Resources and Plans for Weatherization Day, October 30, 2011

By Roger Peace
Florida Weatherization Network
October 10, 2011

Weatherization Day is all about connecting local projects to the larger national mission. Beyond the hard work that is done every day to weatherize homes, there is a need to reconnect our vision -- and public perceptions -- to the great national goals inherent in the weatherization project: reducing poverty, unemployment, energy waste, and pollution, and building a sustainable, prosperous, and compassionate society.

Local Florida weatherization projects are very much part of the national effort. The Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center (WAPTAC) in Washington, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, notes on its website the following Florida activities in 2010 (waptac.org):

• a proclamation issued by the Martin County Board of Commissioners establishing October 30 as "Weatherization Day" and commending Indiantown Non-Profit Housing "for their service to the region's low-income families and for their work that conserves energy, a benefit to us all";
• a statewide "Weatherization Day" proclamation signed by Gov. Charlie Christ on September 23, 2010;
• flyers and press releases for events sponsored by the Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan and Indiantown Non-Profit Housing;
• newspaper articles on the good works of Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency and St. Johns Housing Partnership.

For this year's Weatherization Day, again on October 30, WAPTAC has produced a "Weatherization Day Planning Kit 2011," designed to help local groups gain greater recognition in the media and reach out to their communities. "When people know about the outstanding work you perform, they are more willing to support that work – in your community, your state, and across the country!" The kit offers models and advice for activities ranging in complexity from issuing a press release to organizing a full-blown weatherization demonstration. (download the kit here).

Weatherization Day offers an opportunity for local organizations to inform the public about their programs and accomplishments along with upcoming events and activities. For organizations that manage many projects serving low-income families, as is the case with most Florida groups, enhancing your reputation in the area of weatherization will reflect positively on your overall program.

Those who want to include information about the national Weatherization Assistance Program will find the chart on page 10 of the WAPTAC planning guide helpful. The chart provides current national data on homes weatherized, financial savings for low-income families, and environmental benefits for the nation and world (see chart below in miniature). To take one example, "Over 483,000 homes have been weatherized since June 2011 with ARRA [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act] funds, toward the goal of 650,000."

In addition to press releases, the WAPTAC planning guide includes information on submitting op-ed articles to local newspapers, arranging for public service announcements and/or interviews on radio and television programs, organizing celebrations and other events, inviting (or prodding) your county commissioners to issue an official Weatherization Day proclamation, and posting stories and videos of your activities on your website. WAPTAC has produced a three-minute customizable slideshow, "Weatherization Works!" that can be downloaded onto your website (download the slideshow here).

The state of Florida's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) plays a crucial role in facilitating local initiatives as well as gathering relevant data on residences weatherized and jobs provided through the program. Program manager Norm Gempel reports that local agencies, or subgrantees, "have been weatherizing dwellings at an unprecedented rate," with 15,197 low-income households being served over the last twenty months (6,500 in 2010 and 8,697 through August 2011).

"Having a Weatherization Day activity in your area is an excellent opportunity to let everyone know what has been accomplished," wrote Gempel in a memo to local providers. As in previous years, the state WAP has authorized subgrantees to spend up to $500 to defray the costs of Weatherization Day activities (although not for food, beverages, or clothing).

The memo suggested a number of promotional activities: producing a banner with the "Weatherization Works in Florida" logo; printing brochures detailing the benefits of the program in your service area; documenting those benefits with blow-up photos of residences "before" and "after" weatherization, and with samples of utility bill reductions; obtaining a formal proclamation signed by local dignitaries; and coordinating special events.

Beyond these activities, said Gempel, "Weatherization Day is a really good time for agencies to step back, slap themselves on the back, and appreciate what they have done for economically challenged households."

Plans for Weatherization Day activities are currently underway in a number of Florida communities. Three are described below.

The Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan (THAP) and Habitat for Humanity are cosponsoring a "Weatherization Day" event at Parker Street Ministries in Lakeland on Saturday, October 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The featured activity will be a weatherization demonstration at a house site in the neighborhood, with contractors engaged in various kinds of weatherization operations. "We want people to see what we are actually doing," said Derrick Blue, Weatherization Coordinator for Polk County and coordinator of the event.

On hand at the park will be a number of businesses and community organizations that are promoting energy conservation -- Lakeland Electric, Tampa Electric, Progress Energy, Rebuilding Together (a housing program), the Salvation Army, and green energy innovators. These various groups, said Blue, "want to be more visible in the community." The mayor of Lakeland is expected to attend along with several city commissioners. In addition to educational activities, the event will include family-friendly fun activities, refreshments, and give-away prizes for children. "We want to make it something that's appealing to people," said Blue.

Lake Community Action Agency (LCAA) will be holding a "WAP Day in the Park" in Eustis on October 29, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The free event at Ferran Park is advertised as a "celebration of Energy Awareness Month and the National Weatherization Day." The festive event will invoke the fall spirit of "Oktoberfest" and include music, food, and educational activities. "What we are trying to do, first of all," said weatherization coordinator Michael Roberson, "is to bring more awareness of our agency and of energy conservation. We are highlighting our accomplishments in the weatherization program over the past year."

Like their counterparts in Tampa, LCAA is inviting partners and vendors to participate in the event: Progress Energy, Sumter Electric Cooperative, Lake County Community Development Agency, City of Leesburg representatives, Sam's Club, Home Depot, and others. There will be demonstrations on stage regarding energy conservation and a house model that displays how weatherization affects energy conservation. The Plexiglas model house shows the effects of air infiltration in the home, how closing doors affects positive and negative pressure, and how duct leakage affects energy consumption. There will also be a mobile trailer on site that is fitted with "all the weatherization features we install in the home," said Roberson. The trailer is provided by McNeal and White contractors.

The LCAA staff will be on hand to explain the weatherization application process and encourage people to apply. Several vendors will provide food at the event and there will be treats for kids. "We want to get the crowds out there so they can really learn what we do," said Roberson.

Indiantown Non-Profit Housing, Inc. (INPHI) is invoking the Halloween spirit in its evening event on October 27: "Energy Bills are Scary!" Held at Post Family Park in Indiantown, the event will mix educational and fun activities. "What we are trying to do is provide an educational opportunity for the residents of our community by adding a little fun and excitement," said Donna Carman, INPHI director. "We are trying to educate the youth as well as the adults as to energy conservation measures -- how to save energy and how to save money on utility bills."

INPHI staff will be on hand to explain the weatherization program and receive applications for assistance. The event will feature free food (from local donations), children's games, carnival games, and a movie after dark. Before the featured movie, short educational videos will be shown on how to conserve energy. "I'll have a captive audience," said Carman. The group will also give away light-up necklaces to children. "It's a family event, not just for adults."

The Florida Weatherization Network (FWN) is working to maximize the visibility of weatherization providers in the state. A FWN press release on Weatherization Day will be sent out later this month; and a follow-up article is planned for early November. If you have questions or we can support you in any way, please contact Samantha Morse, FWN network administrator (smorse@ihpip.com).

Special Invitation

October 12, 2011

Dear: Elected Official

On behalf of the Lake Community Action Agency Board of Directors, I invite you to attend our annual “Weatherization Day “ (WAP DAY IN THE PARK) celebration to be held on October 29, 2011 from 9:00am – 2:00pm at Ferran Park, in Eustis, Fl. This event is planned to highlight what the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Weatherization Program has accomplished locally for Lake County and your constituents. All across the United States over 700 local agencies, non-profits & municipalities will be celebrating “National Weatherization Day” and the accomplishments of the Weatherization Program and the impact in local communities. Local vendors and contractors will feature the latest residential green building technology and energy efficiency products & services available to eligible Weatherization Assistance Program clients. There will be lots of food, music, giveaways & literature available at the event. Several small businesses will be in attendance.

There will be live demonstrations on how the Weatherization Program reduces energy consumption for low-income families at the event. Since the inception of ARRA, our agency has weatherized over 439 homes with over 966 individuals benefitting from the Weatherization Program. Client Utility bills have been reduced upon average by 26.79%. This translates into an approximate annual bill reduction of over $470 per year savings for our weatherization clients. Through the Weatherization Program, our agency has retained over 39 construction related jobs over the past year in Lake County pumping over $1.84 million dollars into our local economy. Weatherization is an effective public investment and an important program for the citizens of Lake County.

Please consider this letter a personal invitation to our annual “WAP DAY IN THE PARK” celebration. We enjoy showing our elected officials what the Weatherization Assistance Program is capable of achieving and the difference it makes in improving the lives of the clients we serve here in Lake County. If you have any questions, please contact me or my Weatherization Program Director at 352-357-5550. Sincerely

James H. Lowe
Executive Director