MEUW strategy session is next week: Don’t miss the chance to help shape the future of MEUW. Join the MEUW Board of Directors in Mauston on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to help identify and review future trends and outside influences important to municipal utility members. This information, along with a review of the association’s long-term strategic plan adopted in 2019, will lead to planning on how MEUW can strategically address member needs into the future. All MEUW members are welcome to attend and participate. There is no cost, but advance registration is required.
Appointment to MEUW Board of Directors: MEUW Board Chair Nicolas Kumm has appointed Bruce Gomm, General Manager of Shawano Municipal Utilities, as At-Large Director for a term expiring at the MEUW Annual Meeting in May 2025. Bruce succeeds Jem Brown, who passed away in July. The appointment is subject to approval by the full Board, which is expected in December.
The August edition of Live Lines was distributed on Aug. 6. In case you missed it, you can find it online here.
Agenda set for Annual Accounting and Customer Service seminar: Join municipal electric utility members from across Wisconsin to receive updates on regulatory and legislative issues that affect utilities and hear best practices to improve operations. Learn and network, discuss best practices and timely topics with peers from utilities across the state. Agenda items for the Wednesday, Sept. 25, seminar in Mauston will include updates from the Public Service Commission, discussions about grant writing, the tax roll process, records retention and audit requirements, and techniques to effectively de-escalate tense customer interactions. Register today!
October class focuses on HR issues and employment law: Human Resources (HR) issues can be complex and difficult to navigate. There’s a lot to keep track of — recruiting, training, ensuring compensation and benefits, and employee engagement, all in the context of complying with ever-changing federal, state and local employment laws. Led by experts from the Boardman & Clark law firm in Mauston on Tuesday, Oct. 1, this session is a valuable refresher for HR issues, as well as provide guidance to comply with evolving employment laws. Additional information and registration are available here.
Stored energy and chainsaw safety workshops offered: Understanding the dynamics of stored energy in trees, and how to safely work with and around it, is critical for every line worker. These MEUW workshops will cover how to recognize stored energy, and how to control and mitigate it when working at trees with chainsaws. Including both classroom and hands-on training, this workshop is recommended for electric line workers, line clearance workers, and Department of Public Works employees who work with and around live wires. Sign up for one of the two workshops — in Prairie du Sac (Oct. 2) or Black River Falls (Oct. 3) — whichever works best for you.
Utility Accounting & Finance course Oct. 9: Understanding the various financial aspects associated with utility operations is essential for anyone in a management position. The next course in our four-part Fundamentals of Utility Management Training Series, Utility Accounting & Finance, will provide attendees the fundamentals of public utility accounting, a clear understanding of business operations, how to review and effectively manage budgets. Register here today.
Finish the year strong with Leading Through Collaboration class Dec. 9: As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, this one-day leadership development course focuses on why collaboration is important to being an effective utility leader. Participants will take away practical ideas they can apply to becoming more collaborative and using persuasion with their teams and co-workers. Click here for full details about the instructor and what you’ll learn, and register today.
MEUW Weekly remains on summer schedule: A reminder that MEUW is not distributing an e-newsletter every week during the summer. Look for the next MEUW Weekly in your inbox on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The September edition of MEUW’s monthly newsletter, Live Lines, will be sent as usual on the first Tuesday of the month (Sept. 3).