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Howdy Pardners!
It is official, the 2021 RPAC Roundup investment campaign has kicked off. The first in a series of efforts over the next 30 days is to educate the membership about RPAC and why your investment is so important. Today we are answering the most frequently asked question about RPAC. On Wednesday, we will be focusing on a key part of our investment effort, Becoming a Major Investor. You will hear from key leaders in the profession telling their story of why they invest in RPAC.
Thomas Jefferson once said: "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate."
If you have not already invested in RPAC, become a participant in our efforts by investing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PAC?
PAC stands for Political Action Committee. They have been around since 1944, when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the first one to raise money for the
re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A PAC is a popular term for a political committee organized by like-minded people for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. The PAC’s money must come from voluntary contributions from members rather than the member’s dues treasury. PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACs can contribute $5,000 to a candidate’s campaign committee per election (primary, general, run-off or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACs may receive up to $5,000 annually from any one individual.
As more professions and industries started to form PAC, REALTORS® realized they need to do the same. So, in 1969, that is what we did. Created what is now called the Realtor Political Action Committee.
How will my investment be used?
100% of your RPAC investment is used to elect candidates at the local, state, and national levels who both understand and support REALTOR® issues. RPAC looks to build the future by putting dollars in places that will help advance the interests of REALTORS®. RPAC is the only political group in the country organized for REALTORS® and run by REALTORS®. RPAC exists solely to support issues important to REALTORS®. Candidates who receive support from RPAC are not selected based on their political party or ideology, but solely on their support of real estate issues. Our legislative allies are members of the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party supports the issues that are important to you as a REALTOR®, regardless of political party affiliation.
Who establishes and implements RPAC policy?
Much of RPAC’s success is due to the high degree of organization that characterizes the REALTORS® Political Action Committee at every level. Leading the National RPAC organization are the National RPAC Federal Disbursement and Fundraising Trustees Committees. The Trustees establish and implement RPAC policy in accordance with the RPAC bylaws and NAR policy as established by the NAR Board of Directors. The Trustees are made up of REALTOR® volunteers from around the nation who are appointed by NAR leadership.
Who may be solicited for RPAC contributions?
According to Federal Election law, RPAC may solicit only individual members—i.e., non-corporate members of NAR and their families. The term “members” means all individuals who currently satisfy the requirements for membership in any one of the local, state, and/or the National Association and regularly pay dues. Executive, administrative and management personnel of the local, state and/or national associations are also considered under the NAR constitution to be members of the association and may be solicited even though they may not pay association dues.
Are contributions to RPAC tax deductible?
No. Contributions used for political purposes are not tax deductible on your federal income taxes.
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