NAAPAC raised $300,000 in 2011—the most in NAA’s history.
Recently units magazine sat down with Kathleen Youngblood, NAA’s Director of Political Affairs, to discuss the integral role NAA’s Political Action Committee (NAAPAC) plays in the apartment industry’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. She shared with us the questions NAA members most frequently ask her about why they should join NAAPAC.
Units: What is a PAC and why does NAA have one?
Kathleen Youngblood: PAC stands for Political Action Committee. Almost any group or cause can form a PAC. Most of them create PACs to advance a common purpose that can range from the environment to labor to health-related causes, to name just a few.
For the multifamily housing industry, government decisions affect us on a daily basis. Our elected officials often have as much say, or more, than our members do about their day-to-day business operations, planning, products and services.
Our industry needs to collectively and effectively deliver the message back that we are a strong, concerned and active political force and our voices matter.
Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, or FECA, an association may set up political committees. Only then can the association make contributions and expenditures to candidates for federal elections. In essence, the PAC becomes the means to pool individual contributions to candidates whose views towards business, our industry and government are in agreement with NAA’s. Both associations and corporations are barred from using their general treasury funds to contribute to a federal election, so the PAC becomes the legal, transparent, federally monitored means to express united interests with one powerful voice that represents many members. It is strength in numbers.
Units: What do NAA members need to know about NAAPAC?
KY: NAAPAC is NAA’s voluntary, non-partisan political action committee funded 100 percent by member contributions. NAAPAC was formed to promote the involvement of NAA member companies and individuals in the political process. We solicit voluntary contributions from individual members across the country to support national candidates of any political party who represent good government and understand the needs and concerns of the industry. NAAPAC strives to educate Congress about our industry and guarantees that no decision is made that will affect the industry, good or bad, until its voice is heard. NAAPAC is the political fundraising committee connected with NAA.
All contributions to NAAPAC are voluntary. You have a right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 per calendar year.
NAAPAC can accept up to $5,000 per person per calendar year. Contributions can be personal checks, credit card or cash up to $100. NAAPAC can even accept anonymous donations up to $50.
Units: Beyond the reasons you have already given, what are other factors that make joining NAAPAC important to the industry?
KY: Let’s look more closely about why NAAPAC is synonymous with strength in numbers. Many NAA members make political contributions directly to candidates. We think that’s great and applaud members who do so. But by combining our resources with other industry members, our power is increased exponentially. Political candidates who want to be elected would never overlook a large, well-organized and informed constituency. With NAAPAC, we have influence with candidates. Each election cycle brings with it new faces and new challenges for us.
For another reason, the critical issues the apartment industry is dealing with on Capitol Hill should be enough impetus for every NAA member to join NAAPAC. Right now reform of the Government-Sponsored Enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the talked-about reform of the tax code have the potential to decimate the industry if we don’t take unified action to help elect pro-apartment candidates who understand how these reforms will impact members’ businesses.
Quite simply, joining NAAPAC is an investment in the future of your business and your industry.
Units: How does NAAPAC make decisions?
KY: This year, NAA restructured the NAAPAC by separating the governance from the Legislative Committee to the newly reformed NAAPAC Board of Trustees. It consists of 17 voting members from the 10 regions plus the NAAPAC Chairman, NAAPAC Past Chairman, NAA Chairman Elect, and the NAA Legislative Chairman. Non-voting members of the board consist of the Chairman of the PAC Ambassadors, the NAAPAC Treasurer and the NAAPAC Assistant Treasurer. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of the NAAPAC including but not limited to receipts and disbursements to candidates and members of Congress. The Board approves a budget for disbursements to members at the beginning of the year as well as any requests made from the affiliates. Now that we have a solid structure of governance for NAAPAC, we are seeking to reach out and restructure our PAC Ambassadors program. The PAC Ambassadors are crucial to the NAAPAC as they advocate on behalf of the PAC to our members.
This year with the leadership of the Board of Trustees, NAAPAC has met and exceeded our goal of $300,000 for the first time in NAA’s history. The more contributions we raise, the more contributions we can disburse to candidates. From 1996 to 2010, the average cost of winning a seat in Congress has more than doubled. The most expensive campaign in 2010 cost $26 million. These campaigns rely heavily on our PAC contributions to help elect them into office.
Units: How can NAA members support NAAPAC?
KY: It goes without saying that you as an individual member can support NAAPAC with your personal contribution. But you can also support NAAPAC by attending one of our national PAC events at the three annual NAA meetings or by contacting your local affiliate. Many affiliates have started hosting events for NAAPAC. These events have included golf tournaments, wine tastings, and even a separate raffle at an affiliate’s annual dinner. Some individual members have even challenged their peers to match their contribution. That being said, I know affiliates have challenged their board members to secure 100 percent participation.
I have found that people want opportunities to gather with their peers from the industry to support a great cause that benefits the industry. NAAPAC is an important aspect of the industry that can only help you.
For information, contact me at Kathleen@naahq.org.