ECA News & Events Update
NECA/IBEW Agreement to Suspend the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA)
The National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA) was implemented on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click on the tab for a letter from NECA CEO David Long and IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson, concerning the "Suspension" of the NDERA. This letter suspends the NDERA effective June 1, 2021 until further notice.

If you have employees that have been laid-off with the "recall" provision and wish to have them back with your company please put in "calls" for them as soon as possible, but certainly prior to June 1. If the individual is not "recalled" by June 1 they will remain on the out of work list in their sequential spot.

NECA NOW 2021: Know Before You Go
First In-Person Meeting of the Year!
Join us on Thursday, April 15th
Pictured above is Anna Maria Kowalik,
SVP-Director of Business Development for
Inland Green Capital LLC (IGC).
Pictured above is Ryan Keller, member of the ComEd Industrial Outreach Service Provider team.
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) will hold its April Membership Meeting on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Maggiano's Banquets in Chicago. 
 
The luncheon program will feature industry updates, as well as presentations from Anna Maria Kowalik, SVP Dir. Business Development, Inland Green Capital regarding C-PACE program and Ryan Keller is a team member of the ComEd Industrial Outreach Service Provider team. 

We welcome back our members to the first "in-person" Membership meeting of 2021!
ECA Chicago is pleased to kick-off the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training program designed for Electrical Contractors!
Session #1: May 5th @ 1p.m.
This program was designed with a Multi-Tier Top-Down Approach, while implementing inclusion prerequisite skills at the frontline level. This approach will guarantee that the Diversity & Inclusion lessons are sustainable and have maximum impact throughout all levels of leadership within the company. It is the first of it's kind in the nation, and we are pleased to offer it to our members beginning this spring.
Who should attend? Company leaders, and frontline supervisors from all levels within your Company. (Owners, Executive Team, HR, Division Managers, Project Managers, Team leaders and more)

NECA ANNOUNCES DAY & NIGHT SOLAR TO BECOME NECA PREMIER PARTNER
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has entered into a three-year agreement with Day & Night Solar, a turnkey solar solution provider for commercial and residential construction, to join NECA’s Premier Partner program, effective immediately. This industry-leading program connects NECA members to the leading companies in the electrical construction industry. Partnership will connect electrical contractors to Day & Night Solar’s industry-leading expertise in the solar market.
 
Day & Night Solar successfully competes in the Solar PV Industry through cooperation with NECA member contractors and understands what it takes to provide a winning combination for turnkey Solar PV developments.
A public webinar held by Colette Holt & Associates on February 2, 2021 can be found HERE.
 
You can download the presentation slides HERE.
 
If you have any questions about the study or comments that you would like to share, please submit them to the study email at: [email protected] or call at: (855) 692-3529 or visit the Study website at MWRD.disparity-study.com
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Disparity Study
for Its Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Program -- Small Group Business Owner Interview Sessions 
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) invites you to participate in an online small group interview of business owners as part of their Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise program (M/WBE) Disparity Study. These important sessions will provide an opportunity to share your experiences in doing or attempting to do business with MWRD or its prime vendors, its M/WBE program, and any barriers that you encountered based on race and/or gender. Your insights and experiences will help identify potential improvements in MWRD's program and increase collaboration, while promoting economic growth for all segments of the community.
 
The purpose of the Disparity Study is to determine whether M/WBEs have access to full and fair opportunities to compete on MWRD-funded contracts and associated subcontracts. The Disparity Study also seeks to assist MWRD in ensuring that its current program for M/WBEs remains legally defensible and administratively successful. Online Meetings will be held April 13 through April 15, 2021.
      
Please click here to register for an online small group interview. You will be taken to a short survey to allow the MWRD to direct you to the appropriate session.
The Young Professionals of ECA Chicago held their first in person event of the year at Top Golf's newest facility in Schaumburg on March 31st. Close to fifty members came out for an evening of networking, golf and camaraderie - which was well received after close to a year of virtual activities. 
Check out the Event Video for a recap of the event!

Don't miss out on future YP activities! Contact Carrie Spaeth at ECA for more information about getting involved with the Young Professionals of ECA.
Powering Chicago teaming with Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago - 2021 Plans
Rebuild Together Metro Chicago has returned. Powering Chicago is need of our contractors to provide service vehicles furnished with ladders and tools to install exterior battery operated security lights on the homes within those same communities during the first (4) Saturdays in May. 
Pictured above is Matt Firestone,
Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest
Driving Success with a Remote Workforce"
(Virtual Classroom)
April 22, 2021 at 1:00 pm
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce a webinar called, “Driving Success with a Remote Workforce.” The program is being conducted by Matt Firestone, Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest. The program will be a virtual classroom program held on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
 
THIS PROGRAM IS COMPLIMENTARY FOR ECA MEMBERS!
(Coupon Code is Required.)
CSC Offering Complimentary Fall Hazard Awareness Training
-GET INVOLVED
-SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
- ATTEND FREE TRAINING (May 7, 2021)
The Construction Safety Council is a proud supporter of the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This annual campaign is intended to address this leading cause of death among construction workers. Join forces with fellow industry professionals by helping to identify the root causes of these oftentimes tragic incidents. Be a part of the solution by taking a brief, anonymous Fall Experience Survey - click here.
 
Register to attend FREE Fall Hazard Awareness (OSHA #7405) training. This one-day course delivers instruction on how to evaluate, control, and prevent fall hazards on jobsites.
 
Pictured above is Robert Mooty,
former NECA Education Instructor
Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction"
May 10 - 12, 2021 (Revised Dates)
-- Drake Oak Brook Hotel
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce a workshop called, “Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction.”

The program is being conducted by Robert Mooty, former NECA Education Instructor. The program will be held May 10 - 12, 2021 at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel, Oak Brook, IL.

The Drake Oak Brook Hotel is to follow all applicable COVID-19 Protocols.
Pictured above is Matthew, Beaudet, Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner.
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) will hold its May Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the Union League Club of Chicago.
 
The evening program will feature industry updates, as well as a presentation from Matthew, Beaudet, Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner.

We welcome back our members to the first evening Membership meeting of 2021!
Pictured above is Bruce Boger,
Bruce Boger Company
Transformational Leadership: Creating High Performance Work Teams"
May 27, 2021
-- Drake Oak Brook Hotel
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce a workshop called, Transformational Leadership: Creating High Performance Work Teams.”

The program is being conducted by Bruce Boger, Bruce Boger Company. The program will be held May 27 2021 at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel, Oak Brook, IL.

The Drake Oak Brook Hotel is to follow all applicable COVID-19 Protocols.
Registration is now open for the ECA 49th Annual Spring Conference - June 9 - 10, 2021!

Available to all ECA accredited representatives, Registration is now open for the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) 49th Annual Spring Conference, which will be held on June 9-10, 2021 at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. 
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.

NECA Learning Center: Upcoming Programs Available in 2021

NECA has resumed charging for online training licensed from third party providers, but will continue to provide free webinars and their own on-demand online training courses with code NECA2021. All courses included in this promotion can be found here.
 
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
2021 ECA
Meeting Calendar /
Educational Programs /
Stipend Availability
Please click on the links for the ECA 2021 Membership Meeting Schedule and the ECA Educational Program Schedule. Please click on the link for the ECA Educational / Conference Stipends listing for 2021.

Please visit the ECA website for Registration / information regarding the above programs.
COVID-19 Resources for ECA members:
Stay up to date on the latest changes for our Industry including news releases, legislation and Government mandates, workplace safety and preparation guidelines, OSHA alerts, and more that affect electrical contractors in Chicago and Cook County.
 
SAVE THE DATES


April 13 - 14, 2021
Virtual Event

April 15, 2021
Maggiano's Banquets - Chicago

April 22, 2021
Virtual Event

Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course
Anticipated: May 6 - 7, 2021
Location: TBD

May 10 - 12, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

May 19, 2021
Union League Club of Chicago

May 27, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

June 9 - 10, 2021
The American Club - Kohler, WI

August 26-27, 2021
The Journeyman Hotel, Milwaukee, WI