Monday, October 12, 2015


It was a very eventful weekend and a very eventful Monday this week. We're here to fill you on the the education and festivities of the 2015 NECA Convention. See the Photo Gallery link for more photos from our Chapter.


 
 "Men go far greater lengths to avoid
what they fear than to obtain what they desire."

 
Dan Brown
This Week

MON
12th
All Day
Columbus Day


11:00 AM
NorCal S&C JATC, S&C Technology Training Center, San Leandro


1:00 PM
595 S&C Interviews, Technology Training Center, San Leandro


4:30 PMAlameda JATC, ZNEC, San Leandro




MON-WED
12-14th
4:00 PM
EPS-1 Begins, Chapter Office, Dublin




TUE
13th
9:00 AM
Alameda Building Trades Development Committee, Oakland


11:00 AM
ASAC GRC Meeting, Teleconference


5:30 PM
Alameda Division, Scott's, Jack London Square, Oakland




WED
14th
7:30 AM
Pleasanton Chamber 2015 Forum, Pleasanton


11:30 AM
NorCal S&C Steering Committee, Technology TC,  San Leandro


3:00 PM
Oakland Chamber Economic Development Committee, Oakland


3:30 PM
Future Leaders Meeting, ZNEC, San Leandro


4:00 PM
Stockton JATC, Training Center, Stockton




THU
15th
7:30 AM
Solano/Napa ECT, Eagle Vine, Napa


8:30 AM
Napa Division, Eagle Vine, Napa


10:00 AM
180 S&C Interviews, Training Center, Napa


12:00 PM
Member Services Committee, Chapter Office, Dublin


3:00 PM
Transportation Research Education Committee, Fairfield


3:30 PM
CoreNet Northern California Chapter, Google, Sunnyvale


4:00 PM
Title 24 ALR Session, Training Center, Napa




FRI
16th
10:00 AM
NECA Sacramento Golf Tournament, Rancho Murieta CC


8:00 AM
Solano EDC Breakfast, Fairfield
 
a1
PG&E Hosts Seminar Or Webinar
On Title 24, Part 6 
Wednesday, October 21 
PG&E will host a Title 24, Part 6 seminar, online or in person, on best solutions for various lighting applications, including the most recent and pending changes to controls requirements. The morning will start with cost effective lighting retrofit tools for Title 24, Part 6, including attention to the existing standards and proposed 2016 versions. Find out more.
a2
Educational Opportunities In Napa By Solano/Napa ECT 
Title 24 Requirements & LEED GA Exam Prep
ALR will discuss the CEC 2013 Title 24 code review, including:
  • Cover the Drivers for the Title-24 Energy Code
  • Review the Mandatory Lighting Control requirements
  • A quick overview of the changes in the Interior and Exterior Lighting Power requirements
  • Review other key changes to the non-residential section of the code
  • Review Residential Lighting Requirements
  • Lighting controls to meet the current code.
Date:  Thursday, October 15, 2015 
Time:  4:00 PM to 8:00 PM 
Location:  720 Technology Way, Napa, CA 94588
Cost:  ECT Contributors - No Charge, Non-Contributors - $250 each - meals included    

Solano & Napa Counties Electrical Contractors Trust is hosting a LEED Green Associate Exam Training Workshop on Tuesday, October 27th, at the Napa Training Center. GreenStep will present a full-day workshop of instruction related to training for the LEED Green Associate Exam, focusing on key information necessary to pass the exam.  Contractors (and their employees) who work in the Local Union 180 jurisdiction and contribute to the Trust may attend at no charge. Non-contributors may attend at $250 per person.

Date:
  Tuesday, October 27, 2015 
Time:  8:00 AM to 4:30 PM 
Location:  720 Technology Way, Napa, CA 94588
Cost:  ECT Contributors - No Charge, Non-Contributors - $250 each - meals included 

Contact Darlene Besst to confirm your attendance.
 
a3
Advanced Estimating Workshop
Wednesday & Thursday, November 4-5
PREREQUISITE:  Completion of Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction
- Individuals should have a firm grasp of basic estimating principles and experience preparing bids

This course was developed to discuss all phases of the estimating process, this course covers all phases of preparing a competitive bid. Key topics include identifying desirable bid opportunities, analyzing the company's capabilities to insure profitable results, the estimator's role at various stages of the project, writing an effective scope letter, and identifying often hidden costs in the bid documents.
Following this class, participants will be able to:
  • Discuss the steps necessary to prepare a competitive bid
  • Identify the most desirable bid opportunities
  • Describe how a company's capabilities can be analyzed to insure profits
  • Discuss cash flow and bonding
  • Discuss relevant contract terms
  • Identify price adjustment techniques, overhead, and profit
  • List the documents required to estimate a construction project
  • Participants who complete this course will be awarded 12 Continued Education Hours.
Date:  Wednesday & Thursday, November 4-5, 2015
Time:  8:30AM- 4:30PM
Location:  NorCal NECA Office, 6300 Village Pkwy, 2nd Floor, Dublin, CA 94568
Instructor:  Bob Mooty
Cost:  NECA Members $565, Non-Members $815

To register, reply with names and e-mails of attendees to Juanita Mitchell.

a4
NECA Convention 
In San Francisco Held Last Week
Save The Date...October 7-10, 2016, Boston
Many Northern California Chapter members and staff attended the NECA Convention last week in San Francisco. The NECA Convention brings together the best minds in the industry to discuss expanding opportunities for electrical contractors. As always, one highlight of the event was the NECA Trade Show, which is the largest exposition for any and all electrical needs including power supply, security systems, integrated building systems, lighting and controls.
 
The convention kicked off on Saturday evening with an opening reception at the San Francisco Exploratorium. The Exploratorium contains over 650 interactive exhibits and is considered the premier museum of science, art, and human perception. The following morning we gathered to hear the featured opening speaker Salman Kahn, founder of the Kahn Academy, a non-profit educational organization which provides free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Mr. Kahn shared his inspirational story on how the Kahn Academy started, and how he has navigated growth and partnerships to expand the company internationally in many different languages. We encourage you to learn more about Khan Academy.
 
Our Chapter was well represented this year in the Special Sessions, the first on Sunday, when Chapter member Lew Frain, Con J. Franke, was inducted into the Academy of Electrical Contracting, which recognized his exceptional and outstanding service to the electrical contracting industry.  The Chapter held a reception for Lew on Monday evening to honor his induction into the Academy of Electrical Contracting.  We thank everyone who was able to attend this event to congratulate Lew on his accomplishment. At the Closing General Session, Electri' International Chair Greg Long, Long Electric, addressed attendees on the activities that define Electri, including the value of member
ship in the organization.
 
Apart from workshops and meetings, the Chapter teamed up with the Redwood Empire and SanFrancisco Chapters for a wine tasting event where Italian wine distributor Zig Zigando took us on a sensory tour and a varietal comparison of Italian and California wines. Prior to the wine tasting event, Graybar hosted a San Francisco 49'ers vs. Green Bay Packers gathering at the Golden Gate Tap Room. Special thanks to Graybar for their generosity in hosting this event for our members.
 
The NECA Convention is always packed with many valuable learning and networking opportunities and we hope that many more of you will take advantage of all it has to offer at the NECA Convention next year in Boston on October 7-10, 2016! 
 
a5
Affordable Care Act Reporting Requirements   
Effective In 2016
Reminder... the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has enacted new reporting requirements that mandate employers to file additional forms with the IRS. Although the information is not due until early 2016, we encourage everyone to start preparing now. Below are a few items that may help your company prepare for the upcoming ACA regulations. Please provide this information to your HR Manager, or the person within your company who will be dealing with the new ACA regulations.
 
Attached is a letter from NECA that explains the new IRS reporting requirements. A Webinar Presentation was held in September, where Ford Harrison Law Group discussed what employers who contribute to multi-employer plans need to know about ACA reporting under Code Sections 6055 and 6056. Also attached are slides from the webinar. Please note that this presentation was given prior to the IRS finalizing the forms and instructions so some may be irrelevant.
 
Please stay tuned for next week's Monday Morning Article on important ACA reporting deadlines.
 
a6
NorCal NECA Future Leaders Group    
Recommendations Welcomed
The Future Leaders group facilitates peer to peer networking and works towards solutions to positively affect business profitability and professional growth.  If you would like to join or recommend someone to join the Future Leaders, contact Julie Russell at the Chapter office. Our next quarterly meeting is Wednesday afternoon, October 14.
   
a7
Oakland Minimum Wage &
Paid Sick Leave Law 
Reminder 
In addition to having to comply with the new statewide paid sick leave law, California employers with employees in Oakland are reminded to ensure that they are complying with the new Oakland minimum wage and paid sick leave measure that took effect March 2, 2015.

a8
Western States Electrical Apprenticeship Competition 
Held Last Week At The ZNEC
This year marked the 52nd annual celebration of the IBEW/NECA Western States ElectricalCompetition. The Zero Net Energy Training Center was honored to play host this year. The Western States Electrical Competition originated in 1963 as a competition between the IBEW/NECA joint electrical training programs in Oregon. Today, it has expanded to include 11 western states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
 
Events began on Friday evening with a hosted reception, followed by the competition on Saturday, and a celebratory dinner on Saturday evening.
 
On Saturday, the competition included the following timed events: Written Exam, Material Identification, Motor Control Diagram, Motor Control Wiring, Residential Wiring and � inch and � inch Conduit Bending. Congratulations to these all-star apprentices:
  • Fresno, California JATC - Tim Garcia, 1st Place
    1st Place Winner, Tim Garcia
  • Southwest, Washington JATC - James Lystad, 2nd Place
  • Stockton, California JATC -Garrett Greer, 3rd Place
  • Alameda County, California JATC - Alex Wolfers
  • Puget Sound, Washington JATC - Anthony Thomas
  • Solano - Napa, California JATC - Daniel Delgadillo
  • Central Oregon JATC - Bobby Eli
  • Southwestern Idaho JATC - Ben Rhinehart
  • Santa Clara, California JATC - Corey Palmer
  • Sacramento, California JATC - Rickey Cota
  • Utah Electrical JATC - Jared Swallow
  • Southern Nevada JATC - Lucas Metcalf
  • Kern County, California JATC - Justin Gipson
  • Riverside, California JATC - Adrian Estrada
  • San Bernardino, California JATC - Jason Eshelman
  • San Diego, California JATC - Gonzalo Barrera
  • San Mateo County, California JATC - Louis Tatola
  • San Luis Obispo, California JATC - Robert Martell
  • Santa Barbara, California JATC - Wayne Ito
  • Portland, Oregon JATC - William Cannon
  • Modesto JATC - Mark Allen
All contestants performed in an exemplary fashion, showcasing the best of what IBEW/NECA trained electricians have to offer in the 21st century economy of sustainability.
 
Finally, special thanks to the Alameda County Electrical Contractors Trust and Deanna Murchison for her work in assisting Training Director Byron Benton, and organizing a lively welcome reception and dinner at Oakland Airport Hilton for the participants and their guests. Thanks also to our Chapter's own Christine Navarro for designing the event logo (which we understand will be used going forward).
 
a9
Mike Johnston Addresses Chapter's EBUCC On Significant Changes To The 2014 NEC  
Luncheon, October 7
On Wednesday, October 7, the Chapter's Codes & Standards Committee sponsored its Annual EBUCC Luncheon at Scott's Seafood Restaurant, in Oakland. Over 40 individuals were in attendance, including building inspectors and NECA contractors. 

The presentation by Mike Johnston, NECA's Executive Director of Standards & Safety, was well-received. Mike addressed changes in the 2014 NEC and the significant changes that are coming in the next edition in 2017. He also touched on rapid shut-down requirements for solar photovoltaic systems on buildings, as well as energy management. The topic resulted in questions and lengthy discussion.

a10
Business Certification Request
Which Ones Do You Hold?
We often receive requests for contractors who hold certain business certifications, including Small Business, Disabled Veteran, Minority Owned, Woman Owned, etc. The Chapter would like to keep a record of our contractors who possess these and other business certifications. To allow us to better serve you, please contact Darlene Besst to advise of which certifications you currently hold.

 

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