Deadline is Friday for “Call for Presentations” at January conference: The 2024 Electric Operations Conference & Expo (formerly “Joint Sups”) will feature a number of breakout sessions, and event organizers are inviting member utilities and members of the Wisconsin Utility Suppliers Association (WUSA) to submit ideas they can present to conference attendees. This will be an opportunity to showcase a product or service and share information and insights. Priority will be given to presentations that include a real-life success story featuring (and co-presented by) a Wisconsin municipal or electric cooperative utility. Full details are available here. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, Sept. 29.
Next week is Public Power Week 2023: We encourage all member utilities to use the annual Public Power Week — to be celebrated Oct. 1 – 7 this year — as a chance to remind your customers that they are part of something special. MEUW has prepared a sample news release you can make available to your local newspaper and radio stations. You can find it here, along with a link to other resources available from APPA.
And, as always, we’d like to share photos and news about how you celebrated Public Power Week with your community. Please send pics and details to news@meuw.org so we can include it in a future edition of Live Lines.
Let us know how we’re doing! Later this week, MEUW launched its regular member survey to gather feedback about the services and future direction of the association. The survey link was sent directly to key contacts at each of our member utilities, and is available here. The survey, which was last conducted in early 2022, is an important part of our planning efforts, and the input provided is used to shift priorities and assess progress toward achievement of MEUW’s strategic goals. Please provide your feedback by Friday, Oct. 13.
Registration deadline nearing for new management training class: Are you clear on the dozens of regulations and operating rules to retain the “right to serve” electric customers? Don’t miss your chance to attend the new Regulation, Compliance and Safety class, offered as part of MEUW’s “Fundamentals of Utility Management” training program. Offered Wednesday, Oct. 11 in Mauston, the course will explore the reasons behind the rules and provide insights to make compliance easier. An outline of the training topics, the instructors, and registration details are here.
T-minus 22 days! The 95th anniversary celebration of MEUW’s founding and public power is less than 30 days away! On Wednesday, Oct. 18, our members will be raising awareness about the unique qualities that distinguish municipals from other utilities with two key events: A Day at the Capitol, where utility and municipal leaders will meet with lawmakers to ensure they keep public power voices in mind when considering policy; and the “Public Power on Parade,” which already has more than 70 vehicles from across the state joining a caravan from Waunakee Utilities (where a supplier showcase and safety demonstrations are planned) to the Capitol Square in downtown Madison. Have questions? Check out these helpful links.
Looking for lodging options? The cut-off date for the discounted room block at the Park Hotel in downtown Madison is today, Tuesday, Sept. 26. The cut-off date for the Waunakee Grand Stay is Wednesday, Oct. 3.
We will be sending confirmation emails to those who have registered to ensure we have solid information for planning purposes. Don’t miss your chance to join in — contact Sharon Wolf at (608) 837-2263 today!
Coloring contest underway: In support of our ongoing efforts to build awareness of public power utilities throughout Wisconsin, and in conjunction with Public Power Week and MEUW’s upcoming 95th Anniversary Celebration, MEUW’s “Proudly Public Power” coloring contest is underway. It’s open to all children ages 4-12 in households served by MEUW member utilities wishing to participate. Please also review this helpful information if your utility is interested in offering this to your customers.
Full details and the coloring page are available here. Entries must be postmarked or received no later than Friday, Oct. 6. We have made this information available on the front page of our website. If you have questions, please contact Sharon Wolf, MEUW Manager of Communications and Events.
Let’s get social! Throughout the month of October we’ll be sharing updates about the “Proudly Public Power” campaign and 95th anniversary celebration. Join the online community and share our updates with your audiences and tag us in your posts. Here are some things you can do to join the celebration on social media.
- Follow our social media accounts.
- Facebook > MunicipalElectricUtilitiesofWisconsin
- X (Twitter) > @MunielecWis
- LinkedIn > municipal-electric-utilities-of-wisconsin
- Share our posts on your social media accounts.
- Ask us to customize social media graphics for your utility. (Use this link to request custom graphics).
- Share the custom graphics and/or share photos and announcements about your local Public Power Week activities with your social media audiences.
- Remember to tag us in your posts so we can re-share them!
- Don’t forget to use the #ProudlyPublicPower hashtag!
If you’re having trouble finding our social accounts or need more information about how to do these things, visit our Helpful Hints page.
Register today for coaching class: As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, we’re offering a one-day leadership development course that focuses on the importance of effective coaching as an essential leadership skill for utility leaders. Held in Mauston on Wednesday, Dec. 6, “Leading Through Coaching” participants will take away practical ideas they can apply to setting a good example and becoming a leader who gets the most from others. Click here for more information and to register.
Watch for a special edition of Live Lines October 17 : As part of our 95th Anniversary celebration, we will be creating a special Anniversary Edition of Live Lines, MEUW’s monthly newsletter. Watch for this special issue on Tuesday, October 17.