1. Government Affairs Committee
Region __
CRC Training
RVC Name
Phone Number
Date

2. GAC Responsibilities
The Government Affairs Committee shall be responsible for organizing ASHRAE members to influence and educate government officials in areas of interest to ASHRAE members.
- this may be at chapter level to influence and educate local, state, provincial officials. As well national government officials in areas of interest to ASHRAE members, in order to better coordinate efforts and understanding between ASHRAE members and government.
- as well as being responsible for developing the extent and the manner in which ASHRAE implements and pursues actions to influence government affairs and public policy.

3. Society GAC Society Structure
Chair
Vice Chair
Communications Coordinator
Fifteen Regional Vice-Chairs
Two At-Large Members
BOD ex officio
BOD Coordinating Officer
Consultant
Representative from Members Council
Representatives from Publishing and Education Council
Representative of Tech Council
Staff Liaisons

4. Where Does GAC Fit In?
Many ASHRAE-relevant policy issues are decided at the provincial, state and local level
Chapter members are most knowledgeable about their community
Establish your chapter as a resource for local decision makers
Codes and Standards
Easier to talk to you local code authority
Great way of solving local issues

5. Why? Member involvement and engagement Guidance and education
Broad scope
Not U.S.-centric
Official structure for these activities
Discrete emphasis on interactions with local government
- In a lot of cases there were chapter members doing this and no one was aware
ASHRAE is a great resource that most government officials do not know
Help deal with issues: Standard 188 in Flint Michigan (prime example)
Flammable Refrigerant research being done by ASHRAE

6. Local Relationships
Chapters and sections should develop relationships with local chapters of other organizations
Institutes of Architects
Building Owners and Managers Association
International Code Council
International Facilities Managers Assn.
National Society of Professional Engineers
Green Building Councils
IAQA
IAQA is a ASHRAE Company

7. Relationships Society-level Memoranda of Understanding
Formalize scope of relationships between ASHRAE and other organizations
List of MOUs – updated regularly – available on ASHRAE’s website
procedures
Find out if there are local chapters of some of these other Organizations

8. Relationships Joint meetings and networking events
Regular discussions about possible opportunities for collaboration
Technical programming
Working with policymakers to speak to ASHRAE core policy concerns that may impact their organizations as well
Work with the other Chapter / RVC when bringing in speakers. Presidential Visits, Society Senior leadership. Usually are willing to make visits and help the chapters if possible.
DL Speakers are a great way of involving other organizations

9. What Chapters and Members Can Say

10. Engagement with Policymakers
Serve as clearinghouse of government adoptions of ASHRAE-endorsed standards, guidelines, and positions

11. Engagement with Policymakers
Encourage active, informed membership by keeping local, provincial, state and federal governments updated on technical issues

12. Limitations
If requested by governmental body to assist in writing or development of regulations, codes, ordinances, or laws. To participate in advisory group to government agency, upon BOG approval, go ahead, BUT

13. Limitations
Chapters, sections, and members may speak to technical or method of enforcement aspects of public policy only.
Must not support a political party or candidate

14. Limitations
Chapters, sections, and members must not jeopardize chapter’s tax status (in the US).
Cause chapter, section, or member to exceed local, provincial or state limits regarding registration as “lobbyist” or “lobbying organization”

15. Limitations
Chapters, sections, and members must not request or receive any travel or transportation reimbursement (as defined by ASHRAE Travel Policy)
Any reimbursement for time away from regular employment, for activity
This is a US focused slide and concerns reimbursement that could give the appearance that the member is lobbying.

16. “Lobbying” vs. “Advocacy”
In the simplest terms…
Lobbying
Advocacy

17. “Lobbying” v. “Advocacy”
Laws and regulations vary state to state, jurisdiction to jurisdiction, country to country, so consult your local laws no matter what

18. Staying Out of Trouble
It is YOUR responsibility to know what can and can’t be done.
to convey the same to your chapter chairs

19. Limitations Outlined
ROB Section MCO Section 2.6 GGAC MOP GAC Resource Manual GAC Public Policy Priorities

20. ASHRAE-Approved Documents
Published Standards and Guidelines
Public Policy Issue Briefs
Position Documents
Standard Fact Sheets
All are available on ASHRAE website

21. Management by Objectives (MBOs)
Management by Objectives (MBO) is a tool used by all ASHRAE Committees which seeks to improve performance by clearly defining objectives that are agreed to by the ASHRAE Board of Directors and the Committees. Participation in goal setting and action plans helps ensure better alignment of objectives across the organization.
RVC to fill in as each RVC will assign these to the chapters

22. Chapter Chair Responsibilities
Review Section 2.6 of the MCO
Plan activities with in the chapter
- Serve as a conduit to keep their chapter leaders, RVC, and the Government Affairs Office staff informed on local governmental activities of interest to ASHRAE
- Work with the chapter to keep governments updated on technical issues
- Inform the chapter members of government issues
- Seek the appointment of chapter members to local, provincial and state governmental bodies
- Maintain a list of all elected officials in the jurisdictions within the chapter’s geographical boundaries
- Maintain a list of appointed or hired government employees who have a role in the enforcement or adoption of local codes or standards relevant to the building sciences.
- Provide tools to train and enable chapter members to effect positive interactions with government entities in their communities
- Be the liaison for chapter members with educational, advocacy and programs-related groups within ASHRAE
- Serving as a clearinghouse of grassroots government adoptions of ASHRAE-endorsed standards, guidelines, and positions

23. GAC Emphases for Society Year 2018-19
Government Outreach Day visits (Day on the Hill)
Initiate contact with national publicly elected and appointed officials at their offices in local areas
- resources and staff are available to assist with and participate in a new Government Outreach Day (Day on the Hill) in your jurisdiction
Nationally Elected Officials:
US Senate & Congressional District Offices
Canada MP Local Offices

24. Purposed 2018/2019 Public Policy Priorities
A. Building Performance Optimization
1. New Construction
Codes and Standards - Adoption of Current Versions
Building Design Criteria (90.1, AEDGs, etc.)
Performance based standards/BEQ as designed
System approach to Energy Efficiency
Commissioning/ongoing-commissioning (Monitoring)
These are to be approved in Houston

25. Public Policy Priorities
A. Building Performance Optimization
2. Existing Buildings
Codes and Standards
Benchmark / assessment and path to improvements
Commissioning/ongoing-commissioning (Monitoring)
Building EQ
Re-commissioning / retro-commissioning / ongoing- commissioning (Monitoring)

26. Public Policy Priorities (continued)
B. Public Safety
1. Legionella
a. Advocate use of Standard 188
2. Licensure issues
a. Response to state efforts to implement MOE or to abolish state licensing boards
3. Refrigerant safety
a. Educate officials on updated Standards on flammable refrigerants in commercial/industrial settings

27. Public Policy Priorities (continued)
C. Indoor Environmental Quality
1. Building Design Criteria (62.1, 55)
2. Air-borne and Water-borne hazards
3. Collaborate with other organizations (IAQA, etc)
D. Residential Construction
1. Codes and Standards (55,62.2 Design Guides)
2. Residential Refrigerants Safety
Educate officials on updated standards on Flammable Refrigerants in residential settings

28. Public Policy Priorities (continued)
E. STEM and Workforce Development
STEM (Long term)
Liaison with student activities
Workforce (Short term)
Communicate the need or shortage in training for operators and technicians
Improve awareness of ASHRAE training resources and certification
Identify what need to be done

29. Presidential Award of Excellence
Categories outline Society GAC priority activities
Should serve as road map for chapters and sections.
If a chapter follows what is in the PAOE for the year they would have a great start for the upcoming year
– especially in initial phases
- once the chapter is successful in planning then they will need to start to make a 3 and 5 year plan as Governments and there staff are always changing.

30. Presidential Award of Excellence
ASHRAE’s President-Elect decides the specific point allocations
PAOE recognizes and rewards members who perform activities to support ASHRAE initiatives
PAOE Newsletter, Instructions, and Award Descriptions are available at
PAOE Points for Society Year have not yet been finalized by President-Elect Shelia Hayter but recommendations have been made from GAC to her. A few items were recommended for change but most remain the same.
Minimum
Par
500 Points
650 Points

31. Points
Responsibility
50 points
For establishing and maintaining a chapter Government Affairs Committee with at least 2 members to promote ASHRAE with state, provincial, and local government.
50 points (minimum of 1 hour of training; 100 points maximum)
For government affairs training for chapter officers and future leaders.
150 points
For establishing and annually updating a list of government officials (at any level of government relevant to buildings, engineering or construction, including building officials, school system facility staff, state energy code officials, etc.) along with their contact information. (List must be sent to RVC by December 15 or date assigned by RVC)

32. GAC PAOE POINTS 2018-19 300 points (Max 1200)
Responsibility
300 points (Max 1200)
For each building located within the area used to determine the Chapter’s area assigned members receiving a Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) rating if the Chapter promoted bEQ
100 points (Max 1000)
For each announced and promoted or held joint chapter meeting with local, state, or provincial government entity to discuss a built environment or HVAC&R industry-related topic
100 points (Max 800)
For each documented personal contact (meeting) by a chapter member with government officials (at any level of government relevant to buildings, engineering or construction, including building officials, school system facility staff, state energy code officials, etc.) with the goal of promoting ASHRAE related subjects or Chapter goals and objectives, with notification sent to the ASHRAE Government Affairs Office (Points doubled if the chapter promotes current or recently updated ASHRAE Standards, ASHRAE certifications or bEQ)
100 points
For each National Engineers’ Week or non-US equivalent activity that promotes Engineering
GAC PAOE POINTS

33. GAC PAOE POINTS 2018-19 100 points (Max 600)
Responsibility
100 points (Max 600)
For promotion of ASHRAE certification programs with government officials, engineers, personal presentations, newsletters
50 points (Max: 50)
For maintaining a current listing of local and state Energy code(s) for entities within chapter area; include contacts for people managing the Energy Code(s)
50 points (Max 100)
For each Chapter program on the topic of government activities (minimum 45 minute presentation; maximum 2)
100 points
For each National Engineers’ Week or non-US equivalent activity that promotes Engineering
300 points (Max: 300)
For a complete application submitted to the GGAC for the Government Affairs Award
200 points
For the incoming Chapter GAC committee chair attending the GAC CRC workshop (50 points for chapter representative other than the chair who is a senior officer or member of GAC)
GAC PAOE POINTS

34. GAC PAOE POINTS 2018-19 100 points
Responsibility
100 points
For chapter GAC chair continuing a second year as chair (200 points for an additional year with a cap of 300 points in one year)
For chapter submitting report(s) with local issues identified to RVC (with a cap of 400 points in one year)
50 points (Max 100)
For planning/goal setting session with RVC (points assigned by RVC by October 1 or 2 weeks after the CRC, whichever is later)
10 points
(Max 200)
For chapter interaction with local or state government to advocate policy related to buildings, engineering or construction. The total points shall be determined by the RVC based on effort
(Max 100)
For achieving goals established in goal-setting session with RVC (points assigned by RVC by June 30)
For each GAC meeting to promote using an Energy Code based on ASHRAE standards with Energy Code contacts; must report to RVC
GAC PAOE POINTS

35. Government Affairs Award
Recognizes an individual demonstrating outstanding efforts, in state, federal, provincial, and/or local government on technical or policy issues important to ASHRAE
Chapter Chairs submit nominations to the RVC for regional award
Additional information regarding the Award can be found in Section 1 of the GAC Resource Manual Section I
As a society we need to do a better job to recognize the Volunteers for all the work that they do. It would be nice to see at least one name from each region nominated for this each year.

36. ENGINEERS WEEK PROCLAMATIONS
Engineers week is FEBRUARY 17-23, 2019
We are working on to how obtain proclamations easily (check GAC website for information)
Puts chapters in front of government officials
Can be a proclamation from a Mayor, Governor or any other elected official
We recommend other activities with EWeek as well; visit the NSPE website below
Learn more at:
MORE TO COME ON THIS!!!
Each Non US RVC should check and see when and if this is occurs in their countries

37. Resources RVC Other Chapter Chairs
Society Staff Liaisons Alice Yates, Jim Scarborough and Jeremy Pollack[DC Office]
ASHRAE Government Affairs website (
ASHRAE’s bi-weekly Government Affairs Update ( affairs/government-affairs-updates)