RPAC FAQ

• Whom do I contact for RPAC questions I may have that are not answered here?

  For information regarding RPAC Fundraising, please contact Taylor Shanaman at 360-943-3100, ext. 118 or e-mail her at Taylor.Shanaman@warealtor.org. For information and questions relating to candidates and elections, please contact Nathan Gorton at ext. 115

• What is an "In-Kind" donation?

  In-kind donations to a PAC are those donations that are given in goods and services rather than money (or cash). For instance if you donate a bottle of wine to an auction for RPAC, the in-kind fair market value must still reported to Washington REALTORS® as a donation to RPAC. These kinds of donations do not count toward RPAC goals; however they must be reported to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

• What is the "one-third" rule?

  The one-third rule, set forth in the Federal Elections Commission Law Regulations, applies to corporate sponsored fundraising events held to raise voluntary contributions to Federal political action committees where the event involves prizes, merchandise, or entertainment to contributors. Essentially it is the idea that an individual shouldn't receive something of more or equal value in exchange for their PAC contribution. The one-third rule applies to the overall fundraiser. For example, if you hold a fundraising auction for RPAC, and you spend $500 total on food and items for an auction, you must raise three times that amount ($1500). However, it should be noted that food and drink purchased by attendees (such as a no-host bar) do not count toward the one-third rule.

• Where can I find out who the "RPAC Major Investors" are?

  Major Investors are listed on WR website under Political Affairs.

• Where can we find an overview of the major required do's and dont's?

  The RPAC Manual is a great resource; we have copies available if you or your EO need one, just let the staff at Washington REALTORS® know and we'll send one right to you. If that still doesn't answer your question, feel free to call us at 360-943-3100.

• Why can't we have a raffle?

  Raffles are governed by the Washington State Gaming Commission, as a "game of chance" and a separate set of laws than your average PAC fundraiser. To make things simple, we have a lot of ideas for fundraisers that are not raffles, just ask!

• What's a Golden R? What is a Sustaining Golden R?

  A Golden R is a member who has invested $5000 in RPAC for the current year. In order to be a "Sustaining Golden R", a member must pay $2500 in the year after investing $5000 and any consecutive year after that.

• We already took cash for an RPAC Investment. What do we do now?

  Return to the individual paying with cash and request another form of payment. If no other option is available, prepare a statement for the individual to sign stating that it is their cash and are freely giving it to RPAC. Photocopy the cash and statement for your records, seal the cash in an envelope with the statement and hand deliver it to the State Association (do not mail cash!).

• What is the Leadership Project and why is my name on it?

  The Leadership Project embodies the belief that RPAC is vital to the Real Estate Industry and the Association as a whole. Members of the Board of Directors, RPAC Trustees, Legislative Steering Committee, and Key Contacts are placed on the list, and when they have invested a minimum of $100 their name is crossed off the list.

• How are Local Association Goals set?

  The fundraising goal of each local association, set by the State RPAC Trustees, is $30 per member per year. This goal is called a "fair share." To ensure that all local associations contribute their fair share to the RPAC effort, a local RPAC annual goal is determined by number of members in that local association multiplied by $30.

• Why does it only show my investment as $100 on the Leadership Project when I have invested more than that?

  The Leadership Project tracks investments up to $100. Once a member has met the $100 goal, their name is crossed off the list.

• Who can invest in RPAC?

  Anyone can invest in Washington RPAC, there are no restrictions on who may invest in RPAC here in Washington. It should be noted that the National Association's RPAC has different guidelines when soliciting and receiving RPAC investments.

• Why can't I make an investment to RPAC in the name of another Member?

  Federal law prohibits investments to RPAC "in the name of another". That is, an investment identifying another person as the investor. It is unlawful for anyone knowingly to use the name of another in submitting an investment, to permit his or her name to be used in the making of such an investment, or knowingly to accept investments made by one person in the name of another.

• Why can't I accept Cash Contributions?

  Cash Contributions are discouraged primarily because they are hard to track and attribute to a specific individual. We do offer many easy ways of making an investment, including; check, debit or credit card, monthly ACH deductions, and cashier's checks or money orders.

• I made my investment this month, why isn't it on this month's report?

  Monthly Reports are generated about a week after the end of the month. Due to transmittal of RPAC investments, it is not uncommon for an investment to show up one or two months later on monthly reports. For instance, if you made an investment on January 25th at your Local Association, it may take a week to get to the State Association. Investments are immediately date stamped upon receipt, and sent to our accounting department where they are entered into our system. If the individual check was not entered in until February 6th, it will not show up on monthly reports until March. That said we can always look up individual investments as soon as we have it entered in. So just because your name is still on the Leadership Project, that doesn't mean we didn't get your check! If you have concerns, please call Washington REALTORS® and let us know, we are more than happy to ensure that your investment was received or where it is in the process.

• What is the Hall of Fame?

  The Hall of Fame is special recognition given by NAR for individuals who have invested a lifetime total of $25,000 or more in RPAC. President's Circle contributions count toward achieving the Hall of Fame.

• Who can be solicited to invest in RPAC?

  A solicitation can be range from a newsletter article, to a website, to a direct person-to-person ask. While the National Association of REALTORS® RPAC is barred from soliciting anyone who is not a member or family of a member, we have different restrictions here in Washington. That said, we do put the following disclaimer on all printed RPAC Material:
  
  Investments are not deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. Investments to RPAC are Voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to invest without reprisal. Until NAR Fair Share goal is met, 70% of each investment is retained by the (State) PAC to support state and local candidates, and the balance is sent to the National RPAC to support Federal candidates. National's portion is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C 441. After the Fair Share goal is met, 100% of your investment is retained by the (State) PAC to support state and local political candidates.

• What is President's Circle and how do you sustain membership?

  The President's Circle is an influential group of REALTORS® who contribute $2000 directly to REALTOR®-friendly candidates at the federal level, in addition to making a major investment directly to RPAC. President's Circle members receive discounts on their Crystal and Golden R membership rates.

• Can Title Companies Invest in RPAC?

  Yes. Affiliate members and companies, as well as non-member affiliates can invest in RPAC.

• When do monthly RPAC reports come out?

  Generally about a week after the end of the month. There are a few factors that may slow things up a bit, especially during the legislative session, but if you need the most recent RPAC numbers, just ask!

• If I make an investment at a Clark County RPAC Event, but I am a member of Lewis County who gets credit for my investment?

  Your investment is tracked by your NRDS number. If you make an investment at another local association event, your board will still receive credit.

• What is this charge for NAR on my Credit Card Statement?

  If you renewed your dues online with a Credit Card and included an Investment to RPAC, it will show up on your credit card statement with NAR as the vendor.

• I am on a payment plan, why isn't my name on the Major Investor List?

  We cannot officially recognize Major Investors until their investment has been paid in full.

• Why did I get a receipt for my RPAC Investment and my friend from another association did not?

  It is a bit of a quirk of our database management software. If your investment was part of a large group sent from a local association, receipts are generally not generated, however if you pay dues online, sometimes they are. If you need a receipt, and did not receive one, we'd be happy to prepare one for you.

• What is the difference between RPAC/QOL PAC/Issues Fund?

  RPAC is a Political Action Committee that serves as the main vehicle for all our political activities. Sometimes we participate in "Independent Expenditures". For reporting purposes, all Independent Expenditures are paid for out of the "Quality of Life PAC" or QOL PAC. The Issues Fund is a separate account entirely from RPAC or QOL PAC. Issues Fund dollars are spent on impacting legislation at the local and state levels that do not appear on a ballot.

• Can I use proceeds from an RPAC event to pay for the event itself?

  No. An investment is made to RPAC with the understanding that the entire amount invested will go toward supporting political candidates, we cannot divert those funds. You may however request sponsorships for an event, as long as the party making the sponsorship understands they will not receive credit toward RPAC.

• Where is my Golden/Crystal/Sterling R Pin?

  NAR sends Major Investor Pins out in batches, as soon as you have made your investment in full, you can track your pin online at realtor.org. There may be a delay if you make your investment at the beginning of the year due to the production of new pins.

• If I make an investment online, does my local board get credit?

  Yes! Your investment is tracked by your NRDS number and tied to your affiliation with your local and state boards. If you make your investment by mail, phone, with your dues renewal, or online, your local board will get credit.

• Can non-members invest in RPAC?

  Yes.

• If I make an investment at a State or NAR event, does my local board still get credit and the 25% to spend on local races?

  Yes. Your investment is tracked by your NRDS number. If you make an investment at a function at NAR, WR, or even in another state, your local board will still receive credit.