The CivicSpark Climate
Humboldt County Community Choice Energy
Ambassador Handbook
Ambassador Coordinator’s Office
rd
633 3 St. Eureka, CA 95501
707-260-1700 x348
CivicSpark Headquarters
980 9th St #1700, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-448-1198
Welcome
Welcome to the CivicSpark Humboldt County Community Choice Energy (CCE) Ambassador Program! By volunteering as
a CCE Ambassador, you play an essential role in helping your community reduce energy demand, increase energy
efficiency, and advance the use of renewable resources in the region. As a CivicSpark volunteer, you will be helping the
Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) in their goal of bringing Community Choice Energy to Humboldt County.
This CCE Ambassador Handbook provides you with an understanding of the program vision and objectives, the RCEA CCE
program, and your role as CivicSpark CCE Ambassador. It also includes information on our operational policies and
procedures, and our expectations of your volunteer job performance. Your understanding of the handbook is important,
and we encourage you to discuss with us any questions or comments you may have regarding this handbook, your
Ambassador responsibilities, or ways to improve services to our community.
We are excited to have you join our team. As a CivicSpark CCE Ambassador, you are part of the clean energy movement
and are making a commitment to address energy and natural resource conservation. Throughout the program we will
ask for your feedback, as we commit to improve the CCE Ambassador Program so that volunteers have a meaningful and
positive experience. We look forward to working with you in the coming months!
Sincerely,
Aisha Cissna
Ambassador Coordinator
CivicSpark Climate Fellow, 2016-2017
About CivicSpark
CivicSpark is a Governor’s Initiative AmeriCorps program dedicated to building capacity for local governments to address
climate change and water management issues in California. The program is administered by the Local Government
Commission (LGC) in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. In collaboration with local
government staff throughout the State of California, CivicSpark fellows implement a needed climate or water-focused
project, while also building long-term capacity to ensure the work is sustained after their service year is completed.
In Humboldt County, the CivicSpark program is building the capacity of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority to
implement the Community Choice Energy program. As an ambassador, you will be a key part of the local solution to
climate change. 1
About the Local Government Commission
For over 35 years, LGC has connected cutting-edge leaders from across the nation to advance transformative policies
and implement innovative solutions for sustainable communities. LGC works to build livable communities and local
leadership by connecting leaders via innovative programs and network opportunities, advancing policies through
participation at the local and state level, and implementing solutions as a technical assistance provider and advisor to
local jurisdictions. With roots in California and a national reputation, LGC offers inspiration, information, and partnership
for local and regional champions dedicated to building thriving communities that integrate civic engagement with
environmental, social and economic priorities.
LGC has a long history of engagement in Community Choice Aggregation in California. From 2003 – 2008, the LGC
assisted 12 local governments in exploring the feasibility of Community Choice Aggregation; one of these local
governments was Marin County , the first CCA in California. Since then, LGC has worked with one of our coalitions, the
Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition to organize several conferences and presentations to support the
advancement of community choice energy throughout the state.
About the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA)
RCEA’s purpose is to develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand, increase energy
efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient and renewable resources available in the region.
Formed in 2003, the RCEA is a local government joint powers authority of the County of Humboldt, the Cities of Arcata,
Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. The
1
http://civicspark.lgc.org/
Authority is governed by a board of Directors comprised of appointed representatives from each of the nine memberentities (typically the representative is an elected official from the members’ own governing body—City Council, Board
of Supervisors). Many RCEA programs and projects are implemented in partnership with other entities such as the
California Energy Commission, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the Humboldt State University Schatz Energy
Research Center, and local government stakeholders.
About RCEA’s Community Choice Energy Program
In 2012 RCEA adopted the Humboldt County comprehensive action plan for energy (CAPE), which is RCEA’s primary
guiding document. Expanding on the strategies outlined in the CAPE, RCEA initiated RePower Humboldt, a communitywide effort to define a vision and strategic plan for achieving energy independence and energy security in Humboldt
County. With the support of the Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University, the California Energy
Commission, and many community stakeholders, this effort culminated in the development of the RePower Humboldt
Strategic Plan to establish a vision for the year 2030 and guide the integration of renewable energy in Humboldt County,
develop local energy infrastructure, and set energy-related goals.
RCEA has identified Community Choice Energy, legally known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), as a critical
mechanism to enable the implementation of the RePower Humboldt Strategic Plan and to realize the RePower
Humboldt 2030 vision and the associated community benefits. To that end, RCEA’s board has directed staff to move
forward with pursuing the implementation of a local community choice program. Community choice energy (CCE) allows
California cities, counties, or joint powers agencies to purchase electricity on behalf of the customers in their territories.
Community choice programs differ from municipal utility districts in that CCEs only provide the generation component of
electricity services, which accounts for around half of a customer’s electricity bill. The investor-owned utility (IOU), in
our case Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), continues to own the electricity distribution infrastructure and to provide
electricity transmission, distribution, billing, and related customer services. However, community choice programs are
able to determine their own energy supply mixes and rate structures. Community choice is relatively new in California,
with several programs currently providing service to customers. However, dozens of cities and counties across the state
are launching or exploring creation of their own community choice programs.
RCEA will implement the Humboldt County Community Choice Energy program guided by three core priorities
established by the RCEA Board of Directors and aligned with the RePower Humboldt Strategic Plan: maximizing the use
of local renewable resources, providing competitive rates, and supporting local economic development.
RCEA is working to implement the community choice program with a team of consultants selected through an open,
competitive solicitation. The consulting team brings needed expertise and experience from working with the successful
CCEs already operating elsewhere in the state. RCEA staff have formed their own in-house CCE team and are building
local program management capacity. RCEA’s eventual goal is to take over many of the responsibilities being led by our
consulting team during program launch. 2
Introduction to the CivicSpark Humboldt County
CCE Ambassador Program
While the CCE program will serve all of Humboldt County, the CivicSpark CCE Ambassador program will focus on
reaching the county’s many energy stakeholders who are also part of the Humboldt State University (HSU) campus
community, including students, faculty, and staff. Due to its pre-existing institutional electric procurement
arrangements, HSU itself is not expected to participate as a customer of the local CCE program.
CivicSpark CCE Ambassadors will gain experience in the sustainability field, while also providing assistance and support
to RCEA. CCE Ambassadors will learn how the CCE program came to be, the importance and logistics of the CCE program,
and in general gain a thorough understanding of CCE so they are able to effectively communicate the program to
community members at predetermined community events.
The goals of the CCE Ambassador Program are to:
•
Reach as many key stakeholders as possible with information about the benefits of CCE in order to minimize optouts from the CCE program
•
Maximize the number of ratepayers who opt-up to the RePower+ energy option
•
Maintain public transparency and involvement regarding CCE programmatic developments
Key responsibilities
●
Schedule and give informational CCE presentations to key campus stakeholder groups
●
Table at HSU events to educate and inform community members about RCEA’s CCE program
●
Assist in carrying out the CCE program by participating in campaigns and outreach events
Qualifications
Must be at least 18 years old, have completed a general college-level communications course, and be interested in
improving our community.
A background or interest in the following topics is encouraged but not required: public service, public engagement, local
government, policy, energy, and/or sustainability.
2
http://www.redwoodenergy.org/community-energy
Time Commitment
Service will be based on volunteer’s availability, but applicants must be able to commit at least:
•
2 hours for training the week of February 1st
•
One hour for booking engagement activities
•
1-2 hours to practice talking points during the week of February 8th
•
1-2 hours to attend an outreach event or present/make announcements
If students are interested in participating in a more time-intensive for-credit internship, they can learn more by
contacting the Ambassador Coordinator.
A tentative program schedule is provided on the next page.
Date
Activity
th
Announce ambassador program in classes, clubs, etc.
January 27 -February 3rd
th
Select Ambassadors
February 3rd – February 10th
Ambassador training
January 17 -January 27th
•
There will be two ambassador training
options to choose from. Both will be on HSU’s
campus, each lasting about 2 hours. Food will
be provided. Tentative dates:
rd
-Friday Feb. 3 from 6 to 8pm
th
-Saturday February 4 from noon to 2pm
th
February 10 --February 24th
Ambassadors book presentations and practice talking
points
•
Ambassadors will have this week to
e-mail/call stakeholders and a 2 hour meeting
time will be collectively determined to
practice presentations and talking points in a
group.
th
February 24 -March 11th
Ambassadors present and do outreach
•
Weekly meetings will be dependent on
cohort’s availability and interest; weekly
individual check-ins lasting about 20 minutes
is anticipated.
th
Spring Break
March 11 -19th
th
th
March 20 -April 28
Ambassadors present and do outreach
Potential engagement opportunities are outlined below.
●
Students
○
Classrooms
○
Clubs
○
○
●
Staff
○
○
○
○
●
Faculty
●
Mixed groups
■ Brief in-class announcements
■ Brief announcements to 10 minute presentations at club meetings
Associated Students
■ Tabling at longer A.S. events, brief announcements at committee
meetings
Library
■ Creating a display
Staff Council
■ Brief announcement, presentation, tabling or networking at events
Housing and Dining Staff
■ Brief announcement, presentation, tabling or networking at events
Centers for Academic Excellence Staff
■ Brief announcement, presentation, tabling or networking at events
Other departmental staff meetings
■ Brief announcement, presentation, tabling or networking at events
○
College Council of Chairs
■ Brief announcement
○
University Senate
■ Brief announcement
Schatz Energy Research Center
■ Brief announcement
○
Benefits
CCE Ambassadors are a valuable resource to the Humboldt County CCE Program. CCE Ambassadors can expect
to gain real world experience combating climate change by working with renewable energy policy, local government
responses to climate change, the inner-workings of Community Choice Aggregation, and refining their communications
skills by assisting with on-campus outreach efforts about CCE. Ambassadors can also expect meaningful assignments, fair
and equal treatment, and recognition for work done. We value the services CCE Ambassadors contribute to our
organization and the community and we want to recognize that contribution in meaningful ways. To accomplish this, we
will solicit feedback from CCE Ambassadors about the program. CCE Ambassadors reflect the ideas and concerns of the
community and bring increased awareness to CivicSpark and RCEA’s mission.
CCE Ambassadors will gain:
●
Understanding of legislation that enabled Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in California as well as other
legislative/policy knowledge relevant to the California CCA’s;
●
Knowledge about the role local governments can play in addressing climate change
●
Networking skills: how to build relationships with professionals in one’s own field as well as other fields that can
increase the success of one’s campaign
●
Outreach and marketing skills: the importance of outreach, how to effectively communicate a message via
tabling, presentations, and other formal as well as informal venues
●
Enhanced community values through distribution of ways to increase renewable energy in the Humboldt County
region
●
Knowledge of the CCE program
●
Knowledge of RCEA’s other programs and services
●
Exposure to energy education and public speaking
●
Fulfillment of potential community service hour requirements
Expectations
Supervision
The CCE Ambassador Coordinator oversees the participation of CCE Ambassadors. The Ambassador Coordinator
coordinates Ambassador requests, defines appropriate activities for volunteers at events, and ensures the overall safety
and successful experience of volunteers. Furthermore, the Coordinator works with Ambassadors to define activities for
outreach events. The Ambassador Coordinator assigns volunteers to roles, coordinates schedules, and addresses routine
issues that arise.
Representatives
CCE Ambassadors must remember that they are representatives of CivicSpark. During volunteer hours, CCE
Ambassadors must remain unbiased towards programs, organizations, and political affiliations, and must not express
personal opinions that may influence community members toward any specific group or decision. All CCE Ambassador
activities will be free from political affiliations. No CCE Ambassador shall solicit money, influence, service, or any other
thing of value; no CCE Ambassador shall promote or oppose any political committee, nomination or candidate, nor
gather signatures.
Dress Code and Other Personal Standards
In choosing appropriate work attire, CCE Ambassadors should consider tastefulness, public contact, the nature of the
job, and working conditions. Energy Ambassadors are expected to use good judgment and taste and to show courtesy to
their fellow Ambassadors and associates by dressing in a fashion that is professional, presentable, and appropriate.
Code of Conduct
CCE Ambassadors are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the rules, regulations, and policies of
the Humboldt State University Student Code of Conduct 3 concerning discrimination, harassment and workplace
violence. Ambassadors will treat staff, fellow volunteers, and campus community members with respect. Volunteers are
encouraged to settle problems or issues by contacting the Ambassador Coordinator.
Energy Ambassadors must:
1.
Maintain a professional attitude at all times; treating colleagues, and community partners with fairness,
courtesy and good faith.
2.
Show respect towards all co-workers and community partners.
3.
Maintain all private, confidential or personal information about participants, co-workers or partner agencies.
4.
Not engage in or condone misconduct, harassment, workplace violence or unethical behavior; and to
immediately report any such behavior to the Ambassador Coordinator.
Nuts and Bolts
Application
A completed CCE Ambassador Application, including emergency contact information, signed Applicant’s Statement, and
the photo/information release agreement (all found at the end of this Handbook) are required for all volunteers. The
application information will assist in evaluating applicants’ talents, qualifications, and other areas of interest.
3
https://www2.humboldt.edu/studentrights/sites/default/files/images/code_of_conduct.pdf
Volunteer Records
A record for each Ambassador will be maintained in the Eureka CivicSpark office. Ambassadors will use volunteer
timesheets to record their hours of service. Volunteer records are kept private and confidential and may only be used
for volunteer purposes that pertain to CivicSpark, or if they are required to be released by law.
Orientation and Training Sessions
Ambassadors will participate in an orientation session designed to inform volunteers specifically about Humboldt
County’s CCE program and generally about RCEA, its programs, policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
Ambassadors will also be provided with specific assignment training by the Coordinator.
Volunteer Identification
Ambassadors may be provided with name badges to help visibly and officially link volunteers to their service role with
CivicSpark. Ambassadors are expected to wear their name badge at all times when on duty. Name badges may range
from simple temporary stickers to permanent ID tags depending on the term of service.
APPLICATION FOR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
INSTRUCTIONS: Please fill out this application accurately and completely. All statements are subject to verification.
Name:
Last
First
Middle
Address:
Number
Phone:
(
Street
City
State
)
(
)
Primary
Alternate
Circle Y (Yes) or N (No)
Are you currently employed?
May we contact your present employer?
Y
Y
N
HOURS:
DAYS:
N
EXPERIENCE: Please give an accurate, complete, employment or volunteer history. Previous employment is not required.
Company Name
Telephone
Address
Employed (month and year)
From:
To:
Reason for Leaving:
Name of supervisor:
Job Title and Duties:
Company Name
Telephone
Address
Employed (month and year)
From:
To:
Reason for Leaving:
Name of supervisor:
Job Title and Duties:
RELEVANT EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
REFERENCES: List below any persons not related to you who have knowledge of your work, training, or education
Name:
Phone:
Relationship:
Name:
Phone:
Relationship:
Zip
CivicSpark Emergency Contact Information
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Name:
Phone:
Name:
Phone:
In the event of a medical emergency, I give permission to my supervisor, at their discretion, to arrange for any necessary medical treatment.
Other pertinent information that you want us to be aware of (allergies, etc.)
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
CivicSpark Policies and Procedures
Manner of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and Confidentiality:
All persons are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the rules, regulations and policies of the HSU Student Code of Conduct guidelines
concerning discrimination, harassment and workplace violence.
Requirements:
1. Maintain a professional attitude at all times; treating colleagues, and community partners with fairness, courtesy and good faith.
2.
Show respect toward all clients, co-workers, and community partners.
3.
Maintain all private, confidential or personal information about participants, co-workers or CivicSpark in an appropriate manner.
4. Not engage in or condone any violations of misconduct, harassment, workplace violence or unethical behavior; and to immediately report that behavior to the
Ambassador Coordinator.
APPLICANT’S STATEMENT
IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ AND SIGN
I declare that all statements and answers in this application are true and complete and agree that any untruth, misleading answer, omission, concealment or failure
to answer any question fully, completely and accurately will be grounds for terminating my volunteer status with CivicSpark. I agree to abide by policies and
procedures outlined in this handbook and fulfill my volunteer duties to the best of my abilities.
I agree that if a volunteer position is offered to and accepted by me, it is mutually understood and agreed that any volunteer position is not confined to a fixed
term and may be ended by either party without prior notice, unless otherwise affected by written company policies.
Name (print):
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
Photo / Information Release Agreement
The CivicSpark Fellow and ________________________________[print name] (“Customer”) agree as follows concerning the attached photograph(s) and/or
text (“Materials”) relating to the work or project done for CivicSpark by the CCE Ambassador:
1.
Customer grants CivicSpark the right to use the Materials, including Customer’s name and image as shown in the Materials. This grant includes,
without limitation, the right to publish or distribute the Materials at the discretion of CivicSpark for commercial or non-commercial use.
2.
Customer confirms that Customer has the right to enter into this agreement and is not restricted by any commitments to third parties.
3.
Customer understands that CivicSpark will not pay any compensation in exchange for this right to use the Materials, and that CivicSpark has no
financial commitment or obligation to Customer as a result of this agreement.
4.
By this agreement, Customer gives CivicSpark all rights to the Materials, including the right to copyright them.
5.
Customer expressly releases CivicSpark and its officers, employees, and agents, from any and all claims known or unknown arising out of, or in any
way connected with the above uses and representations. The rights granted to CivicSpark in this agreement are perpetual and worldwide.
6.
Customer agrees to the following:
•
The Materials do not contain any trade secret, or business confidential information.
•
Customer does not object to CivicSpark’s use of Customer’s name, and grants CivicSpark the irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide,
royalty-free right and license (“License”) to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and distribute Customer’s name, image and the other information
contained in the Materials in any media, including hard copy and the Internet.
•
This License shall survive the expiration, cancellation, and/or termination of this agreement.
I have read this agreement, I understand its terms and stipulations, and I agree to them.
Signature of Customer:
Date:
Print Name:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are there any comments or questions you have about the program? We welcome your thoughts, insights, and suggestions.
Date received (for Ambassador Coordinator to note):