• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

TREPAC/ Governmental Affairs Orientation “…the most well respected…” – Quorum Report “…the most influential…” – Texas Insider “e powerful Texas Association of REALTORS®…” – e Texas Tribune We love it when they call us names CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE TREPAC AND THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE TAR FEDPACWHICH MAKES CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE RPACARE VOLUNTARY AND MAY BE USED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES. THE AMOUNT INDICATED IS MERELY A GUIDELINE, AND YOU MAY CONTRIBUTE MORE OR LESS THAN THE SUGGESTED AMOUNT. YOU MAY REFUSE TO CONTRIBUTE WITHOUT REPRISAL, AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® TAR, AND ITS LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS WILL NOT FAVOR OR DISADVANTAGE ANYONE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED. UNTIL THE RPAC ANNUAL GOAL IS MET, 70% OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S CONTRIBUTION GOES TO TREPAC AND MAY BE USED TO SUPPORT STATE AND LOCAL CANDIDATES; THE REMAINING 30% IS SENT TO TAR FEDPAC TO SUPPORT FEDERAL CANDIDATES AND IS CHARGED AGAINST YOUR LIMITS UNDER 52 U.S.C. 30116. EXCEPTION: 100% OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S CONTRIBUTION GOES TO TREPAC IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS AN EMPLOYEE OF AN AFFILIATE MEMBER OF TAR. AFTER THE RPAC ANNUAL GOAL IS MET, 100% OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S CONTRIBUTION GOES TO TREPAC AND MAY BE USED TO SUPPORT STATE AND LOCAL CANDIDATES. YOU MAY CONTACT THE TAR POLITICAL COMMITTEE ADMINISTRATOR AT 8008739155 TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. Contents A. Mission Statement ......................... 3 B. History of TREPAC ........................ 3 C. Frequently Asked Questions ............... 3 I. General Information D. Local Association Goals .................... 5 E. Corporate/Non-Corporate Investments .... 6 F. TREPAC Money Allocation ................. 7 G. Investment Reporting Guidelines .......... 7 A. Planting the Seed .......................... 9 II. Building a PAC culture B. Participation Programs .................... 9 C. TREPAC Family Tree ...................... 11 A. Fundraising Fundamentals ............... 13 B. How to Spread the Word .................. 17 III. Show me the money C. Special Events ............................ 26 D. Fun Events ............................... 29 E. A-Team Approach ........................ 31 F. Legal Aspects ............................ 39 A. Reaching New Heights ................... 49 IV. Reaching New Heights B. TREPAC and Advocacy ................... 49 A. Award Levels ............................. 51 B. RPAC President’s Circle ................... 52 C. Individual Awards ........................ 52 V. Awards programs D. Local Association Awards. 52 E. RPAC .................................... 52 F. REALTOR® Party ........................... 53 TREPAC Orientation Guide Checklist ......... A Incentives for Investing in TREPAC ........... B 2019 Business Plan ........................... C TREPAC Calculator ........................... D Do Your Dues ................................ E VI. Appendix How TREPAC Has Helped You ................ F Get Connected ............................... G Campaign Disbursements .................... H TREPAC Trustee and PAC Chair ................ I Acronyms and Terms ......................... J TABC Alcohol Guidelines .....................K I. General Information 3 In 1974, due to possible conflicts in laws A. Mission governing political activity by a tax- statement exempt corporation, the association governing body approved the formation of TREPAC as a separate organization. The mission of TREPAC/Texas good Association of REALTORS® TREPAC as we know it today has evolved Political Action Committee into the largest and most successful stu PAC of its kind in Texas. Furthermore, is to raise funds to promote ® the National Association of REALTORS TREPAC was formed in homeownership, protect considers TREPAC to be a model PAC for private-property rights, and the entire nation. 1972 with fewer than increase political awareness. 1,000 investors. Today TREPAC is the largest C. Frequently asked grassroots political B. History of questions action committee in the TREPAC state. Texas REALTORS® will want to In the late 1960s, leadership know about TREPAC before they of the Texas Association of invest financially. The following REALTORS® launched a major questions and answers will new initiative designed to provide information on how to increase the association’s respond to their inquiries. influence with elected officials at all levels of state and local 1. What is TREPAC? government. TREPAC is a voluntary, nonprofit, unincorporated group whose The association created a statewide membership consists of REALTORS ® committee to meet with candidates and others interested in protecting the for office and elected officials rights of property owners in Texas. As to discuss issues important to a political action committee, TREPAC REALTORS ®. Simultaneously, the complies with all federal and state good association urged local associations campaign finance laws. The voluntary to form breakfast clubs with the same investments TREPAC receives are used stu objective. Texas REALTORS ® were to support candidates for federal, state, asked to send investments to a state and local office who demonstrate their In 2018, Texas fund for candidate assistance. The support for the preservation of private- REALTORS® raised first year of this fundraising effort property rights and the real estate produced less than $1,000 raised at profession. over $4.4 million* for the state level. However, local boards TREPAC. had considerably more success in raising funds for their breakfast clubs. 2. Who sponsors TREPAC? *At publication TREPAC is sponsored by the Texas In 1972, acting on the fundraising Association of REALTORS ®. The successes of many of the local boards, association provides the professional Texas REALTORS ® formed TREPAC staff and office facilities required to in coordination with the local maintain TREPAC. committees. TREPAC raised a total of $17,250 from 923 investors in that first year of operation. 4 3. Who administers 6. TREPAC provides financial TREPAC? support to candidates, so A 52-member board of trustees is is it true that TREPAC also responsible for all TREPAC operations endorses candidates? and financial disbursements. TREPAC consists of 44 trustees selected from No. Only the Texas Association ® each of the state association regions; of REALTORS can formally endorse a four additional trustees serve as candidate. chairman, first vice-chair, second vice-chair, and the immediate-past 7. Who decides which chair; and the Texas Association of candidates receive TREPAC tip ® REALTORS chairman serves as a support? trustee. There is also an Association Executive appointee, a Governmental ® Campaigns are Local REALTOR boards and associations Affairs Director (GAD) appointee, and throughout the state and individual becoming more one At-Large Trustees. Each trustee TREPAC members are asked to interview must be approved by the general complex, therefore candidates and make recommendations trustee body. as to which candidates should receive more resources are campaign contributions from TREPAC. always needed to 4. Who may join TREPAC? These recommendations are reviewed and acted upon by the TREPAC board remain competitive. TREPAC membership is open to of trustees. No single person can ever any individual who wishes to invest commit TREPAC to a candidate. TREPAC financially in good public policy that supports candidates who share our promotes homeownership and the concern for preserving the free enterprise free enterprise system. It is important system, protecting the rights of private- to note, however, that members of the property owners, and keeping the real public may not be solicited for TREPAC estate industry strong. investments using corporate dollars and corporate resources. 8. Does TREPAC invest in several candidates in the 5. Where do TREPAC same race? dollars go? All funds eligible to be invested in No. Investing in more than one candidates in political races are candidate for the same office dilutes the expended for that purpose. Thirty strength of the contribution and sends percent of the annual investments a confusing message to voters. It is received by TREPAC, until quota is not uncommon for TREPAC to remain achieved, are forwarded to NAR’s neutral in open (non-incumbent) races when a distinction cannot be drawn REALTORS ® Political Action Committee ® (RPAC) for use in federal campaigns between candidates regarding REALTOR in Texas and throughout the country. issues. In this manner, TREPAC participates in the political process at the national 9. Which political party does level, where a multitude of legislative TREPAC support? issues threaten private-property rights and the real estate industry. TREPAC is not affiliated with any political The remaining funds are invested party; we are the REALTOR® Party. The in candidates for state legislative program and platform of the individual office, certain statewide offices, and candidates, board recommendations, designated candidates in local races and ultimate action by TREPAC trustees as requested by the local association. determine who TREPAC supports—not (See page 7.) the candidate’s party affiliation. I. General Information 5 10. How are TREPAC 13. What can you do investments delivered to about the government’s candidates? expanding restrictions on After a TREPAC check has been your business? generated at

Load more

  112

Copy Link