From the Board Room

by Clayton Schenck, Chair, Board of Directors

Before the Holidays, the Electrical Association held (hopefully the last) fully virtual board meeting. Zoom has been our friend for our quarterly meetings this past year but we can’t wait to turn these back into in-person where we can enjoy each other’s company before and after the meetings over a cup of coffee.

Financials were reviewed from 2020 as well as projections and budgets for 2021. I am glad to report that the Association has weathered the storm fairly well and is still sitting in a strong cash position without having to dip into reserves. 2021 brings on an equal amount of unknowns and your support will be tremendously appreciated. Remembering to utilize the Association for education, products, compliance, etc. and paying your membership dues will all help us put those dollars back into the Organization as we continue to find ways to provide you value. I want to thank all of you who have served in Leadership roles in the past, it has set us up with numerous revenue streams. By having several diverse programs bringing income to the Association, we’ve been able to stay successful when other associations haven’t been so lucky this year.  We did not have to dip into reserves and were actually able to fulfill a board motion from years prior to get 4 months of operating expenses put away as an emergency fund.

Highlights of 2020 and the last 3 months were reviewed. Some of these include:

• Exploration of 2 new member benefits (read more about each of these in Michelle Dreier’s article in this issue)
  - Association Health Care Plans
  - 401k Plans
• 33 New Members in 2020
• Recruitment video planning - filming to occur after COVID restrictions are lifted from job sites
• South Dakota Tour and 2021 bookings, logistics and marketing
• 16 hours of self-paced training approved by the MNDLI (82 electricians have purchased the courses already)
• You Be The Inspector created as a new course for electricians
• Learning Management System for Apprenticeship Program was upgraded – cleaner look, easier navigation and added functionality
• Employee Retention Credit received through COVID relief funds for the Association.
• Financial fulfillment of a previous board motion to ensure 4 months of operating expenses are set aside
• Rebranding continues with website clean-up and improvements
• Microsoft Teams transition
• Shared Drive Clean-Up, potential for server changes in 2022
• All staff and Department heads lead team through book – ‘Building Your Story Brand’
• Association Management Software Upgrade to Service Pack X
• Monitor and Communicate Information in regards to 2020 Code Update Adoption

We are so hopeful that we can gather again in 2021! Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on in-person events as we are able. Spring, Summer, Winter and Regional Events are all in the works. Hoping you and your family stay happy, healthy and safe.