About I-CAR - Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2008 E-newsletter Archives: August 26, 2008

I-CAR has announced that effective September 1, 2008 it will increase its price of its U.S. discount training coupons. Prices for Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual discount training coupons will be at $85 US, keeping these the lowest-priced coupons available. Regular discount training coupons will be $105 US. The at-the-door price of training will be $145 US. I-CAR Canada, New Zealand, and Australia will not be affected, nor will online training pricing.

For more details please refer to the following:

Download new pricing information ( [an error occurred while processing this directive] ) in Adobe Acrobat Format

Print your I-CAR transcript for free! I-CAR offers you the opportunity to print individual transcripts at no charge via the myI-CAR function available at www.i-car.com. I-CAR will print and mail updated transcripts on a quarterly basis to all who complete I-CAR or I-CAR recognized training. Transcripts can also be reprinted by request for $35 US/$40 CDN per transcript.

SPECIAL FEATURES IN AUGUST ISSUE OF ABRN


Dave Gauthier

I-CAR volunteer Dave Gauthier is on the cover of this month’s ABRN.

Gauthier is a devoted volunteer who diligently works to schedule I-CAR training in his area while building bridges between insurers, collision repair facilities, suppliers, and others. Gauthier is the creator of the original I-CAR Extreme event which has evolved into I-CAR Fest. I-CAR Fest has been at home in Fort Worth, Texas for years and has found roots in nearby Dallas and is moving into other markets such as Omaha, Nebraska with Gauthier’s help. Producing approximately 200-300 student units in just one day, these events are successful in attracting the industry for a one day I-CAR class/tradeshow event. Read more about Gauthier and his efforts in this month’s ABRN.

Also in ABRN learn more about the positive results of a survey conducted by I-CAR field staff. The findings indicate a resurgence in volunteer involvement in comparison to just three years ago. Read the article in this month’s ABRN. Click the following link, scroll almost halfway down the page and click on the box on the right above the words I-CAR volunteers provide contributions to ensure shop training to read the article in this month’s ABRN.

SHIFT IN ROLES TO BETTER SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS AND PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS

Zone Trainers and Mobile Qualification Test Administrators have taken on new titles and roles with a fresh focus.

Area Training Coordinators (formerly Zone Trainers) will support the work of volunteer committees and Program Instructors. They are responsible for the committees and/or markets reaching their goals each year and to act as the first line of support for the volunteers and Program Instructors within their assigned areas.

Likewise Qualification Test Coordinator (formerly Mobile Qualification Test Administrators) have been reassigned to support all Qualification Test activity within their assigned area or zone. They will be responsible for meeting the organization's and industry’s QT goals and expectations. Each will continue to operate I-CAR Mobile units, their responsibility lies in supporting their assigned Fixed Site Qualification Test facilities and its local QT administrators while using the Mobile Units to support areas where sites do not exist. The Mobile Units may also be used to support and work directly with schools and Fixed Site QT facilities to enhance their local offering. For example the Mobile unit may be used to offer Aluminum Qualification Tests at a Fixed Site that is set up to offer the steel test only.

Both Area Training Coordinators and Qualification Test Coordinators will be working together in local markets to maximizing and improve I-CAR's overall support to volunteer committees, fixed site QT facilities, Program Instructors and local QT administrators. The Field Coordinator positions have been developed to encourage more activities through local part-time Program Instructors and QT administrators.

This realignment's sole intent is to increase the organization's support and commitment to its frontline volunteers, fixed site QT facilities and local program instructors and administrators. By doing this we will feel confident we can improve our overall service to the collision industry.

The Field Coordinators will report directly to I-CAR Zone Managers.

Also, as of July 1, Alabama and Ohio have switched zones. Ohio is part of the Eastern Zone and Alabama is now part of the Central Zone. If you take I-CAR training in either of these states you can contact either Zone office directly. For those in Ohio, the Eastern Zone office can be contacted directly at 585.377.8040. And for those in Alabama, the Central Zone office can be contacted directly at 615.220.2474.

NEW ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM TO BE RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 15

Over the last several months, I-CAR has been working with a number of paint companies, the EPA, and other industry professionals on a training program designed for collision repair facilities to comply with a recently released EPA rule. The rule requires any technician that applies coatings using a spray-atomization process (with a spray gun) to receive training on methods and practices to reduce the amount of hazardous airborne pollutants that are emitted into the atmosphere. The rule is the National Emission Standard on Hazardous Airborne Pollutants, Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating at Area Sources, Final Rule. This work has resulted in the soon-to-be released I-CAR Online Program Hazardous Airborne Pollutant Reduction (HAP01).

Below is a listing of questions and answers about this program:

What type of information is included in this training program?
On January 09, 2008, the EPA passed a rule requiring anyone who applies coatings through a spray atomization process to receive training on the reduction of hazardous airborne pollutants. This includes all collision repair technicians who spray refinish materials. The hazardous airborne pollutant reduction online training program includes details of the final rule, the processes required to demonstrate compliance, and a method for a collision repair facility manager or trainer to observe the hands-on tasks required by the rule.

Why did I-CAR develop this training program?
Several refinishing product makers and other industry affiliates met to discuss how this training could be accomplished, and it was agreed upon that I-CAR would develop an online training program to meet the requirements of the EPA final rule. This would enable the refinishing product makers to focus their training on their specific products and techniques, instead of having to spend a significant amount of time on the processes required by the EPA.

Are painters employed in collision repair facilities required to take this program?
Anybody who sprays paint materials must have this type of training. However, the I-CAR online training program for hazardous airborne pollutant reduction may not be the only training program that will meet the requirements of the final rule.

How does taking the Hazardous Airborne Pollutant Reduction online training program enable the facility to demonstrate compliance with the EPA final rule?
Included in the Hazardous Airborne Pollutant Reduction online training program is a downloadable compliance checklist with the required hands-on tasks that must be observed by a supervisor, manager, or trainer. This form can be printed, filled out, and filed by the facility. The person must also successfully complete a hazardous airborne pollutant reduction training program to demonstrate compliance to the knowledge-based tasks and classroom training requirements.

What are the compliance dates required by the final rule?
All facilities subject to this rule must submit an initial notification that the facility is a source of hazardous airborne pollutants. This is sent to the EPA, or to a state or local air pollution control agency that has been designated by the EPA. A copy of the notification should also be sent to the EPA, unless the EPA Regional Office has waived the dual-reporting requirement. In the initial notification, the facility must notify the EPA of whether or not the facility is within compliance or whether the facility will be in compliance by the facility's effective date. New facilities must submit the notification within 180 days of startup. Existing facilities must submit the notification no later than one year before their required compliance date. If the initial notification did not specify that the facility was within compliance, the facility must submit a notification of being compliant within 60 days after the compliance date.

New facilities are required to be in compliance with the final rule within 180 days of the effective date of the final rule, or 180 days after being hired; whichever is later. Existing facilities have three years from the effective date of the final rule, or 180 days after the date of hire; whichever is later.

How long with the training be good for?
The EPA requires ongoing training every 5 years.

Will a certificate be issued upon successful completion of the training program?
Yes. Students who successfully complete the Hazardous Airborne Pollutant Reduction online training program will receive a Certificate of Training. The training will also appear on the student’s I-CAR training transcript.

Is this training program approved by the EPA?
The EPA does not approve, endorse, recommend, etc. training organizations. However, this training program will meet the training requirements imposed by the EPA.

Is this training required in Canada?
No, this training is only required for collision repair technicians in the United States. However, because the training covers the reduction of hazardous airborne pollutants, there may be Canadian technicians that have interest in this subject.

If someone has a question on the content of this program, who should be contacted?

Please contact I-CAR Instructional Designer Jamie Jacobs at jamie.jacobs@i-car.com with any additional questions.

I-CAR & NACE 2008: WORLD PREMIER OF NEW PROGRAM AND TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE RETURNS

Make your travel plans now for Las Vegas, November 6 - 8, 2008, and register today for the world's collision repair event... NACE 2008! Get the latest I-CAR technical training to stay on top of your game and current with today's repair technology. PLUS - don't miss the hottest topics presented live for true interactive training at the
I-CAR Technology Showcase - located right on the NACE trade show floor. Visit www.naceexpo.com for additional information. See you in Vegas!

I-CAR Live Training at NACE 2008

Register online today for I-CAR classes taking place at NACE 2008. These training programs are available at the reduced rate of $75 per class and are sure to sell out quickly. All nine classes will be conducted on Wednesday, November 5 and Saturday, November 8.

Wednesday, November 5th 8 a.m. – 12 noon

WORLD PREMIER AT NACE 2008 - Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02)
This new program is a follow-up to the popular I-CAR Live "Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles" (ALT01). This program features new applications of hybrid technology and alternative fuel vehicles.

Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)
This course discusses advanced metallurgy, how it relates to collision dynamics and the impact of these new materials on the collision repair industry.

Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08)
This course offers understanding of full-frame vehicle engineering design techniques, new construction methods and materials, as well as vehicle-specific repair information.

Wednesday, November 5th 1 – 5 p.m.
WORLD PREMIER AT NACE 2008 - Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02)
This new program is a follow-up to the popular I-CAR Live "Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles" (ALT01). This program features new applications of hybrid technology and alternative fuel vehicles.

Saturday, November 8th 8 a.m. – 12 noon
WORLD PREMIER AT NACE 2008 - Hybrid Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles (ALT02)
This new program is a follow-up to the popular I-CAR Live "Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles" (ALT01). This program features new applications of hybrid technology and alternative fuel vehicles.

I-CAR Technology Showcase at NACE 2008

The I-CAR Technology Showcase will return to NACE 2008, November 6 – 8, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada. All sessions are free to expo attendees and no pre-registration is required. The Technology Showcase schedule is as follows:

Thursday, November 6

Refinishing Goes Green - 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Advanced High-Strength Steel - Do You Have What It Takes? – 1 – 2 p.m.
Aluminum Repair Today – 3 – 4 p.m.

Friday, November 7

Hybrid Vehicles - Do You Have What It Takes? – 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Electronic Vehicle Systems Today & Tomorrow - What's the Impact? 1 – 2 p.m.
Attachment Methods - Factory vs. Repair – 3 – 4 p.m.

Saturday, November 8

(Repeat) Advanced High-Strength Steel - Do You Have What It Takes? – 10 – 11 a.m.

(Repeat) Refinishing Goes Green – 1 – 2 p.m.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – OMAHA, NEBRASKA I-CAR FEST SEPTEMBER 20

The Omaha Nebraska I-CAR volunteer committee is organizing the first “I-CAR Fest” for the surrounding inter-industry. Attendees can complete I-CAR training at a reduced rate and visit vendors during the I-CAR Fest taking place September 20, 2008.

The 2008 I-CAR Fest in Omaha will take place at:
Metropolitan Technical Community College
10407 State Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68122

I-CAR Fest Classes
There will be 12 I-CAR classes conducted during the I-CAR Fest at the reduced rate of $75 p/ class. Each training program will offer participants the opportunity to earn a point, which can be applied to the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual recognition programs.

Saturday, September 20 – 8 a.m. – 12 noon

Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)
Color Theory, Application, Tinting and Blending (REF03)
Replacing Aluminum Exterior Panels (PRA01)
Steering and Suspension Damage Analysis (DAM06)
Collision Repair Overview for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Vehicles (DCX01)
Automotive Foams (FOM01)

Saturday, September 20 – 1 – 5 p.m.

Steel Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08)
Color Theory, Application, Tinting and Blending (REF03)
Cosmetic Straightening Aluminum (STA01)
Corrosion Protection (CPS01)
Hazardous Materials, Personnel Safety and Refinish Safety (WKR01)
Advanced Restraints Systems (RES02)

For additional information about the Nebraska I-CAR Fest or to register for these classes, contact local volunteer committee member Tony Larry at 402.657.4399.

I-CAR PARTNERS WITH ASA TO BRING TRAINING TO YOU

If you are in the New Canton OH area be sure to pre-register for training brought to you by I-CAR and ASA go online today at www.i-car.com. Class schedule is as follows:

On September 20:

8 a.m. – 12 noon	Hazardous Materials, Personnel Safety, and Refinish Safety (WKR01)
8 a.m. – 12 noon	Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07)
1 – 5 p.m.	Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08)
1 – 5 p.m.	Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles (ALT01)

Location:
STARK STATE AUTO TECH COLLEGE
5600 Whipple Ave NW
N. Canton, OH 44720

For questions contact Dave Cottrell at 330.202.7491.

STEEL QUALIFICATION TESTS COMING TO ALASKA SOON

With plenty of assistance from countless volunteers, I-CAR Program Instructor and Qualification Test Coordinator Marc Essig has arranged the necessary QTs for the state of Alaska. Very special thanks to John Canoy of Seekins Ford in Fairbanks, Aaron Jackson of Alaska Sales & Service in Anchorage, and Anchorage District Chair Kevin McNamara of Allstate Insurance for all of their efforts.

The Steel Qualification Tests are slated for the following dates and locations in October:

October 11 & 12 - Fairbanks, AK
October 18 & 19 - Anchorage, AK

Find these posted online now by going to the Quick Class search at www.i-car.com.

Thank you to the following sponsors for making this all possible!
Alaska Sales & Service
Chaz Limited
Collision Masters
Lithia Motors
Seekins Ford

I-CAR AWARENESS EVENT HAPPENING IN WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA

If you are in the greater West Palm Beach Florida area and know collision industry professionals that are new to I-CAR then encourage them to attend an I-CAR Awareness event with you. The Collision Industry Night of Discovery will be happening on Wednesday, September 17.

What: Collision Industry Night of Discovery
When: Wednesday, September 17, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Hilton Hotel, 150 Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL

Meet and greet and car show will take place from 6 – 7 p.m. From 7-10 p.m. there will be dinner and presentations provided by I-CAR staff discussing new technologies and new steels, and why you will want to know more. Also a guest speaker will present industry benchmarks and tips on how to improve them.

Cost is $75 per person and payment is required before September 10 payment will not be accepted at the door. For more information please contact I-CAR volunteer Mike Minutillo at 954.298.0278.

There will also be door prizes and a grand prize; you don’t want to miss this fun and informative event!

SCRS LOOKING FOR NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO LEAD ORGANIZATION

The current executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is resigning effective August 25. In an effort to expedite the process of finding a replacement, SCRS has formed an executive director search committee that is now accepting resumes for the position.

To help prospective candidates understand what will be expected of them should they apply, the search committee, on behalf of the SCRS board of directors, has identified the desired qualifications for this job. It should be noted, however, that the list below is considered an outline of the position's functions, one that only touches on the skills and abilities an applicant must possess or develop for the position.

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to:

Manage a small administrative staff.
Lead and direct volunteer workers.
Responsibly manage an organizational budget.
Organize and facilitate board meetings.
Represent SCRS in a professional manner to all industry segments.
Communicate effectively to industry segments and affiliate associations.
Conduct effective presentations to a variety of audiences including industry groups and the public-at-large.
Travel willingly to industry meetings and other events where participation is required, per the board's direction. (Applicants should prepare to travel approximately 125-150 days per year including a significant portion of weekend events.)
Understand or learn the intricacies of the collision industry and their specific impact on industry segments, including SCRS membership.
Assume the mantle of figurehead for a volunteer-driven organization comprised of 6,000 collision repair businesses and over 58,000 specialized professionals.

The SCRS Executive Director Search Committee looks forward to receiving resumes from interested parties from within the industry and outside of it. Though this search is intensified due to obvious time constraints, it will be both focused and complete.

Those interested in the position may contact the search committee and submit resumes at: scrsresumes@gmail.com.

Through its direct members and 35 affiliate associations, SCRS is comprised of 6,000 collision repair businesses and 58,500 specialized professionals who work with consumers and insurance companies to repair collision-damaged vehicles. Additional information about SCRS including other news releases is available at the SCRS Web site: www.scrs.com. You can e-mail SCRS at the following address: info@scrs.com.

I-CAR TO PRESENT RESEARCH AND SEEK FEEDBACK FROM CANADIAN AUTO-COLLISION REPAIR INTER-INDUSTRY AT “TOWN HALL” ON OCTOBER 17

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has refocused its efforts in the Canadian market and will present the findings of research that it has undertaken at the I-CAR Canada Annual Meeting scheduled for Friday, October 17 in Québec. The meeting will not only be an opportunity to hear the conclusions of the research, but will also serve as an invitation to inter-industry professionals to respond and share their thoughts.

I-CAR President and CEO, John Edelen, said, “I-CAR has undertaken the serious task of conducting research specific to Canada that will help us identify the training needs and level of support required by a training organization — as well as the potential role of I-CAR — in the Canadian auto collision repair inter-industry.”

The research, which has been funded by I-CAR, will allow the training organization to take a more focused approach in identifying common training needs and the potential repositioning of I-CAR in Canada to support those needs.

I-CAR has scheduled its meeting in conjunction with the national meeting of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) and the presence of participants for both events offers an opportunity for I-CAR to conduct a Canadian inter-industry “Town Hall” meeting, open to inter-industry professionals, in which they can learn more about the key findings of the research and share their ideas on the future of training for the collision repair inter-industry in Canada.

The Canadian inter-industry “Town Hall” meeting will include a presentation of research results, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Edelen and chaired by I-CAR Chairman of the International Board of Directors, Robby Robbs, which will offer a response to key findings. The session will conclude with an opportunity for input from the audience.

The “Town Hall” is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on October 17th, at the Montreal Hilton, Dorval, Québec, and will lead into a day-long series of I-CAR and industry events.

STATE FARM CONTRIBUTES TO THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT STUDENTS SEEKING A CAREER IN THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

State Farm Insurance Companies contributed $60,000 in June to support the I-CAR Education Foundation mission. This contribution to the Education Foundation’s Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

“On behalf of the I-CAR Education Foundation, I would like to thank State Farm for their generous contribution,” said Russell Thrall, Interim Associate Director for the I-CAR Education Foundation. “State Farm truly understands that the future of the collision industry is in the hands of today’s students. Their contribution shows their dedication to providing the best resources for those schools and students. With this donation, the Education Foundation will be able to focus on providing curriculum grants, instructor training grants, and student scholarships to help ensure a successful future for the collision industry.”

“There is no more fundamental way to support the health of the collision repair industry than to support the secondary and post-secondary education system that feeds the industry,” said Chris Evans, Claim Consultant State Farm Insurance Companies. “It is vital that we all do our part to encourage education through support of the instructors, students and the schools themselves. State Farm is very proud to support the I-CAR Education Foundation in its efforts.”

State Farm® insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve more than 78 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. Being a mutual company that is not publicly traded allows State Farm Mutual to focus on its policyholders and employ a long-term view in serving its customers' needs. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.

AKZO NOBEL CONTRIBUTES $7,500 TO THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

Akzo Nobel contributed $7,500 in May to support the I-CAR Education Foundation’s mission. The $7,500 contribution to the Education Foundation Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

"Akzo Nobel has already impacted career and technical education through their Most Influential Women in Collision Repair Industry student scholarship that has been offered for the past five years," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "However, Akzo Nobel is continuing to improve the collision repair education system with their generous donation to the I-CAR Education Foundation. With this contribution, the Education Foundation will have the tools they need to be able to continue offering student scholarships, instructor training grants, and curriculum grants."

“Creating opportunities for our current workforce, growing a pool of future talent, and ensuring that both are properly educated is critical to the advancement of the collision industry,” noted Tom Moreland, Director of National Accounts for Akzo Nobel Car Refinish Americas. Moreland continued, “This contribution, along with those that are made available through out Most Influential Women in Collision Repair Industry program, represents the regard that Akzo Nobel has for the work of the I-CAR Education Foundation.”

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY SURVEY

The I-CAR Education Foundation has changed its mission, making it a purely philanthropic organization supporting career and technical schools across North America. The organization has already achieved success with the recent announcement of $100,000 worth of scholarships, school curriculum grants, and instructor training grants awarded this past spring. However, the organization is seeking to learn as much as possible about how best to support career and technical schools and colleges for the benefit of the collision industry.

To better gauge the industry’s concerns, the Education Foundation is announcing an on-line survey located at www.ed-foundation.org/industrysurvey . The survey focuses on questions related to donation recognition, school involvement, and fundraisers to benefit schools.

“This survey is going to serve as a roadmap for the Education Foundation,” said Russell Thrall, Interim Associate Director for the I-CAR Education Foundation. “With our new mission and new direction, we want to hear from those businesses that will ultimately be funding our cause through our Industry Partners Annual Fund and Collision Repair Education Campaign. These responses will allow us to know more about how donors want to be recognized and how they are already interacting with schools. We can then build upon what we learn from the results and improve the Education Foundation’s responsiveness to the industry’s needs.”

“I would like to ask all businesses across North America to take five minutes and complete the on-line industry survey for the I-CAR Education Foundation,” said Chris Evans, Chairman of the Education Foundation Board of Trustees. “The knowledge that the Education Foundation can gain from these industry responses will help us to understand our past, present, and future donors and we can learn about how to better the relationships that businesses currently have with schools.”

All businesses are encouraged to complete the survey, which will take 5-10 minutes. Any person who successfully completes the survey will be entered in a drawing to win an I-CAR training code for an on-line class.

Any questions about the I-CAR Education Foundation can be directed to
melissa.marscin@i-car.com.

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