by Charles Hendricks | Mar 28, 2019 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Blogging and Social Media use for the Construction Industry is an interesting topic for me that continues to evolve in how I see it. Social Media in our industry is brand new to some even today, a waste of time to others, and old hat to many. I used to do presentations on how to do social media in our industry years ago to help builders create an online brand. I was thinking about how I use Social Media this week a few different ways. What is Social Media etiquette? What blogs do I need to write? How personal should I be on my blog that has been in existence for 10 years – can I change direction on content? Am I adding to the noise in life or adding value with my blog and monthly newsletter?
Earlier this week at our Rotary meeting someone mentioned in passing that they followed me on Twitter. They were required to start an account for their job and don’t really use it, but followed me since they know me. He also mentioned that he was impressed that I have so many followers. It was an interesting comment since I don’t have many followers on Twitter compared to many that I follow. When I started my Twitter account ten years ago it was a lonely place – not many locals had heard of it or were using it. I basically used it to read the morning news subscribing to specific sources for the stories I wanted to hear. It was a way to filter information for me. Deb Van Horn and I used to have Tweet-Ups locally where we would invite the dozen or so local people we knew on the platform to lunch through the platform. It was a fun way to get to know people that we had only met virtually in some cases. Ten years ago Twitter was for me a calm place with the ability to create groups and build relationships. Now it seems there is simply too much information there to ever feel caught up leaving me not to use it as often or as much. Twitter’s growth locally reduced the usefulness for me somehow.
Facebook for me started as a way to connect to friends from the past. I eventually started a business page and now manage a couple of non-profit pages as well. The platform continues to change the way information is shown reducing the free views for businesses. It is a struggle for me to keep the pages all fresh with interesting content knowing that FB is throttling the views because I am not paying to “boost” them. However, it seems you must have a Facebook account as much as you need to have a website to be in business.
The amount of information that is available through blogs and social media can be or IS overwhelming. How you use those pages to benefit your business continues to evolve. For me there are questions that need to be asked on a regular basis to understand your audience and stay relevant. Where do you look for trusted and manageable amounts of information in the Construction Industry? How can you digest and share the right amount of information to stay relevant? How much should you share from your experience?
I have been doing online marketing for 10 years now. I have worked hard to stay authentic, build trust, and to stay relevant. My blog posts range from projects to building science to personal life stories. I have built a brand that people recognize in our community. I have readers and supporters of my work across the country. It is gratifying to see the work pay off. However, I continue to wonder how to improve. What should I write about next? How can I get better? Is there a better way of doing this online work? Am I being a good citizen online, in the construction industry?
What do you think?
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 25, 2019 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
We are excited to kick off our 2019 First Friday Art Gallery season. Come visit, enjoy some food and drink, and check out these young artists work. I am looking forward to seeing you again – it has been too long!
Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
Featured artist: Eastern Mennonite School student artists
March 1, 2019
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Gaines Group Architects Harrisonburg Studio
141 West Bruce St. Suite 201, Harrisonburg, VA
Media used in the art: Multiple medias including charcoal, acrylic, stained glass, and more.
The artwork in this show displays a small percentage of the hard work and creative efforts of middle and high school students at Eastern Mennonite School this school year. Our middle school students take an art exploratory class in which they explore a variety of art mediums, problem solve to create themed projects, and develop their own creative ideas through choice projects. In 8th grade or in high school, students take a Basic Art I course where they learn about the Elements of Art before taking media specific courses, such as drawing, painting, ceramics, etc. For students who show greater initiative, experience, and skill, they can further develop their artistic abilities and art portfolio in an independent art study.
Some of the artwork displayed has been created for a specific assignment with requirements. Other artwork was made during student choice work time. The work shown by seniors has been created mostly during independent art studies or in their time outside of class. Whatever the type of project or artwork, this show is about celebrating students’ creativity, curiosity, and growth.
Malea Gascho, EMS Middle and High School Art Teacher
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 25, 2019 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Empathy, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary, team
It is that time of year again, The Rock Rotary annual Car Raffle Party! Get your tickets for the Rock Rotary party supporting local non-profits today! This annual event is hosted at JMU’s Bridgeforth Stadium Club Level on February 23, 2019 from 7:00 pm – until. The event benefits several local non-profits that do great work in our community including First Step, Generations Crossing, and The Rotary Foundation. Your donation of $150 provides one pass to get into the party and one chance to win a 2018 Ford Fiesta Hatchback while helping your community. This must attend party includes an vast spread of food and drink along with some of the best networking in the valley. Join us this year for a special scale Soap Box car race event. Just send me an email or call for your ticket. I would love to see you there.
First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence believes that all people have the right to live without violence or the fear of violence. This organization is dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence through support and education. First Step says abuse is not always physical. Threats of violence, destruction of property and / or pets, name calling, humiliating you in front of family and friends, putting you down – all of these things are abuse. Abuse is not caused by alcohol. It is not caused by stress. Abuse happens when one person seeks to hold power over another. First Step supports people who are living with violence or the threat of violence in their lives.
Generations Crossing‘s mission is to provide high quality, innovative adult and child care for our ethnically and economically diverse community. Unique to this program is an opportunity for adults and children to develop meaningful relationships with all ages within their loving, inter-generational setting.
The Rotary Foundation transforms gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. This foundation enables our club to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. This fund supports our local club’s grant program that has in recent years supported a grant for On the Road Collaborative, Big Brother Big Sister, and Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation.
So get your ticket as soon as possible before they are sold out. This event allows you to help three non-profits, attend a great party, and gives you a chance to win a new car!
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 8, 2019 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Congratulations to Judith Trumbo, Business Person of the Year, Welhelmina Johnson, Diversity Leadership award, the Thompsons for the Family Farm Steward award, and Rocktown Kitchen for Entrepreneur of the year at this year’s Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. You are all doing incredible things in our community, thank you so much for your service and dedication.
At this year’s banquet I was given the Community Champion award by the Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. It is humbling to get recognized for something that others are doing more and better than you. There are so many in my life that give their time to good and deserving causes, organizations, and movements and do it more and better than I am able. There are many that I know that have made their life mission service to others. There are many that give so much more than I am capable or willing to give, each of them volunteering for a better community.
I am fortunate to work for and now own a business that for the past 31 years (20 of which I have been part of the organization) has made serving others a primary focus. In fact, everyone in the business has a cause they are passionate about from church to civic organization to animal rights to law enforcement to education to soccer to women’s rights. I am surrounded by people who get life through giving to others in time, money, and talent. So to get recognized for the little I do is greatly appreciated. Just to be nominated by one of the hardest working business leaders in our community is an honor in itself. I so appreciate the circle of support I have in this industry and community.
Volunteering for a better community, in my opinion, is the only way we are going to achieve just that. We cannot wait on regulations, laws, or politicians to make it happen. We each need to reach out to a brother or sister and help them up that next step. It can be as simple as a smile to warm a dreary day or it can be joining an organization like Rotary to magnify your efforts around the world. You could join an organization like Shenandoah Valley Partnership with the idea that a rising tide raises all boats and work to build an even stronger economic future for the valley. Maybe your passion is for Harrisonburg’s downtown, you can join, volunteer, and support the efforts of HDR as they support the healthy growth of our downtown community. Want to make a lasting impact – offer to provide job shadow opportunities for a student at Harrisonburg High School – just contact Bethany and she will set you up. Want to share your passion with a larger group of students, check out the amazing work being done by On the Road Collaborative. If you think technical education is important, find ways to support Massanutten Technical Center through sharing time, donation, or talents. Like to bowl, consider helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County by bowling for kid’s sake. If you want to support local music, Red Wing Academy is one of the best I have ever experienced for instrumental knowledge and the Shenandoah Children’s Choir for vocal musical talents. There are so many opportunities to help, we have started putting links to organizations we love here to make it easier for you to find them. It does not take a lot of effort to make a huge difference, from wearing pink to swinging a hammer, there are lots of opportunities to do good in this community.
Thanks to all that do so much to build a better community, especially to those that offer kind words and gestures of support like taking time to write a nomination or just reaching out on a gloomy day!
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 21, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Each month on the First Friday we host a new artist art opening in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
December 7, 2018
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Gaines Group Architects
141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201
Harrisonburg, VA
Please join us to take your own picture with Santa, listen to Red Wing Academy students perform, and purchase art work from Eastern Mennonite School students at this month’s open house. We will have cookies and drinks available. Note the special hours!
ART SHOW
Title: EMS Seasonal Student Artwork
Media: Photography, Drawings, & Mixed Media
Artists: Eastern Mennonite School Student Work
Bio: We Serve is a student-led organization at Eastern Mennonite School which focuses on service projects and events in the local community. The club is sponsored by Rockingham County Rotary as a chartered Interact Club. Previous outreach projects include meals for the Open Doors shelter for the homeless, volunteer work at Anicira (the local no kill animal shelter), meals for Ronald McDonald House families and a local road clean up. Students raise money each year to help fund these projects that benefit our community.
This year, EMS students have created various forms of artwork for display and sale to support their future projects. In appreciation of the changing seasons, many of the pieces will celebrate the fall, winter, and upcoming holidays.
VISIT WITH SANTA
Visit with Santa in the R.S. Monger & Sons Window and Door Showroom, then come upstairs to check out the goodies.
RED WING ACADEMY
We are also thrilled to welcome back Red Wing Academy students to our space again this year.
Red Wing Academy is open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students. Students will receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and will also be coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. Daily curriculum will include group classes, mini lessons, improv and jam sessions, technique and tone development, stage performance, electives, recreation, panel discussions, and more. Each day will close with a camp wide rehearsal to practice for Red Wing performance.
Throughout the 4-day workshop, students will learn several tunes to perform collectively. On Friday, July 12th, 2019, the Academy experience will culminate at Red Wing Roots Music Festival with a live, on-stage performance with The Steel Wheels.
Email [email protected] or call 540-588-0332 for more information.
Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp held at Eastern Mennonite University on July 7-10, 2019.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 25, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Each month on the First Friday we host a new artist art opening in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
November 2, 2018
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Gaines Group Architects
141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201
Harrisonburg, VA
First Friday Art Opening – Art and Activism
Media used in “Art and Activism” includes photographs by activists, textile work, and steel maquette which illustrate the motivation for and progress toward the creation of “The Defenders” moveable steel sculpture by Mark Schwenk and Cheryl Langlais, which opposes the 2 pipelines to be constructed by Dominion Power [now renamed Dominion Energy] across WV and VA to deliver fracked gas to the coast for shipment to foreign buyers. Funding for the full size sculpture came from local donations and a Kickstarter effort produced by Rosie Lynch and Ana Rampy. Prints of Karen Ryder Lee’s original painting of the Great Gray Owl, symbol of this project, will be for sale. The sculpture is now installed in Stuarts Draft near where pipeline is to travel across land visible from 3 local schools. It will be moved to several more sites in pipeline pathway of pipeline construction.
