Keep a close eye on your mailbox this month because your new IBEW “smart” membership card is on its way.

The large amount of planning and technological setup required to make sure the cards were ready for use delayed the mailing in January as announced by the Electrical Worker. (See “New IBEW Membership Cards: A High-Tech Sign of Pride,” Electrical Worker, January 2009).

Months of additional preparation by the IBEW Information Technology department mean the cards will be ready to use from the moment you register yours online, said Department Director Darren DeMarco. Members will start receiving them in May.

The new card will make keeping your data current and checking up on valuable union information as easy as clicking a mouse.

The card will connect you to a comprehensive database at the International Office, allowing you to go online to:

• Change address, phone, e-mail and other information
• Calculate pension benefits
• Confirm trade classification

Members who have completed Code of Excellence training will receive a special gold card indicating their certification.

Each card will have a unique bar code and number. Once you receive your card, log onto https://my.ibew.org and enter the personal key listed on the letter accompanying your card to get registered.