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. View Dr. Cook’s presentation here. 
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.