January 4, 2010 Volume 2, Issue Number 1 ELECTRI Goes Green With New User-Friendly Procedures For Distributing Research Reports Effective immediately, we will promote and distribute publications from ELECTRI International-The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. through new “green” procedures that should help eliminate waste and speed up the order fulfillment process. ELECTRI reports will no longer be printed and mailed to chapter offices for distribution to members. Instead, they will be available in two ways through the online NECA Store: 1. In PDF format at no cost to NECA members; OR 2. As traditional, bound publications through a ‘print-on-demand’ service (because there will always be certain reports that many members will want to have on their bookshelves). The new procedures apply to the three most recent Foundation reports. To download or order any of them, click on the publication’s title in the following list. (If you want to purchase bound copies, order by January 18 so your order can be included in the initial print-run and delivered to you in approximately two weeks.) Quantity discounts available for orders of 16 or more. •  Innovative Service Contracting Practices •  Best Practices: Prefabrication for Electrical Contractors •  The Role of Electrical Contractors on LEED® Projects From now on, flyers summarizing new Foundation research reports will be sent to members electronically as the reports become available. Click here for full details on the new procedures for distributing Foundation reports Labor Relations January 13 Registration Deadline For Employee Benefits Conference Here's something to warm your heart in the dead of winter: The IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference will be held January 28-29 at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club in Naples, Florida. Designed for local benefit plan trustees or others involved in labor negotiations, it will address today's complex health and pension issues and focus on how to improve or expand our reciprocal agreements. January 13 is the deadline to reserve your place at the conference and the hotel. Register for the 2010 IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference Management Education & Training More Management Education Programs To Be Presented This Winter Winter may be a slow time for some contractors, but it's a great time to plant the seeds for success by treating yourself and your key employees to in-depth educational courses focused on improving management capabilities. Several such programs are scheduled this month and next, including some that offer continuing education credits. Our online Catalog of Courses lists many, many more, including 20 new courses, that you may want to ask your NECA chapter office to bring to your area. Register for your choice of upcoming management education courses Take Action Pre-Conference Health Care Update: Merkley Amendment Controversy There's a lot to dislike about the Senate's health care bill, including a provision to tax existing health care plans. But one thing we do like is the Merkley amendment. Without it, more than 90% of construction employers would have a free pass to NOT provide coverage for their workers! NECA is working hard to gain support for the controversial amendment, with House and Senate conferees to begin hammering out compromise legislation after the congressional recess ends January 19. Learn why and how NECA is working to make health care reform legislation fairer NECA To Obama: Pension Reform Necessary For Economic Recovery Since President Obama cites job creation and economic improvement as top priorities, NECA recently joined with 73 other organizations in reminding him that “without [pension] funding relief, many jobs will be lost and the economic recovery will be significantly slowed.” Our letter to the POTUS notes that the NECA-backed Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 provided some temporary relief for plans adversely impacted by the stock market decline but permanent reforms are needed ASAP! Look at what we told President Obama about pension funding relief and see who agrees A Record-Breaking Year For ECPAC and PLC, Thanks To You! Despite the poor economy (in some cases, maybe because of it), more members contributed to ECPAC last year than in any year since our political action committee was established in 1978, with more than 1100 individual contributions received in 2009. And those contributions totalled a record-breaking $800,012! Membership in NECA's Political Leadership Council has also grown, by 50 percent over the past 12 months. A great big THANK YOU to all participants! Learn all about our political action committee and how YOU can make a difference Meetings & Events NECA To Return To Boston For 2010 Convention And Trade Show Mark these important dates on your brand-new calendar: October 2-5. That's when we'll be enjoying NECA 2010 Boston, which will feature an expanded Energy Solutions Zone with new “building green” resources, special safety sessions for line contractors, and a keynote speech from famed ocean explorer Bob Ballard. Learn more at www.necaconvention.org, become a fan of NECA Convention on Facebook, and get updates via Twitter, twitter.com/NECAConvention. Take a look at what we're telling the world about NECA 2010 Boston NECA 2009 Seattle Material Recognized For Graphic Design NECA has received American Graphic Design Awards for three pieces created in-house to promote NECA 2009 Seattle. The Convention Overview, the Coffee Cup coupon and the Save the Date postcard were chosen from more than 8000 entries to the design competition. The credit goes to Graphic Design/Production Specialist Ginger Wilson, who has designed numerous NECA publications and other member-service materials in her 13 years on our national staff. Investigate how NECA convention promotions earned American Graphic Design Awards Member News NECA Welcomes New Members 15 new members ... What a great way to start the new year! Bradley Electric, Las Vegas, NV, Southern Nevada Chapter, Accredited representative: Donna Bradley. DBE Electric, Auburn, WA, Puget Sound Chapter, Accredited representative: Mary T. Guthmiller. Dacon Corporation, Port Arthur, Texas, South Texas Chapter, Accredited representative: Rhett Jackson. Electrical Equipment Installers, Conyers, GA, Atlanta Chapter, Accredited representative: Frank Campbell. Fairchild Communication Systems, Merrillville, IN, Central Indiana Chapter, Accredited representative: John Smith. Harney Electric, Athens, IL, Illinois Chapter, Accredited representative: Jerry L. Judd. Hatzel & Buehler, Philadelphia, PA, Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, Accredited representative: John J. Condi. L E B Electric, Copiague, NY, Long Island Chapter, Accredited representative: William Parker. Powersource Electrical Contractors, Pittsburg, CA, Contra Costa Chapter, Accredited representative: Jeff Augusts. Ross Electric, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Iowa Chapter, Accredited representative: James N. Ross. SKB Electric, Brawley, CA, San Diego County Chapter, Accredited representative: Stephen Berry. Wheeler's Electric, San Diego, CA, San Diego County Chapter, Accredited representative: Daniel J. Wheeler. Select Pro Tools, Lincolnshire, IL, Northeastern Illinois Chapter, Accredited representative: Christopher Hargan. Smithson Electric, Orange, CA, Orange County Chapter, Accredited representative: Patrick T. Smithson. United Electric, Great Falls, MT, Montana Chapter, Accredited representative: Michael J. DiAngelis.   NECA This Week is your source for news and information about NECA and the electrical construction industry. NECA This Week is presented by the National Electrical Contractors Association. Submit comments or questions to NECA This Week. Copyright 2009 NECA 1995–2009. All rights reserved. National Electrical Contractors Association, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone 301-657-3110 See the latest Legislative updates here.

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