Friday is the deadline to nominate individuals for MEUW awards: Throughout our nearly 95-year history, MEUW has proudly recognized individual contributions and achievements toward advancing public power through awards presented at the Annual Conference. We are currently accepting nominations in a number of categories. Full details are available at MEUW.org/awards. Don’t miss your opportunity to recognize someone from your utility or community – please complete the nomination form and submit it by Friday, March 31. Awards will be presented during a ceremony at MEUW’s Annual Conference on May 11.
Underground Distribution School hands-on training coming next month: MEUW and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) are partnering to provide a hands-on training session next month to enable lineworkers to fine-tune their skills and deepen their knowledge.
The Underground Distribution School will take place April 25 – 27 at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire. The Underground Distribution (UD) School offers an ideal opportunity for lineworkers to learn and practice hands-on techniques in a simulated field setting to sharpen their skills, review practical applications, and safely perform tasks in a controlled environment.
This training is intended for all lineworkers, regardless of experience level. The cost for each workshop is $225 per person. (Third and fourth year CVTC apprentices are automatically enrolled as part of their apprenticeship.) Details and registration information are available here. Questions should be directed to Mike Czuprynko at (608) 837-2263.
Registration open for Advanced Leadership Development Workshop: This interactive, one-day workshop on April 18 will help municipal utility leaders gain insights from experienced leaders and practical ideas that can be immediately put into practice. Leading people and projects — and being “in charge” — demands that individuals develop a set of essential skills. Three specific skills — communications, empathy, and attitude — are foundational to helping a leader inspire positive change and empower those around them to work to achieve common goals.
This program will benefit municipal utility leaders of all experience levels, including those who may be new to their role, those in line to be the next leader, and those who already have extensive experience and simply want to learn from and interact with others responsible for similar work. Details and registration information are available here.
Reserve your hotel room for the MEUW Annual Conference: The 93rd gathering of MEUW members will take place Wednesday, May 10 through Friday, May 12. You won’t want to miss the chance to connect with municipal utility leaders from across Wisconsin and hear from speakers on a wide array of timely topics at MEUW’s Annual Conference in Green Bay. Visit www.meuw.org/annualconference to learn more. Reservations at Lodge Kohler, the conference hotel, are currently being accepted. The deadline to reserve rooms at the discounted MEUW rate is 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 19. Conference registration will open soon.
Send us pics of your line crews: The annual celebration of National Lineman Appreciation Day is coming up on April 18, and we’re getting ready to shower a little gratitude on those who put their talents to work as electrical line workers. Together, MEUW member utilities employ more than 300 linemen across Wisconsin, and we plan to use our website and social media pages to recognize those hard-working folks. We’re asking all member utilities to send in a current photo of their line crews so we can post and share them next month. Send the pictures to news@meuw.org and help us recognize Wisconsin’s public power lineworkers.
Nomination period for MEUW Board of Directors now open: MEUW is currently accepting nominations for interested individuals to serve on the association’s Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning May 12, 2023. This year’s election will be for Directors and Alternate Directors in odd-numbered districts. The Nomination Form and additional information is available here. The deadline to nominate someone is Friday, April 14.
Member Inquiry: Tim Putz, Superintendent at Arcadia Electric Utility (AEU), is seeking insights from MEUW member utilities with experience pulling and rolling up a specific size of cable. AEU has a project that entails pulling out approximately 690 feet of .750 mcm jacketed primary conductor and rolling up on reels. Each of the three phases is in its own 3-inch conduit. Their goal is to then use it on another project. If you can share insights and experiences, please contact Tim directly by email.
April 7 deadline to submit data for annual Wage & Benefits Survey: Every year, MEUW collects information about the pay and perks provided to public power employees across the state. Based on member feedback, the timing of data collection has changed to allow for the results to be shared in time for municipal budgeting. To date, 50% of member utilities have responded. Instructions for completing this year’s survey were recently shared with key contacts at each utility. Full details about this year’s Wage & Benefits Survey are available here. As a reminder, only those utilities that provide information for the survey are able to receive the results. The deadline to respond is April 7.
Stick and Ground testing reminder: As Don Harnish, Electric Utility Safety and Training Coordinator, has completed Stick and Ground testing for municipalities. The total number of utilities that needed sticks and grounds tested was greater than anticipated. If your municipality has been missed, please contact Mike Czuprynko.