IAEI’s Commitment to You: The bursting of the housing bubble in mid-2007 and the severe recession that followed caused many not-for-profit membership organizations that are dependent on the strength of the construction industry to ask, “What will the future hold, and what do we need to do in order to survive and remain relevant?” During those rough lean years, IAEI had to make some tough decisions—the first being raising the membership fees in 2009. We vigorously streamlined our operating costs, found new revenue opportunities even though we were in a very depressed economic environment, and continued to offer the services our members expected without an additional increase.
In the May /June 2012 issue of the magazine, my editorial focused on “Added Values: How do we monetize them? I wrote about what IAEI offers and what values our members receive in exchange for their membership dues. That was three years ago, so have things changed since then?
The answer is yes; over the past three years after surviving the recession, we have and continue to make improvements that will add value for our members and position our association for future growth and success.
Let me identify a few of those initiatives and what your membership dues help support.
New membership database system: We upgraded our web platform and membership software. This upgrade enabled members to renew for three years online more seamlessly than the older system. The software provided the International Office the ability to create section, chapter, and division websites and communities, thus empowering our local officers to reach out and promote their meetings, membership, and events to the public without additional cost for website design, marketing, and promotion.
Brand re-alignment: Realigning IAEI’s brand with one cohesive look will define what IAEI represents and enable our future growth. It will bring credibility, clarity, and consistency in product and service recognition among our current and future members, and the electrical industry as a whole.
Organizational Changes: We strengthened our education, membership and marketing teams with a series of personnel changes that better align with our strategic plan and member expectations.
Assisting in the Development of Codes and Standards: One of IAEI’s key objectives is to provide expert leadership in Electrical Codes and Standards development. IAEI has 38 members, a principal and an alternate on the 19 Code-Making Panels for the National Electrical Code (NEC). In addition, we have two (2) members on the Code Correlating Committee. Our association also holds two (2) positions on the CEC Part 1 Committee, one voting position, and one non-voting associate position. I am also very proud to mention our 50 plus members who sit on other technical committees and subcommittees. IAEI provides financial support to cover expenses associated with their participation. Your membership dollars are helping to develop good code to ensure our communities are safe from fire and shock hazards.
Advocating on behalf of electrical inspectors and the adoption of the current Electrical Safety Codes: Together, we regularly advocate electrical safety for electrical codes and regulations, and the importance of trained and qualified inspectors and electrical installers. We assist our local Chapters and Divisions who advocate locally and nationally. IAEI is a member of the NFPA Electrical Code Coalition and also a supporting member of ICC/NFPA Coalition for Current Safety Codes.
IAEI’s Social Media: The benefit of social media is it encourages dialog between our association and other professionals in the electrical industry. Social media helps IAEI engage potential members and customers, making a more immediate impact on them and, in turn, our association. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
IAEI Interactive magazine: IAEI’s interactive magazine takes the popular print version digitally to a worldwide audience on tablet devices and smartphones. Easily downloadable from the Apple Store or Google Play, the IAEI interactive engages members and subscribers with fully animated features and links within the magazine; allows real-time sharing with social networks such as Twitter or Facebook and is easily accessible at all times. The IAEI Interactive is available free for all members.
“Inside the Wire” is IAEI’s e-newsletter designed exclusively for members; it is emailed at the beginning of each month. Members are kept up-to-date with the latest news and events happening around the association. If you have not received the newsletter via an email, call our customer service department to get signed up.
Benefit to come: The IAEI capital improvement campaign will allow us to serve members and industry partners better. A successful capital improvement campaign will result in the purchase of a newer International office building. The campaign will help expand onsite training and will allow IAEI to host industry meetings effectively. Equally important, a successful capital improvement campaign will enhance technology in order to increase production of vital publications and learning delivery programs, as well as to strengthen administrative functions and reduce operating costs.
Through donations from individual members, Sections, Chapters, Divisions and Industry Partners, we have raised a total of $797,519.33! However, we still have a long way to go to reach our initial goal of 2 million dollars.
These are a few of the many initiatives that your association is doing on your behalf. Other benefits include the development of top-notch publications and training material, the networking with industry at local and national events, an on-line career center, and electrical training at all levels throughout the association.
It is an honor to have you as a member and supporter of IAEI. Please know that your work and commitment to grow the association do not go unnoticed. Together, we are continuously working to provide you, our members, with the best resources to enhance your professional effectiveness.
David Clements is CEO of IAEI
Follow Dave on Twitter@DavidEClements
