Chapters Benefit from Reorganization

	ICC’s Laura Scott (left) with members of the Colorado Association of Permit Technicians.

As part of an organizational change, ICC CEO Rick Weiland announced that the Chapter Relations Department will now be part of the Government Relations Division. The move is in step with ICC’s goals to provide more benefits and enhanced services to its members and chapters.

Members Reap $358,170 in Benefits Last year, a record 298 chapters submitted an Annual Report. Those Chapters were eligible to receive benefits that included 143 Chapter Education Benefits days attended by approximately 10,000 chapter members—a value of $302,400. One-hundred forty-three Chapter Presidents took advantage of the complimentary registration benefit and attended the Council’s Annual Conference in Orlando—a value of $55,770. Chapters reinvested in ICC by contracting an additional 153 contract training days, reaching a total 6,885 students. The Code Council is committed to supporting its Chapters. We appreciate all you do as volunteer organizations to promote the Council. For questions regarding your chapter’s benefits, contact Chapter Relations staff via e-mail, or call 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 7205.

Ensure Your Chapter Receives Its Benefits
To ensure that your chapter receives full benefits, be sure to submit your Annual Report by June 1. Chapters are required to submit an Annual Report each year. Forms will be mailed to each Chapter President and Secretary of record in March.

Several new items have been added to this year’s Annual Report form. We would like to know when your organization was first established, and how many chapter members are also Code Council members. Member recruitment at the chapter level is one way a chapter can build its organization. You may want to poll Chapter members now before filing your 2007 Annual Report.

ICC Opens D.C. Office

Lawrence Schultz, Acting Assistant Chief of Operations for the Washington, D.C., Fire Department (left), and Lisa Morgan, Executive Director of the Washington, D.C., Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, present Code Council CEO Rick Weiland and Board President Wally Bailey with the certificate of occupancy for ICC's new office facility. ICC’s new world headquarters is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building just a few blocks from the nation's Capitol.

California Adopts I-Codes
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) has voted unanimously to adopt the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) as the basis for the state’s new codes. The decision comes after an adoption process involving several agencies that make up the Commission representing building and fire officials, architects, engineers, contractors, labor and the public.

“This is the beginning, not the end, of a journey to create a safer California,” said ICC CEO Rick Weiland. “It is a working partnership with the state to provide training and other support so that the codes are enforced and Californians can build safer and better. California now joins 48 other states that have decided to go with the I-Codes to save lives, protect property and have a positive impact on the economy.”

The IBC and IFC are scheduled to take effect in January 2008. This summer CBSC is scheduled to begin the process to adopt the International Residential Code.

Need Ideas for Promoting Building Safety?

	Chief Plans Examiner Mike Foreman hands out Building Safety Week materials at the Cinco de Mayo festival in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Building Safety Week 2007 is a perfect time to increase public awareness of safe building practices in a fun and educational way, and to share information about critical topics. Every year, jurisdictions nationwide reach out to the public in new and innovative ways, and we have some great ideas for promoting Building Safety Week in your area. Please tell us about any plans you have to participate this year. Your activities might become part of a feature article in the Building Safety Journal.

Advocating for Change at the National Level

Wally Bailey (center), President of the International Code Council Board of Directors, and Dottie Harris, ICC Director, State and Local Government Relations, speak with Congressman John Boozman (R-Ark.) during 2006 Building Safety Week regarding the National Windhazard Impact Reduction Program. Bailey, Director of Development and Construction for the City of Fort Smith (Ark.), met with members of Congress from his home state of Arkansas.

At the national level, Building Safety Week activities include a program of federal policy advocacy in Washington, D.C. Code Council leadership, including the Board of Directors, the Government Relations Advisory Committee and Chapter representatives, meet with U.S. House and Senate representatives to promote and discuss the Council’s annual legislative priorities.

In past years, ICC’s legislative agenda included policies guiding natural disaster mitigation and reconstruction, installation of enhanced energy efficiency and building safety measures, federal fire prevention policies, and federal incentives for promoting state and local code adoption. This year, the Council will continue to focus on these concerns and highlight efforts for a federally funded, competitive Local Code Administration Grant Program.

Foundation Unveils Special Chapter Incentive
Support building safety and earn rewards points.
Chapter officers can support the cause of building safety and bring home a public service announcement (PSA), just by purchasing a ticket for the Foundation’s Silent Defender Awards dinner. Prior to the May 10 dinner, interested attendees can contribute a special message about building safety in their community, which will be incorporated into an ICC Foundation PSA for distribution to local media outlets to promote your chapter. Voluntary participants in the 2008 Chapter Rewards Program can earn five points for attending the dinner, and another five points for having their PSA shown on a local station.

The annual Silent Defender Awards dinner honors individuals and organizations that make achievements to build stronger, safer communities throughout the world. Contact Jackie Claus at 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) ext. 4226 to participate.

Kansas Chapter Cosponsors ICC Institute
The ICC Permit Tech Institute focuses on customer service and construction development skills needed to perform the duties of a permit technician. Topics include strategies for providing exceptional customer service, general laws specific to code enforcement, fundamentals of the plan review process and calculating fees. The March 27-29 Institute is cosponsored by the Kansas City Metro Association of Permit Technicians. Participants can earn continuing education units (CEUs).

What to Do When Disaster Strikes?
Cosponsored by the Building Officials Association of South Carolina and the Coastal Code Enforcement Association of South Carolina, When Disaster Strikes—An Institute for Disaster Response concentrates on the skills, knowledge and tools needed to perform effectively as a Disaster Response Inspector. Participants will learn through practice exercises and case studies how to interface with the onsite command structure and become a resource in identifying unsafe buildings and uninhabitable structures. Participants will receive a customizable emergency preparedness kit, including a basic first-aid kit, disposable camera and training tools.

Contact Us
More Chapter information can be found on the Web by clicking here. You can also dial 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233) and reach the following: