AttorneyConnect is a proactive program designed especially for IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program members who want to make the right decisions regarding legal topics.
 
EMC Insurance Companies and the AttorneyConnect program answer your legal questions to resolve issues before they end up in court.
 
Through the AttorneyConnect program, each municipality or municipal utility policyholder within the IAMU Safety Group is eligible to receive up to 90 minutes of consultation per calendar quarter with a Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C. attorney at no additional cost.
 
Here are some of the issues for which assistance is available:
 

• Proper hiring procedures
• Job reassignment issues
• Termination questions
• Employee handbook dos and don’ts
• Employment practices and compliance with state and federal laws
  
• Workers’ compensation matters
  
• Injured worker return-to-work concerns
  
• Contract review and recommendations
• Governmental immunity
• Law enforcement civil liability issues
• Open records and meeting laws
• Public works civil liability issues
• Zoning and land use matters

 
Up to 90 minutes of no cost legal consultation on the above subjects is a tremendous benefit to participating Safety Group members. For more information, here’s the link:
 
https://cdn.ymaws.com/members.iamu.org/resource/resmgr/services/safetygroup/Attorney_Connect.pdf
 
You can also contact Dave Eaton, IAMU Risk Reduction Representative or your local EMC Insurance Agent for more information. Dave Eaton Ph. 319-850-9000 [email protected].

Have you considered implementing a Pay As You Save® (PAYS®) program for your municipal utility? Are you interested in participating in a potential initiative to launch PAYS® in Iowa? Are you interested in lowering energy and demand costs while improving customer satisfaction?
 
The Iowa Economic Development Authority is hosting a free PAYS® webinar on May 20, 2021, from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
 
The webinar will feature Tammy Agard, CEO of EEtility, describing the PAYS® process as well as examples of PAYS® programs used today by RECs and municipal utilities.
 
An RSVP is not required to participate, but is requested. RSVP your interest in participating to [email protected].
 
What is Pay As You Save®?
According to PAYS® creator the Energy Efficiency Institute, the Pay As You Save® system enables building owners or tenants to purchase and install money-saving resource-efficient measures with no up-front payment and no debt obligation. Those who benefit from the savings pay for these measures through a tariffed charge on their utility bill, but only for as long as they occupy the location where the measures are installed. The monthly charge is always lower than the measure’s estimated savings and it remains on the bill for that location until all costs are recovered.
 
Webinar Login Information
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 515-348-6300,,347172078#   United States, Iowa City
Phone Conference ID: 347 172 078#

You have 20 to 30 seconds to convince people to get their attention and convince them to hear you out about a project or initiative. Make your message quick to make it stick.
 
If you’re getting ready to pitch a project, get it underway, or start any new initiative, you want to sell your audience – whether it be customers, employees, or boards/councils – on the idea that your project or initiative is needed and will help the community’s future. Borrow a strategy from smart marketers: Develop an elevator pitch to quickly convince people of your project or initiative.
 
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your project or initiative is all about. A good elevator pitch lasts no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name. Think compelling, memorable, and succinct. The elevator pitch should generate curiosity and energy so everyone says, “How exciting! Please tell me more!"
 
You’ll likely need to create variations of your elevator pitch, depending on the audience. You should have at least two versions:

• One for your board or council that explains the benefits of the project or initiative from a city standpoint.
• Another version for customers/the public that explains “what’s in it for them.”

 
When you develop your elevator pitch, consider involving employees. Employees support what they’ve helped to create. When people get excited about the possibility of creating something better together, it acts like a compass or North Star and can help align the whole team.
 
Here are the four steps to creating an effective elevator pitch:
 

1. Identify your goal. What will the project or initiative accomplish?
2. Explain how the project or initiative works. Focus on how the goal will be accomplished.
3. Communicate your unique selling proposition. How will the project or initiative improve the overall quality of life in the community or set it apart from other nearby communities?
4. Practice your pitch again and again. How you say it is just as important as what you say. You want to convey energy and enthusiasm. You want to get people excited, but don’t want to sound too aggressive. Go for a smooth, natural, conversational tone.

 
If you need help creating an elevator speech, contact Jen Cronin at 616-610-2546 (cell) or by email at [email protected]. IAMU has contracted with Jen to provide public-relations support for IAMU members.

Last October, the Blue Cross Blue Shield national system (including Wellmark of Iowa) reached a class action settlement in a lengthy antitrust lawsuit.  The net settlement fund is estimated to be approximately $1.9 billion and will be distributed to “Damages Class Members” who submit valid and timely claim forms.  Members of the Damages Class, which may include your organization and your employees have now begun to receive their official notifications from the settlement administrator by email and mail.  This will include notification of possible eligibility for a payment as a result of the settlement. 

We are unable to answer specific questions regarding the lawsuit, including who is eligible.  Certain documents indicate that “government accounts” are not eligible; however according to information on the website certain entities such as school districts and utilities may be eligible.  If you or your employees believe you may be a member of the damages class, resources are available through the company managing the class notice process – JND Legal Administration (www.BCBSsettlement.com or (888) 681-1142).

All of your employees that are covered under the Wellmark plan could receive information on this settlement either through USPS or email.  They are provided a link to file a claim as well as a unique ID number needed to file their claim if they wish to do so.  As stated in the information, they need to file their claim by November 5, 2021.  

You can advise employees to use the information shown above and in the settlement, to seek answers to their questions.  However if you would like to email your employees and need a consistent response for all employees, we have provided the sample wording below that you might want to use.

Dear (Employee Name)

If you have received an email or mailing regarding a Blue Cross Blue Shield Class Action Settlement, know that this is a legitimate lawsuit and if you received this email with a Unique ID # you do have a right to file a claim if you so choose.  The BCBS Settlement Website will provide you with more information and this link will take you direct to the FAQ:  https://www.bcbssettlement.com/faq

Current Iowa certificates for all certified Water Treatment, Water Distribution, and Wastewater operators will expire on June 30, 2021.

On April 16, 2021, renewals were posted under each operator’s individual details in the Iowa DNR Operator Certification Database. Renewal notifications will be sent out via the US Postal Service on May 3 and 4.

We encourage operators to renew online using a credit card or electronic check. Submission of payment online instantaneously renews a certificate.

Continuing Education (CEU) Renewal Requirements:
Continuing Education hours are still being reported to the IDNR. If your CEUs do not show up online after May 1st, please contact Elizabeth Feilmeier at 515-725-0284 or [email protected].

For renewal on June 30, 2021, you are required to earn the amount of CEUs required by the certificate(s) you held on April 1, 2019. If you are not required to earn CEUs this renewal period, you still must renew your certificate by paying the appropriate fee.

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
Wednesday, May 19, 10am Central
Presenters: Jeff Neblett and Charlie Brenneman, ISPN and Carter Kramer, Cellsite Solutions
Free to IAMU members


Description
Business continuity and disaster recovery planning should be the forefront of every business during 2021. Specifically relating to issues of the current pandemic around customer support, operations and the associated lessons learned. How has the increased network traffic influenced customer installs now that customers are working from home, schooling and teaching from home and telehealth sessions increased? How should you think about redundancy from a back-end support and operations standpoint? How can your company better plan for this in the future? This session will discuss the key areas of business continuity, disaster recovery and focusing on moving forward in 2021.


Registration link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qWMPz6RgRayihc0v1hicxQ

Mark your calendars for the IAMU Overhead Electric Transmission and Distribution Workshop.  This year’s workshop will take place May 19 - 21, 2021 at the IAMU Training and Office Complex.  *This will be an IN-PERSON training.*
 
Workshop Scenario – Storm Restoration
The training and activities during this year’s workshop will simulate a storm restoration scenario.  Participants will work as a crew to rebuild lines that have been taken down by a storm.  To assure the best possible learning environment in the technical sessions, workshop participants will be divided into small crews. Each crew will work together to complete the restoration task at hand.
 
Apprenticeship Testing & Skill Evaluations
Apprentices will have the opportunity to do hands-on skill evaluations during the following timeframes:
 

• Wednesday, May 19 (Morning)
• Friday, May 21 (Afternoon)

 
These are the only available times for evaluations and limited to the first 8 apprentices.  Pre-registration is required for testing and evaluations.
 
Registration
Registration is now open.  The registration deadline for this workshop is Friday, May 14.  Registration is LIMITED at 40 registrants.
 
Cost:
IAMU Members - $420
Non-IAMU Members - $480
(Please make sure you are signed-in to get member pricing)

Hotel Accommodations:
An IAMU workshop room block has been set at:
 
Holiday Inn Des Moines – Northwest
4800 Merle Hay Road
Urbandale, IA  50322
(515) 278-4755
 
When reserving, please ask for the IAMU block.
Group Name:  IAMU May Workshop
Group Code:  MAY
Hotel Code:  DSMDU
Click to:  www.holidayinn.com/desmoinesia  and use the 3-letter group code above.
 
The room rate is $79 plus tax per night.  Reservation block and rate deadline is May 4, 2021.

For additional information regarding the workshop, including registration, agenda, and schedule, please refer to the brochure HERE.
 
Questions?  Contact Jared at [email protected] or (800) 810-4268.

Registration is now open for the 2021 IAMU Golfin’ Fore Scholars Event. Join IAMU at Pleasant Valley in Iowa City for a fun-filled day on one of Iowa’s great golf courses. All proceeds will go towards the IAMU Scholarship Program.
 
Purchase a raffle ticket at the event for your chance at walking away $1,000 richer! Thank you to Jester Insurance for their donation of the gift card.


Click here for more information.

When communicating with any audience, including your customers or employees, make sure to avoid grammar mistakes. Yes, they can happen to anyone, even to writers and editors with decades of experience, but take time to proofread your copy for common issues. You might also consider having someone else do a fresh-eye review of your communications before you distribute them to your intended audience.
 
Here are few common mistakes:
 

• They’re versus their versus there – One is a contraction for “they are” (they’re). One refers to something owned by a group (their). One refers to a place (there). 
• Your versus you’re – One is possessive (your). One is a contraction (for you are). If you read “your,” replace it with “you are.” If it makes sense as “you are,” you need you’re. This mistake is commonly seen with you’re welcome.
• It’s versus its – One is a contract for it is (it’s). One is possessive (its). If you have written “it’s,” read it as “it is.” If it doesn’t make sense, you need “its.”
• Referring to an organization as “they” – An organization is singular, so it takes “it,” not “they” as a pronoun. Even if your utility goes by the plural form of “utilities” in its name, use the singular pronoun “it” when referring to the organization as a whole.
• To versus too – “To” is usually used before a noun or verb, and describes a destination, recipient, or action. “Too,” on the other hand, is a word that’s used as an alternative to “also” or “as well.”
• Peek versus peak versus pique – Peek is taking a quick look at something – like a sneak peek of a new film. Peak is a sharp point – like the peak of a mountain. Pique means to provoke or instigate – like your interest.
• Who versus that – When describing a person, use “who.” When describing an object, use “that.”
• Fewer versus less – Use “fewer” for things that you can count, such as “fewer doughnuts” or “fewer miles.” Use “less” for things that you can’t quantify, like “less sugar” and “less traveling.”
• Farther vs. Further – “Farther” is used to refer to physical distances, while “further” is used to refer to figurative and nonphysical distances.
  

Iowa has long been the cradle of development for ground source heat pumps. Today thousands of these systems are quietly heating and cooling homes and buildings across the state, all while harvesting renewable energy and operating at efficiencies 2, 3, even 4 times higher than any alternative. Electrical utilities in Iowa enjoy higher load factors and many megawatts of peak load reduction from these heat pumps saving Iowans millions of dollars every year. Let's look at the data and see what we can do to make Iowa even stronger and more resilient.
 
Register Here!

Although incidents of workplace violence have been reported at nearly every type and size of business, some employees are at greater risk.

Click here to read the EMC Loss Control Insights article.

The America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) required systems serving at least 3,300 people to conduct a risk and resiliency assessment, and then incorporate those findings into an updated Emergency Response Plan.  EPA Region 7 held a series of three workshops in February 2021. The recordings of those three workshops can be found at these links (enter your name, email, and then the recording will show):

• Module 1 
• Module 2 
• Module 3 

Other recordings are also posted to the EPA AWIA RR&ER website under the heading “Fall 2020 AWIA Workshop Series Video.”

In addition, EPA is also hosting another full 3-part AWIA workshop and an AWIA webinar. You must register separately for each module.

• Module 1 “AWIA Section 2013 Requirements, Certification, and Section 2018 Basics,” 4/26/2021, 12:30 – 2:00 pm CDT  Registration 
• Module 2 “Malevolent Acts, Natural Hazards, and the Small Systems Checklist,” 4/27/2021, 12:30 – 2:00 pm CDT  Registration 
• Module 3 “AWIA Emergency Response Template and Guidance,” 4/28/2021, 12:30 – 2:00 pm CDT  Registration 

In May, EPA will host another AWIA webinar to answer attendee questions and review key topics. This will be especially helpful for systems that have started to complete their RRA or ERP and have specific questions or topics they would like to revisit.

Risk and Resiliency Assessment Certification Deadlines (by system size):

• At least 100,000 people served: March 31, 2020
• 50,000 to 99,999 people served: December 31, 2020
• At least 3,300 to 49,999 people served: June 30, 2021
  

Emergency Response Plan Certification Deadlines (by system size):

• At least 100,000 people served: September 30, 2020
• 50,000 to 99,999 people served: June 30, 2021
• At least 3,300 to 49,999 people served: December 31, 2021

Reminder: Both certifications are required every five years. EPA is implementing this requirement; the certifications are submitted directly to EPA and not to Iowa DNR.  Note that the actual assessment and ER plan are not submitted to EPA; only the certifications are submitted.

Mark your calendars for the IAMU Overhead Electric Transmission and Distribution Workshop.  This year’s workshop will take place May 19 - 21, 2021 at the IAMU Training and Office Complex.  *This will be an IN-PERSON training.*
 
Workshop Scenario – Storm Restoration
The training and activities during this year’s workshop will simulate a storm restoration scenario.  Participants will work as a crew to rebuild lines that have been taken down by a storm.  To assure the best possible learning environment in the technical sessions, workshop participants will be divided into small crews. Each crew will work together to complete the restoration task at hand.
 
Apprenticeship Testing & Skill Evaluations
Apprentices will have the opportunity to do hands-on skill evaluations during the following timeframes:

• Wednesday, May 19 (Morning)
• Friday, May 21 (Afternoon)

 
These are the only available times for evaluations and limited to the first 8 apprentices.  Pre-registration is required for testing and evaluations.
 
Registration
Registration is now open.  The registration deadline for this workshop is Friday, May 14.  Registration is LIMITED at 40 registrants.
 
Cost:
IAMU Members - $420
Non-IAMU Members - $480
(Please make sure you are signed-in to get member pricing)

Hotel Accommodations:
An IAMU workshop room block has been set at:
 
Holiday Inn Des Moines – Northwest
4800 Merle Hay Road
Urbandale, IA  50322
(515) 278-4755
 
When reserving, please ask for the IAMU block.
Group Name:  IAMU May Workshop
Group Code:  MAY
Hotel Code:  DSMDU
Click to:  www.holidayinn.com/desmoinesia  and use the 3-letter group code above.
 
The room rate is $79 plus tax per night.  Reservation block and rate deadline is May 4, 2021.

For additional information regarding the workshop, including registration, agenda, and schedule, please refer to the brochure HERE.
 
Questions?  Contact Jared at [email protected] or (800) 810-4268.

Registration is now open for the 2021 IAMU Golfin’ Fore Scholars Event. Join IAMU at Pleasant Valley in Iowa City for a fun-filled day on one of Iowa’s great golf courses. All proceeds will go towards the IAMU Scholarship Program.
 
Purchase a raffle ticket at the event for your chance at walking away $1,000 richer! Thank you to Jester Insurance for their donation of the gift card.

Click here for more information.

These days, many utilities and cities have their own Facebook pages. And why not: It’s an easy, free way to reach many members of your community quickly. What’s more, many of your followers may share what you post to your page and help you to spread whatever message you’re trying to get out.
 
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using Facebook for your utility or city:

• Keep posts simple. Keep your color scheme clean and consistent. Include recognizable images. Use minimal, concise and impactful text – think the amount of text that you might find on a roadside billboard.
• Keep videos short. Video content is incredibly popular among online consumers. About 75 million people in the United States watch online videos every day. If you’re going to post a video, go for 65 second to five minutes. Any longer, and most people won’t watch the whole thing, if at all.
• Interact with your followers. Social media after all is SOCIAL. That means you should have conversations with your followers. Ask them questions in your posts and then respond to their comments with a “like,” “love,” “haha,” or a reply. You might find that you can get valuable feedback from your customers by interacting with them on Facebook.
• Post in the afternoons and evenings. Many people tend to check Facebook over lunch or the end of the day, which makes afternoons and early evenings between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. prime for posting. Don’t post at the exact same time every day. It seems robotic and more likely than not, others are doing the same.