LiveWire
March 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!   
March 9 - 10, 2021

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

March 19, 2021

March 24, 2021
Maxim Consulting Group (Virtual Session)

March 31, 2021

April 7, 2021

April 13-14, 2021
NECA NOW! (Virtual Conference)

April 15, 2021
Maggiano's Banquets -- Chicago, IL

May 10 - 13, 2021

May 19, 2021
Union League Club (Evening Program)

May 25 - 26, 2021
Virtual Conference

May 27, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
February Membership Meeting
The February ECA Membership Meeting was held as a virtual session on February 10, 2021. The meeting featured a number of industry updates and was highlighted by a special presentation from Kelly McDonald, McDonald Marketing.

The special session covered the many ways we can be different from one another and how those differences manifest themselves in work situations. The session showed how employees can succeed in today's diverse workplace without losing their minds or becoming frustrated by approaches to work that may differ from theirs.

For those in leadership positions, or those who aspire to manage and lead others, this session identified key ways in which you can effectively communicate, guide, and lead associates and colleagues who are not like you. Whether you're working with internal associates or external clients and customers, it's imperative that you know what motivates people - and what doesn't. Leadership isn't about seniority or position - it's about influence, forming connections and building trust. It's the ability to move the business forward. Regardless of gender, age, life stage, race, ethnicity or even communication preferences, the participants learned to create a deep, values-based connection between them and their associates, clients and prospects.

We thank Kelly for her special presentation.
Pictured above is Kelly McDonald, McDonald Marketing.
Quick Links
 
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ECA Educational Programming
The ECA Research and Education Committee is pleased to have been able to present the following programs. We hope that you will be able to participate with future sessions.
"Certified Transcript of Payroll" Webinar - Proper Implementation / IDOL Portal Ease of Use
 
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) is pleased to announce a webinar called, "Certified Transcript of Payroll." The seminar was conducted by Robert Parrilli, Stephen Underwood and Ron Ward, Illinois Department of Labor. The program was a virtual event held on Thursday, February 4, 2021. The session detailed how contractors can submit their prevailing wage information easily through the IDOL Certified Transcript of Payroll Portal.
  


"KPI - Key Performance Indicators: Using Lagging Information to Create Leading Indicators"

The ECA's Research and Education Committee presented a virtual classroom program called, "KPI - Key Performance Indicators: Using Lagging Information to Create Leading Indicators." The program was held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 and facilitated by Stephane McShane, Maxim Consulting Group.

Following this course, participants will be able to:
  • Describe key performance metrics that create actionable information
  • Discuss data collection and metric automation methods
  • Explain deployment options 

We thank Ms. McShane for her expertise with this event!


"Inequitable Payment Practices"

The ECA’s Research and Education Committee sponsored another program in February called, "Inequitable Practices."  The virtual session was held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. The presenter was Stephane McShane, Maxim Consulting Group.

Following this course, participants will be able to:
  • Explain quantification of the impact of inequitable payment practices
  • List specific, tangible things specialty contractors can do to improve payment cycles
  • Discuss the theory of surrounding contract language and enforceability
  • Negotiate points with general contractors and owners
  • Identify legislative talking points

We, again, thank Ms. McShane for her time with the program!
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NECA WIN / FL
The Women in NECA and the NECA Future Leaders Conference will be held virtually, March 9 - 10, 2021. The conference will feature two half-days of meetings beginning at 1:00pm EST.

WINFL Leadership Conference registration fee is $250 and covers the cost of the following events:
  • Two keynote speakers
  • Three breakout sessions with never-before heard speakers
  • Two roundtable discussions with peers and taskforce
  • Two networking receptions with live entertainment

ECA Stipend for WIN/FL
The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to four registrants of participating ECA member firms for the NECA WIN / FL Conference on March 9 - 10, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.

CLICK HERE to learn more and Register for this event!
NECA NOW

The NECA NOW Leadership Conference will be held virtually on April 13-14, 2021. Far from your typical meeting, NECA NOW 2021 is a two-day Executive Leadership Conference focused on your professional and personal growth. CLICK HERE to learn more about what the program offers!

ECA Stipend for NECA NOW Conference
The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives of participating ECA member firms for the NECA NOW Conference on April 13 – 14, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.
NECA Project Excellence Awards
NECA Project Excellence Awards
The application process has begun for the NECA 2021 Project Excellence Awards.  Please click on the link for full details regarding registration / submittal parameters:
IMSCA Town Hall Legislative Forum
Virtual Program - March 19, 2021 - 10:00 AM
The Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association’s (IMSCA’s) Virtual Town Hall Legislative Forum is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 19th via Zoom. IMSCA has an exciting panel of legislators who will provide IMSCA members with an overview of important issues facing our state that the Illinois General Assembly will tackle during the spring 2021 legislative session. This event is designed to provide IMSCA members with a unique opportunity to receive an “insider’s view” from key Illinois State Senators including Senate President Don Harmon, Assistant Majority Leader Linda Holmes and Senator Ram Villivalam. Each panelist will provide a 10-15 minute presentation and a brief Q & A period will follow their presentations. 
 
IMSCA staff encourages you to invite your association officers, committee members and colleagues to attend this event to learn more about legislative issues important to the Illinois construction industry and your business. Please click on the link for the Registration Form which includes full event details and RSVP information.  If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Executive Director, Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) at (217) 523-4361.
ELECTRI Council Sessions
If you are not a current ELECTRI member and you would like to learn more about what ELECTRI has to offer, the Council Room sessions will showcase what ELECTRI is all about—sharing ideas and resources to keep electrical construction strong, productive, and profitable. The second ELECTRI Council Room Session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 4:00 pm (Eastern Time). The presentation and discussion will focus on "Attracting, Identifying and Retaining Talent." Jon Finch, SVP of Talent Acquisition and Recruiting, Milwaukee Tool, will be the presenter.
 
To receive the meeting link, please contact laura.holmes@electri.org . 
NECA 2021 Task Forces /
Committees
-- Chicago Chapter Representatives
NECA President, Larry Beltramo, has made appointments to the NECA's National Standing Committees and Task Forces for 2021 that were recently approved by the NECA Executive Committee. Please click on the link for the full listings. We wish to congratulate the following Chicago & Cook County Chapter members for their continued service to not only the Chapter, but to National NECA!
 
Business Development Task Force
Rick Jamerson,
Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Task Force
Kendra Dinkins,
Taylor Electric Company

Government Affairs Committee
Steve Diamond,
Malko Communication Services, LLC

Safety Task Force
Jerry McGlynn,
McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.

Technology Systems Integration Task Force
Scott Rowe,
Gibson Electric& Technology Solutions
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
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA and the Northeastern Illinois Chapter, NECA held a Joint Safety Forum featuring the seminar, "Respirator Fit Tester Training" on Friday, February 12, 2021. The 4-hour session was complimentary and facilitated by Paul Satti, Construction Safety Council. The program was held at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) in Alsip, IL. We thank Mr. Satti for his efforts with this special program!


NECA Safety Professionals Conference
May 25 - 26, 2021 - VIRTUAL
The NECA NOW Conference registration will open on March 24, 2021! Please click on the link below for more information.
 
STIPEND AVAILABLE
As a reminder, The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives of participating ECA member firms for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference on May 25 - 26, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.

Industry Statistics
Stay on top of monthly data for our industry: number of contractors active, quantity of people employed and total hours worked.
March 17, 2021
ECA Membership Meeting
Please join us for our
March Membership Meeting!
The VIRTUAL program will feature industry updates, and guest presentations from representatives from:
Equifax, ERS-EAP, NECA Safety App, eSafetyline.

The event is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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