CHAPTERS ANNUAL REPORT - US Green Building Council

CHAPTERS ANNUAL REPORT ANALYSISBased on the results of 2012, USGBC askedchapters who they would target for the 2013 year.Table 3.10 below details organizations that chaptersare targeting in 2013 to build additional relationships.Table 3.10: 2013 Chapter Outreach TargetsTarget AudienceChaptersSpecific Outreach Target Audience 82%Young professionals 74%Students 64%Building trades 50%Community development organizations 39%Chambers of Commerce 34%New/under-represented professionals 34%Low income people & communities 33%Social service organizations 28%Communities of faith 25%Minority populations 22%Convention/visitors bureaus 18%Under/unemployed people 12%Veterans 11%Libraries 9%Sports Authorities 5%People with disabilities 3%In 2013, chapters have a broad range of outreachtargets as indicated in the previous table. It isimportant to note that although chapters havecreated a target list, only 52% of chapters indicatedthat they have actually created a strategy or plan toengage those partners in the future. Where chapterare focusing their available volunteer hours, as wellas the limited capacity of some chapters in resources,makes it more difficult to engage target audiencesand organizations. Therefore, it is critical in thestrategic planning process that time be budgeted toprioritize and create a strategy for engagement foreach target audience a chapter is targeting or thesetargets cited have no basis for mission achievementor metrics to drive success.3.4 AdvocacyIn 2012, a total of 25 chapters indicated theyhad opted for the 501h election. This is a decreaseof 5 chapters compared to 2011. As you do nothave to re-file your 501h, this indicates that there isconfusion or miscommunication from year to yearabout the 501h election within chapters that USGBCneeds to communicate in 2013. The number of501h elections should remain constant or increaseannually, not decrease as they did in 2012. The 501hexemption permits 501c(3) organizations to spend alimited portion of their funds to influence legislation.USGBC recommends that all chapters choose thisexemption because it provides clear guidelines onlobbying expenditures. Following these rules willhelp chapters protect their tax-exempt status whileengaging in advocacy work.Chapter leaders across the network made820 direct contacts with legislators and directlyinfluenced 176 pieces of legislation at the local, stateand national level. Forty-eight of the 77 chapters(approximately 64%) hosted elected officials on atleast one tour of a green building in their territoriesin 2012.2012 CHAPTERS ANNUAL REPORT | 32