Without their time, passion, and dedication, associations would become stale and fail to remain relevant for their members. Programs have more life and more excitement because they have been directly influenced by members of the industry.
This is especially true with the National Wood Flooring Association. The NWFA was founded as an organization by the industry, for the industry. Participation and feedback from its members are a cornerstone of NWFA’s growth and significance.
Without the support of volunteer instructors, committee members, board members, and numerous other volunteers, the programs and initiatives deemed most valuable by the membership at large would become stagnant and cease delivering benefit.
Volunteers keep ideas fresh, programs moving forward, and offer new perspectives to ensure that NWFA’s program offerings remain relevant. To thank those members who go above and beyond, NWFA recognizes volunteers with Service Awards. Service to the industry is defined as giving of one’s time to advance industry programs, projects, and initiatives.
Achievements are calculated based on a cumulative summation of areas of service within the NWFA. These areas include, but are not limited to, participating on NWFA boards, participating on committees, mentoring, participating in the Hardwood Federation Fly-In, proctoring for NWFACP, and contributing to Hardwood Floors magazine.
The Vanguard Award is the first award one can achieve. This award requires earning 25 service points. Members can then earn the Ambassador Award, which requires earning the Vanguard Award and an additional 25 points. Specific service activities and their respective points may be found at nwfa.org.
Recipients were recognized at the Wood Flooring Expo this past April in Tampa. Honorees also received an achievement pin.
Community Service Award
Thiago Lima with Eagle Hardwood Flooring was also recognized for his community service. The NWFA takes great pride in recognizing members who are actively engaging in their own communities.
Earlier this year, Lima received a call to do an estimate for Brooklyn Teen Challenge, a residential faith-based recovery program with a mission of helping men and women who are struggling with life-controlling issues to become physically well, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, and spiritually alive.
“When I got to Brooklyn Teen Challenge to do the estimate, it was an inspiration for me and my team,” said Lima. “As soon as we learned more about the kind of work they do for people who are suffering, I knew we had to do something to give back to them in return.”
Eagle Hardwood Flooring donated all of the material, time, and labor it took to replace the hardwood flooring in the residential building.
Though most members are compelled to give back to the industry without the promise of recognition, these tokens of appreciation demonstrate the gratitude of the organization and the industry for volunteer commitments.