2007 Annual Conference in Nashville TN
More than 200 NFFN members and supporters attended informative and educational workshops, participated in fast paced hot topic sessions, heard energizing motivational speeches and took part in a first ever computerized advocacy campaign to support increased funding for LIHEAP during the NFFN’s 23rd annual conference in Nashville.
The NFFN, working with the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), the American Gas Association, and the Campaign for Home Energy Assistance, provided conferees with the opportunity to send personalized letters to their congressional delegations asking to support additional funding for LIHEAP. More than 560 letters were generated.
In addition, the NFFN and NEADA also sought signatures on an open letter to the Congressional leadership urging the leaders to use every available legislative opportunity to provide additional funding for federal energy assistance during this fiscal year. By the end of the conference, mo
re than 150 conferees had signed the letter.
Former Louisiana State University basketball coach turned motivational speaker Dale Brown got things off to an exciting start with a rousing address. The Hall of Fame Coach brought conference attendees to their feet when he urged NFFN members to “kick down the door” on Capitol Hill in the fight to provide additional funding for LIHEAP.
Another featured speaker Dr. John Cook of the Boston University School of Medicine and co-author of a new study on the relationship between LIHEAP and the health of small children carefully explained the important role energy assistance plays in the development and health of small children.
He pointed out that the study conducted by him and his colleagues demonstrated that babies and children living in households that received aid through the federal energy assistance program where generally more healthy and had fewer instances of malnutrition. 
During the awards ceremony, Mary Thompson Grassi of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority was presented with the NFFN’s highest honor, the Sister Pat Kelley Award. Ms. Thompson Grassi was recognized for her “long and distinguished career” that “exemplified the compassion and dedication of the fuel fund pioneer for whom the award was named.”
The NFFN’s Victorine Q. Adams Award, which honors institutional innovation and achievement, was given to Energy Outreach Colorado’s Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP). NEEP provides funding for energy audits and energy efficiency improvements to nonprofit organizations serving low-income and
at-risk populations. The DTE Energy Company was named the recipient of the Corporate Excellence Award. The NFFN’s awards committee took note of DTE Energy’s more than 20 years of leadership and support for programs serving low-income people in crisis. The Michigan based utility was also cited for its support of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), a statewide nonprofit fuel fund for more than two decades.
The NFFN’s Extra Mile Award was presented to Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas for his unwavering support of LIHEAP and his leadership in securing additional needed funds for the federal assistance program.
NFFN’s Annual Media Fair recognized Energy Outreach for the best overall campaign during 2006-07. The NFFN website has a complete list of the media fair recognitions, by category.
During the two-day conference, attendees had chances to sit in on a variety of workshops on a wide range of topics including building advocacy skills, internet fundraising, the Energy Safety Net Project, statewide fuel funds, linking energy assistance and energy efficiency, and fire and fall protection for older adults.
Other workshops covered building community support and using media collaborations, legal services and energy assistance centers, and the continuing issue of persistent poverty.
The very popular “hot topic” sessions drew many members to fast paced discussions of current topics including preparing for Washington Action Day for LIHEAP 2008, green energy and low income consumers, creating a guide to finding an energy efficient home, serving immigrant and migrant populations, the NFFN’s Victorine Q. Adams Institute, delivering water rate affordability assistance, and fuel oil and other deliverables.
But the conference was not all about workshops and speeches; plenty of time was set aside for networking, informal information sharing or just renewing old friendships. And many delegates picked up new information from the conference’s exhibitors. Conferees also had opportunities to explore Nashville, which shuttle buses leaving every evening for popular sections of the “Music City.”
Pattie Riddlebarger, Entergy’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility closed the educational program with a slide show on her company’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
At the closing business meeting, members approved a resolution urging Congress to fully fund LIHEAP for fiscal year 2008 and approved a series of changes to the NFFN’s by-laws. The changes to the by-laws update several outdated institutional arrangements, codify the use of electronic communications in NFFN decision-making and enhance the accountability of Network elections. The full text of the changes can be obtained by emailing to NFFN Executive Director George Coling at the NFFN headquarters.
2007 Annual Conference Winners
Mary Thompson Grassi
This year the NFFN is honoring Mary Thompson Grassi of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority with the Sister Pat Kelley Award. During a long and distinguished career assisting low-income households, Ms. Thompson Grassi has exemplified the compassion and dedication of the fuel fund pioneer for whom the award is named.
Ms. Thompson Grassi began her career in an inner-city clinic in Boston as a staff psychologist providing services to people with disabilities. She later moved to New York where she worked with Catholic Charities in Brooklyn before joining KeySpan Energy where she was Manager of Consumer Advocacy working on low-income initiatives in the utility’s New York City, Long Island and New England territories.
Ms. Thompson Grassi than became Public Affairs Manager for HeartShare Human Services of New York, a large nonprofit that includes three fuel funds. Ms. Thompson Grassi is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Fuel Funds Network and the National Low Income Energy Consortium.
Energy Outreach Colorado
The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) has been named the 2007 recipient of the Victorine Q. Adams Award. This award recognizes institutional innovation and achievement and was named in honor of fuel fund pioneer the late Victorine Q. Adams.
NEEP provides funding for energy audits and energy efficiency improvements to nonprofit organizations serving low-income and at-risk populations. By targeting funds toward energy efficiency upgrades in nonprofit organizations, the burden of energy costs are reduced, which results in more dollars being available for client services.
Developed and implemented by Energy Outreach Colorado, the program began in March 2006 with five nonprofits in the Denver metropolitan area. The program is expected to expand to other areas of the state in the future.
DTE Energy
For its more than 20 years of leadership and support for programs serving low-income people in crisis, the NFFN has recognized the DTE Energy Company with its 2007 Corporate Excellence Award.
The DTE Energy Company is a diversified energy company whose largest operating subsidiaries are Detroit Edison and Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. (MichCon).
DTE Energy Company has assisted its underserved customers not only through internal programs but by providing administrative expenses, bill credits, and in-kind services for The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), a state-wide nonprofit fuel fund for more than two decades.
In 2006, DTE Energy provided $8,780,000 through a variety of matching programs with THAW, the Department of Human Services, Community Action Agencies and private agencies throughout the state.
Senator Mark Pryor
Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas has been selected to receive the 2007 Extra Mile Award for his unwavering support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and his leadership in securing additional needed funds for the federal energy assistance program.
The award is presented by the NFFN to the member of Congress “who has walked the extra mile” advocating for increased funding for LIHEAP.
Sen. Pryor has worked persistently to secure budget amendments for additional LIHEAP fund, presented energy assistance needs to the media, and educated his colleagues on the importance of LIHEAP in warm weather states.
His support of LIHEAP has been unflagging and his dedication to the most vulnerable members of our society has been indefatigable.
2007 Media Fair Winners
First Place Overall
Energy Outreach Colorado
Advocacy/Awarness Campaign
1st Place: Dollar-Help, Inc.
2nd Place: Consumers Energy
3rd Place: Energy Outreach Colorado
Fundraising Campaign
1st Place: Entergy Corporation
2nd Place: Project SHARE - Salvation Army, Georgia Division
3rd Place: Energy Outreach Colorado
2007 Annual Conference Sponsors
Conference Luncheon |
Hosting Sponsor |
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Primary Sponsors
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Networking Sessions Sponsor |
New Member's Luncheon Sponsor |
Integrys Energy Group |
Atmos Energy |
Sponsor
Ameren UE |
Laclede Gas |
American Public Power Association |
Minnesota Power |
The Connecticut Light and Power Co. and Yankee Gas |
Nicor Gas |
Duke Energy |
Omaha Public Power District |
Edison Electric Institute |
Pepco Holdings Inc. |
Energy Outreach Colorado |
Sacramento Municipal Utility District |
Florida Power and Light |
Salt River Project |
KeySpan Energy |
Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association |
Supporters
Nashville Electric Service |
The Salvation Army, National Headquarters |
RG&E |
Sister Pat Kelley Scholarship Fund |
Juices provided by |
Betty Pruitt |
Citizens Gas & Coke Utility |