LiveWire
February 2021
Upcoming Events
Greetings!

Please review this month's LiveWire newsletter. We hope you enjoy the local and national industry updates. As a reminder, every Monday we send an e-mail to the membership concerning upcoming events and every Thursday, we send an Industry Update e-mail. Also, we invite you to join us on Facebook and LinkedIn!   
February 10, 2021

February 12, 2021
Joint Safety Forum
INTECH - Alsip, IL

February 18, 2021
Maxim Consulting Group (Virtual Session)

February 24, 2021
Maxim Consulting Group (Virtual Session)

March 2-3, 2021

March 9 - 10, 2021

March 17, 2021
ERS-EAP, Equifax,
NECA Safety App, e-Safetyline

March 24, 2021
Maxim Consulting Group (Virtual Session)

March 31, 2021
January Membership Meeting
The first ECA Membership Meeting of 2021 was held as a virtual session on January 13, 2021. The meeting featured a rec-cap of the recent ECA Executive Committee meeting, which included the election of the ECA Officers, Committee Chair appointments, 2021 Budget approval. Also, the meeting was highlighted by a special presentation from Alex Willis, Leadership Surge.

As you are aware, ECA is pleased to announce the launch of a "Diversity & Inclusive Training Program" designed to help Electrical Contractor’s foster a climate of inclusion, sensitivity, and respect in the workplace. 

With the help of the ECA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Alex Willis, President of Leadership Surge, has designed a training program that will help business leaders create a culture of inclusiveness and respect within their company. Alex Willis introduced this new training series for ECA members and their employees during the special Membership Meeting presentation. We thank Alex for his special presentation.

Pictured above is Alex Willis, Leadership Surge.
Quick Links
 
(The collective bargaining agreements, industry statistics, among other industry information is available on the website.
No log-in is required.)

 
ECA Educational Programming
The ECA Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce that its Education Schedule for 2021 is nearly complete. Please Click On the calendar to review the updated scheduled so you can SAVE THE DATES and register for the available programming.
"Fire Your Accountant"

The ECA's Research and Education Committee kicked off the new programming season with a virtual classroom program called, "Fire Your Accountant." The program was held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 and facilitated by Dave O'Brien, Mosley, Pfundt, Glick & O'Brien, Inc.

Following this three hour virtual classroom course, participants will be able to:
  • Discuss how to select financial advisors
  • Describe how to evaluate performance
  • Explain the benefits of strong, proactive, long-lasting relationship
  • Discuss the benefits of accounting systems, financial reports, and personal and estate planning

We thank Mr. O'Brien for his expertise with this event!


"How to Use LinkedIn for Business Development & Marketing"

The ECA’s Research and Education Committee sponsored another program in January called, "How to Use LinkedIn for Business Development and Marketing."  The virtual session was held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. The presenter was Eileen Rochford, CEO, The Harbinger Group.

In this workshop, attendees learned how to:
» Set up a company LinkedIn Page 
» Improve their company rank for LinkedIn searches
» Choose topics and create messaging to promote their
business 
» Get the most out of their LinkedIn posting strategy 
» Work within LinkedIn analytics to target prospects

Please CLICK HERE for a link to the Power Point slides.

We thank Ms. Rochford for her time with the program!
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The ECA is on Facebook:

The ECA is on Linked-in:
ECA / NECA Meeting Dates
Please click on the link to review the upcoming meeting dates for ECA Membership meetings / NECA National meetings.



Stipend Availability

Please click on the link for a listing of the available stipends for various programs throughout 2021 recently approved by the ECA Executive Committee. Please visit the ECA website for Registration / information regarding the listed programs.

NECA Safety Awards
-Entry Deadline is 3/1/21

NECA Recognition of Achievement in Safety Excellence and NECA Recognition of Zero Injury Achievement recognize companies that thrive on maintaining OSHA recordable rates at levels lower than industry. Both programs seek to recognize companies that have taken safety above and beyond compliance.

The Zero-Injury recognizes those member-companies that have worked a full calendar year without recordable incidents.

The Safety Excellence is the association's premier recognition program, and acknowledges member-contractors' safety performance.

Deadline for application(s) submittal is March 1, 2021.
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CISCO Scholarships Available
As a final reminder, the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) has begun to accept applications for its long-standing Annual Scholarship Awards Program. Applications for for this program are available by clicking on one of the three types of scholarship awards below. 

The three scholarship program categories are: 1) Four-year college scholarships for high school seniors; 2) Two-year awards for seniors planning on attending a community college; and 3) Two-year continuing education awards to union members or contractor employees.

Deadline for submittal is February 19, 2021. For more information or questions, please contact CISCO at (630) 472-9411.

US DOL - 2020 Injury and Illness Data - Due by 3/2/2021
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers that the agency will begin collecting calendar year 2020 Form 300A data on Jan. 2, 2021. Employers must submit the form electronically by March 2, 2021. Electronic submissions are required by establishments with 250 or more employees currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees classified in specific industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses.
 
Visit the Injury Tracking Application Electronic Submission of Injury and Illness Records to OSHA for more information and a link to the Injury Tracking Application. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
2020 NECA Financial Benchmarker
The 2020 edition of the NECA Financial Benchmarker Report, a detailed publication presenting an easy-to-understand analysis of key financial data within the electrical construction industry, is now available for purchase in the NECA Store.

NECA's YouTube Channel
Support NECA's creative efforts by subscribing to the NECA YouTube Channel. NECA's videography sets us apart as industry leaders and allows us to tell the story of all NECA members. 


NECA's New Podcast Network

NECA recently announced the launch of their new NECA Podcast Network. Over the coming weeks, NECA will be releasing several new podcast series, all with the NECA contractor in mind. 
NECA Premier Partners
-Buckingham Group, Inc./ Procore
NECA has added two new Premier Partners in 2021: Buckingham Group, Inc. and Procore (previously announced). Listed below are all of the NECA Premier Partners. Please click on the name(s) to reach their website for further information.


Please CLICK HERE to reach the NECA Premier Sponsorship website page.
Industry Affiliations
The ECA is active with other industry groups. Listed below are updates concerning two recent events.

Illinois Green Annual Meeting
The Illinois Green Alliance (formerly, the Illinois Chapter of the US Green Building Council) held their Annual Meeting on January 21, 2021. The virtual meeting gathered Illinois' leading green building professionals in which they discussed the Illinois Green Alliance’s new strategic plan and vision to mainstream technology and building methods that put all buildings, both new and existing, on the path to net zero. The keynote speaker was Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago. The Illinois Green Alliance also recognized their 2020 Volunteer Award winners and their new 2021 Board Members.

As a reminder, complimentary membership in the Illinois Green Alliance is available for up to two individuals from each ECA member firm. Please CLICK HERE for a Registration Form.
Chicago Area Public Affairs Group
The Chicago Area Public Affairs Group (CAPAG) is a non-partisan organization that was created to provide opportunities for public affairs professionals to expand their networks, interact with their peers and discuss current events. A recent CAPAG event featured a panel of three prominent Chicago Alderman: Alderman Brian Hopkins – 2nd Ward, Alderman Gilbert Villegas 36th Ward, and Alderman Scott Waguespack – 32nd Ward, who discussed COVID-19 issues, social justice and the continued challenges of managing City government during a pandemic.
Safety Update
-CSC February Schedule / Joint Safety Forum
CSC Update
For a listing of coursework available through the Construction Safety Council (CSC) for the month of February, please visit:  www.buildsafe.org. 

Joint Safety Forum - 2/12/2021
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA and the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA are proud to present the next Safety Forum featuring the seminar, "Respirator Fit Tester Training."
 
"Respirator Fit Tester Training" is a FREE 4-hour safety training program to be held at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) on Friday, February 12, 2021.
Industry Statistics
Stay on top of monthly data for our industry: number of contractors active, quantity of people employed and total hours worked.
February 10, 2021
ECA Membership Meeting
Please join us for our
February Membership Meeting!
The VIRTUAL program will feature industry updates, and guest presentation from
Kelly McDonald, McDonald Marketing.
"How to Work with and Lead People Not Like You."

The event is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

1:00 pm - Business Session /
Guest Presentation
3:00 pm - Event Concludes