the iaei has a yearly fee of $90.00. is it worth being a member ? I have been a member for nine years . what do you think guys?

It is worth it to me...but then again, the city pays my dues.

no...

no....

I'm only an associate member.
To be quite honest, I am considering dropping out.
I can't take the time off to attend the noon /lunch meetings, because I'm always too busy working.
I've received a magazine 6 times a year, (that's $15 a copy). It's contained pictures of "jobs done correctly" that have had (unrelated to the subject of the article) other violations.
I've gotten lots of "get our credit card" mail (junk), just like I get from Capital One, etc from them.
They've had "new GREAT products" that IMHO are advertisements in the magazine that condradict the Code.
The almighty dollar will prevail, Who are you kidding?
...S

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 01-22-2004).]

As some of you already know, I'm on the board of directors for the Utah chapter of IAEI.

One of the things that I've heard discussed is how to increase membership, but more importantly, how to increase participation. Quite frankly, I don't know.

Electure: You said you couldn't make the noon meetings, and I understand that, but would you make the meetings if they were at night?

I have just been elected to the position of President of our Western New England Chapter of the IAEI (Connecticut). I too, feel the pain. The magazine alone is not worth the $90. If the meetings are not worth attending, or scheduled at inconvenient times, then your membership will be at risk.
We are attempting to remedy the problems. If we offer, at drastically low prices, top-drawer educational programs, then would it be worth your dollar to be a member? Knowledgeable persons like Joe Tedesco, Jeff Sargent, Joe Ross, and Joe Sheenan could be brought in to present for your local chapter. Would you then consider it worth the money? If the benefit is great enough, will you make the time to come to a daytime meeting?
I need to know your feelings on this, as our membership is falling too.

I'd love to attend the meetings. If they were not in the middle of the workday, I'd be able to. The inspectors, on salary, might disagree with this, though. It's a great chance for them to get away from the field/office.
Somebody needs to proofread the things they put in their magazine for correctness (Code, not Political).
I've posted a couple of blunders...An oversize plate (Gee, nobody ever heard of Jumbos?) for incorrectly cut drywall (I wonder how much $ they got from Cooper).
It was nothing but an advertisement. Ryan you know about this one.

How about picture of 5'-6' of unsupported LTMFC, with a disconnect, picture called a "correct" way to do it, because the EXO is close enough to the motor?
I'm kind of an old idealistic nut case, I know, but the IAEI has become a hypocrit.
Their website is a ghost town.
Once the dues went from $60 to $90, and they started sending me junk mail, I knew there was a different agenda.
I want SAFETY and EDUCATION to be the main focus. (But then, I'm only an associate member, not somebody that gets to take a 4hr lunch every 2 months with pay)
Yes, do them at night!! I'll be at every one!
Thanks for letting me go nuts for a minute.. ,,,S



[This message has been edited by electure (edited 01-24-2004).]

Well, there are some good instructors for the southern sections meetings. Thats is about the only postive thing I can say. Finding a good chapter is the problem.

Ryan, Earl,

I've been a member for about 15 years, but sorry to say I haven't been to a meeting in a long time. They're at night, but 25 miles away which I haven't felt much like travelling lately. I am a member of a local Contractors association (a lot of the same people) and do attend those meetings regularly.

I am going to make a point to start attending some meetings and maybe I can contribute some ideas.

Bill

MJ
This is a very, very important subject, but not so much for the IAEI alone as for our whole industry.

I also am very involved with our local chapter. We get between 80 and 120 members a month at our 7 pm meetings- which are going to be changed to 6 pm. The meetings are usually 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
We have presentations every month and they are usually controversial which is very good for discussion.

The magizine is not worth $90, but let me add my two cents.

The IAEI needs our input as to how the direction of it and the future of our industry is headed. There are no clear cut answers and we need to speak up.
I agree that their website is for selling, not info, I also believe that the magizine needs some improvements. I also believe that local chapters should take advantage of the IO of the IAEI.

The industry is also headed in the same direction... we need to have some action taken and what better way to possibly start then here at this site.

Why don't we start a list, using our names and present it to the IAEI in a formal document as to some suggestions of changes/ideas we would like to see.

Pierre Belarge
Westchester NY

I would like to see the website have more than just a sales pitch to promote items.
Could the website start some sections such as:
1. library - glossary terms. wiring diagrams. discussions of wiring methods where the inspectors have seen problems and may be hard to understand as far as NEC requirements.
2. question/answer post- we can post a question and get some kind of answer.

This is my start, I will come up with more later

One word of advice from me ... Do not give up just yet with the IAEI. The principles of its existance are very instrumental in keeping our industry in the forefront of technology. Lets see if they are willing to listen to our issues and address them for the good of all. I personnally believe they want this type of input and will respond in a timely fashion to make their product a better one.

Pierre

I did have an idea that I'd like to offer again for input:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000862.html

Bill

Bill,
Still don't like the idea of a private link, though ya know I love ya like a red headed step chile.

As a FORMER IAEI member of 19 years, I repeat, the membership is NOT worth $90.00. They, I assure you, already have my opinion.

They have consistently ignored my suggestions, usually not even answering if in the form of mail or e-mail.

I do think the IAEI, with all that talent at HQ, could provide some form of interpretive advice for it's members, hey, here's an idea, maybe even on the website - quelle horror. But they will not help you, inspector or not, one little bit.

As to the local chapters........ I usually heard about meetings no more than one month AFTER they happened.... thanks guys. HEY here's an idea......maybe part of that high priced mag could be for a spot for LOCAL (not just Southern, Northern etc ) sections to list their meetings.

FIX THE DAMNED WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check, acknowledge, Maybe even IMPLEMENT suggestions from members - OR MAYBE EVEN JUST JOB SLOB NON-MEMBER, Hell, they may even become members if there were a benefit.

Just a suggestion.

It's quite embarrassing to buy a copy of one IAEI's really great (no sarcasm from me, believe it or not) publications at the member rate, only to find that a non-member bought it at about 15% less at the local construction bookstore about 3/4 of a mile from our shop.
The benefits of being a member...S

George,

I heard an analogy once that I think can be adapted to this situation. If the HQ can be viewed as the Head, the members can be the Neck. And as you know the neck is what turns the head. (OK, don't look too deep into that, but you get the idea)

Bill

Well, anyway ...

Here's a new area >> IAEI Room

If it gets used, good, if not no loss. Most everyone who has mentioned they were a Member (past and present) as well as the Moderators are already registered there.

If I missed any IAEI Members (I'm sure I did) let me know.

Bill

I'm curious to know if the IAEI convinced more states of thier necessity in thier first 25 years than the last 25....

~S~