ERA Headquarters At Your Service By Traci Matt STAFF WRITER If you have a question about your Electrical Rebuilder’s Association (ERA) membership, “Keep It Current” seminar accommodations, or the next ERA Show, Darlene Schroeder is the one to call. She has been working as office manager at ERA headquarters since the office opened in March. The 300-square-foot office is located south- west of St. Louis in Union, Mo., hometown of ERA President Mike Schroeder (who happens to be Darlene’s son). Darlene works three days a week process- ing new memberships and renewal applica- tions using an Excel system. She also prepares invoices, and sends follow-up letters to those who don’t respond to the first renewal notice. “When they send their checks and renew or join they get a welcome letter and certificate for their business printed with their name, account, state and renewal date,” she said. Although record-keeping is done on the office’s Dell computer system, they also keep back up paper records in case of com- puter failure. “Been there, done that,’ she said. “We keep arunning file of everyone on the computer and on paper. We make sure no one’s left out.” Darlene has a 20-year clerical background, including real estate, county government and insurance settings. The Schroeder family had a “major medical emergency” in May just before the ERA Show when Donald Schroeder, Darlene’s husband and Mike’s father, suffered a stroke. “T had planned to come and meet all the people I deal with over the phone, but that didn’t work,’ said Darlene. “He is now doing therapy and we’re expecting a really, really good recovery. We appreciate everybody’s concern.” Although office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 4:30, Donald’s therapy is in the mornings, so the ERA office phone is forwarded to a board member until Darlene is able to come in later in the day. “TI stay way past 4:30 to get everything done these days,” she said. “The membership is growing. The Web site is done. That will make some things simpler. People who use it will be able to go on and make their payments, then I will just double check that.”