growing your association’s political program scott hildebrand, starboard strategies, llc copyright...

Copyright Starboard Strategies, LLC and Scott Hildebrand

GROWING YOUR ASSOCIATION’S POLITICAL PROGRAMScott Hildebrand,

Starboard Strategies, LLC


Overview• A Well Executed Political Program Can:

• Expand your association’s influence

• Increase your association’s visibility

• Help your association recruit and retain members


What Can You Do To Grow Your Political Program?• Generally speaking, an association has two avenues to

expand its political presence:

• Candidates• Vetting, evaluating, endorsing and assisting candidates.

• Issues• Communicating issue priorities to association members and the general

public.


Issue Advocacy• Generally, an association can advance issues that are

part of the association’s mission without limit.

• Often, issue positions can be advanced without having to register or disclose to regulators.


Issue Advocacy Continued• Pure Issue Advocacy is Cleanest With Regard to

Regulations. Usually, no limits and no disclosure required.

• Ex: Newspaper Ad where the Realtors Association thinks raising taxes is a bad idea.

• Ex: Gun owner organization opposing a proposal to limit gun ownership.


Candidates and Issue Advocacy• Tying a candidate or office-holder to a particular position

can be like issue advocacy.

• Ex: Tell Rep. Smith that she is wrong on reproductive freedom.

• Ex: Call Rep. Jones to encourage him to oppose the gun registration loophole.


“Magic Words” That Can Make Advocacy Electioneering Speech

• Typically, if the message asks voters to “vote for,” “vote against,” “support,” “oppose” a candidate, even in the context of an issue, the message may be limited and/ or otherwise regulated.


Advantages of Issue Advocacy• Heightens your association’s profile in the community.

• Builds a bond to issues that are important to your members.

• Allows you to characterize your Association in a Manner You Wish to be Viewed.


Case Study: Built Green• Homebuilders in the Puget Sound had a reputation as

non-environmentalists.

• Built Green program created to accentuate environmental initiatives by builders.

• Built Green sponsorship of Mariners broadcasts heightened new image.

• Allowed homebuilders to take control of an issue that could have destroyed them.


Allowing Issues to Tell Your Story

• Use predominantly positive speech.

• Don’t refute something that might be a general, but unverified belief.

• Feel free to link your association to positive perceptions. Ex: “The hard working men and women of the Georgia Land Developers Association.”


Political Action Committees (PACs)

Creating a PAC will allow your association the ability to involve itself in electoral campaigns while staying legal with regulators. A PAC will allow your association to: Raise and spend money for political purposes. Influence elections in other ways. Easily enter into alliances with other organizations to

leverage your influence.


Do You Need to Form a PAC?• It depends on your state’s laws and your association’s

objectives.• Usually if you want to participate directly in the electoral

process, forming and maintaining a PAC is a good idea.• Interviewing candidates and advancing issues does not

usually require the formation of a PAC.


PAC Downsides

• Reports usually need to be compiled and filed.

• You may be subject to limits regarding how you raise and spend money.

• May be cumbersome to follow rules.


What Can Your Association Do Without Forming a PAC?• If your Association is organized under IRS Code 501(c)5

or 6 you may be involved in support or opposition of a candidate provided that is not the organization’s primary activity.

• Certain 501(c)4 organizations may not be able to get involved as easily.


Implications of Your Association Engaging in Political Activities• Typically, money used for political campaigns may not be

deductible as a business expense.

• Many lobbying costs (both direct and grassroots) are not deductible.

• IRS Code 527 may allow your association to establish a political account so long as it is a “separate segregated account.”

• May require disclosure on Form 990.


Exercising Influence in the Political Arena

• Candidate evaluation.

• Educating candidates and the public about your issues.

• Direct contributions.

• In-kind candidate and ballot measure assistance.


Candidate Evaluation

Formal or informal, this involves interviewing candidates about your association’s political positions and objectives.

Often, formal questionnaires are distributed to candidates.

Interview panels of members are called in to “rate” candidates against the goals of your association.

The results of questionnaire evaluation and interviews can result in endorsement, recommendation to your membership and/or funding.


Upside of Candidate Interviews• Gives your association leadership a chance to meet

policymakers.• Gives policymakers an opportunity to understand your

association, its priorities and desires in the policy space.• Establishes (hopefully) an ongoing dialog between

policymakers and your association on issues of concern to you.


Downside of Candidate Interviews• Drafting questionnaires can be difficult and tedious.

• Scheduling can be problematic and difficult.

• With the wrong public image, these interviews can look “rigged” to opponents of your positions.


Candidate Education• Invite candidates to an open house or other social event

conducted by your association.

• Some associations do formal issues or formal “candidate training.”

• Invite candidates to site tours or workplace shadowing opportunities so they understand your members’ specific challenges.


Consider a “Contact Program”• Give a member or members of your association the

responsibility of serving as the contact for a given elected official.

• Encourage regular meetings over breakfast or coffee- the less formal, the better.

• Gives real opportunity for information exchange and understanding.


Direct Contributions• If you support a candidate, consider supporting them

monetarily.• Because contribution limits are relatively low in most

states, candidates usually want appreciate your checks.• If the candidate you are funding is a first-time candidate,

your contribution may make a real difference in their campaigns.


In-Kind (Non Monetary) Contributions• Your association may be able to assist candidates in other

ways:• Membership lists.• Meeting space.• Campaign events.

Make sure you don’t run afoul of campaign laws when supporting candidates in this manner.


Be Creative With In-Kind Assistance

• A restaurant association might provide a venue for a campaign fundraiser.

• An auto dealers association might provide a car for the candidate to use in a parade.

• An association of lumberyards might be able to provide stakes for yard signs.


Consider Expanding the Circle of Support

• If your PAC or association supports a candidate,• Make sure your members know to vote for that candidate.• Conduct fundraisers within your association.• Allow a supported candidate to use your membership list to

communicate with your members directly.


If the Candidate You Helped Gets Elected, You Have a Friend• When an issue comes before him or her that affects your

industry, chances are they’ll ask you how you feel about it.

• Once they get elected, don’t be shy about scheduling coffee or lunch with them to brief them on your issues.


Consider Your Political Affairs Program a Membership Tool• Some in your association, and those who want to join may

consider political outreach a calling.• Use the program to draw these people in and let them

enhance the program.• Use the program as an entrée with other organizations to

form alliances and expand your influence.


Questions?

• Scott Hildebrand• Starboard Strategies, LLC

• 206-605-8874• [email protected]• www.starboard-strategies.com

mailto:[email protected]

growing your association’s political program scott hildebrand, starboard strategies, llc copyright...

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