Many individuals charged with an organization’s communications are afflicted by an undeniable “now what?” factor. You know effective communication matters. You know who you’re trying to reach. Now what?!
 
Figuring out what to say, write, email, post, embed, film, upload, text, and tweet can make your head spin. But thinking ahead enables you to consider interesting, fresh ways to communicate, and then to produce those messages strategically.
 
The need is a better system for content planning, a method to deliver utility communications that are well-planned, timely, and on target. The system is important because customers pick up messages wherever they happen to be, whenever they want, through whatever media they prefer.
 
The common practice is to work in a frenzy, focusing only on the next deliverable. Many organizations send out newsletters and upcoming-event emails haphazardly, often at the last minute. They also tend to rely too much on one comfortable communication vehicle.
 
There are simple ways to control the chaos. Here are quick tips to plan smart content in advance — engaging material that capitalizes on the best publishing concepts:

• Determine annual educational campaigns. What utility-related topics important to your audience pop up each year? Earmark time and space in advance to “cover” these areas.

 

• Leverage National Observances. National utility organizations and the state designate certain days, weeks, and even months to bring awareness to issues. Many of these organizations and agencies include information about the issue and supporting materials online, free for your use. Using these resources can help you plan specific messages in advance without having to start from scratch.

 

• Think about seasons of the year. Just as retailers develop coupon programs and special rates based upon seasonality, you can do the same with utility-related communication. Think about what people want to know about when. You wouldn’t want to talk about how to prevent water lines from freezing in July. 

The new Federal Poverty Guidelines have been published and the LIHEAP Bill Inserts for 2021-2022 are available. The linked documents are in different formats, but contain the same information. Please feel free to use whichever one best suits your needs.

FY22 LIHEAP Bill Insert Single Page
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FY22 LIHEAP Bill Insert Front/Back

The latest edition of IAMU's Toolbox Talks - How to Choose the Right Trencher Chain for the Job is now available.  Click here to download it.

Other Toolbox Talk articles are available here.
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If you have a Toolbox Talk idea, please send it to Margret Meade.

Jester Insurance and EMC Insurance have decided this year to hold an IAMU safety group workshop in person. After not being able to engage any of the safety group program members in person during 2020, we are very excited to hold an in-person workshop this fall! It will look somewhat different this year as we will only be holding one workshop in Des Moines at Prairie Meadows. However, we will be recording the workshop for individuals who are not able to make the trip to Des Moines. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, October 28th. Registration for the workshop will go out to all safety group members later in August.
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See the flyer for more details.

​You provide regular communications to your customers because you want them to remember and use the valuable information that you provide. To help guarantee that happens, consider adding interactive elements to your newsletters, emails, presentations, or other communications.
 
To read, see, or hear something is one thing, but to take the information to the next level by applying it through an interactive element can help to reinforce messages, especially for those individuals whose main learning style relies on hands-on opportunities. The key points may stick better with customers if they have to think about and write down what they are.
 
Three simple interactive elements include quizzes, assessment, and crossword puzzles. You can create your own from scratch, use online templates and software, or find ones produced by credible utility organizations. Quizzes, assessments, and crosswords don’t need to be – nor should they be – long or involved to be effective. A 10-question quiz or assessment or 10-20-clue crossword puzzle is all that’s needed.
 

• Online Quiz Creator
• Example of an Online Assessment
• Online Crossword Puzzle Creator

 
Interactive elements can enhance the engagement of your customers with your communications and overall program. Think of ways you might incorporate quizzes, assessment, crossword puzzles, and more in what you provide your audience. You can print out the interactive elements to provide at open houses or at your front counter. You can email them or post links to them on social media. Consider making it a contest by offering a drawing for a prize to those who complete and return the quiz, assessment, or puzzle. 

​IAMU Safety Services will be holding a Drug & Alcohol Employee/Supervisor Training Webinar. This webinar will address the following:

• The effects of drugs and alcohol on the body
• Recognize the signs, symptoms, and indicators of substance abuse at the workplace
• Comply with federal DOT regulations requiring 2-hour reasonable suspicion training for supervisors

60 minutes will be spent on symptoms of alcohol abuse; 60 minutes will be spent on the symptoms of drug/controlled substance abuse.

*A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to participants upon confirmation of participant’s full attendance in webinar.

Who Should Attend?
Employees and supervisors involved with CDLs and/or gas operations.
 
Webinar Time and Length:
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
 
Cost:
$50 per IAMU Member participant
$70 per Non-IAMU Member participant
 
Questions?
Contact Don Heck at [email protected], or (800) 810-4268.

Registration is open.  For additional information and online registration, please click HERE.

(Webinar instructions and information will be sent to the registered participant’s email prior to webinar date.)

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 the remainder of 2021 at the IAMU complex.  Please click HERE or visit the IAMU website for available dates.

August 23rd - 27th
September 27th - October 1st
October 25th - 29th
November 8th - 12th
December 6th - 10th​

Mobile Crane Operator Certification/Examination Class Schedule:

Monday
9:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Classroom

Tuesday
8:00 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

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:
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Margret Meade, IAMU Safety Outreach Coordinator ([email protected] )
Phone:  (800) 810-4268

IAMU is pleased to announce our second fundraising event for the Scholarship Program.

Save October 13 for the Shooting for Scholars event which will be held at New Pioneer Gun Club in Waukee.

Sponsorship and registration information coming in August.

For questions contact Steve Marsh at [email protected]​

​This day-long workshop will help utilities and independent power producers plan strategically for the future and apply engineering economic principles when making decisions about new sources of renewable power and new transmission lines. Jeff Gorrie, Director of Energy Services at IAMU will be attending, and is encouraging municipal utilities to join for this free learning event. More information is listed below:
 
What: The purpose of this workshop is to explore the fundamentals behind making economic decisions to purchase new sources of generation and build new transmission lines. Planning for the future of Iowa electricity involves substantial uncertainty, including the future demand for electricity, possible carbon emission limits, requirements to use renewable resources, generation capabilities and efficiencies of new technologies, and the cost of different sources of generation. Incorporating these and other uncertainties into a utility’s planning and making good economic decisions in the midst of these uncertainties are challenging.
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The workshop will focus on solving real-world problems in electricity planning. The workshop will specifically explore the following topics:

• Knowing when and under what conditions new sources of energy should be installed
• Valuing new energy sources
• Managing risk, especially financial risk, for an electric utility
• Understanding how a utility’s risk attitude (e.g., risk aversion) should impact the utility’s risk management decisions and valuation of new energy sources

 
The workshop will be designed to be interactive. The workshop will show how Excel can be used to solve for the optimal power flow in an electric bus network. Participants will be provided with Excel workbooks that they can use to calculate the optimal power flow that minimizes total generation cost.
 
When: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 from 10 am – 4 pm. Break with snacks and lunch will be provided.
 
Where: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (exact location TBD)
 
Workshop Facilitators: K. Jo Min and Cameron MacKenzie, professors in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Iowa State University
 
Registration: There is no registration fee, but registration prior to the workshop is required. To register, please send your name, affiliation, and email to Cameron MacKenzie, 515-294-6283, [email protected]. This workshop is sponsored by the Iowa Energy Center. For further information, please contact Cameron or view www.imse.iastate.edu/sweeet (SWEEET’s designated Web page).
 
Who: Electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, independent power producers, investor-owned utilities, and any member of Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives. 

Email is everywhere – all the time. Everyone, including your customers, has at least one email account, and most people check for new messages whenever time permits – day or night – thanks to smartphones.
 
Your customer communications strategy likely includes an email component. If your plan doesn’t, it should.
 
To make sure you’re using email the way you should, here are things to keep in mind:
 

• Keep your email list up to date. Be sure to check frequently with your IT folks to make sure you have the most current list of addresses. The last thing you want to do is not send messages to new customers.
• Don’t email too often. If you’re constantly emailing your customers, they may get annoyed and hit “delete” before ever opening your emails. Shoot for no more than one email per week.
• Use attention-grabbing, fun subject lines. Let your utility’s personality shine through so people can’t wait to click open your emails. Experiment with different subject lines and consider using email tracking software to see what email subject lines get the most opens.
• Include the right mix of content. You never know what information will pique someone’s interest, and different people may need or want different information. Use emails to let your customers know about upcoming projects or events, spotlight employees, and throw in a brief, timely utility article or a few actionable tips, such as utility-conservation ideas.