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For questions, comments or additional information, please email the Government Relations Department at ncragr@ncra.org.

 

 

NCRA Political Action Committee

NCRA PAC logo

 

 

About NCRA PAC

The National Court Reporters Association Political Action Committee (NCRA PAC) is an important component of the association’s government relations efforts. NCRA PAC is diligently working on Capitol Hill to give a voice to the interests of the court reporting profession so that we can thoroughly educate lawmakers on the important contributions that our profession makes to the entire nation.

The PAC is the association’s and the member’s direct lifeline to the legislative community that will decide the outcome of the organization's initiatives in Congress. Having a presence on Capitol Hill is critical when working to promote the profession on the national level, and NCRA PAC is an important vehicle through which the Association can deliver NCRA’s message to Members of Congress for our members.

 

 

Support the NCRA PAC

Through your generous contributions, NCRA is able to articulate court reporting issues to legislators and advocate for the profession at the state and federal levels.

 

 

 

PAC mission statement

NCRA PAC is committed to advancing the national interests of its members by supporting those candidates for the United States Congress, and building relationships with current Members of Congress, who are advocates for the court reporting and captioning professions. By making contributions to the congressional campaign efforts of court reporter-friendly individuals, NCRA PAC works to build relationships in Congress that will advance our profession’s interests on a national level. Through the personal and financial investments of its members, NCRA PAC seeks to give its members an opportunity to more effectively petition their government for the prosperity, promotion and long-term success of the court reporting and captioning professions.

 

 

NCRA PAC functions

Since its establishment in 1981, NCRA PAC has focused on supporting candidates for federal office that promote and advance the court reporting profession. Through its support for those candidates supportive of NCRA and the profession’s legislative issues, NCRA PAC can work hard on behalf of its members to promote and protect the interests of the court reporting and captioning professions.

The primary focus of NCRA PAC is to develop and nurture legislative relationships that will work in the interest of the association’s legislative agenda by:

  1. Electing and re-electing “friends” of NCRA to Congress;
  2. Articulating NCRA’s legislative issues to policy makers on Capitol Hill; and
  3. Cultivating relationships on Capitol Hill that will work to the benefit of the court reporting and captioning professions. To meet these objectives, NCRA PAC contributes to the campaigns of Congressional candidates who have shown their support for the court reporting and captioning professions and the legislative issues of NCRA. It is through these contributions to the election and re-election efforts of the association’s “allies” in Congress that NCRA PAC gains access to voice its interests and concerns to those individuals who are in a position to make a difference for the benefit of the profession.

 

PAC Governing Board

The PAC Governing Board consists of eight NCRA members: a chair, a treasurer, assistant treasurer, staff liaison, and four board members.

The PAC Governing Board is responsible for assisting NCRA staff with NCRA PAC functions, events, and direction. The Governing Board offers valuable advice and input as members of NCRA who work in the court reporting and captioning professions. They are truly invested in the PAC and the valuable role it plays in the future of the profession.

The PAC Governing Board holds regular conference calls and meets annually. They work to develop new fundraisers that allow our members to get involved in the NCRA PAC and hope to educate our members on the value of using the NCRA PAC to promote their profession.

 

View board members

Chair

Isaiah P. Roberts, RPR, Magnolia, IL

Members

Shaunise M. Day, Oakland, CA

Isaiah Leslie, Santa Ana, CA

Cheryl D. Rylant, Edmond, OK

Sonia G. Trevino, Corpus Christi, TX

Cyndi H. Tumlin, RPR, Rainsville, AL

Treasurer

Dave Wenhold, CAE, PLC, Key West, FL

Assistant Treasurer

Cathy L. Penniston, RPR, CRI, Waukee, IA

Board Liaison

Cindy L. Isaacsen, RPR, Shawnee, KS

Staff Liaison

Colin Brehm, State Government Relations Manager, Reston, VA

 

 

NCRA PAC Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PAC?

A PAC, or Political Action Committee, is a fund connected to an institution or organization such as NCRA by membership but separately maintained for specific politically related functions. A PAC enables individuals to collectively support and elect persons to office whom they believe will champion their cause. In NCRA’s case, we help to support federal politicians who will keep the court reporting and captioning professions in mind when drafting and voting on legislation.

 

Who can give to NCRA PAC?

Most members of NCRA and their spouses can give to NCRA PAC. We use the term “Most” because not all members of NCRA can contribute. You must be a United States citizen; therefore, our international members are excluded. However, NCRA staff members at NCRA headquarters in Virginia ARE allowed to contribute.

The basic rule is that voting members of NCRA who work in the court reporting and captioning professions and their spouses are able to contribute; although, there are some exceptions to the FEC Rules. 

 

What does NCRA PAC do?

NCRA PAC works to further court reporters’ and captioners’ interests on Capitol Hill.  It does this via contributions to federal campaigns. Members of Congress who are friendly towards NCRA’s mission receive contributions to their campaigns from NCRA PAC. In fact, NCRA PAC’s record for success in helping to elect or re-elect these court reporter-minded lawmakers is over 90 percent!  That means during the 2016 elections over 90% of the federal campaigns to which NCRA PAC contributed won election or re-election.

 

Is there a limit to how much a person may give to NCRA PAC?

A PAC may accept up to $5,000 per year from any one individual.  It is important to note that this amount is per individual, and that a spouse can donate $5,000 as well, even if only one person in the household has an income. 

 

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

A contribution to a PAC is not tax-deductible.  Because it is a political contribution and not a charitable one, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) does not allow a PAC contribution to be deducted. 

 

Can a person support NCRA PAC with funds from their business?

No.  Because NCRA PAC is a membership-based PAC, we can only accept contributions from our members, and cannot accept contributions from business accounts. Members must contribute through their personal accounts.

 

I gave to NCRA PAC once, isn’t that enough?

NCRA PAC only survives by the generosity of its contributors.  Although NCRA PAC greatly appreciates a contribution of any size, the more funds our PAC has, the stronger and more influential it is on Capitol Hill.  NCRA encourages members to give what they can, when they can.  We must continue to develop and maintain NCRA’s contacts, relationships, and allies on Capitol Hill.  Unfortunately, it is not a one-time contribution to a campaign that will do this job, rather continuous support from NCRA that builds and solidifies relationships. 

 

Where does all the money go?

Your contribution to NCRA PAC is deposited directly into NCRA’s PAC account.  Checks are then issued to select Members of Congress that fit into the giving strategy created by NCRA’s Government Relations Department.  We target Members of Congress that sit on pertinent committees that affect our issues, have the power to pass our legislation, or have been continuous supporters or advocates for the court reporting profession.  NCRA is a bipartisan organization so NCRA PAC gives to candidates from all parties.  The candidate committee that accepts PAC funds from NCRA PAC must deposit the money into their candidate PAC which is regulated and monitored closely by the FEC to ensure that the dollars are spent appropriately on their political campaign and not used for unethical or illegal purposes. 

 

Who runs NCRA PAC?

NCRA PAC is governed by the NCRA PAC Governing Board which in turn is governed by NCRA’s Board of Directors. Colin Brehm, State Government Relations Manager, reports to the PAC Governing Board with recommendations from NCRA’s Government Relations Department.  NCRA PAC depends on two channels to direct its activities, the PAC Governing Board and NCRA’s Government Relations Department.  The PAC Governing Board decides on many broad projects, fundraising efforts, and initiatives to grow NCRA PAC.  NCRA’s Government Relations Department solidifies decisions concerning the direction of funds since they are our legislative experts hired to work with Congress on a daily basis.  The Government Relations Department is responsible for ensuring our issues are heard and important bills are passed.  They are the individuals who know the Members of Congress who would be most amenable to our positions.  Both the Governing Board and the Government Relations Department welcome input concerning Members of Congress whom you would like us to consider supporting.  NCRA PAC is your tool to influence Congress, and it is our sincere hope that you learn how to utilize this tool.

 

How can I learn more about NCRA PAC?

To learn more about NCRA PAC explore our website or email our Government Relations Department at ncragr@ncra.org.