Public Relations and Government Relations

Question 1

What is a coalition

Answer 1

an alliance that forms for lobbying or public relations purposes, like large scale issues that affects diverse populations. associations team up with one voice. Strength in numbers. which requires little financial commitment. Can be longterm or short lived. Useful for puruits of public policy goals.

Question 2

What is the function of a PAC

Answer 2

Political Action Committee. Serve the function of contributing to political campaigns since corporations and associations are prohibited

Question 3

What is a PAC

Answer 3

entity formed by corporations and associations for sole purpose of raising funds for political candidates.

Question 4

What are PAC limitations

Answer 4

no 50c3 can form one. Solicits to individuals and corporate members. Individuals can only contribute a total o $5,000 with cash being $100. Corporations can not contribute and must give approval to solicit employees. Super PACS have no contribution limits however all contributors are recorded and identified

Question 5

What are the Administrative costs of PAC

Answer 5

Okay for association to pay for printing mailing and other solicitaion costs, salaries and rent etc.

Question 6

What are some terms of a PAC

Answer 6

must be registered with FEC within 10 days of formation, 2. can’t be incorporated 3. PAC treasurer is personally liable for duties under law 4. PAC name is in bylaws

Question 7

What is issues management

Answer 7

a legislative or regulatory PR campaign where you wish to influence and manage public opinion regarding a controversial issue

Question 8

What is advocacy

Answer 8

it?s the act of leveraging influence or attempting to influence a decision making body on an issue important to the organization. Coalitions perform advocay.

Question 9

What is a lobbyist

Answer 9

a person or firm employed or retained by a client for finalcnial or other copensation to make more than one lobbying contact. Must be registered with fed and state gov where lobbying contacts are made

Question 10

What is lobbying activity

Answer 10

any action taken in support of a lobbying contract, incuding planning, research intended for use in the contact and coordination of other lobbyists.

Question 11

What is a lobbying contact

Answer 11

is any oral or written communication made on the behalf of an employer or client to a covered legislative or executive branch official regarding any of several subjects

Question 12

What is direct lobbying

Answer 12

contacting a legislator to advocate the adoption or rejection of legislation

Question 13

Grassroots lobbying

Answer 13

an attempt to influence legislation through a campaign that solicits members/people to write letters, email or phone on specific issues. Expenditures can’t exceed 25% or excise tax

Question 14

What are non lobbying activities

Answer 14

communications published or disseminated to the public; admin requests for information; participation in federal advisory committee; providing testimoney before a congressional committee in response to an official request

Question 15

What is the de minimus rule in lobbying

Answer 15

Associations may treat time spent by staff on lobbying as zero if less than 5% of persons time is spent on lobbying activities. However, any time spent on direct contact lobbying may not be accepted uder this rule.

Question 16

What is the estimation rule

Answer 16

means that lobbying organizations must notify members at the time of udes what % of member dues are estimated to be nondeductible because of anticipated lobbying expenditures

Question 17

What is the allocation rule

Answer 17

lobbying associations must allocate on a dollar for dollar bases all expenditures for federal and state lobbying against dues and similar income received by the association

Question 18

What is proxy tax

Answer 18

an election where associations pay a flat 35% tax on their lobbying expenditures and avoid having to notify members of dues nondeductibility.

Question 19

What is Grasstops network

Answer 19

lobbying effort to recruit members who are frinds or aquaintances fo congressment or state legislators. Key person network

Question 20

What is the ratio method in related to lobbying

Answer 20

It’s used to determine lobbying costs for the purposes of allocation in which total operations costs are multipled.

Question 21

What are the rules around federal lobbying registrations

Answer 21

Association employed lobbyist who spend more than 20% of their time lobbying, lobbyist who receive more than $5000 from any single client in 6 months or spend more thatn 20,000 dollars in 6 months must regirster within 45 days fo the conclusion of 6 month registration perid file reports disclosing name and other information

Question 22

What are the rules around gifts and invitaions to widely attended gatherings

Answer 22

as long as attendance is related to official duties, members and staff can attend charity events and have their expenses paid for.

Question 23

What are the rules around gifts to members of congress

Answer 23

The governement prohibit members and employees from accepting any gifts from lobbyist. Exceptions are items of nominal value such as food