WHAT IS THE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE?
The President’s Circle is an extremely powerful program serving as a unique and critical tool that makes our REALTOR® voices heard more clearly on Capitol Hill. Political Action Committees, like our REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), can only legally contribute $10,000 per election cycle to a REALTOR® Champion, which is a candidate or member of Congress who supports REALTOR® issues. The President’s Circle can step in and mobilize its members to contribute directly from their pockets to REALTOR® Champions, allowing REALTORS® to make an even bigger impact. Many associations and companies also have the ability to give the maximum of $10,000 from their Political Action Committees. The President’s Circle program allows us to reach beyond RPAC dollars and gives us a megaphone to communicate REALTOR® issues on Capitol Hill.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
- Being an RPAC Major Donor (Sterling, Crystal or Golden R) is a prerequisite for participating in the President’s Circle program.
- In addition to their RPAC Major Donor investment, President’s Circle members agree to contribute $2,000 per year in personal funds (no corporate contributions) directly to candidates who are strong supporters of our REALTOR® issues and national party committees that are selected by the national RPAC Trustees.
- Once President Circle members select which RPAC-designated candidate or committee they would like to support, they write a check or provide their credit card information directly to the campaign or national political party committee.
- Members may choose to contribute one $2,000 payment, two $1,000 payments or four payments of $500.
- To track commitments and ensure that REALTORS® receive credit for support of a candidate or committee event, President Circle members must forward a copy of the check or a credit card transaction receipt from the internet site to NAR in Washington, D.C.
- Members must fulfill $1,000 of their commitment by June 30th to remain in the program. If a member joins after June 30th, a $1,000 contribution must be made upon joining the program.
- All contributions for 2009 must be made by October 31, 2009.
- Members have four opportunities throughout the year to satisfy their $2,000 President Circle pledge, as follows:
2009 Contribution Round Schedule*
February 27th
April 30th
June 30th
August 31th
*In the first and last contribution rounds, members may contribute to the Republican and/or Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees and designate any U.S. Representative to receive credit for their contribution. (NOTE: Members of Congress are tasked with raising a specific amount of money for their political campaign committee. Contributions from President’s Circle members will greatly help and be recognized by both the political campaign committee and Member of Congress.)
DOES MY PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE CONTRIBUTION COUNT TOWARDS MY RPAC CONTRIBUTION FOR THE YEAR?
President’s Circle contributions and RPAC investments are separate “pots of money”. RPAC Major Donor investments are deposited into RPAC’s account and used to make RPAC contributions to candidates. President’s Circle contributions go directly from the President’s Circle members to the REALTOR®-friendly candidate or committee. Neither NAR nor RPAC serves as a conduit for President’s Circle contributions.
Does the President’s Circle give primarily to Democrats or Republicans?
Like RPAC, the President’s Circle is 100% bi-partisan. Candidate choices in each contribution round are both Democrats and Republicans. The only requirement is that the candidate supports REALTOR® friendly issues.
In addition to the candidates in the contribution rounds, can I contribute to other U.S. Senators, Congresspersons, Governors, State Senators and State Representatives?
The President’s Circle program is incredibly effective because the contributions made by President’s Circle members increase the total amount of “REALTOR® -related contributions” made to candidates approved by the national RPAC Trustees. If members contribute to any and all candidates, our political effectiveness is diluted. President’s Circle members are, of course, welcome to contribute dollars to any candidate of their choosing; however, they must also contribute $2,000 to candidates selected by the national RPAC Trustees to satisfy their President’s Circle commitment.
As mentioned on the previous page, President’s Circle members can contribute to the Republican and/or Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees and designate any U.S. Representative to receive credit for their contribution. (NOTE: Members of Congress are tasked with raising a specific
amount of money for their political campaign committee. Contributions from President’s Circle members will greatly help and be recognized by both the political campaign committee and Member of Congress.)
DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR THE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE EACH YEAR?
Members of the President’s Circle program are members in the year they join and all subsequent years unless and until they advise NAR Staff they no longer wish to remain a member of the President’s Circle.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
These benefits are in addition to those received as being an RPAC Sterling, Crystal or Golden R.
All President’s Circle Members:
- A greater voice for REALTORS® in the federal legislative process.
- 70% of each member’s President’s Circle contribution (that is, $1,400) is credited towards their state’s RPAC Fair Share Goal, allowing the state to keep more RPAC dollars at home;
- President’s Circle contributions count towards entry into the RPAC Hall of Fame (which is a total aggregate amount of $25,000)
- Lapel pin with President’s Circle recognition attachment
- Invited to legislative briefings at conferences and private receptions at NAR national meetings Designated President’s Circle bar at private receptions
- Personal communications from RPAC staff and NAR leaders
- Recognition on NAR electronic communications
President’s Circle/Crystal R members
- Above benefits plus:
- Special contribution amount for RPAC Major Donor Crystal R investment -First time investment of $2,000 (instead of $2,500) and sustaining amount of $1,000 (instead of $1,500)
- Special concierge service at national meetings
- Annual recognition in NAR’s REALTOR® Magazine
- Recognition in NAR’s Mid-year Meeting and Annual Convention final programs
- Receive monthly newsletter analyzing the REALTOR political landscape
- Access to Hospitality Suite in headquarter hotels at national meetings
President’s Circle/Golden R members
- Above benefits plus:
- Special contribution amount for RPAC Major Donor Golden R investment – First time investment of $4,000 (instead of $5,000) and sustaining amount of $1,000 (instead of $2,000)
- Hotel headquarters guaranteed at national meetings
- Raffles at NAR meetings for photo opportunity, signed merchandise & private meeting with NAR booth celebrities
- VIP Seating at NAR Concerts
- Invited to RPAC Trustees Lunch with guest speaker at national meetings