The Sport of HVACR Advocacy

Like many kids, I played several sports through the years, but none were as special to me as basketball. I spent countless hours in gyms practicing, conditioning, and watching film. Basketball and sports in general are such a big part of who I am, I eventually realized that there's a surprising amount of overlap between sports and advocacy. In fact, basketball can teach us a lot about how to be effective constituents who advocate for our business and industry. Being a constituent puts you in the best position to score, communicating issues to HARDI helps HARDI block policy, and working for the small wins by connecting with your elected officials early will lead to the big wins later.

Scoring is Hard - Even in State-level Advocacy

Today’s high-scoring basketball offenses are misleading about how hard it is to make the shots we always see go in on TV. Those who play know that scoring is difficult and relies on skill, effort, and communication to overcome a strong defense. The same principles apply to advocacy.

From brief clips of issues, a summary of the policy, and even the short “I’m Just a Bill” song, these summaries give off a perception of a quick and easy process of passing legislation. However, in reality, passing a bill is more like scoring on a full-court press. It takes patience and teamwork.

Like a team breaking the full-court press, HARDI relies on its members to help advocate for the industry. Members are positioned in the most influential spots to help influence policy, being a constituent to your state and federal elected officials. A study from the Congressional Management Foundation proves that contact from a constituent to their legislator is the most effective form of advocacy.

Basketball includes Offense and Defense

You can play a basketball game and miss every shot, turn the ball over, and offensively not accomplish your goals. But there are still ways to be effective defensively with blocks and steals. And as long as you overall win the game, then the goal is achieved, and the offense letdown is forgotten. For every one piece of good legislation that gets passed, advocates are often “blocking” dozens of harmful proposals that never make headlines. For example, WA HB1462 (a harmful refrigeration bill) was adopted. While we defended against the most harmful virgin refrigerant bans, the ultra-low GWP study task force was negotiated into passage; a defensive victory, not flashy, but critical for protecting the industry.

But to be aware of all of the shot attempts that need to be blocked, the local members who are living in the state must help make HARDI aware of issues they hear about. HARDI tracks issues federally, all across the country, and locally, and we are aware of nearly all issues; however, to ensure none get by without industry’s knowledge, members must contact HARDI when they hear something. Even if you think HARDI is already aware of the issue.

Practice How You Want to Play

Every coach preaches it: practice how you want to play. Put in the hard work early, and it will pay off in the end. The endless free throws, the countless down-and-backs, and hours of film. Larry Bird used to shoot free throws in a gym until the school would shut the lights off on him, and then even then, he wouldn’t leave. Making sure you are working hard to be in the best position early will lead to bigger wins later.

Advocacy works the same way. The small, often invisible wins lay the foundation for bigger victories later. HARDI members who work to build their relationship with their local, state, and federal elected officials early are able to help their businesses more later on. Not only does building the relationship early make the ask for help later more effective, but The Congressional Communications Report by Columbia Books Inc. found that when a new policy is presented to an elected official, their constituents are the first and most valued source of information that they look to for guidance. These early advocacy efforts to build relationships help ensure that the member's business and the industry are in a winning position.

You Can’t Win if You Don’t Participate

Yes, there will be losses in the competition of policymaking for each side. We all will miss shots at achieving goals. But if you don’t participate in grassroots advocacy, you hurt your businesses and industry’s chances of winning. Help your team, do your part, and participate in grassroots advocacy when contacted.

Follow Along for More HVACR State Issues

State regulations can evolve fast, and staying informed is key to staying compliant. Visit HARDI's State Issues page to explore the latest legislative and regulatory developments affecting the HVACR industry. Whether it’s HFC phasedowns or other state-led initiatives, this resource helps you track what matters most, where it matters most.