Traditions
by Bonnie Biocchi, Executive Director
Every year during the holidays, I bake and distribute a lot of cookies. And I mean a lot. In my most productive years, I have handed out over 100 dozen cookies to family, friends and co-workers. These cookies might include traditional favorites such as linzer hearts, rugelach, peanut butter balls, toffee bars, Russian tea cakes, maple creams, date balls, oatmeal scotchies (my childhood favorite) and of course the proverbial sugar cookie, complete with icing and sprinkles. I’ve sent cookies to homesick kids in college, treasured relatives in Italy and old friends in California as a way of honoring our special and unique relationship. I have recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation such as my great-great grandmother’s “muster day gingerbread” that she used shortly after the civil war and my Nonnie’s Italian cookies which, sadly, I can never duplicate exactly. As you can guess, I certainly value tradition.
Every year, I add one or two brand new recipes to the baking frenzy. Sometimes these newbies win a place of honor (peppermint snowballs); other times, the recipe goes into the “do not make these again” pile (anything with wheat germ). And, my kids say to me “make sure you make (fill in the blank of their favorite)” so that they are insured their sweet-tooth needs are met. By experimenting with recipes, fine-tuning old favorites and even creating my own new treats, I usually end up with a platter-full of delicious choices. While making only the favorites might be easier and less risky, it isn’t as satisfying as developing something original and creating new favorites for future generations.
It's that way here at NEPPA, too. Using our Strategic Plan as our master recipe, this year we have experimented with new programming and attempted to improve upon our standard offerings. In 2019, we made a significant investment in our Education and Programs by placing Sarah Braese in the role of Director. This has resulted in a complete review and revision of more than 45 of our @Your-Site training modules, the development of a completely new PUMP program and the creation of an SME group to review our technical programming. This allowed for Steve Socoby, our Director of Technical Training to focus more of his energies on training our ever-increasing enrollment. And in addition to adding new trainers into our mix, we have given our veteran trainers new tools and technology to improve their work environment. Other new programs included the creation of a Young Professionals group, involvement in a new professional development opportunity through Light Up Navajo II and the addition of programs highlighting the risk to our systems from Cyber attacks and violence in the workplace.
In 2020 we will be revisiting our Strategic Plan and refining our formula for the next three years. We will look further at our offerings to see where adjustments can be made to improve the delivery of services to our members. We hope that as we make those refinements, you will communicate with us regarding ways that we can strengthen our old favorites and create some new ones.
As December unfolds, I wish the entire NEPPA family a safe, healthy and happy Holiday season. May your traditions, whatever they may be, bring you as much satisfaction as a huge platter of your favorite cookies.
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Upcoming Training & Events
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Workplace Safety B
December 16
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
December 17, 2019
NEPPA Training Center
Littlton, MA
December 19
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Year I:
Jan. 28 - 31; Mar. 3 - 6; Sept. 22 - 25; Oct. 27 - 30
Year II:
Feb. 4 - 7; Mar. 17 - 20; Sept. 29 - Oct. 2; Nov. 3 - 6
Year III:
Feb. 11 - 14; Mar. 24 - 27; Oct. 6 - 9; Nov. 17 - 20
Year IV:
Feb. 25 - 28; Mar. 31 - Apr. 3; Oct. 20 - 23; Dec. 7 - 10
Apprentice Rodeo:
June 10 - 11, 2020
Apprentice Graduation:
Dec. 10, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Classroom Training: March 9 - 13, 2020
Field Training: TBA
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
March 17 - 20; April 7 - 10; April 28 - May 1; May 12 - 15
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 1, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Session III:
April 7 - 9, 2020
Session IV:
October 27 - 29, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Basic Cost of Service & Rate Design (APPA) *
April 14 - 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Supervisory Skills (Dale Carnegie) *
April 22 - 23, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
April 27 - 28, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2020 E&O/Customer Service Conference *
May 18 - 19, 2020
Sheraton Framingham
Framingham, MA
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Keene State - OSHA for Managers **
Introduction to Safety & Health Management;
Intro to Accident Investigations;
Recordkeeping Rules
July 28 - 30, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
** NEPPA Members use Group Code: NEPPA
2020 Advanced Lineworker Program *
Aug. 4 - 7; Aug. 25 - 28; Sept. 15 - 18; Sept. 29 - Oct. 2
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2020 Annual Conference *
August 16 - 19, 2020
Stoweflake Resort
Stowe, VT
2020 Metering II Program *
August 25 - 27, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2020 Substation II Program *
Sept. 15 - 18; Sept. 29 - Oct. 2; Oct. 20 - 23; Nov. 3 - 6
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Crew Leadership *
October 14 - 15, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Customer Service Leadership *
October 20, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Public Utility Accounting (APPA) *
November 3 - 4, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
Work Order & Asset Management (APPA) *
November 5, 2020
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
2021 Annual Conference *
August 22 - 25, 2021
Westin Portland Harborview
Portland, ME
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For more information:
Call the NEPPA office at 978-540-2200
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Energy & Environment:
Energy Secretary confirmed, ENR advances bills, Climate Crisis Committee holds “Member Day”…
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Congress passes CR through Dec. 20, House Dems introduce Green Tax bill…
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FERC
:
Senators send letter to ISO-NE, FERC adopts new ROE methodology…
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From left to right, they are Member Services Supervisor Susan Golden, General Manager Patty Richards, Safety and Environmental Compliance Specialist Rick Stergas and Board Secretary Annie Reed.
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Washington Electric Cooperative Community Fund Gives $974 in Food to Central Vermont Salvation Army Food Shelf Stuff-A-Truck Fundraiser
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East Montpelier, VT -November 14, 2019 - Staff and volunteers from Washington Electric Co-op (WEC) Community Fund shopped for nearly $1,000 in food for the Stuff-A-Truck event to benefit Central Vermont families in need over the winter.
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Berkshire Wind Power Project Expands
Hancock, MA – November 20, 2019 – Phase II of the Berkshire Wind Power Project has reached commercial operation, bringing the wind farm atop Brodie Mountain to 12 turbines and a generating capacity of 19.6 megawatts.
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NEPPA is excited to offer our
Shine Your Light Program
!
As you work on your budget for 2020, make your maketing dollars work for you!
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org
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