Fundraising Q & A | WRA Direct Giver Program

What is RPAC?
RPAC stands for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. A PAC is a legal means by which interested individuals with common goals, like a trade association band together for the purpose of political action.

What does RPAC do?
As a real estate professional, RPAC is your PAC. It is the real estate industry's vehicle for political success. REALTOR® volunteers raise voluntary contributions from other members across the state. These funds are then pooled together and contributed on a nonpartisan basis to candidates for public office who support housing and real estate interests.

Facts About RPAC:

1. All fund raising efforts and contributions to candidates are administered by a board or RPAC Trustees, representing each local board and all areas of the state. decisions are made by the Trustees.
   
   
2. Funds are distributed on a nonpartisan basis to Democrats and Republicans alike, based on issues and promotion of the REALTORS® legislative agenda.
   
   
3. RPAC is one of the largest trade association PACs in the world, and the second largest PAC in Wisconsin. In the 1998 elections, RPAC had a 98% success rate in legislative elections.
   

Why Should RPAC Interest You?
RPAC is a very important business partner to REALTORS® because it means legislative success. Up to 4,000 bills are introduced each session in the state legislature. Elections decide who will be voting on these 4,000 bills. RPAC helps elect the people who write the laws you and your business must live with. Through extensive research and ongoing monitoring, RPAC keeps you informed, involved, and influential in the legislative decisions that are important to you and your business.

Does RPAC Buy Votes?
No! but it does give us success. Candidates and public officials are honorable people whose votes are not for sale. But, by helping elect public policy decision-makers, RPAC assures REALTORS® the opportunity to present our views and be head. RPAC fully complies with all state and federal election laws.

What will an RPAC Contribution do for You?
RPAC lobbies. During election campaigns, RPAC activities draw attention to REALTOR® issues. This provides a knowledge base for future lobbying on real estate issuers. This a critical to your business. Just consider a few of these recent legislative issues of importance to our industry

• Defeated attempts to eliminate mortgage interest deductions.
  
  
• Defeated attempts to apply sales tax to real estate commissions.
  
  
• Defeated attempts to raise the transfer tax.
  
  
• Defeated attempts to apply sales tax to commercial leases.
  
  
• Defeated mandates to restrict condominium developments.
  
  
• Passed a major property tax relief package.
  
  
• Passed appraiser regulations to comply with federal mandates.
  
  
• Passed numerous limits on REALTOR® liability for disclosures.
  
  
• Passed anti rent-absconding legislation
  
  
• Passed prohibition against local rent control ordinances.
  
  
• Passed cost controls on county government and school districts.
  
  
• Passed regulations of home inspectors.
  
  
• Passed commercial broker lien.

These are just a few of the hundreds of bills lobbied by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA) each session. The Association will continue to work on wetlands and other environmental issues, taxes, and controls on government spending all in this session of the legislature.

RASCW Honored with RPAC Recognition
RASCW members were honored recently with the 1999 RPAC Award from the Wisconsin REALTORS ® Association for Highest Per Capita Contributions among Extra Large Boards in the state. Overall, we raised more than $49,000 with contributions received from 46.8% of our membership. THANK YOU! It is through your efforts that we can assure that your views are presented and heard by your public officials. For more information on contributing to RPAC, contact RASCW Governmental Affairs Director Larry Gleasman at 608.240.2800 or larry@wisre.com.

Your Best Investment in Real Estate
When you contribute to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee, you're making an investment in the future of your business. Our efforts to save you money by advocating tax reform, preserving the mortgage interest deduction, protecting private property rights and reducing burdensome regulations and legal liability. Imagine the impact your contribution has when magnified by 730,000 REALTORS® nationwide!

Protect your business. Pledge your commitment to the future of real estate by contributing to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. It's your best investment in real estate.

RPAC Fundraising Q & A

How do I write out checks for my contribution?
There is a separate account for Direct Giver and RPAC. RPAC contributions should be made out to RPAC and should be accompanied with the RPAC contribution pledge card. Direct Giver contributions should be made out to the WRA Direct Giver Program and should be accompanied with the Direct Giver contribution pledge card.

As local RPAC Chair, what do I do with the checks when I receive them?
It is important to get all checks to the WRA as soon as possible. WRA has 10 days to get the checks deposited. Do not hold checks until all contributions are received. List all contributions separately on either the RPAC or Direct Giver transmittal form that can be obtained from the WRA. This 10 turnaround requirement applies to dues billing contributions as well.

Can a local board spend money for solicitation expenses?
NO. Funds for local board solicitation expenses must come from the state RPAC Trustees. Wisconsin law requires solicitation funds to come from RPAC-Wisconsin. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Local Association PACs however can spend funds to raise funds.

How much cash can I send in for my RPAC or Direct Giver contribution?
No cash over $50.00 can be sent to the WRA office.

Can I send contribution on a corporate check?
NO. Your check cannot have a corporation printed on it. Do not try to cross this off with a pen. NO CORPORATE CHECKS PLEASE!

Is there a minimum contribution?
There is a minimum of $100.00 contribution for Direct Giver but no minimum contribution for RPAC.

Is my contribution tax deductible?
No.

How do I write my check for A $1,000 life membership?
If you are contributing to RPAC, you need only write one check for $1,000 payable to RPAC. If you are contributing to the Direct Giver/Conduit Program, to receive National Life recognition you MUST write one check for $300 to NAR RPAC and one check for $700 to Direct Giver/Conduit Program.

How does my Association qualify for set aside funds and how do we receive these monies?
RPAC Trustees set a date in the fundraising campaign which Associations must meet to qualify for Set Aside Funds. To qualify, a board must raise $10 per member by the cutoff date set by the Trustees. This Set Aside money is to be used for local elections only. There is a simple Set Aside form that Associations must complete to receive funds. Boards should call their Trustee or the WRA for further details.

Can out Association hold an auction or other events to raise money for RPAC?
Yes, but there are restrictions under the law. Before any such event is scheduled, please contact the WRA for legal advice. Remember, auctionable items cannot be donated by a campaign.

WRA Direct Giver (Conduit) Program

1. Description
The WRA Direct Giver Program, (or conduit program as referred to under state law), provides an alternative to an RPAC contribution for members who:

1. wish to retain full control and direction over who will receive their political contributions.
   
   
2. wish to give personal contributions to candidates for local and state elections and at the same time benefit organized real estate and the WRA.

2. Direct Giver Process

1. Solicitations: Solicitations for Direct Giver contributions are made in the same fashion as RPAC contributions. The minimum contribution to the Direct Giver Program is $100.00.
   
   
2. Checks: Checks must be made to the WRA Direct Giver Program rather than RPAC. Local Associations transmit Direct Giver contributions to the WRA in the same manner and at the same time as RPAC contributions, but use a separate Direct Giver Transmittal Form.
   
   
3. Control: Contributions to the Direct Giver Program are deposited in a separate bank account from RPAC contributions. Structurally, the WRA then acts like a bank, with disbursements permitted only with the explicit authorization of the contributor. That is, Direct Giver contributor retains full control on how their contribution is spent.
   
   
4. Directing Contributions: Contributors may at any time direct their contributions, in whole or in part, to any candidate for local or state office. (Note: Like RPAC-Wisconsin, contributions from the Direct Giver Program to candidates for federal office are prohibited). When disbursing funds, contributors can write or call the WRA to indicate how they wish their money to be distributed. Since state law requires written authorization be provided, an authorization postcard will be mailed to the contributor for a signature. The postcard must be returned to the WRA.
   
   
5. Recommendations for Disbursements: Recommendation for disbursements of Direct Giver funds can be made to contributors by the WRA Direct Giver Trustees, but contributors are free to agree or disagree with those recommendations.

3. Legalities

1. Direct Giver Contributions Treated Like Personal Contributions: Direct Giver/conduit contributions are treated by Wisconsin campaign finance laws as individual, personal contributions. Contributions thus do not count against other PAC limitations under the law. (i.e.: Either against RPAC contributions to candidates or candidate limits on total PAC receipts).
   Individuals may contribute to either RPAC or the Direct Giver Program or both.
   
   
2. Conduit Report Form: The WRA must file a Conduit Report, similar to a PAC report, with the State Elections Board at prescribed times during the year. This report delineates the names of candidates receiving Direct Giver expenditures and the amount they received.