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Submitted by ASPE VP Legislative on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 11:59

Hello from your new VP Legislative! This is just a hello note to ALL of our Chapter VPL's to let you know that I am here. I want to first thank you and your delegates for voting me into this position. I will do what I can to serve your needs. Greg Farmer has volunteered to stay on as the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, which will be a huge help. David Dexter and Julius Ballanco have also agreed to remain involved in our work. Thanks guys! Together we can increase our effectiveness.

 
I have met some of you but there are many that I have never met. I hope that we will get more familiar with each other over the next 2 years, even if some of our contact may only be through digital venues. I am on Facebook and started a group called "ASPE VPLegislative". If you are on facebook and you invite me to be a friend, I will send you an invite to the group. Otherwise you can view it but not participate in it. I expect that we can share information more freely in this type of social environment.
 
We had a good council meeting on Wednesday after the convention. Thanks to those of you that attended. One thing that we discussed was that each chapter VPL should include local code information on their Chapter web sites. This might include things such as contacts and maybe some "unusual" local requirements, etc. We have many projects in the works and I expect to give you a list of them as well as their status, as soon as I figure out what they all are! Here is a list of "working groups" as I know them to be at this time:
                     WG 10 – Water Line Sizing, Chaired by C. David Hudson, dhudson@fosdickandhilmer.com
                     WG 15 – Hot Water Temperature and Control, Chaired by Larry Justin, ljustin@wentzassoc.com
                     WG 50 – Venting Systems, Chaired by Curtis Ray, curt@phoenixeng.us
                     WG 55 – Vacuum Plumbing Systems, Chaired by Mark Thayer, mthayer@hsmm.com
                     WG 59 – Kitchen Waste Systems – Fats, Oils & Greases (FOG), Chaired by Max Weiss, mweiss@centurytel.net
                     WG 63 – Rainwater Catchment, Chaired by Bob Bouleware, bbloulware@design-aire.com
                     WG 70 Fuel Gas Systems, seeking an interested chair
                     WG 80 – Residential Fire Protection Systems, seeking an interested chair
                     WG 90 – Solar Thermal Systems, Chaired by Kent Nichols, kent.nicholls@meibes.us.comThis WG is just being formed.
                     WG 100 – Plumbing System Commissioning, seeking an interested chair. Cyril Unger has indicated an interest
 
In the mean time, please review the P&O Manual for information on what you should be doing for your chapter as VPL. Here is a link where you will find it, (Officers only):http://aspe.org/ChapterOfficers
 
I have also included a description below. You should all pursue your local and state code officials and find meetings that you can attend to help build relationships with the officials. We can hopefully join the local committees and have some influence on the codes and regulations. We need to find ways to better serve the membership as we go forward. Please contact your chapter members for feedback and share with us.
 
Vice–President, Legislative
The Vice–President, Legislative, is responsible for planning and executing the chapter programs in the
area of Codes and Ordinances as they relate to the chapter membership. The Chapter VPL works with
the Society VPL. The Chapter VPL liaisons with the code-writing and regulatory organizations in any way
that is beneficial to the Chapter.

Code Involvement: If possible, the VPL should have a seat on the appropriate State or Local Code
Agency. Some State Code Board Members are appointed for extended periods of time. In those cases, it
is desirable for the chapter to have a representative serving on the board who can function as the liaison throughout the period of his appointment.
 
Code Programs: Classes on the local code prior to the regular meeting can be a great learning
experience for the beginning designer. The VPL can take one chapter per month to focus on for a fifteen
minute session, perhaps during the social hour. It is a good way to share knowledge with the newer
people and to make them feel involved.
 
Code Official Directory: If your chapter doesn’t already have one, the VPL can produce a Code
Official Directory for the chapter area. If your area has a great many cities, you may want to start with a
few for the first edition. Successive VPL’s can then expand on this first effort. This is a very valuable
resource for the Plumbing Designer at any stage of his/her career. Code interpretations can vary from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction. There is no substitute for direct contact with the proper authority. The Directory should be constantly updated.
 
VPL Report: Write a VPL Report for the Chapter Newsletter each month summarizing the activities of
the Legislative Committee.
ASPE is NOTHING without YOU!
VOLUNTEER! BE A NINJA!

WE ARE ALL ASPE!
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me, and share you needs, comments, concerns, etc. We can work together to make ASPE even greater than it is now.
Thanks, and keep in touch,
d
YOUR VPL
David E. DeBord, CPD, LEED®AP, ARCSA®AP
Senior Associate
 
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS DESIGN, INC.
175 West Jackson Blvd, Suite 1400 Chicago, Illinois 60604
Direct: 312.456.2359   Cell: 773.505.9041   Main: 312.372.1200   Fax: 312.372.1222
www.esdesign.com