INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS
Suncoast Division – Florida Chapter – Southern Section
P.O.Box 1075 LARGO, FL 34649-1075


ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING AT

Tampa Electric- Western Division 2nd Thursday – 13 February 2003
5402 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa 130PM – NW meeting room

COME AND SUPPORT YOUR OFFICERS, the DIVISION, the IAEI, & the ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY.
LEARN TO WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER ! ! ! ! !

AGENDA AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

*****THE COMMITTEE FOR PUTTING ON THE 73RD ANNUAL CHAPTER MEETING AT THE TAMPA RADISSON RIVERWALK HOTEL in May 2003 will meet one hour before the general meeting on 02/13/03 (1230pm) at Teco’s Western Division in the NW meeting room.*****

1. Regular monthly Division business will be transacted.
2. MEMBERSHIP IS still DOWN IN THE IAEI. With the new dues increase to $ 90 per year, this is going to become a never ending and nagging problem. Let us all strive to bring in one new member. Our organization has a wealth of knowledge and experience to be passed on to the younger people in the electrical industry. Just think how it makes it easier for all, when each of us pass on the torch of knowledge to others. Quality membership along with continued high quality continuing education seminars is the strength of the Florida Chapter. We NEED to be reaching out to these people to become members.

The Secretary is recommending that one of the Vice-Presidents be the current years Membership Committee Chairman. The membership is asked to input at the meeting whether this should be the 1st VP, 2nd, or 3rd.
3. The Florida Chapter Board of Directors met at 830am in Ocala on Saturday 1/11/03 at the Ocala Hilton for a full days schedule of work. As always this was a very productive meeting. Representatives to the BOD from the Suncoast Division were Nelson Montgomery, Bob Moore, Joe Bolesina, Ruben Rocha, and Dick Widera. Honorary member Julian Burnside, also a representative, had planned on attending but had to cancel at the last minute because of health problems. 36 representatives were in attendence.The membership data base problem was ONCE again given sufficient time for study and scrutiny. Much discussion took place about the new dues increase to $90 per year. Discussion also took place about using the IAEI CE courses in the Building Officials Association of Florida’s new 200 hour inspector cross training program. The BOD voted to change the meeting site to the Altamonte Springs Hilton starting with the January 2004 meeting. The May 2003 meeting will be on Wednesday 7 May 2003 at the 73rd Annual Chapter meeting. There will be no BOD meeting in September because of the IAEI’s Diamond Jubilee at Disney World.
4. QUESTIONs of the month. Does the NECode allow a # 14 switch leg from the switch to the light if the circuit is a 20 amp # 12 conductor circuit? Do circuit breakers up to 60 amps have to be marked with the acronym “HACR.” Which manufacturers produce GFCI fuses?
5. Kevin Arnold of Cooper-Bussmann and entourage are scheduled to present the 22 February 2003 Seminar. Arrangements have been made with the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater. Time is 800am to 500pm with 8 approved CE hours, lunch and coffee breaks included, and a happy hour. All for $ 85. Discounts will be available for groups of 2 or more.

There are still seats available for the seminar. Remember that knowledge gained via these seminars may very well keep you out of a legal battle over interpretation of the NECode. What a comforting feeling it is to know that if you do have to appear in court or give a deposition, that you can truly give authoritative answers based upon your state certified CE course attendances.

6. There is STILL a mindset about the State that once 14 hours of continuing education have been acquired, that one does not need anymore credit or education. This still is an endemic problem about the state. Please be professional in your attitude about the industry! Is 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years really enough to keep up with NECode cycle changes, let alone all the other things that are changing monthly, weekly, and yes even sometimes on a daily basis, within the electrical industry? Can an inspector, contractor, or journeyman, REALLY AFFORD not to keep up with change(s)? The Suncoast Division of the IAEI is DEDICATED to the premise of producing and bringing to the area, top quality presentations by top quality people. You are cordially asked to continue your support of this Division activity and the Division’s efforts to bring you PROFESSIONALISM.

The Secretary has for several years wanted to produce an advanced grounding course. It would be based upon the IEEE grounding standards publications and some of the basic laws of Physics and Chemistry. The course needs at least an interest group of 50 to produce. If you are interested in this type of course, please let the Secretary know. It could be scheduled for the 16 August 2003 seminar at the Harborview Center.

Other topics of interest will be considered if the membership voices their desire and also pledges their supportive attendance.
7. IMPORTANT NOTE - The Division is now sending the monthly flyer notices via email. Other announcements will also be sent via email. All announcements and flyers will also be posted on the Florida Chapter web site. This is a great cost savings in postage and also mailing preparation expenses, as well as the time involved. PLEASE FURNISH AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE, your email address to the Secretary or the Treasurer. THANKS! Also the almost instant communication is a real plus.
8. THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS AT DBPR with the electronic filing of CE hours. Each inspector and contractor needs to check on their CE hours that the DBPR has on file. Reciprocity CE filing between the ECLB and BCAIB still has not been figured out by the state computer gurus. Inspectors NEED TO be checking their CE hours status well before the November renewal date comes up. You need time to accumulate your CE certificates and provide affidavits of attendance to DBPR. Your Officers will help out in providing the appropriate information, BUT EACH licensee is required to do their own checking and filing.
9. Ruben Rocha is Chairman of the Florida Chapter “Educational, Code Clearing, & Code Question Committee.” Code questions should be directed to him at webmaster@iaeifl.org.

If you have any code questions that you would like addressed at the 73rd Annual meeting at the Radisson Riverwalk, Tampa in May, please get them to Ruben.

THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER MONTHLY MEETING FLYERS SENT OUT VIA REGULAR USPostal Service. Please tell your fellow members to furnish email addresses to the Secretary.


GENERAL MEETING and other MEETING DATES FOR 2003

*****REMEMBER THAT THE 73RD ANNUAL CHAPTER MEETING COMMITTEE MEETS 1 HOUR BEFORE THE regular MONTHLY MEETING ! ! ! ! !*****


.
February 13 General meeting, TECO Western Division, 5402 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa.
February 22 Seminar with Cooper-Bussmann at the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater.
February 27 ECF Pinellas Chapter Tabletop at the Pinellas Expo Center in Pinellas Park.
March 1 8 hour CE course on NEC changes, by the Central Division, 800am, Maitland FL.
March 20 General meeting, City of Largo. ATTENTION – this is the 3rd Thursday of the month!!!!!
April 10 General meeting, City of Safety Harbor.
May 8, 9, 10 NO GENERAL meeting. Florida Chapter 73rd Annual meeting at the Radisson Riverwalk in Tampa. Sponsored by the Suncoast Division.
June 12 General meeting, TECO Western Division.
July 10 General meeting, City of Largo.
August 14 General meeting, City of Safety Harbor.
August 16 Seminar at the Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater. Speaker and program to be announced.
September 7-13 IAEI Diamond Jubilee meeting at Disney World, Coronado Springs Resort. Section meetings to be held concurrently. Florida Chapter Board of Directors meeting to be held concurrently.
September 11 General meeting, TECO Western Division.
October 9 General meeting, City of Largo.
November 13 General meeting, City of Safety Harbor.
December 11 ANNUAL meeting, TECO Western Division.


REMEMBER that the ECF- Pinellas Chapter meets the last Thursday of the month at the American Legion Hall in Pinellas Park.

YOUR CURRENT DIVISION OFFICERS are:
President Scott Andersen, Pinellas County
1st Vice-President Rick Jones, City of St. Petersburg
2nd Vice-President Robert Christlieb, BCM Electric
3rd Vice-President Nick Sasso, Pasco County
Treasurer Ruben Rocha, Florida Power 727-518-3616
Email webmaster@iaeifl.org
Secretary Dick Widera, ETL/Semko Div.- Intertek Testing
727-734-8103, fax 727-738-4103,
Email dick5652@hotmail.com

Visit the IAEI Florida Chapter website at www.iaeifl.org.