POINTS TO PONDER
Issue 02-01
from your Federation President
NARFE Members of California:
NARFE-PAC - This being an election year, candidates for Congress will be
asking NARFE-PAC for monetary contributions. What does this mean to us as
members of NARFE? The following is a brief discussion on how NARFE-PAC
works.
PAC stands for Political Action Committee, a committee chartered to administer,
disburse and disclose funds contributed voluntarily, by NARFE members, and used
solely for political purposes.
The four elected National resident officers (President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer) of NARFE at Headquarters constitute NARFE's Political Action Committee.
NARFE member's voluntary contributions to NARFE-PAC help fund the political arm
of our organization in Alexandria, Virginia.
NARFE-PAC helps elect Senators and Representatives who are sympathetic to the
concerns of federal retirees.
Four main factors are considered by NARFE-PAC when deciding whether to contribute
monies to a candidate. They are:
1) If the candidate is an incumbent, what has been his/her voting record on issues
of concern to federal retires. Challengers will submit statements outlining their views on
matters vital to our interests.
2) The influence which a legislator can exert in support of NARFE goals. For
example, does the legislator hold an assignment on a committee that deals with our issues?
Is the legislator in a party leadership position?
3) The degree of communications among candidates and NARFE members, chapters,
federations and NARFE lobbyists. For example, is the legislator willing to consider our
views, even if there is not 100 percent agreement?
4) Does the candidate have a chance to win? Also does the candidate face little or
no opposition, or does the candidate already have sufficient campaign funds?
With that as background, lets review the process by which a candidate for
Congressional Representative may receive a contribution from NARFE-PAC funds.
NOTE: Every Federation has a NARFE-PAC Coordinator, ours is Kingston George,
a member of the Santa Maria Chapter #1330.
Step 1 - A candidate or his/her campaign committee must submit a written request
for a campaign contribution from NARFE-PAC in Alexandria, Virginia - not through
local chapters, nor the federation.
Step 2 - Headquarter's Legislative Staff (who assists PAC) sends a FYI (For Your
Information) to the Federation NARFE-PAC Coordinator which advises him that a
candidate is requesting campaign funds.
Step 3 - The Federation NARFE-PAC Coordinator notifies (by FYI) the appropriate
District Vice President (DVP) of the candidate's request.
Step 4 - The DVP notifies (by phone, e-mail, or FAX) the Chapter Presidents of those
chapters located in the candidates Congressional District, and asks for their opinion on
whether or not to support the candidates request. This decision is based on such things as:
a. Does the candidate or their staff willingly communicate with NARFE members?
b. Has the candidate or their staff spoken at a NARFE meeting?
c. Has the candidate voted in favor of NARFE issues?
d. Is the candidate sympathetic with concerns of federal retirees and survivor
annuitants?
Step 5 - The DVP forwards the Chapter's position to the NARFE-PAC Coordinator
with the details on why the Chapters support or don't support the candidate.
Step 6 - The NARFE-PAC Coordinator forwards same to Headquarters.
Step 7 - The PAC reviews all pertinent information, the Legislative Staff has on the
candidate and the information provided by the chapters and determines whether or not
to provide funds accordingly. If a check is sent to the candidate, a copy of the check is
also sent to the Federation NARFE-PAC Coordinator who in turn advises the Chapters
through the DVP.
One more point of interest, the maximum contribution that can be given to any
candidate is $5,000 per election (primary, general, run-off and special elections each
qualify as an "election").
Till Next Time ....
Regards, Your Federation President, Lea Zajac
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