When CASRO was established in 1975 its mandate for survey research and survey research businesses was to fight government regulation and to develop standards that ensure self-regulation. In fact, the initial reason for about twenty survey research companies to join together and found CASRO was because of the threat of government regulation.

This commitment to self-regulation has never wavered. CASRO's Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research, first adopted in 1977, has been reviewed annually and revised many times. CASRO’s Enforcement Procedures provide a legal “due process” for the CASRO Standards Committee to address Code complaints. Along with the Code, CASRO’s Business Practices Guidelines and Guidelines for Survey Research Quality are a further demonstration of industry and professional self-regulation. And, most recently, the CASRO Privacy Protection Program (CASRO 3P) gives legal proof of research company accountability and compliance via model policies, business contracts, and privacy language.

CASRO’s Bylaws mandate a standing Government Affairs Committee. Today, this Committee, known as the Government & Public Affairs Committee (GPAC), is chaired by Larry Ponemon, Chairman of the Ponemon Institute.  Larry has conducted research for the FTC and in 2000 was appointed to their Online Access and Security Advisory Committee.  He has also served as an advisor to half a dozen attorney generals.  Larry works closely with Duane Berlin, CASRO's General Counsel and Diane Bowers, CASRO's President, on the GPA effort.

Duane has over fifteen years of experience in the survey research arena, working with both corporations and associations, and he has become a respected expert on privacy laws and regulations. Duane wrote the legal policies and contracts that make up the CASRO Privacy Protection Program (CASRO 3P) and has hands-on experience working with key government agencies like the FTC and FCC.

Diane has been CASRO's chief staff executive for over twenty-five years and during that time has also acted as a survey research advocate in government. She has commented on and participated in federal and state government hearings, written columns on legislative and regulatory affairs, spoken at industry association events, and even served as a federal lobbyist. While running CASRO, Diane was also the founding President of CMOR and served in that role for over nine years. Together, Larry, Duane and Diane provide comprehensive leadership of CASRO's GPA.

CASRO Government and Public Affairs Committee (GPAC):

The CASRO Board, representing the diversity of research specializations, company sizes and locations, provides active and ongoing oversight and approval of CASRO’s government affairs initiatives. The GPAC, along with the CASRO Board, adds the checks and balances and insight to ensure that the GPA reflects your business interests and the interests of survey research. Finally, CASRO members have been staunch supporters and grassroots activists in our government affairs activities.

CASRO Members Only - click here for additional information on CASRO's GPA Program, including background, newsletters, legislative tracking reports, legal updates and more.