THE APWA POSITION STATEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
An important role for APWA is to formulate position statements that influence the framework within which public works professionals do their jobs. To reflect the views of its broad and diverse membership, APWA has a member-driven position process guided by four main principles:
- Support for adequate investment in public infrastructure
- Respect for local authority
- Reasonable regulations and protection from unfunded mandates
- Support for streamlining government oversight
The APWA Government Affairs Committee (GAC), working with and taking direction from the Board of Directors, defines priorities, creates a vision and sets implementation goals, determining the public policy objectives of the association. In essence, GAC serves as a steering committee for the public policy advocacy work of APWA's Government Affairs Department, with oversight by the Board.
APWA is guided by formally adopted positions taken by the organization on national issues. APWA focuses its advocacy and regulatory positions on actions, programs, and proposals which directly impact public works. There are three types of position statements:
Advocacy: An Advocacy position statement clearly states APWA support for or opposition to a legislative issue. This statement is issue specific in nature, and directed to local, state, and national legislators and governmental agency administrators.
Regulatory: A Regulatory position states APWA support for or opposition to action to be taken by an administrative body or regulatory body.
Guidance: A Guidance position statement recommends that public works professionals follow certain practices, methods, and activities.
The position statement development process begins with a draft submittal from an APWA technical committee, local chapter, individual member, Board of Directors, House of Delegates, or GAC. It is then sent to the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) for review. To submit a position statement to the GAC, please fill out the attached transmittal document form with the required information. The PDF form is available here.
If the position statement is supported by the GAC, it is recommended to the APWA Board for approval. The APWA Board has the authority to either accept the proposal or reject it. If the APWA Board rejects the position statement, it is returned to GAC for further consideration or modification. (To see a diagram of this process, please visit: Appendix A: APWA Policy and Position Statement Approval Process Flow Chart.)
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