NAPUA Committee Participation Agreement
Last Updated: [February 22nd, 2026]
This Committee Participation Agreement governs service on any committee of the North American Private Utility Association, referred to as NAPUA.
Committee participation is voluntary and subject to appointment. By agreeing to serve, the participant acknowledges and accepts the terms set out below.
1. Volunteer Status
Committee service is a voluntary role. Participation does not create an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship with NAPUA.
Committee members serve at the discretion of NAPUA and may be appointed or removed at any time.
2. Scope of Committee Role
Committees provide technical input, advisory perspectives, and stakeholder insight to support the development of guidance, standards, educational materials, and industry initiatives related to buried utility infrastructure and damage prevention.
Committees do not possess authority to bind NAPUA contractually, financially, or legally unless expressly authorized in writing.
Individual committee members may not represent themselves as speaking on behalf of NAPUA unless specifically designated to do so.
3. Intellectual Property
Any materials, written contributions, technical content, recommendations, frameworks, graphics, draft language, or other work product developed specifically for NAPUA committee activities shall be deemed contributions to NAPUA governance and standards development.
To the extent permitted by law, the participant hereby assigns to NAPUA all right, title, and interest in and to such committee-developed contributions.
The participant represents that they have the authority to make such assignment.
To the extent any jurisdiction does not permit assignment of certain rights, the participant grants NAPUA a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty free license to use, modify, publish, distribute, and incorporate such contributions without restriction.
Independently developed materials created outside committee activities remain the property of the participant; however, any materials incorporated into official NAPUA publications or standards shall be governed by this section.
4. Confidentiality
Committee members may receive or participate in discussions involving draft standards, internal deliberations, strategic initiatives, or other non public information.
Committee members agree to maintain the confidentiality of non public information obtained through committee service unless disclosure is authorized by NAPUA.
This obligation continues after committee service ends.
5. Conflict of Interest
NAPUA represents a broad range of stakeholder groups including ground disturbance professionals, asset owners, private locate providers, insurers, and legal professionals.
Committee members agree to disclose any material conflict of interest that could reasonably influence their participation in committee discussions or recommendations.
Participation does not require neutrality, but transparency is required.
6. No Compensation
Committee service is provided without compensation unless a separate written agreement is executed.
Participation does not create entitlement to reimbursement, payment, or future contractual opportunity.
7. Indemnification
Committee members participate in a voluntary advisory capacity. NAPUA publications, guidance, and educational materials are intended to support improved industry practices related to buried utility infrastructure and damage prevention.
Committee members are not personally responsible for how third parties interpret or apply NAPUA guidance.
8. Term and Termination
Committee participation continues at the discretion of NAPUA.
NAPUA may suspend or terminate committee participation at any time.
Committee members may withdraw at any time by providing written notice.
9. Acknowledgment
By agreeing to serve on a NAPUA committee, the participant confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted this Committee Participation Agreement.