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For those of you who still might be somewhat confused or vague as to what
NAPUS PAC is all about, The Maine Chapter of NAPUS has included this portion in
its website, that has been reproduced from the NAPUS national website, in order
to provide some additional information on what PAC is all about.
It is hoped that this will help to clarify any misconception as to intent and
purpose of Napus PAC.
It is also hoped that with this clarification, you will donate to this most
worthy cause. Please keep in mind that this should be considered
career insurance.
Your PAC dollars go to the advancement and protection of your postal
interests.
NAPUS PAC:
NAPUS PAC for
Postmasters, a multi-candidate political action committee (PAC) fund,
was established in 1978. The fund is made up of voluntary contributions
solicited from the members and their families of the National
Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS). The sole
purpose of NAPUS PAC is to provide bipartisan political financial
support to members of Congress and congressional candidates who are
supportive of the NAPUS legislative agenda. Contributions made to NAPUS
PAC are legally separate from the NAPUS operating budget and are
strictly regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
NAPUS PAC is usually a congressional candidate’s first exposure to
NAPUS. A strong PAC enables NAPUS to let legislators know that
Postmasters appreciate the opportunity to be heard on issues of concern.
It also allows Postmasters to financially support those legislators who
have been responsive to the needs of NAPUS members.
It is for these reasons that chapter PAC chairs must promote NAPUS PAC
for Postmasters at every opportunity. It is imperative that chapter
officers and all NAPUS members boost participation in our PAC. This
includes both active and retired Postmasters. NAPUS PAC contributions
should be encouraged in all chapter publications, as well as at all
chapter and district meetings and in one-to-one communications among
Postmasters. The National PAC co-chairs and the NAPUS National Office
will do their part by highlighting NAPUS PAC in the Postmasters Gazette
magazine and the NAPUS Update and NAPUS Activist newsletters.
Why a NAPUS PAC?
NAPUS PAC for Postmasters helps elect members of Congress who will
support legislation that will benefit active and retired Postmasters.
NAPUS is legally permitted to communicate with members of Congress and
employees of the Executive Branch and to provide political education to
NAPUS members.
However, federal law prohibits NAPUS from making campaign contributions
to candidates for federal offices. Membership dues are not permitted for
such use. Consequently, NAPUS offers its members and employees a means
by which they may provide financial support to candidates for federal
office. This is achieved through a “separate, segregated fund” known as
a political action committee (PAC). A solicitation from PAC discloses to
its contributors a clear explanation that the funds will be used for
political campaign contributions.
NAPUS PAC is recognized within the political community as a stable
performer with an outstanding success record. Our PAC is far more
effective than Postmasters making individual contributions to particular
candidates. Postmasters, retirees and their families are encouraged to
participate in the political process through the strength of their
pooled contributions. The results have a greater impact than small,
scattered efforts.
NAPUS PAC allows Postmasters to make one, coordinated effort to support
their allies in Congress and to candidates we believe will be agreeable
to legislative issues. The fact that the contributions are made to
candidates in the name of NAPUS PAC nurtures positive identification
between the candidates and NAPUS.
Also, NAPUS PAC complements our lobbying efforts, providing an
additional avenue of access to members of Congress. NAPUS officers,
NAPUS members or staff may attend fund-raising events where our PAC has
made contributions on behalf of the incumbent or candidate.
NAPUS PAC and Political Campaigns
The outcome of political elections can boost or block our legislative
agenda. Promoting a strong and vibrant NAPUS PAC helps elevate
Postmasters’ visibility in political campaigns. In this way, NAPUS can
help shape the composition of the next Congress and have an impact on
its priorities.
NAPUS PAC campaign contributions are an essential aspect of conveying to
the incumbent or the candidate for Congress our support and endorsement.
It is a tangible expression of agreement with his or her individual
goals. Contributions help ensure the re-election of our helpful friends
in office.
Campaigns need money to effectively support candidates’ bids for office.
Direct mail, television, radio and travel expenses all strain the
financial resources of most campaigns. The cost for candidates to
educate the public about themselves and their positions on relevant
issues increases each year. In election year 2000, the cost of a viable
congressional campaign generally exceeded $1 million. As a result, PAC
support is essential to a winning congressional campaign.
During the year 2000 election cycle, NAPUS members raised approximately
$563,000 for NAPUS PAC. NAPUS PAC has a strong record of involvement in
viable pro-Postmaster bipartisan campaigns throughout the country.
During the year 2000 election cycle, NAPUS PAC participated in
approximately 350 congressional campaigns. Our PAC contributed more than
$417,000 in an effort to elect Postmaster-friendly members of Congress.
Proudly, 96 percent of the individuals we supported won election to the
107th Congress.
For-profit Postal Service competitors (e.g., UPS and FedEx) are major
players in the PAC arena. They have used their vast financial resources
to undermine the institution that helps support our families. This is
one of many reasons Postmasters must contribute generously to NAPUS PAC.
NAPUS’ involvement in the political process provides you with direct
access to the decision- and policymakers who can pass laws and
regulations that will directly affect your life.
Who Receives NAPUS PAC Funds?
NAPUS PAC uses many factors to determine how much or if a candidate for
federal office will receive financial support. During the 2000 election
cycle, NAPUS PAC used a new questionnaire to help evaluate the
candidates. In addition, questions that should be asked when assessing
an incumbent member of Congress include:
* Is the member of Congress on the committee of jurisdiction over the
Postal Service?
* Is the member in a leadership position or has seniority in Congress?
* What is his or her ability to influence legislation?
* Is the member on a key committee, such as Appropriations, Budget,
Commerce, Rules or Ways and Means?
* Is the member a sponsor or co-sponsor of a bill that would benefit
Postmasters?
* Does the member have a good “voting record” on key Postmaster
legislation?
* Can
the incumbent win re-election?
* Is the member accessible to Postmasters during Hill office visits and
during visits in the home districts?
With the help of Postmasters throughout the country, we have been able
to identify candidates with a serious chance to win the seat they are
seeking. Several factors are considered:
* the strength of the campaign manager
* the potency of the campaign staff
* the polling numbers of the candidate
* the ability to raise campaign funds
* the historical performance of the candidate’s party in the district
* the satisfactory completion of the “NAPUS Candidate Survey”
In an effort to assure the candidate recognizes NAPUS Postmasters whom
they will represent, the Government Relations Department encourages
individual Postmasters or small groups to attend fund-raising events in
congressional districts. (The department will notify the chapter
legislative chair or PAC chair of events.) As a result, when Postmasters
need to visit with a member in his or her district office or on Capitol
Hill, the doors of communication are open and inviting.
Candidates for the House and Senate of the United States Congress are
eligible to receive funds from our PAC. State representatives and
gubernatorial campaigns are ineligible.
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