​When communicating information, consider using an approach that appeals to both the heads and the hearts of your audience. What does this mean?
 
It means including both quantitative and qualitative information.

• Quantitative: Think data, statistics, basically any numbers information. Quantitative information appeals to a person’s mind with reason. An example might be: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating by simply turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day from its normal setting.
• Qualitative: Think personal stories such as testimonials. Qualitative information appeals to a person’s heart with emotion. Get someone to share their story. An example might be: The money I saved from turning back my thermostat gave me extra cash each month to go out to eat with friends and catch up.

 
Testimonials are powerful, especially if they come from trusted, well-known, well-liked members of your community. If you can’t find someone to give a testimonial, consider just putting the information out there. In the example above, just change a few words -- The money you save from turning back your thermostat can give you extra cash each month to go out to eat with friends and catch up. 

Mark your calendars for the Hands-On Pumps & Maintenance Workshop presented by Larry Trout in Spencer on April 20th.

*Space is limited to the first 20 registrations.*

Registration
Registration is open.  You may register and find additional information HERE.

Registration fee is $125 per person for IAMU Members; $175 per person for Non-Members.  Lunch will be provided.

For more information, contact Steve Marsh ([email protected]) at 800-810-4268.

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities will be holding mobile crane certification and examination classes for digger derrick, service truck, and mobile crane operators.  OSHA’s updated crane standard REQUIRES that operators of lifting equipment be trained, evaluated and tested in order to obtain certification.

Background Information:
Although the new standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, specifically exempts the digger derrick and the operator from meeting the requirements of the standard, the exemption applies only when it is used for work within the provisions of the power generation, transmission and distribution standards, or for construction work within the telecommunications standard.  The exemption does not apply if the digger derrick is used for lifting materials or to operate in working environments outside the scope of the standard because the equipment is essentially being used as a mobile crane.  For example, unloading materials from a truck, lifting a motor from a pump house to assist your water department, or providing assistance to any other city department will mean that the exemption no longer applies.  When equipment is used as a mobile crane, all provisions of the standard apply, including the operator certification rule.  OSHA also now requires that an operator be certified in specific areas when they operate equipment outfitted with a boom and winch and able to lift at least 2,000 pounds.  This includes service trucks in your public works, or water departments.

The new standard has very specific operator requirements, one being to obtain operator certification from an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized organization.  OSHA’s updated crane standard, 1926.1427 in Subpart CC, requires that for a testing organization to be considered accredited to certify operators, it must be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency based on that agency’s determination that industry recognized criteria for written testing materials, practical examinations, test administration, grading, facilities/equipment and personnel have been met.  IAMU is an Accredited Assessment Center through the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER). We are authorized to conduct both hands-on assessments and practical examinations which are part of our Mobile Crane Operator Certification Program.  Additionally, we are offering Qualified Hand Signal Person and Qualified Rigger programs (available at a future date).

Who Should Attend:
Digger derrick and service truck crane operators who do not currently hold a mobile crane operator’s certification.

What Do These Classes and Certification Consist Of:
Classes will be a week long, requiring classroom instruction, an on-line exam that has a 80% pass requirement, a practical exam for certification of mobile crane, and then finally a short class and practical exam for the signalperson and rigging qualifications. Students who pass the written and practical exams receive nationally recognized certification from the National Center for Construction Education Research (NCCER).

Where Do These Classes Take Place:
IAMU Training and Office Complex
1735 NE 70th Avenue
Ankeny, IA  50021

When Will Classes Be Held:
Dates have been scheduled for 2022 at the IAMU complex.  Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates.

April 25th - 29th (this class is currently full)
May 31st - June 2nd (Re-Certified class)
June 20th - 24th
August 22nd - 26th
September 27th - 29th (Re-Certified class)
October 25th - 27th (Re-Certified class)
December 13th - 15th (Re-Certified class)

Mobile Crane Operator Certification/Examination Class Schedule:
 
Monday
9:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom

Tuesday8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom

Wednesday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom/Exams

Thursday
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Practical Exams

Friday (if needed)
8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Retake Exams
Class/Exam
Examination retakes are $100 and may be taken during any scheduled exam date.

Additional Notes:

• There is a maximum of 8 participants per class session.
• Lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday.
• All participants will attend classroom days. Exams will take place on the Thursday of each class session. Depending on the number of participants, Wednesday evening and Friday may also be used for exams.
• Each participant will need to create an account with NCCER before class; step-by-step instructions are included with the study guide.  Please bring your account number with you to class.

For additional information about the classes and online registration for each event, click HERE.

Questions?
If you have any questions in regards to the classes, or requirements, please contact:
​
Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Outreach Coordinator ([email protected])
Phone:  (800) 810-4268

If you want to make sure you’re using effective communication, particularly for utility workers in the field, try using three-way communication.
 
Three-way communication ensures understanding between two or more people to prevent errors that can result in dangerous incidents and injuries.
 
Three-way communication is also known as the repeat-back process, and here’s how it works.

• The sender verbally states his or her message clearly and concisely to the receiver.
• The receiver acknowledges the communication by repeating the message to the sender. The receiver doesn’t need to repeat every part verbatim, but he or she should restate any critical information exactly as the sender stated it.
• The sender acknowledges the receiver’s reply and verbally confirms to the receiver that the message is correct and properly understood. If the sender does not understand the receiver’s reply, the sender must verbally indicate that, and the repeat-back process must start again from the beginning. 

Thursday, April 7, 2022
8:00am to 3:00pm
Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, Johnston, IA
Northwoods Room

CLICK HERE to register!

Join us for the 2022 IAMU Spring Broadband Forum! We’re working our way back toward a post-COVID normal. Based on feedback from the 2021 IAMU Broadband Conference in October, we will be shifting the two-day conference back to the spring, with the next scheduled conference on April 5-6, 2023 at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center. For 2022 we’ll be holding 2 one-day meetings to keep IAMU broadband members up-to-date on industry developments, to share best practices, and facilitate networking among members. In addition to the Spring Forum on April 7, 2022 we will be scheduling a 2022 Fall Forum that will be held at a member community in October!

Topics to be covered during the IAMU Spring Broadband Forum include:

• The Affordable Connectivity Program
• Tools of the Trade for Fiber Technicians
• Member roundtable discussions on marketing, customer service, and other topics

BONUS – CBAN Reception on April 6th
Attendees are invited to join us the afternoon/evening of April 6th as the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) hosts a reception from 4pm to 7pm in the Northwoods Room. There will be an opportunity to network with vendors as well as fellow broadband advocates, providers, and communities. The reception is free of charge to attendees and includes a cash bar and appetizers.

Spring Forum Registration

• IAMU Member (Utility, Affiliate, or Associate): $50.00
• Non-IAMU member: $75.00

Sponsorships are Available!
As a sponsor, your company will receive a tabletop inside the Northwoods Room where all sessions will be held and 2 registrations. Also includes a tabletop at CBAN Reception from 4pm to 7pm on April 6, 2022 in the same location!

• Sponsorship: $300
• Additional Table: $300
• Additional sponsor representative (above 2): $75.00 ea.

Room Block
A block of rooms for the night of April 6, 2022 has been set aside. Rooms are $99 per night and include a full breakfast on the morning of April 7th. To secure your room, call Stoney Creek Hotel at (515) 334-9000 and ask for the IAMU block. OR book online by following these instructions.

• Go to stoneycreekhotels.com
• Select BOOK NOW in top right-hand corner of page
• In “add code” section, type 2204IAMU
• Add dates
• In drop down that says Best Available Rate…instead select Advance Purchase Rate
• Continue booking reservation

We’ll be posting more details on the day’s schedule here in the coming days as well as posting it at the Broadband Bytes email newsletter!
​
Questions? Contact Curtis Dean, broadband coordinator, at (515) 650-0251 or [email protected]

​IAMU is offering assistance in completing the EIA 861 long form Schedule 6A & 6B as well as the WAPA MIR again this year. If you would like IAMU to prepare these compliance forms this year, please Contact Jeff Gorrie: [email protected], 309-678-5579. Fees for this service range from $75 - $150. In order to complete these forms in a timely manner IAMU is requesting returned data collection forms to be sent to IAMU by April 1st, 2022. To see if your utility is required to fill out the EIA 861 Long Form Schedule 6a & 6B this year, please visit the EIA Single Sign-On System and log in with your utility’s credentials. If the report listed under Surveys says EIA-861 S, you will not need assistance with schedule 6A &6B. If you need help determining which form you have, please contact Jeff Gorrie.
 
Please also take this time to ensure you’ve completed your ME-1 Form due to the Iowa Utilities Board by April 1st. More information on compliance reporting deadlines, as well as links to reporting forms can be found on the Electric Compliance Reporting Calendar, and the Gas Compliance Reporting Calendar. 

​APPA is holding its Spring Education Institute, April 25-29 in Minneapolis.
At the Institute, we offer week-long tracks of in-depth classes that are designed to provide progressive training within the different subject areas. The Underground Distribution Systems classes are only held once a year in person, so this is a good opportunity for anyone who’s looking for that type of training. We also offer continuing education credits for participating in these events (CEUs, CPEs and PDHs).   
 
Tracks include:
 

• Accounting
  • Work Order & Asset Management Accounting
  • Advanced Public Utility Accounting

 

• Financial Planning, Cost of Service & Rate Design
  • Basic Cos of Service & Key Financial Concepts
  • Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Distributed Generation Impacts
  • Cost of Service Workshop

 

• Underground Distribution Systems
  • Constructing, Operating, and Maintaining Underground Distribution Systems
  • Advanced Underground Distribution Systems

 
Registration Discounts: Discounted early registration rates are in effect until April 4. If a utility has a group of five or more staff interested in a particular class, we can also provide group discounts. Registrants can contact Rachael Harb, APPA’s Education Specialist ([email protected] or 202-467-2997) to get signed up or review the registration details and register online.  

NRWA and WaterISAC invite you to the second of our collaborative three-part webinar series providing cybersecurity advice for water and wastewater utilities of all sizes.

Everyone from brand new operators to members of the board will discover helpful tips for avoiding cyber incidents. 

The March 17 (2 PM ET) session will focus on account protection including: 

• Password protection and account management,
• Multifactor authentication, and
• Remote access.

​Attendees will walk away with critical knowledge on: 

• Creating passwords that protect critical systems, 
• Strengths and weakness of different types of multifactor authentication, and 
• Secure remote-access options.

Registration is FREE

We welcome everyone from the water sector to join us. 

Mark your calendar and secure your spot today!

Friday, March 18 is national Natural Gas Utility Workers' Day. Take time to thank the natural gas workers who serve your community.
 
In 2015, the American Public Gas Association (APGA) Marketing & Sales Committee began discussing how they believed natural gas utility workers deserved a day to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments. After several months of planning, the committee named March 18 the day on which natural gas utility workers around the country will be honored each year. 

The decision to hold this day on March 18 was made by a poll on the APGA Community. March 18 is the date of the New London, Texas, school incident in 1937 that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. Safety is a vital aspect to natural gas distribution, and the employees of distribution companies endeavor to make natural gas delivery as safe as possible.
 
Ideas for recognizing natural gas workers:

• A simple thank you – either in person or by call or text
• A shoutout on social media. You can find sample social media posts on the APGA website.
• A celebratory meal – a continental breakfast or potluck lunch
• Posters throughout your facility