Political Involvement (APIC)

• Recruit at least 1 new member this year
• Attend Association Leadership Conference
• Submit budget input to President Elect by 15 May
• Attend Board and Committee Chair Orientation at June board meeting
• Develop the Political Involvement Plan for draft presentation at the July Board meeting and approval at the August Board meeting
• Develop APIC contact report
• Coordinate activities with the Legislation Chair
• Invite a member of the State Legislature to attend a membership meeting
• Invite a member of the National Legislature to attend a membership meeting
• Work with Program Chair to ensure one members
• hip meeting is devoted to Political Involvement

The Political Involvement/Political Action and Legislative Committee shall examine laws and regulations existing or proposed, affecting the life and health insurance business and those engaging therein and submit recommendations concerning such laws and regulations to the Board of Directors.  To the greatest extent possible, the committee shall assist in the implementation of the legislative programs of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the State Association.

This Committee shall develop programs and activities to promote contributions to the North Dakota Association Political Action Committee, NAIFAPAC and to aid individuals in becoming more knowledgeable and involved in effective politics and government.  The committee shall seek to make members aware of the purposes and opportunities of NAIFAPAC and the State Association PAC and the Freedom Fund PAC by encouraging contributions to selected candidates for state and federal elective office.

This Committee shall actively promote the involvement of this Association in the election of candidates for local, state and national office consistent with the legislative views of this Association; the Committee shall also identify and foster the creation of significant member relationships with elected officials.

Local APIC Chair Duties

1. CONTACT SYSTEM (PHASE I)

Recruit legislative contacts from among the members of the local association. Ideally each member of Congress should have at least 5-6 legislative contacts. Forward the names of contacts to the state APIC chair and/or the APIC Office at NAIFA. All contacts are to be assigned a rating to signify the degree of their relationship with their legislator. Although it is the primary responsibility of state APIC chairs to make these ratings, local APIC chairs can provide input on ratings to the state APIC chair (see Explanation of APIC Rating Structure or APIC Guidelines booklet for details).

2. LIAISON TO DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE (PHASE II)

One of the main responsibilities of the local APIC chair is to establish a positive, on-going relationship with the district office of the local association's member(s) of Congress. The chair will be responsible for setting up meetings between the appropriate district staff person and small groups of NAIFA members. The goal will be to establish an advisor "presence" at the local level and to update the member of Congress' staff on industry issues. The APIC Office at NAIFA should be informed of these meetings.

The chair will also coordinate meetings between the member of Congress when he is in the district and the local association. The chair should endeavor to have the member of Congress attend at least one organized association function each year and inform the APIC Office at NAIFA of these meetings.

The chair should keep a record of all contacts with the member of Congress, including personal visits by other contacts or association members. The state chair and the APIC Office at NAIFA should be kept apprised of such visits.

3. FSC/FDC APPOINTMENTS (PHASE III)

It is the primary responsibility of state APIC chairs to identify one Federal Senate Coordinator (FSC) for every Senator in your state and one Federal District Coordinator (FDC) for every Representative in your state. However, you can assist the state APIC chair by sending your recommendations for the position as well as by monitoring their activities to ensure that the FSCs/FDCs in your state 1) have formed a constituent group and reported the names to NAIFA; 2) are holding regular meetings in the district with their legislator (ideally 3-4 times/year); and 3) are reporting the results of their meetings to NAIFA.

4. COMMUNICATION

Communicate effectively and frequently with your state APIC chair. Local APIC chairs should also make routine reports at association/board meetings and ensure that association members understand APIC's goals and objectives. Finally, members should be educated on the importance of political involvement.

Disseminate all NAIFA Action Alerts further throughout your association to ensure prompt and extensive action during a legislative "crisis."

5. COORDINATION

Work closely with other association leaders, particularly the IFAPAC chair, FL&L chair, national committeeman, etc., to ensure a well-coordinated legislative program in your association.

6. CAMPAIGN INVOLVEMENT

The chair should encourage members of his or her association to become involved in political campaigns. Campaign work is not only rewarding but can strengthen a relationship with a member of Congress.

7. FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

The chair, in coordination with the IFAPAC and legislative chairs, should encourage fundraising activities on behalf of congressional candidates supportive of NAIFA's legislative goals.