USGBC Votes Not to Change Membership Policy for Trade Associations

Following a period of review and discussion, the U.S. Green Building Council board of directors, at its April 26–27 meeting in Washington, D.C., voted to reaffirm an earlier electronic vote not to create a new membership category in the Council for trade associations. The issue of how professional organizations that have the same Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(6) designation as trade associations will be handled regarding their membership is still being worked out. Professional organizations, such as the American Society of Landscape Architects and the American Society of Interior Designers, be eligible for membership, even if those groups are technically defined as 501(c)(6) organizations. The Council is also considering how to involve trade associations in the process of creating and modifying LEED® rating standards. According to acting president and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, “We voted to increase the dialog with trade associations to better understand issues of concern to them and demonstrate that the Council is neither a closed nor a restrictive organization.”

– NM