Conference co-chairs establish the conference track topics and all general session topics and speakers.  They may establish criteria for specific workshops, presenters and moderators or even identify presenters who must be included in any particular workshop. While it is within the purview of the conference co-chairs to schedule the specific date and time of any workshop in the conference, they will always take into consideration the preferences of track leaders for any and all aspects of the workshops.

Tasks related to Tracks include:

• Selecting the Track Topic
• Selecting a Track Leader and Track Team Members for each Track.
• Establishing a web-based site for all correspondence to be posted so that all Co-Chairs, Track Leaders and Track Team Members have access to current information. (this)
• This will track progress, and will serve to avoid duplication of topics/speakers/etc.
• Facilitating regularly scheduled conference calls to discuss issues and progress.
• Disseminating and Collecting the Call for Presenters; Sharing the appropriate Presenter proposals with the various Track Leaders

Track Leaders are responsible for the development of all workshops and/or sessions in a designated track (a broad area of interest such as weatherization, energy assistance delivery and fundraising, etc.), including assigning a moderator to each workshop.

Tasks include:

• Maintain and transmit – in accordance to the timeline – the complete records of workshop titles, assigned times, presenters, presenters’ contact information, confirmations with presenters and commitments made for presenter support.
• Track requests for speaker support and submit requests (subject to the confines of funding and speaker room-night allocations) if within budget to the NEUAC Treasurer for approval.

Note: Funding for speakers/presenters to cover costs associated with travel, registration and hotels is limited to $1,000 per track.  Please confirm with your co-chair before agreeing to any reimbursements.

• Communicate individually with other track leaders to avoid duplication of subject material, as needed, and in scheduled conference calls with co-chairs and/or refer to the web-based information for reference.
• Refer the presenters’ to Gove Group to discuss audio/visual needs to ensure they are within the capabilities, budgets and policies of NEUAC, or make alternative arrangements with presenters.
• Communicate with Co-Chairs, moderators and, if necessary, presenters to ensure that presentations complement one another and are germane to workshop descriptions.

Track Team Members support the work of the Track Team as they assist in completing the conference track.

• Work with track leaders to shape and fill the “conference grid.” Workshop developers call potential presenters and moderators to discuss proposed workshops, inquire about availability, and confirm appropriate presenters and moderators.
• Work with conference planning team to help identify moderators and presenters for each session.
• Ensure that presentations are relevant to conference, will provide value to conference participants and meet editorial guidelines.
• Facilitate conference calls between individual presenters and moderators.
• Coordinate with presenters and speakers to ensure that copies of presentations are provided to the executive director for inclusion on the NEUAC website.
• May be responsible for coordinating one or more workshops within a track or tracks.
• Report to track leaders for the tracks in which they volunteer to work and participate in regularly scheduled track meetings to develop the educational program of the track.

(You may download the list here: Conference Leads and Teams)

This track will focus on numerous issues and responses pertaining to the most vulnerable: older adults, people with disabilities, or who are medically frail, and households with children. Sessions will delve into linkages of energy and utility assistance with other social services, including a review of current model programs and responses for specific populations.  We will focus on proven programs and success scenarios.

This track will identify efforts to improve the energy efficiency of low-income housing, including single- and multi-family housing and mobile homes.   Additionally, sessions will examine issues related to renewable applications and programs benefiting vulnerable households, the Weatherization Assistance Program, federal and state energy efficiency programs and non-profit and corporate energy-efficiency initiatives.

This track will examine federal, state and local energy policies that impact low-income households and will highlight effective advocacy practices that have been used across the country that focus on the needs of low-income households.

This track will detail the basics of energy assistance delivery.  It will explore topics including capacity building, federal administrative requirements, program integrity, evaluation and best operational practices for government and privately funded energy assistance initiatives. The track will also explore low-income energy education and behavior change programs.

This track will explore strategies for addressing the needs of non-profit energy assistance agencies.   Sessions will showcase proven fundraising practices, including successful partnerships with utilities and nonprofits that together manage nonprofit energy assistance programs; strategic planning; board development and other topics related to non-profit sustainability and management.

This track will examine creative efforts on the part of utilities providers to reach and serve low-income consumers. It will  explore regulations and legislation that impact low-income customers and what stakeholders need to know about utility rate cases. This track also will cover how utilities mine for and use data for effective program design.

This track will explore programs intended to provide energy assistance and other basic needs to ensure that energy and utilities are available and affordable in Tribal communities. Sessions may include roundtables, a discussion with representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and basic information for new Tribal energy assistance program administrators and staffs.

This track will feature emerging energy issues, including the emerging issue of affordable clean drinking water.