The transition of the Quality Certification Program (QCP) fully into the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) was effected on Oct. 1, 2021.  It was officially approved by QCC’s Board of Directors and the AWI Board of Directors.  Their decisions were followed by a vote of approval of AWI’s Bylaws which were amended to reflect that QCP had rejoined AWI, among other changes unrelated to QCP.

As AWI President Doug Hague stated in July, “QCP’s dedicated staff will continue administering the program for its licensees, under the direction of current QCP staff member, Greg Parham.” And that is exactly what is occurring.

The Quality Certification Corporation (QCC) was legally dissolved Sept. 30, 2021.  The former QCC board has been re-formed as the Quality Certification Commission (QCC).  Several members of the former QC Corporation board are continuing to serve as QC Commission members.

As for QCP Licensees and the Design Professionals who use QCP, there will be no change in the administration of the program.

Keep your QCP License current, avoid the $300 late fee, and make your 2022 QCP renewal payment no later than Dec. 31, 2021.

As of Oct. 1, 2021 AWI and QCC have merged under one name.  In an effort to simplify the renewal process, billing and payments will all be handled in one location—AWI Portal.  Your first invoice was emailed on Nov. 8, 2021.

• If you are an AWI Manufacturing Member, your renewals will now be available in the same location on the AWI Member Portal using the same login as always.
  
• If you are NOT an AWI Member, you will now login and pay your renewal fees on the AWI website. A login has been created using your email address as the username and a temporary default password of: Password1. Upon your first login, you will be prompted to change this password.

To renew online with a credit card payment CLICK HERE.  If you have any questions, contact Meredith Dorey, mdorey@awinet.org, 571-323-3610 or Taylor Shaughnessy, tshaughnessy@awinet.org, 571-323-3615.

During the closing bash for this year’s AWI Convention in October, everyone was given another opportunity to recognize QCC Executive Director Randy Estabrook’s recent retirement. QCC Board of Directors Chair, Rosa Cheney, and I were asked to say a few words during the party. 

Many may not be aware that Randy has actually led the Quality Certification Program twice. First in the early years leaving in 2008, and then in 2013 when he was asked to return to help the struggling program. In the following years, under his guidance, the program made great strides with a major increase in marketing efforts, including an overhaul of the website and the adoption of video inspections, which proved fortuitous when COVID struck. As a result of these efforts, the program has experienced exceptional growth including surpassing 600 QCP licensed firms for the first time in its history.

Pictured above, Randy Estabrook thanks well-wishers during the AWI Convention for recognizing his contributions to the industry.

Randy has been a great leader, mentor, and friend. He has created a great foundation for the program upon which we will keep building. He will be missed, and we wish him all the best in his retirement as he turns his attention to his other interests which include pottery and sailing.

Please join us in welcoming Meredith Dorey to the AWI Quality Certification Program.  Meredith began employment with AWI back in October 2017.  She works with Barbara Wert in the Accounting Department and now assists QCP with managing our database and project registrations in addition to her ongoing accounting responsibilities.  If you have any questions regarding your license renewal or other project-related invoices, give her a call at 571-323-3610.

Meredith resides in Ashburn, VA, with her husband Mark and three daughters, all of whom have been participating in their schools’ marching bands from high school through the college level.  She’s lived with her family in Syria, India, Turkey, Greece, Liberia, and Romania and looks forward to being able to travel again soon.

Engaging Your Ideal Clients
New from QCP! Download free resources for professional woodworking firms and discover how you can reach Architects and General Contractors to grow your business, and how to engage your ideal clients for long-term success. Includes a whitepaper, webinar, podcast & more with practical, actionable tips you can start using straight away.

Access the FREE Download.

Revamped Project Registration Application
The key feature of this revamped asset is an automated confirmation email to Design Firms when their project is registered online. We have updated the Project Registration application form online. Here is what to look for or what you should know:

• Updated look and feel.
• Reduced amount of information requested by simplifying and prioritizing information captured on the form based on the typical project information available.
• If Design Professionals or GCs are completing the form and have not identified a manufacturing firm yet, they will be provided a link to our "Find a Firm" page to help our QCP Licensed firms get noticed.
• Once an application is submitted and accepted, QCP will automatically send the design firm identified a verification email of their project being registered to include the project name, the firm who registered the project, and the project number.
  

Take a look > Register a Project!

Since the Second Quarter Edition of Quality Times, AWI Standards development has been moving along at a rapid pace and Standards are in various stages of progress.  A summary follows:

• 1236 – Countertops:  The proposed American National Standard is open for a SECOND Public Comment period until Nov. 30, inviting directly and materially interested parties to review and comment on changes made to improve the Standard amended by the AWI Technical Committee in response to feedback obtained during the INITIAL Public Comment and Canvass period. Once the Canvass body has reviewed any suggested additional changes from such interested parties, the next steps will be EITHER have the AWI Technical Committee make further edits and revisions to the Standard based on additional comments during this period OR submit the Standard to ANSI along with the necessary paperwork for approval and final action. Click here to access the draft Standard and use the form available to provide feedback, if any.

• 400 – Factory Finishing: The Public Comment Period closed Sept. 14 and the AWI Technical Committee, on which QCP has a seat, is reviewing feedback and responding to comments.  Once the Canvass body has reviewed any changes, the next steps will be EITHER to submit the Standard to ANSI along with the necessary paperwork for approval and final action, OR recirculate to the Canvass body and invite Public Comment.

• 1232 – Manufactured Wood Casework: The proposed American National Standard was open for Public Comment through Oct. 11. The AWI Technical Committee is reviewing comments and responding to suggestions by interested parties.  Once the Canvass body has reviewed any changes, the next steps will be EITHER to submit the Standard to ANSI along with the necessary paperwork for approval and final action, OR recirculate to the Canvass body and Public Comment.

• 0642 – Wood Paneling: This proposed Standard is still in development and will be open for Canvass and Public Comment when released in the near future.

• 0622 – Millwork: This proposed Standard is still in development and will be open for Canvass and Public Comment when released in the near future.

Stay tuned to Quality Times for news of progress and opportunities for Public Comment by interested parties who are directly and materially affected by the Standards.

AWI is following American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedures that require openness, balance, consensus, and due process.

The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) has produced and collaborated on the development of standards in accordance with its mission since its founding in 1953 to the present day. AWI is an ANSI-accredited Standards Developer Organization.

Founded in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system and is committed to strengthening its impact, both domestically and internationally.  ANSI represents the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations, and 30 million professionals.

Leveraging Your QCP License: An Interview with Mike Sarno
In this podcast, Greg Parham, AWI/QCP VP of Compliance, speaks with Mike Sarno, owner of Mass Cabinets, Inc., about the power of leveraging your QCP License.  We hear about Mike’s experience with QCP, the process of registering and bidding on a project, and how you can leverage your QCP License.

ANSI/AWI 0641 Casework | Part 1: Free Casework Performance Testing with AWI
In this podcast, Greg Parham speaks with AWI President Doug Hague regarding the recent announcement of free casework testing options for AWI members. Doug explains how the new ANSI AWI 0641 Casework Standard came about, why it’s important, and what the free testing element means.

It seems fitting to quote Willie Nelson as the CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) returned to an in-person format for their National Conference held in Music City—Nashville, TN, Sept. 22-24, 2021.  AWI President Doug Hague and QCP Senior Director of Operations Tricia Roberts represented AWI/QCP and participated in two days of Speed Networking as a Supporting Sponsor of the event.   Meeting individually with 16 Specifiers from around the nation, they discussed the new AWI Standards and the Quality Certification Program.

The AWI Quality Certification Program participated in the Greenbuild International Conference + Expo in San Diego in September this year. The conference is the largest annual event for green building professionals worldwide. It is a gathering for professionals in the sustainability and built environment.  Like so many organizations, the 2020 conference was virtual. This was their first in-person conference since COVID. Over 4000 professionals attended in person with many more attending virtually. Prior to COVID, the attendance levels were over 10,000 professionals.

This was an opportunity for AWI/QCP to meet Design Professionals with a special interest and introduce them to both the Quality Certification Program and the new ANSI/AWI Standards.

Industry Events
The Quality Certification Program will be represented at the following industry event in early 2021.  Stay tuned for news of other events as schedules firm up. 

Constructions Specifications Institute
CSI Master Specifiers Retreat
Jan. 19-21
Tucson, AZ

Social Media
Architectural woodwork is showcased on the following social media platforms, incorporating award-winning woodwork projects illustrated in editions of AWI’s quarterly journal Design Solutions. Follow us:

• Instagram: AWI_QCP  

• Twitter: awiqcp

• LinkedIn: AWI Quality Certification Program

• Facebook: Architectural Woodwork Institute-QCP
  
  
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