Let’s take a few moments to reflect back
at the past year before we look forward to 2005. The year 2004
has been a successful and exciting period on the
international, national, local, and, more specifically, the
IAEI scene.
While the world watched the many incidents
of strife going on between and within countries, while the
U.S. concentrated on the election process, and while the
process of adopting a new edition of the NEC captivated
the electrical industry, IAEI was also active in 2004. The
IAEI scene is what I address my comments to in this editorial.
You may say, Yea, the year has been
exciting but how can you say IAEI has been successful when
IAEI has continued to see our membership decreasing? Let’s
take a look back at some of the accomplishments this past
year.
Financial Success
IAEI ended 2003 with a net worth of $1,784,134.76 but showed a
loss of $189,460.18 for the year. IAEI had $41,996.27 in its
cash operating account. Even though the final figures are not
in for 2004, as this is being written, IAEI’s net worth
stands at $2,485,833.37 as of October 31, 2004. The net income
is $538,888.80 with a cash operating account of $356,879.28
through October 2004. All indications are that the
end-of-the-year financial situation will continue to show this
successful trend.
Publications
IAEI News continues to be the bright and shining star of
IAEI. 2004 was successful for the News in that revenue
from advertising more than paid for printing and
shipping/mailing.
The Analysis of Changes, 2005 NEC was written, produced, and printed between the adoption of the
2005 NEC by NFPA in May 2004 and the first section
meeting in September 2004. Much work was done and the
contribution of our code-making panel members helped
tremendously with the authoring of this Analysis. It
has been greatly praised, and it is already in the second
printing, which is a record for the earliest reprint.
The updating and upgrading of iaei.org has
resulted in many positive comments from members and
nonmembers. The number of "hits" to the website is
increasing. We count that as a success.
Education
IAEI training materials, books, and PowerPoint programs have
been successfully updated—the Analysis and Soares
Grounding and Bonding are just two. Many seminars and
continuing education programs have been conducted, with
comments coming back to the International Office indicating
great success. Requests for on-site programs are increasing,
which is another indication of success.
Customer
Service/Administration
Our customer service staff has continued to respond to member
and customer requests in a timely fashion. Members can now
renew their membership online, and transactions conducted with
plastic (credit card) now receive an email notification as
soon as the charge is processed. This function only works when
we have your email address. New members can also sign-up
online.
Secretaries and membership chairmen of
sections, chapters, and divisions get an updated membership
list online. The list is updated monthly. This allows them
access to up-to-date membership status so that more timely and
effective communication with members can take place at the
local level.
The Wisconsin Chapter, the Texas Chapter,
and the East Central Wisconsin Association of Electrical
Inspectors generously donated enough funds for the IAEI to
purchase an additional server. Thanks to these groups for
helping IAEI to stay ahead of obsolescence with our computer
equipment.
One of our initiatives that has not been
the success that we would have liked is the Certified
Electrical Inspector program. IAEI and NFPA initially joined
together to establish a premier certification program that was
a step beyond the typical entry-level certification programs
in existence today. NFPA decided to remove themselves as
administrators of the program and IAEI has decided to continue
on its own.
IAEI has two certification programs—the
"entry level" certifying applicants as Electrical
Inspector: One- and Two-Family Dwelling (2A); Electrical
Inspector: Electrical General (2B); and Plan Review (2C). That
program has been upgraded to require recertification and
continuing education on a three-year cycle. If you were a
holder of an IAEI certificate in any of these three
certifications, you should have received a letter explaining
the recertification process. You should have, by now, returned
the yellow card indicting your desire to remain in that
program. No money was required until recertification time in
three years.
The other program is the Certified
Electrical Inspector program (CEI). Certification is as CEI–Residential
and CEI–Master. This program is a step above entry level in
that not only are experience in the electrical field and
passing an exam required, but the applicant must complete a
practicum exercise whereby the ability to apply the code rules
in the field must be demonstrated. With this practicum
exercise being a part of the process, it should be evident
that this certification is addressing the needs of existing
electrical inspectors for a more advanced certification.
This CEI program has been slow to get
started, as we have just now been able to advise applicants
that have taken the exam of their pass or fail status. There
is a transfer option into the program. For more information
you may check out iaei.org.
There have been other successes that have
not been mentioned. Perhaps you can name a few yourselves. So
what’s up for 2005? More financial successes, more books and
training materials, more seminars, more customer services
advances, and more MEMBERS.
IAEI CEO and Executive
Director, and Editor-in-Chief for the IAEI News,
James Carpenter was previously the chief electrical
engineer, state electrical inspector for the Engineering
Division of the Office of State Fire Marshal, North
Carolina Department of Insurance. He had been with the
department for twenty years, with twenty years
electrical experience prior to coming to the state. He
was a member of CMP-2 from 1987 through 2002 and was
chairman for three cycles. He has been a member of IAEI
since 1972. He is also a member of NFPA and now is
serving as the TCC chair; and is on the UL Electrical
Council. |
