NEPPA eNewsletter
August 2011
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As I write this column, the prospects for Congressional approval of an increase in the national debt ceiling appear dim at best. Our elected representatives are locked in a death struggle, with neither side willing to compromise on what they believe to be the core principles of their political beliefs. And so, we move ever closer to August 2nd, the date when (we are told) we will run out of enough cash to pay all the bills, with dire consequences predicted by those who are supposed to understand all this stuff. The debt limit debate perfectly symbolizes the state of our national government at this time in history: individuals and parties that refuse to concede anything to their "opponents," in the belief that their positions cannot be compromised, that their views must prevail. Press conferences in which each side blames the other for not being trustworthy, for not understanding what "the people" want and for not caring about the country’s future. And so, the basic expectations of most Americans, such as pay for work performed, trust in their government’s promises and the security of their life savings, are jeopardized and confidence in their country’s future is dashed even further. What is really damaging, however, is what this death struggle is doing to undermine the good work that goes on in so many other areas of our public life. Seeing our highest legislative body unable to ensure that even the basic functions of government are performed, citizens understandably turn against all public officials. Well-run states, cities, towns and villages, transit authorities, schools, utilities and so many other public enterprises become the focus of citizen frustration with "government" and how government conducts its business. And so, the performance of the U.S. Congress (and the Executive Branch) during this long, hot summer will leave a lasting image of government that doesn’t work. Whether the debt limit is raised at the last minute or not, public confidence in the government will most certainly be eroded even further, and for a long time. Let us hope that the public officials who understand the importance of what they do and who take pride in their work can win back the confidence and respect of the citizens they serve. It is these individuals who can demonstrate that government still can function efficiently and effectively, far removed from TV cameras, talking heads and political ideologies. ##SHARELINKS##
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Pete Dion, General Manager of the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD), was recently re-elected to his third one-year term as President of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As President, General Manager Dion serves with a 12-member Board of Directors comprised of seven managers or commissioners of MMWEC member utilities elected by the membership, and two directors appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts. The governing bodies of the towns of Hampden, Ludlow and Wilbraham appoint the remaining three representatives to vote on matters affecting their respective towns. "I am honored that my peers have elected me to serve as MMWEC President for the next year," the General Manager said. "I will continue to be an advocate not only for municipal utility interests in the development of New England’s electricity marketplace, but also for WMGLD customers and others serviced by a municipal electric utility." Founded in 1969 to provide services to the consumer-owned municipal utilities of Massachusetts, MMWEC provides numerous power supply services to its 20 members and 28 project participant utilities, including power supply forecasting and planning, project and contract development, power supply and demand management, as well as a range of services facilitating municipal utility participation in wholesale power markets.##SHARELINKS##
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Green Island Power Authority is going to be accepting bids for a 2002 F750 Terex-Telelect, Hi-Ranger 5TC55 non-over center aerial device Bucket Truck in August. Click here for more information. ##SHARELINKS##
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On October 20, NEPPA will offer a new training program to its members on the subject of "Electric Utility Basics." The program will provide an overview of the electric utility industry in New England, along with the functions and operations of consumer-owned utilities. This new program was developed in response to member requests for an introduction to the electric utility industry for newly-hired employees, newly elected board members and other local officials who wish to better understand the structure and operations of public power utilities. Participants will learn the following:
The program will be held at the Shrewsbury Town Hall and will be taught by the following NEPPA staff and members: Patrick Hyland, NEPPA Executive Director Steve Socoby, NEPPA Technical Trainer Vincent Cameron, Jr., General Manager, Reading Muncipal Light Department Brian Choquette, Assistant Manager, Hudson Light and Power Department Detailed information on the program and registration forms will be sent to all NEPPA members in the near future. ##SHARELINKS##
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During the past few years, NEPPA has expanded its training opportunities in a variety of areas: safety and technical, supervisory and leadership and customer service and office skills. One constant among them is that they have all been conducted in group settings. But sometimes learners need a more focused approach, an individualized setting that is customized to them and their specific needs. This can be especially true with talented and high-performing employees who are being groomed by their utilities and cooperatives for leadership roles in order to manage the future challenges of an ever-changing public power industry. To meet this need, NEPPA is pleased to offer a new professional development program in Personal Coaching. Coaching is a series of one-on-one meetings between an employee and a coach for the purpose of helping the individual improve his or her job performance. The process begins when a supervisor in a utility identifies a productive employee who has even more potential to be uncovered and when the employee is willing to undertake specific steps to realize that potential. After an initial meeting between the employee, supervisor and coach to discuss the skills or habits that need development, a series of private coaching sessions (via telephone) is scheduled. What kinds of topics are covered? It depends on what the person’s needs are, but coaching typically centers around interpersonal skills (listening, communicating, supervising), goal-setting, leadership skills and time management. Anybody can be a candidate for coaching, especially someone whose expertise and experience have prepared them to help their organizations move forward into the future. How frequently the sessions take place also varies, but typically, they start out once a week for the first few sessions and then are gradually scheduled less frequently. What doesn’t vary, however, are the benefits of coaching: the employee eliminates troublesome habits and gains new perspectives on how to interact with others, while the organization gains a more confident and productive worker. NEPPA’s coach will be Rockie Blunt, director of educational services. Before coming to NEPPA, Rockie did considerable coaching as part of his management training and consulting company. In his three years with NEPPA, he has worked with public power personnel at all levels through association training programs, special consulting projects and various committees and roundtables. He also has a certificate in Coaching Skills from the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). For more information about the Personal Coaching program, contact Rockie at the NEPPA office: 508-482-5906 or rblunt@neppa.org. ##SHARELINKS##
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