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Board Meeting &
2016 AGM
February 28, 2017
9:30-12:00
ECAS Office
1275 Albert st.
Regina, SK
All members
are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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| The 2017 ECAS BOD slate of candidates listed below has been approved for presentation and voting at the AGM on February 28, 2017. As per ARTICLE VIII (b) ECAS By-Laws:
"Board of Directors Positions: All full members (licensed electrical contractors) are eligible to stand for membership on the ECAS Board of Directors.
The Past President shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of Chairman and a minimum of two (2) members to serve as the nominating committee for the Board of Directors. They shall appoint or call for appointments to Directors of the Board. If there are more candidates than positions on the Board of Directors, the positions will be voted on.
At the annual general meeting, the Chairman shall call for nominations for Directors separately, firstly calling for nominations from the nominating committee and secondly, calling for nominations from the meeting at large. Upon there being no further nominations, the Chairman shall call for and pass a resolution, moving nominations closed. In the event that an election is not required, the Chairman shall declare the nominations elected. If there are more candidates than Director positions available, then an election will be held. A Director's term will be two years in length."
| President: |
Come Prefontaine, Alliance Energy Ltd. |
| Vice President: |
Randy Lovegrove, Aim Electric Inc. |
| Treasurer: |
Barry Iles, Iles Electric |
| Directors: |
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| Past President: |
Allan Gibb, Amtech Electric Ltd. |
| SECA Rep |
Brent Timmerman, Tech Electric Ltd. |
| ECAR Rep |
Brad Ross, Active Electric |
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Glen Gerow, Humboldt Electric Ltd. |
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Joe Mignon, Joe's Electric |
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Wes Saworski, Concept Electric |
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James Wishart, SOS Electric |
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Kelly Timmerman, Tech Electric Ltd. |
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Rob Istace, Alliance Energy Ltd. |
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Garnet Connolly, Triad Power (2004) Ltd. |
For access to the complete Association By-Laws and Objectives go to our website:
www.ecasask.ca. Log in to the "members only" section with your company profile and password.
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| TIN CUP Golf Tournament 2017 |
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Save the date: Wednesday, August 16,2017
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ECAS Members -- let us
celebrate!
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Has your company received special recognition for industry or business related agencies? Let us know. We want to recognize you and make sure your colleagues and other business associates are informed of your achievements. Upcoming newsletters will report on the SATCC, SCSA, Work Safe, SCA, Merit and other organizations which acknowledge the work and achievements of our member
companies.
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Applied Project Management Course
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Invest in your future with
with
Applied Project Management Program (APM)
Why enrol in APM?
- Gain high demand skills in business and industry
- Increase your earning power
- Improve workplace and personal effectiveness
- Receive practical, skills-based learning with relevant tools and templates
- Enjoy maximum flexibility with online learning format
- Benefit from individualized support from your instructors
Program structure:
The program is offered three times each year (September, January and April) and includes six courses. Courses can be taken in a single semester (14 weeks) or over several semesters (2 year time limit)
PROJ 110
Project Initiation & Charter Development (
1 week) $385
PROJ 111
Project Planning, Scheduling & Budgeting (5 weeks) $1925
PROJ 112 Project Execution & Control
(3 weeks) $1155
PROJ 113 Project Leadership & Communications
(2 weeks) $770
PROJ 114 Project Closing & Continuous Improvement
(1 week) $385
PROJ 115 Applied Project Management Integration
(2 weeks) $880
Credential:
Graduates receive an Applied Certificate in Applied Project Management from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. We are a Gold Seal Accredited Course Provider with the Canadian Construction Association, and the program is accredited for the maximum number of credits towards the Gold Seal Certification. The program also meets the educational requirements for the PMP or CAPM credentials through the Project Management Institute.
Register:
With a credit card at 306-775-7301 or call 306-775-7480 if your company would like to be invoiced. This program is eligible for the Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant which reimburses qualified employers for 60 % of the training funds.
http://economy.gov.sk.ca/job-grant.
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Our 2017 membership renewal and new member drive is now underway. Current members will receive renewal invoices in the mail and all electrical contractors who hold a Saskatchewan license will be receiving an introductory letter, brochure that describes our association and membership application. Please renew at your earliest convenience and encourage other contractors, suppliers or design companies to become members. The strength of our association is in our ability to be the "voice of the electrical industry in Saskatchewan" and that requires we have a large comprehensive membership to provide us with their insights and needs so we can advocate on your behalf at all ministerial and committee levels that affect our industry.
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We are very pleased to announce a new relationship with our local associations in Regina and Saskatoon. Commencing in January, the ECAS office will be providing administrative and operational support to both associations bringing us into compliance with our By-laws. Both associations presidents will be offered a directorship on our board to ensure the issues specific to their local association will be addressed. Each newsletter will offer article space to keep you up to date and informed of their activities.
ECAR (Electrical Contractors Association of Regina)
The association hosted their annual Christmas Luncheon event on December 14th with over 70 people in attendance. In addition to hosting a retirees tribute they also presented their annual scholarships to the following individuals of member companies.
Fourth Year:
Drew Carles (Active Electric)
Third Year:
Devon Young (Joe's Electric)
Allan Scott (Active Electric)
Dylan Desrosiers (Humbolt Electric)
Second Year:
Jordan Goldade (Humboldt Electric)
First Year:
Adam Brown (Alliance Energy)
Jon Wiome (Active Electric)
Nick Daku (Active Electric)
SECA (Saskatoon Electrical Contractors Association)
SECA hosted their annual Christmas Dinner in
December and also presented their scholarships to deserving member company employees.
First Year
Tanner Tomyn (Alliance Energy)
Second Year
Greg Marion (Bridge City Electric)
Taylor Jones (Humboldt Electric)
Cameron Doerksen (Pentec Energy)
Fourth Year
Jordan Christiansen (Humboldt Electric)
SECA meetings are held monthly: next meeting Birmingham's on Millar & Circle Drive January 26, 2017 3:00PM
Congratulations to all the recipients and their member companies!
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| Member Affinity Opportunities |
For complete details on all of our Affinity member offerings that include: Factory Optical, Atlific Hotels, Sheraton Saskatoon, Mark's, Aurora Financial and Jump.ca go to:
www.ecasask.ca and click on the Activities tab, then Affinity.
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| WCB Funding Policy Discussion Paper |
Please see below information from the WCB Board Chair Gord Dobrowolsky;
Please click here for the discussion paper regarding Saskatchewan WCB's Funding Policy. Please feel free to circulate.
We are seeking input from stakeholders and customers on recommendations that have come from the 2015 Asset Liability Study and subsequent considerations based on the WCB's analysis.
The WCB will seek stakeholder input until March 1, 2017 at which time the WCB will review recommendations, stakeholder and customer feedback and will then implement updates to its Funding Policy later in 2017.
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Training
Opportunities
Member Discounts
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ECAS has entered into agreements with different training suppliers including online training with Electrical Safety Training System (ESTS), direct classroom training with Team Power Solutions and access to modules and seminars offered by Illuminating Engineering Society IES.
For more information on these companies, their programs and your discounts go to
www.ecasask.ca click on Activities/Training.
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SATCC Call For Articles:
Alternate Delivery of Apprenticeship Technical Training
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Apprentices report a number of common barriers to block-release training, including financial hardship,inaccessibility in rural and
remote locations, inconvenient scheduling and less frequent training opportunities in low-volume trades. Meanwhile, training providers
are making big strides when it comes to increasing flexibility in apprenticeship technical training by introducing options beyond
block release.
learning, upfront training, mobile labs and simulator training. As part of its efforts to broaden discussion on this topic, CAF-FCA invites practitioners, jurisdictional apprenticeship authorities, researchers and other stakeholders to submit articles for an upcoming issue of the Canadian Apprenticeship Journal.
Articles will be accepted until 12:00pm EDT on April 28, 2017. Research articles should be no longer than 12 pages or 5,000 words, with shorter pieces on specific programs or initiatives (800 to 2,000 words) also welcome. Articles may be written in English or French, and those chosen will be published in the language of submission. Please submit article in Microsoft Word format to:
emily@caf-fca.org
Themes of this issue will include:
- Alternate delivery solutions that work for apprentice learners
- Examples of initiatives from across sectors and jurisdictions
- Impact of alternate delivery on completion, grades and learner outcomes
- Breaking down barriers for rural/Northern apprentices and/or under-represented groups
- Challenges and opportunities alternate delivery poses for training providers and apprentices
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Merit Contractors Training Opportunities
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Merit Contractors provide a number of training opportunities that may be of interest to you and your employees including the following:
Foreman Training
Saskatoon January 19, 20 & 27
Regina: January 26, 27 and February 3
Protect Yourself Against Losses
This half day workshop delivers training in:
-credit checks
-managing receivables for profit
-preparation for and making collection calls
-negotiation strategies
-12 danger signals that your customer is in trouble
-13 step internal receivable management strategies
Regina: February 8
Saskatoon: February 9
Saskatoon Construction Association --Office Computer Skills
Saskatoon: February 8 & 9
For a complete list of theses sessions, a training calendar, registration process and costs click the link below:
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ECAS Corporate Member Logo 2017
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In response to member inquires for ways to indicate their membership with the association, we are very pleased to offer you an ECAS member logo that you can post on your website or other corporate documents. Note
this
reflects 2017 membership, you will also
receive
this
by email after your
renewal
has been processed. For a download version
click here
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Electrical Liaison Committee Report
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The Electrical Liaison
Committee hosted our Winter meeting on January 10, 2017. Topics on the agenda included reports from the association listed below and opportunities to discuss issues and items relative to the electrical industry. Specifically:
-Quality of Construction Documents
-Sask Power CLI program
-Preferred Contractors Status
-Technical Committee (Distribution)
-TSASK update
-Bonding
-Scope of the Trade and protecting contractors rights for emerging areas: solar, wind, data cabling
ISNET World compliance for Sask Power tenders
-SMART meters installation and procurement
-Priority Sask provincial equity on trade/employee issues
-Member issues (ongoing)
-consistency of inspections interpretations across the province
-Inspectors requested nay concerns regarding consistency or interpretation be reported directly to them: North Rod Pack 306.934.7720 South Scott McCorriston 306.566.2516
-inspectors reported the most common defects are: 2-100 marking of equipment, 2-024 approved equipment, 10-406 equipment bonding, 18-150 equipment zone locations, 4-012 flexible cord, 12-012 under ground cables, 12-120 supporting of conductors
ECAS meets quarterly with the Inspections Branch and Distribution from Sask Power, Licensing (Building Standards Department Ministry of Government Relations), Association of Contracting Engineers and Apprenticeship.
ECAS members represent you to address
concerns, legislative policy, practices or interpretations that affect contractors. Our next meting will be on April 11, 2017.
If you have items, concerns or ideas for the committee, please forward to our office. We will add them to future agendas and report back directly to the sender and via the newsletter to all members. Complete minutes from all meetings are posted on our website (members only section).
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Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA)
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As a member of ECAS you are automatically entitled to membership with CECA. You can access the members' only section on their website for publications, conference information or training opportunities. To register
call our office and we will provide you with the log in information.
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Board Strategic Planning Session
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At the December 2016 BOD Meeting the following was approved as our Strategic Direction for the next 3 years.
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Executive Director's Report
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As an industry and as a province, 2017 will bring a unique set of challenges. Due to our province's reliance on commodities and their subsequent drop in prices we have seen a dramatic reduction in construction spending both from the provincial government and private sectors. Although there are indicators that the Saskatchewan economy will grow slightly in 2017 we are expecting a very tough 2017 provincial budget.
ECA of Saskatchewan will need your support through membership renewal to ensure owners and government decision makers consult electrical contractors before decisions are made that may adversely affect an already tough market. The goal of ECA of Sask continues to be guiding and advocating for the efficient, profitable delivery of electrical services in the province.
The true strength of our organization will depend on our ability to secure and maintain new and existing members. With additional strategies such as a sponsorship package, affinity program, benefits plan, training programs, new committees and local association integration the ECA of Sask Board feels that active measures have been put in place to ensure we are the voice of electrical contractors in Saskatchewan.
We are just completing our membership drive for 2017. Please renew in a timely fashion and use your influence to encourage other contractors and suppliers to join the Association in 2017.
Advocacy Updates
ECA of Saskatchewan was successful on many advocacy issues in the past year. There are a number of advocacy issues we are actively pursuing. They are listed in point form below. If you have any questions or comments about any of the items, please feel free to contact the ECA of Sask office. We are continuing to advocate with government at all levels to ensure our province is providing an equitable/fair place to do business for our members.
- Successfully advocated with the government to reimburse employers excessive funds from the pool of WCB contributions.
- Successfully advocated for changes to the Commercial Lighting Program.
- Participating on the Prompt Payment Committee with the SCA Advisory Council
- Initial success in challenging tendering policies allowing contractors the opportunity to bid work in Saskatoon which has previously been done untendered by Saskatoon Light and Power.
- Exploring the renewal of the TSASK concept with the Mechanical Contractors
- In discussions with SaskPower Distribution and Inspections about a Saskatchewan Technical Committee
- In discussions with SaskPower Inspections about a concept called preferred Contractor Status
- Research will be done in 2017 about sustaining the scope of the electrical trade
- Discussions with SaskPower on increasing the bond from $5,000
- Supporting a construction industry coalition to oppose government position of charging PST on construction labour
- Discussions with consulting engineers on improving construction documents
- Purchasing issues discussed with Sasktel and Regina Public School Board
- ISNetWorld potential requirement from SaskPower with respect to tendering
Branch Associations
- We now have a fully integrated membership with the Electrical Contractors Association of Regina and the Saskatoon Electrical Contractors Association. It is the hope of the ECA of Saskatchewan Board that this closer affiliation will result in more advocacy issues being addressed at the local and provincial level.
Buyers Guide
- ECAS is working with Dell Communications to provide a Buyers Guide for our industry. Please support this very worthwhile project when you are contacted by Dell Communications. The Buyers Guide will be made available to members in early 2017.
Thank you for your past and future support of the Electrical Contracting industry in Saskatchewan.
We look forward to representing you again in 2017.
Doug Folk
Executive Director
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