Your Regional Officers
These officers are here to serve you.
Please feel free to contact them with your questions or concerns.
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Rick Aguirre, CM - |
Larry Brewer, CM - |
| Fort Worth, Texas |
Georgetown, Texas |
| Phone: 817.255.9301 | Phone: 512.863.0525 |
| Fax: | Fax: 512.819.9051 |
| email:
raguirre@fwmsh.org |
email: ldbrewer@suddenlink.net |
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| Stanley Domel - Secretary Click here to read his letter. |
Larry Frazier, CM - |
| Austin, Texas |
Ft. Worth, Texas |
| Phone: 512.836.0200 | Phone: 817.293.8033 |
| Fax: | Fax: |
| email:
domserinc@aol.com |
email: larrylFrazier@aol.com |
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| Micheal Heye, CM - Sargeant-At-Arms |
J.R. "Dick" Burks, CM - |
| San Antonio, Texas |
Leander, Texas |
| Phone: 210.226.7772 | Phone: 512.563.0301 |
| Fax: | Fax: |
| email:
M_Heye@sbcglobal.net |
email: jr.burks@sbcglobal.net |
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| Mac McCarthy, CM - Historical Chairman |
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| Fort Worth, Texas |
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| Phone: 817.281.5292 | |
| Fax: | |
| email:
history@swra-rses.org |
A Letter from your SWRA President:
The Southwestern Regional Association has provided for the professional development of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Service Technicians since its inception in 1950. Service Technicians from New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana have greatly benefited from our association motto "Better Service Through Knowledge". Through this association, member's benefit from advance training on a variety of subjects, skills, and service knowledge - from members, supporting manufacturer's representatives, and other agencies. Recent changes in State of Texas "Contractor Laws and Regulations" requiring 8 Hours of Continuing Education is a most resent example. Though this association, members can meet these requirements at reduced cost. (Our program is also certified for 8 Hours of NATE Continuing Education credits.) A vast variety of training material, references, and software programs are available from our Parent organization: the "International Refrigeration Service Engineers Society". Our association has its own internationally recognized certification programs, the "Certificate Member" and "Certificate Member Specialist" in the following areas:
- Commercial Air Conditioning
- Commercial Refrigeration
- Controls
- Domestic Service
- Dynamic Compression
- Heating
- Heat Pump
- HVACR Electrical
We also provide NATE Training, Certification, EPA Certification, and R410a Certification programs. Our association seeks members who desire to improve their technical skills and further their professional development. Each of our members, some possessing over 50 years of dedicated service to this organization, all recognize there is always more to learn in our industry. I encourage each service technician - whether new to the industry or an old hand - to seek out a local chapter in your area and attend their meetings. I strongly believe that at each meeting you will find dedicated professionals willing to share their knowledge and eagerly willing to accept what you have to share.
Richard E. Aguirre, CM, President, Southwestern Regional Association
A Letter from your SWRA Vice-President:
RSES began in 1933 as a nonprofit organization for the purpose of educating the HVACR Service Technician. In the 1930's, it wasn't economically feasable to get a Service Tech from Boise, Idaho, or from Austin, Texas, or from New Orleans, Louisiana to the Manufacturer's facilities up on the East Coast for specialized training was not economical. The same holds true today.
RSES is an organization that has a vast library of technical manuals available for any technician who has the desire and the discipline to study and learn.
If you are looking to improve your skills and wish to be faster and more accurate in diagnosing systems, then RSES is the place for you. If you are looking for a way in which to provide a better income for you and your family, then RSES is the place for you. If you are looking for a source of information to better equip you with the proper knowledge in which to diagnose and repair HVACR systems, then RSES is the place for you.
RSES has the material for which a person can study and learn, at an affordable price.
Larry Brewer, CM, Vice-President, Southwestern Regional Association
A letter from your SWRA Secretary
RSES Training: Who needs it?
Any HVACR Professional who wants to maintain a life-long learning frame of mind, and stay up to date with the latest standards, advances in technology, service procedures, and products. RSES can help you with these.
Ideally, you can get training in a classroom setting, where instructors can add to your learning experience by sharing their knowledge, or from a fellow student that has knowledge of a certain area of expertise. If not in a classroom setting, you can learn at your own pace through self-study.
Training comes from reading trade publications, such as the RSES Journal; attending conferences, seminars, and trade shows; attending your local chapter monthly meeting, where you can have discussion with fellow attendees and hear a presentation by a guest speaker; or studying for one of the many certification examinations.
It is to your advantage to position yourself as someone who is in the "KNOW" as to what is happening in the industry, in order to earn the respect of co-workers, other professionals in the trade and your customers.
Accreditation can help you maintain your career. Within RSES are the Certificate Member (CM) and the Certificate Member Specialist (CMS). Once the level of CM is attained, you may advance to CMS status by successfully passing an exam in one of the eight specialty fields (Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial Refrigeration, Controls, Domestic Service, Dynamic Compression, Heating, Heat Pump, or HVACR Electrical). In addition there are Nate certification exams, EPA refrigerant usage exams, and R410A certification exams.
As an RSES member "BE ACTIVE", participate by sharing your knowledge with others. One of the best ways to learn and stay trained is to train others. Teach a lesson or two from one of the training courses or speak at a chapter meeting, even if it is just sharing a technical tip that others can benefit from.
Keep your skills and knowledge fresh and you will be one step ahead. Let RSES help you accomplish that. As a member of RSES you have access to a long history of training and knowledge. Remember the RSES Motto; "Better Service Through Knowledge".
Stanley Domel, SWRA Secretary
From our Regional Director, Harrison Travis III:
To All Region Members;
I want to take this opportunity to brief you on what is happening at the International level of R.S.E.S.
In January of this year we had 196 individuals join RSES. 47 individuals joined thru local Chapters. 118 joined directly thru International, (77 online). 31 Students applied for membership. That is great, but we can do better. Bring a co-worker to your next meeting and introduce them to what we have to offer.
I attended the winter Board of Directors meeting at HQ last week, 02.01.07 thru 02.03.07 and would like to provide you with a summary of the outcomes of those meetings.
The nearly 600 members of the Delaware Valley Chapter have now been officially reassigned to Region 2. The Chapter was actually within the geographical boundaries of Region 2, and in my opinion this was the logical outcome.
A comprehensive strategic plan was voted on, approved for review and associated actions. This plan encompasses three major areas, Training, Governance, and Alliances. I will get a copy of the final plan details to you once it is organized, assembled and available.
Two of the most exciting decisions from the plan is that several of the training materials are on target to be modularized and further strengthened to reflect today's marketplace. In addition, RSES is poised to find new ways to deliver training including the pursuit of delivering it through an online educational environment. More to come on this as details are sorted out.
An effort to secure some available funding through the federal government to promote RSES and the HVAC/R industry in general, was reviewed and will be considered for possible applications.
NATE gave a presentation on the value of Certification to the Technician, Contractor, and Consumer. The typical NATE certified technician is worth $10,040.00 a year more than a non certified Technician to his or her company and earns an average $2.00 more per hour. In addition, 87% of consumers would prefer a NATE certified Technician over one who is not. There is tremendous opportunity here to train at the Chapter level.
• RSES material price restructuring is effective March 01, 2007 with a new catalog poised for release.
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A Mercury Reclamation project is being explored to take the place of the "take off the door" program.
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There is a Spanish language glossary of terms in house and may be made available through RSES HQ. Details with the publisher are being negotiated.
• Deputies, Chapter Visit Reports and Expense Reports need to be sent in to HQ with a copy to me, remember, you are entitled to be reimbursed for your expenditures while conducting RSES business. Get with me if you need clarification.
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Our available Speaker base is being updated and will be available during this calendar year.
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Restructuring of the Annual Conference is being studied. Some changes have been incorporated already for 2007. Details are being posted daily on the website. www.rses.org
There was a motion brought before the board which directed RSES International to be more sensitive to Religious observances of its members when picking a conference date. In particular, this years conference interferes with both a Jewish and Muslim observance. The motion passed and HQ will comply.
Four new member benefits are being introduced:
• Chase Paymentech service for accepting credit cards is now available for use. It has very competitive rates and fees and can be secured for Chapters or for your business.
• General Motors is offering a $500.00 rebate on the purchase or lease of most GM cars or trucks.
•Telecheck was also approved and will be introduced later this year. More details to come.
• YTB Travel service has also been approved and more detail will be available this calendar year.
The Board has introduced a plan to empower RSES HQ to make available 10 one and two hour NATE approved courses for Chapter use. This will give the opportunity to your members to receive their continuing education credit.
Unfortunately, I'm preaching to the Choir here, Chapters must hold at least one meeting a year with an election report and minutes submitted to HQ to remain on the "active" list. I know there are meetings being held all across our Region. HQ needs to know about them. Without the reports, all monies stop being sent to the Chapter and more importantly, the Region. I was given an alarming report in Chicago , over half of our 39 Chapters are inactive.
There is work underway to draft a plan of surrender of Charters and the reassignment of members to the nearest active Chapter. I don't want to collect Charters. Let us work to bring all of our neighbor Chapters to the active list. DEPUTIES, this is where I really need your help. Please contact the Chapter representatives you know and persuade them to hold a meeting, who knows, a sparkplug of a member might show up and take the ball and run with it. Look at Abilene , 10194, as an example.
As always, I am here to help in anyway I can. I look forward to being your representative on the Board of Directors and am hopeful you will support me in my goal of remaining on the Executive Committee this fall at our International Conference in San Antonio , TX .
For a stronger RSES,
Harrison O. Travis, III, CM
Director, Region 10
International Sgt at Arms
