Active Special Interest Groups:
2026 Schedule:
- Maintenance Best Practices – 1st Wednesdays @8am (Pacific)
- Safety – 2nd Mondays @1pm (Pacific)
- Training – 3rd Tuesdays @11am (Pacific)
While most meetings will be held virtually, the group may decide to hold an in person meeting to provide an opportunity to go and see a particular concept, process, or system first hand.
How we use SIGs at NWHPEC
Special Interest Groups, or SIGs, are member-started, led, and disbanded. They start with an individual who is interested in learning from and connecting with others on a particular topic. An invitation is sent to the membership asking for participation. At the first meeting, all of the SIG details are discussed and organized: value identification from each person attending, meeting frequency, meeting location, meeting duration, etc. The Executive Director works with group members to manage the meetings, meeting minutes, and communication. They follow the initial plan identified in the first meeting and make adjustments as necessary. The focus is on learning together, sharing together, and supporting each other on the given topic. After the SIG has learned all they planned to learn, they decide if they want to continue meeting or disband. SIGs are a great way to leverage the combined experiences and knowledge within NWHPEC!
What do we talk about at the Maintenance SIG?
This is an engaging group who loves to share and ask questions in order to grow and develop their department and teams. We all have a lot in common, and it’s great to get advice from someone who has already tried something out. Over the past few years, we’ve tackled topics like: troubleshooting best practices, problem solving, training technicians, LMEs, hiring, job descriptions, spare parts maintenance, TPM, CMMS, metrics, creating a culture, developing “customer service” skills, LOTO, and much more. Often times we go on “field trips” to see systems and processes in person.
What do we talk about at the Safety SIG?
This is a great place for folks who are engaged in or in charge of safety protocols/systems in your organization to come together to share challenges, success stories, exchange best practices and ideas with others in similar roles. Over the past year, we’ve tackled topics like: Behavioral based safety programs, contractor safety protocol, forklift training, GOSH conference, safety shoe programs, safety metrics, drug screening, insurance, in-house PT, forest fires, OSHA visits, communication systems,…and much more.
What do we talk about at the Training SIG?
Over the past few years, we’ve tackled topics like: adult learning, creating engaging virtual sessions, online learning (software and training development), onboarding programs, train the trainer (including TWI Job Instruction), and much more. We’ve met in person to experience and provide feedback on trainings like: Lean 101 with Chocolate Chip Cookies and Train the Trainer. We’ve created a resource board and are open to sharing our training plans and training resources we’ve discovered or developed. This group is made up of passionate learning and development professionals who love to talk about challenges, brainstorm training ideas, and demo their training for feedback.
How to request or join a Special Interest Group
Contact Jennifer Ayers