MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP
STRUCTURE OF HPBAC
HPBAC is a national association and an international affiliate of HPBA. There are three standing committees, and HPBAC also has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association des professionnels du chauffage (APC) in Quebec.
Role of the National Association
- National government affairs and assistance with regional issues
- Communications:
– Communications with all Canadian members and all manufacturer members
– Development and promotion of information to members and consumers
– Develop content for HPBAC projects
– Oversee social media and other sources of communication - Membership:
– Development, retention and engagement
– Member savings programs
– Networking opportunities - Education program development and delivery
- Liaise with HPBA and other affiliates
- Work with committees and provide support
- Liaise with other industry stakeholders
- Manage special projects such as the EnerGuide for Gas Fireplaces program
APC Connection
Les Professionnels du Chauffage d’Appoint (APC) has successfully represented the interests of Quebec members since its inception in the 1980s. In 1999, the APC entered into an agreement with the HPBAC, which provides a framework that allows their respective Boards to work together to further the objectives of the hearth industry in Canada.
APC Retailer and Service members receive membership in HPBAC and HPBA through their APC membership. Distributors who operate within Quebec only are also given HPBAC and HPBA membership. Distributors located in Quebec who operate in other provinces must join HPBAC directly, although at a reduced fee, recognizing their membership in APC.
APC makes a contribution to HPBAC each year for government affairs work and other functions HPBAC provides as a national association. APC and HPBAC staff communicate regularly, and APC staff participate on HPBAC’s committees in order to foster ongoing communication and cooperation.
Role of the Committees
Public Affairs:
- Monitor, or coordinate the monitoring of all industry relevant code, regulatory, and legislative issues in Canada
- Define and advocate, with the consent of the Board of Directors, the HPBAC’s position on all codes, regulatory, and legislative matters in support of the interests of all segments of the industry
- Provide a forum to develop industry consensus on issues of common concern
- Promote the industry’s interests with federal, provincial, and local agencies throughout Canada, toward the development of reasonable public policies that are protective of public health, safety, and the environment
Education:
- Development and promotion of regional education programs
- Support and promote national educational efforts
Communications:
- Develop and promote HPBAC programs
- Provide content and input for HPBAC projects
- Facilitate membership development
- Promotion of information to members and consumers
- Oversee social media and other sources of communication
For more information about Committees, please visit www.hpbacanada.org/abouthpbac/committees.
If you would like to join a committee, please contact Laura Litchfield at laura@hpbacanada.org.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Promoting the Industry
Along with all of our communication and outreach efforts, including the HPBAC blog, social media, press releases and website, HPBAC has become much more involved in advocacy and lobbying efforts to municipal, provincial, and federal governments. We are continuously fighting for your rights to sell the products your customers want, and working with the government to fund projects like Woodstove Changeout Programs, to not only promote the sale of products, but also to demonstrate the benefits of the products our members sell.
Advocacy
Regulation affecting your business and the industry as a whole can come up at any time. We need to be vigilant to ensure we don’t miss an opportunity for comment on proposed regulation and to be prepared to react if the regulation would result in unfair, unreasonable or unintended consequences for our industry. Opportunities can also come up, such as rebate programs and other incentives.
Monitoring
Federal: HPBAC and HPBA monitor federal regulation and are in regular contact with federal regulators within Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
Provincial: We are also in touch with some provincial regulators but we do need members to be watchful and report potentially harmful regulatory issues and incentive programs to us.
Municipal: This is where we need members to really pay attention. Check your city or town’s website to see if they provide notifications of upcoming bylaw revisions or proposals. Read your community newspapers. Let HPBAC know if something concerns you.
HPBAC Canadian Policy Landscape
Keep an eye on policies and regulations affecting the industry in your region by checking out our Canadian Policy Landscape, which includes current Codes and Standards, federal and provincial policies, regulations and strategic issues.
How You Can Be an Advocate
- Call and email your elected officials
- Organize a plant tour or product demonstration with local leaders and elected officials
- Attend your elected officials’ townhall events
- Be aware of local news. See something concerning? Alert HPBAC immediately!
Relationship Building
Organize a facility tour with your local elected officials. Give them the opportunity to learn about your business. Many Chambers of Commerce allow members to host Business After Hours events. Offer to host and be sure to invite local elected officials.
Get Involved with Grassroots Efforts
Sometimes we have to react to regulation that will negatively affect our industry. Grassroots advocacy can really help. When the call goes out for your help with a letter or email writing campaign to provincial or federal elected officials, be sure to act. Watch for our social media posts on regulatory issues. Be sure to share them. You might not be directly affected, but members of your social network could be.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Education & Training Sessions
Members receive discounted prices on HPBAC Education & Training sessions. Training opportunites are announced in our newsletters and social media.
Webinars
Members can register for upcoming webinars at special prices, and have full access to the HPBAC library of pre-recorded webinars.
NFI Certification
HPBAC Members recieve 30% off NFI products, such as He@arth Online Training, Manuals, Exams and more. Find the NFI course list by clicking the button below.
COMMUNICATIONS
This section is under development. Content coming soon.
EVENTS
This section is under development. Content coming soon.
CO-OP FOR DUES PROGRAM
Get up to 50% of your membership dues back through our Co-op For Dues Program!
Seven manufacturer members and their distributors have offered to allow members to submit a portion of their membership dues for reimbursement through their co-op program. We are very grateful to our co-op participants for their support of HPBAC and hope this program will help strengthen HPBAC’s membership base, increasing both the number of members in the association and our ability to keep industry members informed and engaged as we face today’s challenges.
Take advantage of the savings by completing these steps:
- Renew your membership and pay the dues in full. You can do so online at members.hpbacanada.org.
If you choose to pay dues monthly, vouchers will be issued at the end of the year. -
Ensure you select participating partners during the membership renewal process.
- HPBAC will issue you vouchers after calculating the credit amount based on the following:
• Up to 50% of your membership dues are eligible for Co-op For Dues
• Eligible amount will be split between your selected Co-op partners
• $100 maximum per voucher
• You will receive one voucher per selected Co-op partner -
Submit the vouchers according to the instructions for redemption included on the vouchers.
Voucher Redemption Instructions
Blaze King: Submit voucher to jlogie@blazeking.com
HHT: Submit voucher to your HHT distributor representative
ICC: Submit voucher to your ICC distributor representative
Jøtul: Submit voucher to your Jøtul distributor representative
Napoleon: TBD
Regency: Upload voucher to Regency Portal at regencyignite.com/Coop-Claim
Valor: Upload voucher to Valor Portal at valorfireplaces.com/dealer/coop-submit.php
Voucher credit will be subject to manufacturer/distributor’s Co-op Program rules and regulations. Please check with your representative for more information or contact HPBAC.
Haven’t received your vouchers or your credit?
Please let us know if you haven’t received your vouchers from us, or credit from your distributor or manufacturer.
MORE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
This section is under development. Content coming soon.
NAVIGATING THE MEMBER PORTAL
This section is under development. Content coming soon.
HPBAC MEMBERSHIP FAQs
How Renewals Work
Membership Term
The HPBAC membership term is from January 1 until December 31 of the same year.
Renewal Notices
You will first be notified about renewing on December 5, with subsequent reminders until your renewal is complete. The final reminder is sent March 30 of the next year. After this, you will no longer receive communications from HPBAC, and will no longer be entitled to the benefits of membership.
The renewal notices are emailed from the system to the person at your company designated as the primary contact. If you need to update your company’s primary contact, please let Christina Azzopardi know at admin@hpbacanada.org.
Once you’ve received your renewal notice, simply login to your account at members.hpbacanada.org and click the red “Pay Now” button visible at the top of the page.
Renewing Manually
If you prefer to renew manually, please contact Christina Azzopardi at admin@hpbacanada.org.
Continuous Renewal
What is continuous renewal?
How am I included? Signing up for continuous renewal is easy!
- Members who complete their membership online and are paying with a credit card will be prompted to opt in for continuous renewal
- Members who complete a manual membership form and are paying with a credit card can select “automatic renewal” on the form, which will then be processed by HPBAC via the online system to enable continuous renewal
- On your next renewal date HPBAC will renew your membership using the credit card information provided
- If your credit card information or expiry date changes, be sure to let HPBAC know by emailing Cristine Giampaolo at xine@hpbacanada.org or calling 647-298-4914.
How does it all work?
Does HPBAC store my credit card information?
HPBAC does not store your credit card information in our database nor in any record held at head office. All credit card information is explicitly stored with the credit card processing company Moneris. Moneris meets and exceeds all industry standards in ensuring the financial safety of our members. HPBAC will maintain a record of those participating in the program via membership number and contact information.
Can continuous renewal be cancelled?
- Submitting a request via email to Cristine Giampaolo at xine@hpbacanada.org or call 647-298-4914
- Changing the setting in “Profile Settings / Update Profile” in your AMS account
Other FAQs
More content coming soon.
STAFF CONTACTS
Laura Litchfield
President
Operations
Education
Government Relations
laura@hpbacanada.org
Office: 705-784-2376, x. 6
Cell: 705-980-2466
Mike McNeice
Director of Public Affairs
Government Relations
Communications
mike@hpbacanada.org
Office: Office: 705-784-2376, x. 3
Cell: 705-980-2475
Meghan O'Reilly
Public Affairs Manager
Government Relations
Communications
EnerGuide
meghan@hpbacanada.org
Office: 705-784-2376, x. 2
Cell: 705-980-2473
Cristine Giampaolo
Program Coordinator
Member Services
Communications
Administration
xine@hpbacanada.org
Office: 705-784-2376, x. 5
Cell: 705-980-2468
contact us
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