NEWSLETTER November 2026: New Safety Consultant, Salishan Registration, NECA Scholarship, Ed Fund Reminder, and ELECTRI Updates
Updated: 1 day ago
By Stephanie Corken, November 3, 2026
November is short on days and heavy on deadlines. Inside this issue you’ll meet Roman Zepeda, our new Chapter Safety Consultant, and find last call for Salishan registration ahead of the Winter Meeting on December 4 and 5. We’ve also pulled together the year-end items worth handling now, including the November 13 benefits payment date and the December 24 cutoff for 2026 Education Fund requests. Our Memorial Scholarship is open for 2027-28 as well, and it is worth sharing company-wide since employees, their kids, and their grandkids all qualify.
Let’s do this!
📚 Chapter Meetings, Education Courses, & Safety Classes
CHAPTER MEETINGS:
🤝280 LMCC | Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Central Electrical Training Center
🦺932 Safety | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 3-4 p.m. | Pacific Inside Electrical JATC
🤝932 LMCC | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 4-5 p.m. | Pacific Inside Electrical JATC
🦺280 Safety | Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 4-5 p.m. | Central Electrical Training Center - Rescheduled from November 26
🦺659 Safety | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center
🤝659 LMCC | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center
LOCAL IN-PERSON EVENTS & TRAINING:
🎉 December 4-5, 2026 | Salishan Winter Meeting with John Stone and Josh Rizzo - Details and Registration Information below!
⛳5th Annual Golf Tournament | Friday, September 10, 2027 | Emerald Valley, Creswell, OR
NATIONAL IN-PERSON EVENTS & TRAINING:
🤝 2026 Labor Relations Conference | Nov. 2-4 | Phoenix, AZ
🎓 Executive Management Institute | Nov. 17-21 | Washington, DC
💡2027 MEP Innovation Conference | Jan. 25-27, 2027 | Tampa, FL
🌟NECA NOW 2027 | April 12-14, 2027 | San Diego, CA
🦺Safety Professionals Conference | May 24-26, 2027 | Verona, NY
⚡NECA 2027 Convention & Trade Show | October 16-19, 2027 | Indianapolis, IN
WEBINARS & VIRTUAL LEARNING:
🎓 Workers’ Compensation Insurance SAIF | Webinars and Classroom Trainings available year-round:
Claim Basics | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 9-11 a.m.
Beyond Claim Basics | Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 9-11:30 a.m.
🎯 Crew Level Production Planning and Execution: Set Goals and Win Virtual Classroom | Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 12-3 p.m. ET
📈 Advanced Estimating Strategies | Dec. 7-10 | 12:30 -3:30 p.m. ET
📊 Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction | Dec. 7-17 | 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
October Reports Are Open in EPRLive
October payroll reports are now open in EPRLive.
⚠️ Benefit payments must be received before the 10th and are considered late after the 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend or bank holiday, payments are due the Friday before.
⚠️ November 15th falls on a Sunday; benefits payments must be received no later than Friday, November 13th.
There are no exceptions or grace periods due to NEBF policies and IRS regulations related to 401(k) contributions. Failure to meet the 15th deadline may result in liquidated damages and interest. Payments are processed by date received, not postmark date.
If you are unable to make your payment, you must still file all payroll reports in EPRLive by the 15th. Zero-hour reports are required even if no work was performed.
ACH payments through EPRLive remain the preferred method to avoid mailing delays. Instructions for setting up electronic payments are linked here.
📅 EPRLive Training: Need help navigating EPRLive? Free training sessions are held the first Thursday of each month. The next session is Thursday, November 5th, 2026 at 9:00 AM PST.
Join via Zoom HERE. Meeting ID: 826 4816 3255 | Passcode: 172870
Registration Is Open: License to Celebrate at Salishan
A James Bond Affair, December 4–5, 2026
The invitation has arrived, and registration is officially open. On December 4 and 5, ORPAC NECA takes over Salishan Coastal Lodge for a half-day session with Josh Rizzo, a Friday casino night, a Saturday gala, and live music from John Stone.
Shaken. Stirred. Unforgettable.
The Program
Friday opens with Act 1: Casino Royale, our dinner, casino night, and PAC fundraiser. Saturday brings Act 2: Skyfall with Josh Rizzo in the morning, and closes with Act 3: Diamonds Are Forever, a gala dinner and live music from John Stone.
Dress code: channel your inner Bond or Bond girl. Formal attire with a cinematic twist.
For the Family
Childcare is provided on Saturday evening. Kids ages 0 to 12 are invited to License to Play, our Spy Academy party. Teens 13 to 17 head to Mission: Poolside (don’t forget a swimsuit). And in the spirit of the season, bring an unwrapped toy for our Toys for Tots drive and earn an extra raffle ticket.
How to Register
Each NECA Member may bring up to eight (8) adult guests; additional seats are $125. Contact your accredited representative or register HERE.
DEADLINE: TOMORROW, 11/3
See you at Salishan.
Welcome Roman Zepeda, Our New Chapter Safety Consultant
We are excited to introduce Roman Zepeda as the chapter’s new Safety Consultant. Roman brings more than a decade of safety leadership and a track record of driving continuous improvement at every level of a company, from the field to the front office.
Roman is bilingual in English and Spanish, and he builds training that works for both. On a jobsite, that is the difference between a crew that nods along and a crew that actually knows the plan.
He is also a proud Army Veteran, and he runs his practice the same way he approaches a jobsite: show up, assess what is really going on, and deliver what works.
What Roman can help with
Safety audits, mock OSHA inspections, and post-inspection reviews
OSHA 10 and 30-Hour training, CPR, forklift, and custom courses in English and Spanish
Workers’ comp support, including claims, root cause investigations, OSHA recordkeeping, and return-to-work programs
HR support, from handbooks and onboarding to documentation and policy
Leadership training for foremen, supervisors, and first-time managers
A little about RomanOutside of work, Roman is a lifelong 49ers fan. When he is not cheering on the team, you will find him at the gym, with a good book or movie, or spending time with his family.
Reach outRoman is here for our members, so do not wait for a problem to introduce yourself: 541-636-8093, safety@orpacneca.org
Welcome aboard, Roman!
ORPAC NECA Memorial Scholarship: Open for 2027-28
The ORPAC NECA Memorial Scholarship is live in the 2027-28 OSAC Scholarship Catalog, and it is one of the most direct benefits available to our member companies and their families.
Eligible students can use it at any 2- or 4-year public or private nonprofit school in Oregon, and it is renewable for up to four years when criteria are met. It is not based on financial need, so FAFSA and ORSAA are not required.
Who qualifies
Graduates of Oregon high schools
Majoring in Construction Management, Business, Occupational and Environmental Health (Safety Professionals), or Engineering
Enrolled at least part-time (minimum six credit hours)
Current or former employee of an ORPAC NECA member company, or a child, grandchild, or dependent of one
What applicants need to submit
The OSAC application (scholarship #890)
A short essay naming the ORPAC NECA member company, the employee’s dates of employment, and the applicant’s relationship to that employee
Spread the word Pass this along to your team, your kids, your grandkids, and anyone connected to your company who is heading to college in Oregon. Apply through the OSAC catalog HERE under scholarship #890: ORPAC-NECA Memorial Scholarship.
ELECTRI and NECA: Three Ways to Use Your Membership this Month
Three opportunities this month, all with early November deadlines. Each one is open to members at no additional cost through your NECA membership!
AI Prompt Library Follow-Up
Josh Bone returns November 5 at 3:00 p.m. ET for a follow-up to the popular Council Room session on ELECTRI’s AI Prompt Library. Bring your questions and see how other contractors are putting prompts to work. Join the Session HERE.
NECA Webinar: Powering the Next Generation of Data Centers
Wednesday, November 4 | 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. ET
AI workloads are pushing data center racks toward 1 megawatt, and conventional AC distribution is showing its limits. This session looks at Class 4 Fault Managed Power as an alternative, with lower costs, faster deployment, and simpler maintenance. A practical look at where the specs are headed. Register HERE.
2027 State of MEP Survey
ELECTRI and Stratus are gathering input from the people running MEP operations. More than 140 executives took part last year. Participants get early access to the 2027 report, a Stratus hat, and a chance to win a custom Stratus Poncho shirt. Closes November 9. Take the MEP Survey HERE.
Use Your 2026 Education Fund Before December 24
Your chapter Education Fund is there to offset the cost of training your people, and the year-end window is shorter than usual. All 2026 requests must be received by December 24, 2026 so we have time to process and approve them around our reduced holiday office schedule.
Why it matters These funds cover registration for conventions, courses and workshops, along with education materials and related costs. Unused dollars are limited in how much carries into 2027, so now is the time to look at what your crew needs and get the paperwork in.
How to submit
Use the 2026 Reimbursement Request Form and policy found on our website HERE.
The form must be signed by an Accredited Representative or Alternate Representative
Include receipts and proof of wages paid, if applicable
Send everything to Melinda Sinay
Deadline: December 24, 2026
Not sure what your balance is or whether a class qualifies? Ask before you spend. Melinda can confirm both and walk you through the form.
Powered Up in Las Vegas: A Look Back at NECA 2026
Our chapter joined thousands of electrical contractors at Mandalay Bay from October 4 through 7 for NECA 2026, the Convention and Trade Show marking NECA’s 125th anniversary. Four days of general sessions, education, and the NECA Show gave attendees fresh ideas to bring home.
Monday evening, members gathered inside the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas for our Chapter Dinner, with floor-to-ceiling views of the Strip and the Bellagio fountains. On Tuesday, District 6 contractors reconnected over hors d’oeuvres and drinks at the Chandelier Bar inside The Cosmopolitan.
Thanks to chapter sponsorship, four Oregon Pacific-Cascade apprentices attended the full convention with all costs covered after being selected by lottery. They joined hundreds of apprentices at Monday’s Apprentice Appreciation Day, featuring a keynote from Nic Bittle, the return of the NEC Escape Room, and hands-on challenges in the High Voltage Village.
The main stage brought three standout voices. Nick Saban opened the week with leadership principles from “The Process.” Andre Agassi shared reflections from a career defined by excellence and resilience. Paralympic bronze medalist, Purple Heart recipient, and three-time Paralympian Melissa Stockwell closed the convention Wednesday afternoon.
The week wrapped at The Beach at Mandalay Bay, where +LIVE+ and O.A.R. headlined a 125-year celebration on 2,700 tons of real sand.
Thank you to everyone who made the trip. See you at NECA 2027, October 16-19, Indianapolis, IN.
New MLU Edition: What Members Need to Know
NECA’s Manual of Labor Units is one of the most practical tools in your membership. If you bid work, you already know the value of a labor-unit reference that reflects real installation conditions. Here’s where access stands right now.
Your electronic subscription is already active!
Every NECA membership includes an electronic subscription to the MLU, and that access is assigned to the Accredited Representative. If you’re not sure who holds that seat at your company, reach out to the Chapter office and we’ll help you sort it out.
Need more seats? Additional seats can be purchased directly through the NECA portal: Purchase additional MLU seats
Prefer a PDF? PDF copies of the manual are available for purchase as well: Purchase the MLU PDF
Hard copies are coming! Printed books are at the printer now and will be available in the NECA Store shortly. We’ll let you know when they’re live.
Questions about MLU access? Reach out to the Chapter office, we’re here to help!
Safety Bulletin: November Environmental & Site Safety Reminders
As temperatures drop and wet weather becomes more frequent, it is important that all employees remain aware of changing environmental and jobsite conditions. Taking a few extra minutes to identify potential hazards can help prevent accidents, injuries, and equipment damage.
Morning Frost: Colder mornings can leave frost or ice covering vehicle windshields, windows, and mirrors. Allow vehicles and equipment sufficient time to defrost completely before moving. Always ensure clear visibility before operating.
Muddy Boots: Wet autumn weather creates muddy and slippery jobsite conditions. Clean mud and debris from your boots before climbing ladders, accessing roofs, or operating heavy machinery. Maintaining proper traction is essential to preventing slips, trips, and falls.
Pest Control: As temperatures drop, insects and rodents may seek shelter inside vehicles, equipment cabs, and engine compartments. Inspect equipment thoroughly before startup, checking for nests, damaged wiring, or other signs of pest activity. Report any concerns before operating equipment.
November Safety Reminder
Slow down, inspect your surroundings, and prepare for changing weather conditions. A few extra minutes of preparation can prevent serious accidents and help ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of each workday.
SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY!
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Free ConsensusDocs Demo for NECA Members
As a coalition partner of ConsensusDocs, NECA members get complimentary access to a live platform demo built to help contractors work smarter on contract management.
What You’ll Learn
Key platform features and navigation
How to find and customize the right contract documents for your projects
Best practices to save time and reduce project risk
Why It Matters Contracts shape every project. Knowing the platform inside out helps your team move faster, catch issues earlier, and protect the work on the ground.
Session Details
Date: November 6
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
Cost: Free for NECA members
Register HERE
Member Bonus Every attendee walks away with an exclusive 25% discount on their ConsensusDocs subscription purchase.
Register today and bring your questions. This one hour could save your team countless hours later.
Oregon Home Energy Rebates: Contractor Enrollment Is Open
The Oregon Department of Energy opened contractor enrollment on October 12 for two new federally funded home energy rebate programs, HOMES and HEAR, bringing more than $113 million into Oregon for high-efficiency home upgrades and appliance installations.
For members doing residential service, panel upgrades, heat pump installs, EV charging, and electrification work, this is a direct pipeline. Homeowners can only claim most rebates when the work is done by an enrolled, trained contractor, so getting registered now puts you first in line when customer applications open.
Key details
Programs: HOMES (performance-based efficiency rebates) and HEAR (electrification and appliance rebates)
Enrollment opened: Monday, October 12, 2026
Delivered by Energy Trust of Oregon (PGE and Pacific Power areas) and Earth Advantage (consumer-owned utilities and Idaho Power)
Requirements: active Oregon CCB license, program registration, and completion of required training
Three participation pathways: enrolled contractor, home energy assessor, or energy modeler (HOMES only)
Take the next step Register and review training requirements HERE. Questions? Reach out to the chapter office and we will point you to the right resource.
Chemeketa Community College Contractor Outreach: $60M+ in Upcoming Work
Chemeketa Community College is opening the door for local contractors, subcontractors, trade partners, and suppliers to get the inside track on more than $60 million in upcoming construction opportunities tied to the 2025 Bond.
If you’re looking to position your team for bid season, this is time well spent.
What You’ll Learn
Upcoming projects and anticipated scopes of work
Project budget ranges and bidding schedules
Anticipated construction timelines
Insurance and bonding requirements
Live Q&A with the project team
Event Details
Date: Thursday, November 5
Time: Noon (allow 60–90 minutes)
Location: Chemeketa Community College, Building 8, Room 201
Address: 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97305
Parking: Green Lot
Why AttendEarly visibility on scopes, timelines, and bonding requirements gives your estimators the lead time they need to put forward strong, competitive bids. You’ll also get face time with Chemeketa’s Project Team and R&C Management Group, the folks running point on this work.
Good to KnowNo RSVP required. All interested contractors and trade partners are welcome. Questions can go to Scott Rose, Sr. Project Manager at R&C Management Group: scott@randcmanagement.com.
Mark your calendar, bring your questions, and come ready to connect.
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