FAQs

General MEA information is available on the About page.

The short answer is: 1905.

MEA has a long history. Learn more on our History page.

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses.

We were founded as a trade association over 110 years ago by distribution utilities whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, we fulfill the same purpose through education, leadership development, and industry connections. Energy delivery companies, contractors, and suppliers around the country benefit from our 55 summits, roundtables, and webinars, 400+ online technical courses, safety assessments, evaluator training, operator qualification compliance tools, and leadership courses for field personnel.

MEA is a company-based membership association.

Membership categories and eligible company types can be found on our Membership page.

Participation in MEA is a value-packed investment.

Learn more about the benefits for your company.

Participate!

We have several ways you can get involved with your association and you can find them all under the “Participate” tab.

Start by completing your personal profile.

If your company/utility is an MEA member then you are a member and can have access to the “Members Only” section. If you want to know if your company is a member, check this list.

If you already have a login and forgot your password follow the forgot password instructions. If you are employed at a member company and do not have a login, you can create an account here.

Member companies designate one senior-level employee to be the official liaison with MEA.

In addition to the membership directory and newsletter, this person receives information on all MEA activities and should pass along pertinent information to others in the company. The primary contact is also responsible for ensuring MEA has current company information and contact information for others in the company.

MEA members may post jobs for free – you will need to login to post. Please keep descriptions short. The submission form is limited to less than 300 characters per field. The job will appear until the deadline you set is met. At that time, it is removed from the page. Submit a job.

Anyone may submit a resume. Please keep descriptions short. The submission form is limited to less that than 300 characters per field. Submit a resume.

MEA has more than 25 committees made up of volunteers from energy utilities and associate companies from across the country.

There are committees focused on gas operations, electric operations, and corporate/shared services.

All committee members are listed in the MEA membership directory.

MEA members can search for committee members here.

Committees consists of volunteer leaders and an MEA Staff Liaison.

The strength of the committee depends upon motivated volunteer leaders. Committees are generally comprised of 8 to 12 representatives. Non-utility members cannot make up more than 25% of the committee, but are permitted to hold leadership positions. A maximum of two representatives from any one organization are permitted to serve at the same time on any given committee. The recommended term length for committee members not in the leadership track is three years. When a committee member reaches term limits, he/she may be asked to recommend and mentor a committee replacement.

When space on a committee becomes available, staff review a number of criteria in identifying companies or individuals for participation on a given committee, including:

• Recommendations of an outgoing committee member (typically a replacement from their company)
• Recommendations from committee members as to which companies should have representation on that committee
• Knowledge of which companies, by virtue of their size and current level of engagement in MEA, should have additional representation on a MEA committee
• Inquiry to a select number of member companies to identify individuals who would be a good fit for the committee and interested in participating

Once individuals are identified, either MEA staff or a committee member may make the committee request, as appropriate.

If you are interested in serving on a committee, please let us know!

Yes, committee service is allowed by non-members.

However, their term is limited to three years and non-members are not allowed to serve as the chair of an MEA committee.

Our MEA committees can be described as a group of experts in the industry working together to achieve a specified goal.

In most cases, the committee’s focus and discussion are around a specific event that will benefit our association and the industry. Committees are responsible for the recommended ideas, topics, and speakers for their respective event.

Some MEA committees also have specific charters to further describe their scope, strategy, and responsibilities.

MEA’s gas and electric sections are guided by a steering committee for their respective sections.

Steering Committee members:

• Provide program oversight and guidance for their respective areas (gas or electric).
• Provide assistance to committees, as needed, and with appropriate committee engagement at their respective companies.
• Provide content for in-person learning events, as needed.

MEA has the following expectations for committee members:

• Committee members are expected to attend and actively participate in the in-person learning events conducted by their group.
• Committee members not in a leadership role are expected to participate in 50% or more of the conference calls for their group.
• Committee members in a leadership role are expected to participate in 75% or more of the conference calls for their group.
• Committee members are expected to be innovative thinkers, offer suggestions, and implement solutions to support the goals of the committee and enhance their event or other deliverable. Essentially, committee members are asked to be actively engaged in the development and delivery process for learning events and other committee deliverables.
• Committee members should share and promote event information internally with all employees and colleagues as well as externally with clients and partners.

MEA recognizes that the demands of a committee member’s occupation may periodically preclude participation in a learning event, conference call, or other MEA activity. However, committee members are asked to communicate to their MEA staff liaison if they are, or were, unable to participate in a given MEA activity. Advance notice is appreciated.

If committee members find that their schedule or work situation precludes meeting the above expectations, they should discuss their situation with the appropriate MEA staff liaison.

MEA provides a Staff Liaison to each committee to provide support, organization, facilitation, and management.

Committee leadership positions include chair, immediate past chair, 1st vice chair, 2nd vice chair, and member-at-large.

Chair

Commitment, experience, and demonstrated leadership ability are the main criteria for selecting a committee chair. The chair can bring insight from both their professional and committee experiences. Chairs are expected to serve as a leader for their respective committee during their term to ensure the success of their events.

Specific chairperson responsibilities include:

• Attending and participating in all section or committee activities, as applicable
• Participating in the annual planning meeting or other planning meetings, as organized by MEA
• Providing overall guidance and leadership for their respective committee
• May also be asked to attend functions for the board of directors

Immediate Past Chair

After completing their term as chairperson, this person remains on the committee in an advisory and support role as a past chairperson. After serving as past chairperson, the individual is encouraged mentor another individual within their company as a replacement on the committee.

1st Vice Chair

This committee member is expected to be available in an advisory and support role to the chairperson. The 1st vice chairperson is expected to preside at meetings in the chairperson’s absence and should use their year as 1st vice chair as preparation for taking over as committee chairperson the following year.

2nd Vice Chair

The 2nd vice chairperson should use their year as 2nd vice chairperson as preparation for taking over as committee 1st vice chairperson the following year.

Member-at-Large

These committee members are expected to contribute to the committee activities by accepting agenda assignments, providing resources, contributing ideas, participating in meetings, and any other activities designated by the committee chairperson.

The particular needs of a given committee dictate selection by MEA staff of individuals to serve in a leadership role.

Often, active committee members with seniority are given first-right-of-refusal to serve in a leadership role. Before agreeing to a leadership role, committee members should be cognizant of the expectations.

The MEA Board of Directors is the primary governing body for MEA.

It consists of between 15 – 30 individuals from member companies, 75% of whom must be either utility or contractor companies. The MEA Board of Directors meet twice per year – in the spring and in the fall – and, like other company boards, provide overall MEA oversight and strategic direction. Board members are generally senior level, operations-focused individuals. The top ten MEA member companies, by amount of dues, are entitled to permanent seats on the Board. Remaining positions are identified and recommended by the MEA Board Development Committee based on a variety of criteria including association needs, including: member company geography, size, and business focus; individual diversity, knowledge, and experience; and other criteria.

Board members nominally serve 3-year terms. Companies may serve second terms, if desired and recommended to do so by the Board Development Committee. All incoming and renewing Board members are voted on by the Primary Contact from each MEA member company. Individuals on the Board may be asked to participate on the Board Executive Committee and, later, ascend the Board leadership line, culminating in the Board Chair position.

Individuals currently serving on the MEA Board of Directors are listed here.

For more information, please contact Stacey Bonine.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ONLY

Thank you for your service. Please complete this short form annually.