Updated Charter Expands Board to Include Non-Governmental Representatives

To those people who have wanted to serve on the National Institute of Building Sciences National Council of Governments on Building Codes and Standards (NCGBCS) Board of Direction but are not government representatives, now is the time to get involved.

NCGBCS, otherwise known as the Council of Governments, has changed its charter to allow expanded participation from non-governmental members, including openings on the NCGBCS Board itself.

Previously, NCGBCS Board members had to be either a representative of a governmental body, which included any local, state or federal code administration agency, or an individual who, though not a governmental organization representative, engaged in the administration and enforcement of codes or standards and who agreed to work towards the goals of the Council’s objectives.

The updated charter allows non-governmental members, including public- or private-sector organizations and individuals that are not engaged in the administration of codes or standards, but who agree to work toward the realization of the Councils’ objectives.

One of the major roles of the National Institute of Building Sciences (both at the organizational level and through its individual councils and committees) is to facilitate discussions across the public and private sectors. The goal of the NCGBCS charter change is to get a more diverse representation on the NCGBCS Board in order to allow for input from all relevant parties. The U.S. code development, adoption, implementation and enforcement processes encompass a broad group of constituents, including non-profit, private-sector codes and standards developers; architecture, engineering, construction, operations and owner (AECOO) member organizations, federal agencies, manufacturers, individuals and others who submit code changes; designers, builders and contractors who use the codes to construct facilities; enforcement professionals who assess the construction to confirm safety measures; and building owners, operators and occupants who live and work in the facilities upon completion. The updated charter will allow these parties to participate in the Council of Governments moving forward.

Organizations and individuals who support the goals of the NCGBCS and have an interest in serving on its Board of Direction are encouraged to submit an email of intent, including relevant experience in the U.S. code development, adoption, implementation or enforcement processes, as well as contact information.

Your notification of interest must be received no later than August 28, 2015.