MEUW Weekly :: July 21, 2020

Give us your feedback about the Operations Conference: We’ve begun putting plans together for the next Electric Operations Conference & Expo (formerly the Joint Superintendents’ Conference). Like everything, planning for the 2021 event — currently set for Jan. 13-15 in Wisconsin Dells — is complicated by continuing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

We’ve put together a brief survey to collect feedback to help us prioritize our planning for EOCE 2021. Please take a minute to complete the survey here. We want to hear from as many folks as possible to inform our decision making.


Join us for the “Public Power Fore-ward” golf outing: Even though the MEUW Annual Conference was canceled due to COVID-19, the golf outing is a go! The event is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 19, and provides for a safe, outdoor gathering of MEUW members. Sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association (WUSA), the outing will take place at the Castle Rock Golf Course in New Lisbon to provide for a more centralized site. Click here for details and to access registration information.


Save the date for annual Accounting and Customer Service Seminar:  MEUW will host its annual gathering for municipal accounting and customer service personnel on Tuesday, Sept. 22. This year’s seminar will be held virtually to ensure the safety of attendees. Full details will be communicated soon.


Discounted hi-vis shirts on sale now: MEUW is offering for sale a limited quantity of Bulwark arc-rated, hi-visibility, long-sleeved work shirts at a deeply discounted price.  Thanks in part to VF Workwear’s sponsorship and support of MEUW, the shirt is available for $40 (typically retails for $139). Sizes XL and XXL are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. These shirts were purchased for the 2020 Watt Hour Meter Workshop and Underground Distribution School that were canceled due to COVID-19. The shirts are for sale exclusively online at MEUW.org. All orders must be purchased using a credit card.


Limited number of seats available for upcoming workshops: MEUW is moving ahead with three in-person workshops planned for August and September because much of the actual training takes place outdoors and the number of attendees is being limited to encourage physical distancing. To learn more, click on the date(s) to link to the registration page for each of these upcoming sessions:

  • Facility Locating Workshop: Aug. 11, Chippewa Falls
  • Competent Person/Excavation Workshop: Aug. 24, Waupun Utilities
  • NESC Code Seminar: Sept. 14-15, Oconomowoc Utilities

Next Management Training Program focuses on Customer Service and Public Relations:  MEUW’s popular Management Training Program closes out the 2019-20 cycle with Session F in October. Due to the pandemic, the training will be completed over two separate three-hour Zoom calls. Full details are available on the Event page. The shift to virtual training creates cost savings that MEUW is passing along to members. That means the Session F registration fee has been reduced to $175 per person.

MEUW’s Management Training Program provides education for existing managers, mid-level managers and future management prospects. Participants may start at any point in the six-session (A-F) program. MEUW awards certificates to all those who complete the program. Dates for the 2021-22 cycle will be announced later this year.