Get involved by contacting the media
An important part of your efforts to win support for the welding/manufacturing industry in your community will be gathering editorial coverage from the local media. To call attention to issues within the manufacturing industry, you can submit editorials expressing your viewpoint, write letters to the editor, and submit a press release to the media to draw attention to an upcoming event or meeting.
Visit GUIDELINES to see guidelines for writing and submitting letters, editorials, and press releases.

Get involved by speaking at Career Day
The future of the welding industry depends on the next generation of welding professionals. You can help introduce students to careers in welding by presenting information at your school’s Career Day. In fact, your Career Day presentation may be the only time students will hear about the opportunities available to them in welding. Don’t miss this chance to change lives. Take up your torch at Career Day.
Visit CAREER DAY to find out how you can get invited to speak at Career Day, as well as review a Career Day presentation outline and PowerPoint presentation.

Get involved by writing to community leaders
Community leaders include elected officials, school principals, and school counselors. These are people who make decisions that affect our daily lives and our future. It is important that they hear from the welding professionals they serve. Visit COMMUNITY LEADERS to see tips and sample letters to reach leaders in your community.

Get involved by sponsoring community events
Sponsoring a community event is a high-profile way of introducing the welding industry and the American Welding Society to your community. Sponsorship may mean a financial obligation, or it could involve volunteering labor to a community project or event. Visit SPONSOR COMMUNITY EVENT to see tips on becoming a sponsor.

Celebrate National Welding Week through “Welding for Communities”
National Welding Week will be observed for the entire week of April 24-30, 2005. Celebrate National Welding Week by participating in the AWS volunteer project, “Welding for Communities.” Your support of these programs increases public awareness of the important achievements in the field of welding and how welding has contributed to our quality of life. Visit NATIONAL WELDING WEEK to find out how you can observe National Welding Week in your community.

Help Save Our Schools
The average age of welders in today’s workforce is 54. Many of these people will retire within the next 10 years, creating a tremendous need for skilled and experienced workers to replace them. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a shortage of 250,000 welding professionals by the year 2010. It is clear that the future of welding is bright, but what about the missing link—welding education? More and more vocational programs are closing their doors due to lack of funding, leaving would-be welding professionals out in the cold. Find out how you can help stop this dangerous trend by visiting SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.

Get involved with the American Welding Society
Corporations, educational institutions, and individuals will enjoy the many benefits and opportunities that come with AWS membership. Stay ahead of the latest trends, hear experts in related fields, understand the latest measurement and evaluation research, and prepare yourself for the future of the profession by participating in one of our hundreds of programs offered each year.
Visit AWS MEMBERSHIP to discover how you can get involved with the American Welding Society today.