Longer term cost reductions should also be pursued.  Make sure you’ve chosen the right rate.


 Elevate human behavior through education campaigns. Where rates are time based, usage should be encouraged during off-peak hours.


 Share cost information with your owners and the impact that this has on their assessments.


Forming an Energy Committee can be a great start to augmenting what the Association Manager and Board of Directors can do on their own.





When you look at gas, water and electric costs, and the percentage of com- mon area expenses these represent, it makes absolute sense to look into potential cost savings. A committee allows you to recruit owners with a vested interest in the community to research and develop creative ideas to lower these utility costs. It enables members to propose big ideas that can be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration throughout the year. Finally, it takes advantage of the talent and expertise that lives within your community. A committee can provide support and assistance to the Board, allowing directors to focus on critical decision making.


HOW DOES A COMMITTEE GET FORMED?


When a Board forms an Ad Hoc, Energy Charter Committee, keep in mind these five (5) things: 1.


1 2. 2


it in the minutes and your newsletter so the membership knows the name and purpose of the group.


Secondly, name a Director of the Board as a liaison, who is respon-


sible for convening at least the first meeting of the group. Te Director Liaison should not hold a committee position, but assist to coordinate the committee members. Te committee is accountable to the full Board of Directors, so avoid sending a group of people off to do something without them having responsibility for bringing the group together.


3. 3 4.


Number four, establish the committee charter. Te charter should clearly state what is the purpose of the committee and what is expected of them. Part of that charge should be clarifying whether the committee has authority to make decisions and if so, what is the scope of that authority? Or is it their responsibility to gather information and share it, or is it their responsibility to provide a recommendation? Be clear about that.


4 5.


Number five, establish some sort of timeline. Whatever they’re sup- posed to do – when does the Board of Directors expect to hear back from the Energy Committee? Establish a timeline or create milestones that will ultimately lead the committee towards the intended outcome.


5 8  Number three, put in place a protocol for how the Energy Com-


mittee interacts with the Board of Directors. Be sure the committee under- stands their relationship and accountability.


First of all, give the committee a name, the Energy Committee. Put


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32