Committees
Get Involved with a SILSA NW Committee
SILSA NW is strengthened by the members who give their time, ideas, and industry experience to support our association. Serving on a committee is a great way to get more involved, build relationships with fellow industry professionals, and help shape the programs and events that bring our local industry together.
Whether you are interested in education, events, membership, scholarships, sponsorships, or industry outreach, there are opportunities to contribute in a way that fits your busy schedule and interests.
Committee involvement is also a valuable way to further develop leadership skills, expand your professional network, and learn more about the work of SILSA NW. Volunteering on a committee is also the first step to a position on the board of directors. We invite you to review the committees below and consider where you would like to get involved. Your participation helps us continue building a stronger, more connected life safety and security industry throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Interested in joining a committee or learning more? Please reach out to us at [email protected].
Fire Symposium Committee - Topics & Speakers
Committee Chair: Eric Hamerski
The Fire Symposium Committee helps plan SILSA NW’s annual Fire Alarm Symposium, one of the association’s most popular and well-attended events of the year. Typically held in March or April, the symposium brings together AHJs, vendors, integrators, and fire alarm professionals from across the Pacific Northwest to learn, collaborate, and stay informed on important industry topics.
This committee is responsible for identifying relevant session topics, helping secure knowledgeable speakers, and supporting vendor table opportunities for the event.
This is a great committee for members who are passionate about education, code knowledge, industry trends, and creating a valuable learning experience for the fire alarm and life safety community.
Fire Symposium Committee - Event Planning & Logistics
Committee Chair: Hollie Havens
The Fire Symposium Committee 2: Event Planning & Logistics supports the planning and event details that help SILSA NW’s annual Fire Alarm Symposium run smoothly.
This committee is responsible for the overall administration and coordination of the event, including food planning, registration, speaker presentation support, event materials, name tags, attendee information, and other day-of logistics.
Committee members play an important behind-the-scenes role in creating an organized, professional, and welcoming experience for attendees, speakers, vendors, AHJs, and industry partners.
Golf Tournament Committee
Committee Chair: Jenna Burchell
The Golf Tournament Committee plans and supports SILSA NW’s annual golf tournament, typically held in August. This event is one of the association’s main fundraising opportunities, with proceeds helping fund the SILSA NW Youth Scholarship Program, awarded each year to the son or daughter of a first responder.
Committee members help coordinate the tournament date and location, plan event extras, secure hole sponsors, register golfers, collect raffle items, organize volunteers, and support registration and event-day logistics.
This committee plays an important role in creating a fun and impactful event that brings members, vendors, supporters, and guests together while giving back to the families of those who serve our communities.
Governmental Affairs Committee
Committee Chair: Chris Russell
The Governmental Affairs Committee helps keep SILSA NW members informed about legislative and regulatory issues that may impact the fire alarm, security, integration, monitoring, and life safety industry.
This committee tracks important legislation, monitors industry-related updates, and helps share timely information with members so they can stay aware of changes that may affect their businesses, employees, customers, and communities.
Committee members play an important role in supporting industry awareness and helping SILSA NW remain a valuable resource for legislative updates and advocacy-related information throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible to work together to increase of Membership
Scholarship Committee
Committee Chair: Michelle Burkhart
The Scholarship Committee supports the SILSA NW Youth Scholarship Program, which recognizes and supports the son or daughter of a first responder.
Committee members help share scholarship information with local police and fire contacts, schools, and community partners to encourage qualified students to apply. The committee also helps keep scholarship information current, reviews applicant materials, and participates in the judging process after the application period closes.
Once applications are received, committee members review and score applicants within a short review window. The committee chair then compiles the scores, identifies the SILSA NW scholarship winner, and submits the required information to ESA so the winner may be entered into the national scholarship competition.
This committee is a wonderful way to support first responder families, encourage local students, and give back to the public safety community connected to our industry.
Monthly Meeting Committee
Committee Chair: Hollie Havens
The Monthly Meeting Committee helps plan and schedule SILSA NW’s monthly programs, which are held remotely via Zoom or occasionally in person.
Committee members help identify relevant topics, coordinate speakers, and support meeting planning to provide valuable education, industry updates, and opportunities for connection throughout the year.
This committee is a great fit for members who enjoy bringing people together, sharing useful information, and helping SILSA NW offer consistent value to members between larger annual events.
Annual Meeting Committee
Committee Chair: Hollie Havens
The Annual Meeting Committee helps plan SILSA NW’s annual meeting, typically held in March or April. This event is an important opportunity to bring members, sponsors, volunteers, and industry partners together.
This committee is responsible for selecting the meeting date and location, inviting attendees, preparing meeting materials, and creating the annual meeting presentation. The presentation includes recognition of Gem Sponsors, committee volunteers, the Youth Scholarship Winner, and the Volunteer of the Year award recipient.
Committee members play an important role in creating a well-organized event that celebrates the people and partners who support SILSA NW throughout the year.
