ECA News & Events Update
Chicago Commons Spring Luncheon - ECA Member Recognized
Chicago Commons held their Spring Luncheon on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Radison Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago. Powering Chicago was a major sponsor of the event. 

Founded in 1894, Chicago Commons was one of Chicago’s original settlement houses serving immigrants on Chicago’s near north side. For 125 years, they have operated in areas where residents are most under-resourced. Today, Chicago Commons is located in the neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Back of the Yards, and Bronzeville, and offer senior care throughout metro Chicago. Their programs work together to create opportunities and move children and families toward educational success, economic security, and health and well-being.

Special Awards were presented during the program. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin were the recipients of the “Graham Taylor Champion of Change Award.” ECA member, John Burns Construction Company received the special recognition of the “Lea Taylor Corporate Citizenship Award.” William O’Malley and a number of John Burns representatives were on hand at the celebration.  Congratulations to all the awardees!
Pictured from left to right from John Burns Construction Company are:
Pat Esposito, Kinga Dzuira, Bill O’Malley, Nadine O’Malley, Hector Cartagena, Juan Aguilar
(not pictured: Tara Szwabowski)
Powering Chicago featured in America's longest running
Auto TV Show: MotorWeek
MotorWeek is television’s longest running and most respected automotive series. MotorWeek debuted in 1981 and launched a new television genre by becoming the first weekly series to offer consumer-oriented car and truck reviews, do-it-yourself car care tips, and the latest auto industry news. The TV series has won dozens of prestigious automotive journalism awards, MotorWeek is a reliable source of automotive news on television and on the Web.

MotorWeek recently flew to Chicago to learn more about Powering Chicago's EV Infrastructure installation expertise. Check out the episode airing next week featuring Powering Chicago, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, as well as the IBEW 134 / NECA Chicago Technical Institute.

WATCH THE EPISODE, TONIGHT!
MONDAY, MAY 2ND - 6:00PM - WTTW CHICAGO
Pictured is Nick Espinosa,
Chief Security Fanatic, Security Fanatics
ECA May Membership Meeting
May 11, 2022
Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting. The evening dinner program will feature industry updates, and a guest presentation from Nick Espinoza, Chief Fanatic, Security Fanatics.

The evening event is scheduled as follows:

ECA Membership Meeting
Wednesday, May11, 2022
Mastro's Steakhouse
520 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL
(312) 521-5100

Registration / Networking: 5:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm
Business Session: 7:00 pm
Event Concludes: 8:00 pm

We hope that you will be able to attend and learn more about Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)! We look forward to seeing you, there!
ELECTRI’s Company Culture Survey
ELECTRI International is developing a toolkit of shared practices contractors can use to attract high level talent, improve customer and team member loyalty, and increase employee engagement. We want to learn why your employees want to be where they are and what steps you are taking to improve your overall corporate culture. Yes, it is a survey designed for your entire workforce.

The Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA is helping ELECTRI identify new ideas and actions for team building, innovation, communication, the office environment, and other key indicators. This is important information that we hope to get into your hands as soon as possible.
 
Click here to share ELECTRI’s Company Culture Survey with your employees so they can answer a few questions. The deadline for replying is May 11th . To encourage them to complete the survey, please let your staff know that one lucky survey participant will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
 
Thank you for working with ELECTRI on this research initiative. Also, we encourage you to explore all of ELECTRI’s completed research at www.electri.org.
NECA Government Affairs -
White House "Rural Playbook" &
DOT "Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure"
NECA Government Affairs is sharing the ‘Rural Playbook’ the White House recently published and has been holding State specific briefings on. The PDF details the federal funds that will be made available and the best contacts for those funds. Additionally, there is a PDF from the Department of Transportation specifically on ‘Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure’.
 
If you’d like to find more information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law please visit www.build.gov and www.energy.gov/bil for energy specific projects. If you have any questions, please contact Jared Karbowsky, Director, NECA Government Affairs at 443-975-2932.
STIPEND AVAILABLE
The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives and their guest and/or spouse, if applicable, of participating ECA member firms for the NECA – BICSI Conference on May 23 – 25, 2022. 
NECA - Virtual Basic Estimating Classes
NECA Education has opened up two Basic Estimating virtual classes! Classes will run Tuesday, May 3rd – Thursday, May 19th with a morning and afternoon session. 
 
Registration for both sessions are available here:
 
For any questions, please contact [email protected]


OSHA - National Safety Standdown - 5/2/22 - 5/6/22
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 351 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2020 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

The 9th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is scheduled for May 2 - 6, 2022.
Chapter Event:
Monday, June 13, 2022
Donald Voss Room / Patio
Evening Reception & Dinner

Stipend Available:
The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives and their guest and/or spouse, if applicable, of participating ECA member firms for the NECA Midwestern Region Conference on June 12 – 15, 2022. Reimbursements will be made after the conference. 

If you have any issues in reserving rooms, please contact Melissa West at [email protected] or (202) 991-6283.
NECA Midwestern Region Spring Conference -
The Broadmoor Resort
Colorado Springs, CO
June 12 - 15, 2022
The NECA Midwestern Region Conference is just around the corner! We hope that you are able to attend this event. The Midwestern Region, NECA has reserved a block of rooms for arrival between Sunday, June 12, 2022 to departure on Thursday, June 16, 2022 on a first-come first-serve basis.  If you wish to reserve a room outside of the blocked dates, please contact the hotel, directly.

If you would like to attend the conference, on-line registration has begun. Please click on the link or visit www.necanet.org to register for this event. Also, please send a copy of your on-line transaction to the Association office.  This will allow us to have a record of your registration information should you need any assistance after registering, as well as aid us in reimbursement(s) and preparing for the Chapter event. Register soon, as rooms are going fast! Registration ends on May 10, 2022!

NECA's Vice President's Reception (Council Members Only) is on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
SAVE THE DATES: AUGUST 18-19TH
Young Professionals Leadership Conference
Save the Date  handwritten on a white background.
ECA Chicago Summer Social Event
Thursday, August 11, 2022
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Join us at Streeterville Social, Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, on August 11th for the ECA Summer Social Event! As the city’s largest outdoor rooftop terrace with sweeping skyline views, Streeterville Social offers a sprawling 9,000 square foot, park-like setting to enjoy a summer afternoon with fellow members.
More information coming soon to www.ecachicago.com
While NECA cannot guarantee all members will be a fit for every Peer Group, NECA is committed to create an opportunity for any NECA member that wants to join a Peer Group. NECA supports the formation of Peer Groups as a valuable opportunity for members to grow their businesses.
 
NECA does not actively participate in Peer Groups. Completion of this survey does not obligate joining a Peer Group. Please direct any specific questions to Ian Andrews, Field Representative.
Participate In Peer Groups!
Peer Groups are a business group of companies that operate in the same industry sector and are of similar size but different geographical, non-competing markets. Participants in Peer Groups have an opportunity to share experiences and gain perspectives from individuals in the electrical construction industry that do not operate in the same geographic market; thus, enabling an environment for trust and the open exchange of ideas and information. NECA has relationships with three outside professional facilitators: Maxim ConsultingHopeStar LLC, and FMI, to offer a range of high quality options to best fit member firm’s needs.
 
 Benefits of a Peer Group include, but are not limited to: 
  • Ability to have candid conversations about operational challenges, the need for cost savings, improved productivity, and increased efficiencies.
  • Access to a forum to discuss key business topics such as strategy, business development, finance, management, human resources, equipment, technology, safety, succession planning, operations, and industry best practices.
  • Opportunity to learn from fellow contractors that have faced similar business challenges.
  • Access to business consultants who can serve as a corporate advisory panel.
  • Access to a strong network of peers and business growth strategies. 

Any member interested in joining a peer group should complete the survey.
Submit your Application today for the:
NECA Project Excellence Awards
To showcase the exceptional work performed by our member-contractors throughout the country, NECA created the Project Excellence Awards to recognize companies for their outstanding commitment, professionalism and ingenuity in delivering an electrical project across 13 different market sectors. 
 
NECA will accept submissions for the 2022 Project Excellence Award from March 1 to June 30, 2022. Awards will be based on whether the electrical/technology portion of the project is valued under or over $1 million for each market sector, except for industrial, low voltage/integrated systems, overhead transmission, residential, substation/interconnection and transportation/infrastructure. More information here.
 
Applications submitted must be based on projects completed in 2021.
ELECTRI Practical Guide to KPIs
MEETING PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES -- A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a quantifiable measure that businesses can use to evaluate an organization’s success in meeting performance objectives. Each KPI considers the business’s context, strategies, and values and is a metric that incorporates performance targets so companies can track their progress toward goals. ELECTRI worked with Maxim Consulting to create a practical guide for contractors to use KPIs in their companies. The results will serve as an educational resource for executives to understand how to set up and use KPIs and will help EC contractors identify best in class metrics for a variety of functional business areas. Click here to download the full report.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Webinars & Member News
EAP solutions are available via on demand telephonic support and through video counseling, mobile app, work/life web portal and chat functionality.

ECA Members may log-in to the interactive work/life web portal for information on a variety of topics. Webinars are available at any time of day and our mobile app allows employees to access services such as counseling and work life resources right from the palm of their hand.

SAVE THE DATES


May 11, 2022
Mastro's Steakhouse Chicago, IL


May 12, 2022
"Project Scheduling"
REGISTRATION CLOSED!
Maggiano's Banquets
Oak Brook, IL


May 16 - 18, 2022
Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch
Scottsdale, AZ


May 23 - 25, 2022
NECA BICSI Summit
San Antonio, Texas


June 8 - 9, 2022
The American Club
Kohler, WI


June 12 - 15, 2022
The Broadmoor Resort
Colorado Springs, CO

August 11, 2022
ECA Summer Social Event
Streeterville Social Club, Chicago

August 18-19, 2022
Young Professionals of ECA Chicago: 2022 Leadership Conference
Lake Lawn Resort & Conference Center, Lake Delavan Wisconsin

September 21, 2022
ECA Chicago: "PAC" Golf Outing and Fundraiser
Cog Hill Golf Club, Lemont IL

Saturday, December 17, 2022
Electrical Contractors' Association of Chicago Annual President's Party & Holiday Celebration
Offshore, Navy Pier Chicago