Interest Groups

“B” Day

The Heritage Foundation

• Research and educational institution

• The Heritage Foundation’s mission is to create and promote conservative public policies based on the ideas of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense

• They want to build an America where freedom, prosperity, opportunity and civil society exist

KURT

National Education Association

They support:-No child left behind act-Raising salaries for teachers-Dropout prevention-Eliminating the achievement gapbetween different ethnicities.-Improvement for school safety

NEA president Van Roekel

Member benefits:-Save money on auto/home insurance-Cash rewards credit card-Assistance with student loans/mortgages-Discounts (rent-a-car…Smithsonian tour)-Investments-Discounts on teacher and school supplies

History of NEA:In 1857, one hundred educators came together to talk about public education. At this time, a good education was a luxury and most kids didn’t have this privilege. These people gathered together to form the National Education Association. Over the past 150 years, education has transformed into an equal opportunity for all people! NEA is mostly made up of teachers and parents of students.

Upcoming Events:-Read Across America-National Teacher Day (May 8th)-NEA meetings

“Great Public Schools for Every Student!”

Funding:-NEA receives funding from the government-NEA receives funding through their events-NEA receives funding through their members

Austin

What THE AHA Advocates for:•Patient’s Safety•Affordability•Clinical integration•Emergency preparation•Educating Hospitals•Mental Health Services•Furthering the Health Reform•Restricting Numbers of Service Providers•Tax Exemptions•Liability Reform•Doing away with Racial Inequality •Medicare•Medicaid

American Hospital Association

“Our vision is of a society of healthy communities where all individuals reach their highest potential.”

The American Hospital Association is a representative for hospitals and their patients that advocates for a federal legislation as well as a regulation that will give its members the ability to give greater quality of health care.

Types of Memberships:•Institutional Membership-Hospitals & Health care systems.•Associate Members-Companies that partner with health systems.•Personal Membership Groups-Groups of specific professions•American Organization of Nurses Executives-Present leadership, advocacy, & research to further American health.

Danielle Comly

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s

largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. Our members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to leading industry associations and

large corporations. They all share one thing in

common—they count on the Chamber to be their

voice in Washington, DC.

Some of their major issues include health care, labor relations, legal reform, energy, international trade, capital markets, intellectual property, workforce training, taxes, and infrastructure

Most of their events take place at large national business conventions all over the U.S. and the World. They generally are guest speakers at events for transportation, economics, small businesses, commerce, and electronics.

Tomas J. DonohuePresident and CEO

Sean

American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

Mission: -To strengthen the relationship between the US and Israel.

-Enhance foreign aid, government partnership, antiterrorism, etc.

Main Issues:Iran – World/s leading sponsor of terror.Hamas – Iranian supported terrorist group in Gaza Strip.Egypt – Hold peace treaty.Sinai – Terrorist organization in Egypt attacking Israel.Hizballah – Most capable terrorist organization centered in Lebanon.Defense and Homeland SecurityForeign Aid

Main Goal: Jewish state (Israel) needs $3 billion for security assistance to be able to sustain terrorist groups.Two State Solution:

-Israel to live in peace.-Demilitarized Palestinian state and resolve past conflicts.

6 Clubs-The Washington Club-The Capitol Club-The Senate Club-The President’s Cabinet-The Chairman’s Council-The Minyan**benefits include mission trips to Israel, exclusive meetings, conferences, events, dinners, etc.

NATIONAL SUMMIT: Foreign Policy retreat once a year only to members who contribute at least $3,600 annually.

Working for over 50 years.

AngelAnge

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Christian Coalition of AmericaWas founded in 1989 by Pat Robertson

Current president of the group is Roberta Combs

Their goal is to help the pro-family point of view

They want to protect the Defense of Marriage Act from being repealed. This is a federal law that stopped states from being allowed to treat same-sex relationships as marriage

Make the 2001 and 2003 tax cut permanent to help protect the families from rising taxes.

They want to stop homosexuals from being in the military and also repeal the military’s regulations on religion that stopped soldiers from being allowed to pray in the name of Jesus during military functions.

Matt Statuti

(Formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America)

The AAJ provides resources and services to plaintiff (i.e. prosecutor) trial lawyers. In exchange for a “regular” or “associate” membership, a lawyer is put on AAJ’s directory for networking, allowed in to AAJ conventions and classes, and givenan online subscription to the group’s magazine, Trial.

The AAJ has sub-groups which include the Canadian Caucus and the Women Trial LawyersCaucus.

The leaders of the America Association for Justice are lawyers with private firms, elected

by the regular members. Theregular members can chooseto run for office in the AAJ or one of its litigation (lawsuit) groups.

Clarissa Thiriot

NAACP

In 1909 a group of multi ethnic and multi religious activists came together to form the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

The NAACP fights for issues such as education, civic engagement, health and economic opportunity

Some of the biggest achievements for the NAACP is desegregation, African Americans in political offices such as supreme justices and most recently, the president.

The NAACP is responsible for challenging the ruling of cases like Plessy v. Ferguson saying that schools may be separate, but the white have facilities much more advanced than those for those of color.

MOE