Six Ways You Can Help with Government Relations
A special column by Charles Schobel, VP of Government Affairs for BioLab
The recreational aquatic industry is regulated by numerous government agencies: DOT, EPA, CSPC, OSHA, our Congress, every state legislature, and every municipality and fire marshal in the country. Often, it is a challenge for government and industry to truly understand each other’s objectives. But this challenge is one that underscores why industry members stand to gain from building closer relationships with government officials. Many of these agencies’ decisions can materially affect not only business growth, but also business survival.
Remember that there is no constitutional right to own and run a business. It’s a privilege. Protect that privilege by getting to know your government officials better and partnering with them to achieve win-win solutions. Several APSP chapters have been partnering in this way for years—and achieving success.
Each year some area of the country is plagued by water supply problems, whether due to a lack of rain, capacity in the treatment facility or water being let out of a dam. For whatever reason, when there is a water shortage, not all industries are treated the same way. That is why it is critically important to make sure that government officials understand the facts about our industry and water usage before decisions are made to restrict the actions of businesses and consumers. It’s in our industry’s best interest to partner with government officials and keep them informed.
Today BioLab is tracking more than 40 issues that can directly affect your ability to run your business. Many of these issues don’t make the front page of our trade publications. Suppliers and associations in our industry try to protect our industry by working with regulatory committees to educate politicians and regulators to the needs of our industry and how their laws or regulations could affect us. Often, you only hear about the problems when we have been unsuccessful in this process.
Also, I would like to be clear: We are not against laws and regulations in our industry. Many regulations improve safety and our environment, and we are very supportive of them.
But, some regulations, if enacted, could severely hamper our ability to do business or possibly force some businesses to close.
For example, a proposal before the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) could restrict the amount of chlorinating products that you store in your retail store to just 20 pounds. We are actively working with the association and other companies to come to a suitable solution to this issue.
My job is to head off potential problems before they become crises. Proactively sharing industry knowledge with regulators and legislators will be a powerful tool in heading off laws and rules that could unnecessarily cripple our business.
I cannot do this alone. I need your help and the help of other advocacy associations. I need you to join in this mission to protect our privilege.
Here are six actions that you can take at the grass-roots level to help us protect our privilege of being in business.
1. Get to know your fire inspector and/or building inspector.
When an inspector visits, spend time with him/her to better understand the issues
2. Consult the inspector when you are planning changes to your facility or installation.
Make sure that you know up front if the changes are acceptable.
3. Demonstrate that your business is prepared for any emergency.
Post emergency evacuation routes and exit signs, and practice emergency plans.
4. Become an advocate of change in your community.
Establish a deep-rooted awareness and understanding of the issues that affect your community—especially issues that may affect your business and/or your customers.
5. Join and give money to every industry group that has a government affairs office that could affect your business.
I can’t do this task alone—and neither can you. I often hear, “Why should I join APSP? What are the benefits to me?” There are many benefits to being a member of the APSP. (For a quick overview, visit www.TheAPSP.org and click on About APSP/Our Programs and The Value of APSP Membership.) But even if the only benefit you get from APSP is someone looking out for your interests on the regulatory and legislative fronts, working for you behind the scenes, it’s worth all the dues you pay. So, even if you don’t go to Chapter meetings or take the education courses, join APSP just because you are helping the advocacy efforts supporting your industry. Your support of the association can dramatically influence your ability to run your business.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law a California Pool Safety Bill that in its initial form would have required each pool in the State of California to have two barrier fences between the house and the pool. This law would have been retroactive to existing pools. SPEC (California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council), a California pool and spa advocacy association, worked with the legislators to be sure they were educated about our industry before the final bill passed. Now, the law as enacted will improve safety while satisfying the common objectives of legislators and industry representatives.
SPEC is a worthwhile group—it concentrates primarily on legislative activity in California. I’m on its Board of Governors because laws made in California often influence the rest of the country.
6. The sixth action is to tell your local APSP Chapter of any issues occurring in your area.
While state and national issues are usually publicized, local issues may not be, and we want to have the broadest understanding of all situations to provide the most effective response.
Some of these issues may seem fr from the counter of your pool store and far from your individual ability to influence the outcome. But there are things that we can do as a group that can dramatically enhance our relationship with federal and local government officials and achieve workable solutions for all.
Our future looks strong, but we cannot neglect our ongoing need to work closely with government officials. While my new job will be spearheading BioLab’s efforts, it’s still up to all of us to get involved. Protecting our privilege to conduct business is everyone’s responsibility.
To get involved in industry government relations efforts, or for more information, contact Carvin DiGiovanni at cdigiovanni@TheAPSP.org or 703.838.0083, ext. 149.
