State and Local Chapters

The organizational structure of Efficiency First supports the formation of state, regional and local chapters targeting membership development, advocacy and political action within a given state or territory. Chapter-level activities may include joint marketing initiatives, lobbying state and national legislators, building working relationships with public utility companies, creating and managing public-private partnerships, supporting local PACE financing initiatives, and implementing Home Performance workforce development programs. More than a dozen chapters have been established since the association was founded earlier this year, and we are actively recruiting chapter leaders in all 50 states.

Chapter Organization

Efficiency First chapters can be defined as state, regional or local entities. The association generally prioritizes the formation of state chapters, but will divide states into regional or local chapters based on demand and availability of local leadership. In the case of California, for example, the sheer size and population of the state has prompted the creation of three separate chapters. The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, on the other hand, is represented by a single chapter encompassing members from Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

CHAPTER TYPES: Efficiency First accepts Integrated and Affiliated chapters, defined as follows:

• An Integrated Chapter is a chapter specifically created by Efficiency First. A new chapter is created when no existing state-incorporated organization of similar interests exists. Efficiency First staff working with local members designates co-chairs and help the co-chairs recruit an initial steering committee.
  
  Leadership: Each chapter has two co-chairs and a steering committee of three to five members who support the co-chairs by coordinating position papers, managing working groups, etc. Co-chairs and steering committee members are chosen by their peers in coordination with the national leadership. Leaders must be dues-paying members of Efficiency First.


• An Affiliated Chapter is an existing organization that has its own name and members. The organization must have a mission that encompasses the mission of Efficiency First, but may be broader. Efficiency First establishes a partnership with the organization, including dual membership or Efficiency First members, with the goal of increasing membership in both organizations.
  
  Leadership: Efficiency First will recognize existing leadership based on Affiliated chapters bylaws.

NATIONAL SUPPORT: Efficiency First supports each chapter by providing:

• Management assistance, including maintenance of membership database
• A Web page hosted at www.efficiencyfirst.org to be used for promoting chapter events and activities
• National staff focused on local policy issues (staff time is allocated based on membership and sponsorship levels)
• After recruiting 35 new members, an organization can arrange for Efficiency First staff to speak and/or spend time working on policy issues
• Staff visit every three years for chapters with at least 25 members
• Annual visit if the chapter is sustaining a balance of 60 members or $50,001 in sponsorships

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS: State chapters are expected to maintain a minimum of 50 dues-paying members, with provisional status based on 35 members. A lower minimum of 35 members applies for smaller states with five or fewer Congressional Districts. Metropolitan or regional chapters must have 50 members, with provisional status for 15 members within a state chapter. Additional membership goals may be imposed by the association based on population, residential programs, etc

INCORPORATION: Chapters shall only be considered for independent incorporation after they have reached 150 members and/or $65,000 in membership fees or sponsorships. Discretion for establishment and parameters will be determined by staff under authority from the national board.

National State & Local Action Chapters Committee

This committee is to be chaired by an Efficiency First board member, in compliance with standing committee regulations. The Committee vice-chair or other committee leadership shall be chosen at the will of the committee. The committee shall meet monthly via phone, Internet or in person. Each chapter’s co-chairs shall represent their chapter on the national call.

The 2009-2010 chair is Keith Abbott.

BEST PRACTICES: Each chapter should designate at least one member, per issue, to join the national best practices working groups.

ADDITIONAL WORKING GROUPS: Local chapters can develop working groups on particular issues of state or local significance.

Membership Dues

Dues for national and local membership shall be paid to the national organization. A portion of those dues shall be utilized to fund resources for the chapter. Resources can be defined as national staff time, Web site maintenance, etc.

COST OF MEMBERSHIP: After January 1, 2010, Efficiency First, after will only recognize membership at a minimum of $250. Chapters that wish to levy additional charges for specific local funds may only do so with the permission of the national organization.

DUAL MEMBERSHIP: Discounted rates are available for enrollment in dual organizations if a signed agreement is reached with an existing organization. These rates shall be negotiated by Efficiency First in compliance with the Membership Committee Guidelines.