLC Online Store

Cross Insurance TPA – Feb SIG Training 2-7-24 

Overcoming Negativity in the Workplace

Presented by: Career Management Associates

Is your workplace a positive, uplifting place to be, or do you feel your energy levels drop the moment you enter the door? Negativity can become a vicious cycle where everyone feels irritable and discouraged, leading to higher employee turnover, lower employee engagement, and ultimately decreased productivity. Negativity in the workplace directly impacts individual employees, the team, and the organization itself. This interactive workshop starts with workplace negativity and its causes, and then discusses strategies on how to rebuild trust, stop enablement, hold people accountable, and best practices for long term positive success.

Who Should Attend?  Managers/Supervisors; Human Resource Directors; Safety Coordinators

Program Fee:  $75/pp

Registration Information

To register for the February 7th session, please copy and paste the link listed below to your web browser.  If this does not work return to the original email and select the link located there. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpc–trD4pG9wLglBY3am-aUnKXlYL46r3

Please register by January 24th.  Maximum of 80 attendees per session. 

If you have any questions or issues with registering, please e-mail us at

tpa-trainings@crossagency.com

Note: In case of inclement weather, please call 1-800-698-3267 Ext 1021 to get a recorded message about training cancellation.

Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!

Upcoming classes:

Wage & Hour Compliance –

February 7, 2024 | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland

This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, leave requirements (earned paid leave, family medical leave, family sick leave and leave for victims of violence). This class addresses commonly asked labor-related questions.

Improving Your Safety Training Programs –

February 13, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

An effective safety training program will lead to positive effects on safety knowledge and the adoption of safe work practices and behaviors. This one-day training assists safety professionals and safety committees to learn how to analyze their audience, update on new training techniques, and develop top notch training programs.

10-Hr. Construction Standards –

February 15 & 16, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Day 1), 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Day 2) SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This one-and-a-half-day course offers basic information on a variety of construction industry safety/health standards (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate.

Respiratory Protection –

February 27, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Where workers are required to wear respirators to do their jobs, employers need a respiratory protection program. This course helps you determine your respiratory protection needs and covers all the elements of a written respiratory protection program.

Wage & Hour Compliance –

February 28, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lewiston CareerCenter, 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston

This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. Labor laws can be complex. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, leave requirements (earned paid leave, family medical leave, family sick leave and leave for victims of violence). This class addresses commonly asked labor-related questions.

Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@maine.gov.

If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/.

CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2023, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

       Ag department encourages producers to consider forest management incentive

       Madison-based TimberHP aims to be fully open this year as more public financing arrives

       Sappi CEO Michael Haws Recognized as a 2023 Top CEO in Maine – Yahoo Finance

       Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast raise a record-setting amount of money for kids

       The Pulse: New Biochar plants in New York and Maine

       An inside look at a winter timber harvest in Maine – YouTube

       New Exemplary Forestry Investment Fund Makes First Acquisition – Forbes

       Hiking in Maine: There’s adventure all year long awaiting at Hidden Valley Nature Center

       Forestry experts meet to discuss industry issues – WCAX

       State partners with researchers on forest project | News | eagletimes.com

       Zack Porter: Hanging in the balance — the uncertain future of the wild Worcester Range

       Porter: Worcester Range future | Commentary | rutlandherald.com

       Learn what Chittenden County forester Ethan Tapper does to keep forestshealthy

       Final Reading: Vermont lawmakers try again to rein in timber theft – vtdigger

       Timber Tax Tips | US Forest Service

ALC Member Discounts

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

—

Fabian Oil Discount

Wallingford’s Discounts

Maine Trailer Discounts

PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons

Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!

 —

Cross Arena Discounts for PLC!