AIA Gainesville

ArchiPAC / FAPAC

Fundraising Challenge

for 2011

To all AIA members, FAIA members and Associate AIA members:

We as a nation are embarking on one of the most important political seasons of our generation.  We architects are solution providers for the built environment; we want to be part of the solution for the betterment of our country and our profession as well.

In order to have a unified voice around the nation, AIA has joined forces with AIA Florida to embark on this campaign in order to encourage each state component to get on board with their own joint fundraising program.

AIA Gainesville asks each member to promote this effort by donating directly to ArchiPAC.  The goal is to raise more than $100,000 for each PAC.  The leaders of this program suggest a donation of $73 to protect the future of your profession.  Of course, any other amount is greatly appreciated.  The donations received by ArchiPAC will be split evenly with FAPAC.  If every member donates this amount, the goal of $100,000 will be met.

Donations can be made two ways:

• An easy online form, available here (www.archipac.org/state). This form is secure and easy.
• Fill out a contribution form and mail it with a check (payable to ArchiPAC) or with your credit card information to:
  ArchiPAC
  1735 New York Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC 20006

An option is available for monthly contributions if desired.  Corporate contributions are not permitted by federal law, and as such are not eligible for this joint fundraiser. If you are interested in making a contribution from your firm to FAPAC, please call AIA Florida at (850) 222-7590.

Please be aware that contributions are voluntary and you have a right to refuse to contribute without reprisal.   The suggested amount is only a suggestion; more or less than the suggested amount may be given; the amount given by the contributor, or the refusal to give, will not benefit or disadvantage the person being solicited.

Why do the AIA and architects need PACs?

Decisions are made each and every day in Congress and in Tallahassee that affect our practices and our communities. ArchiPAC and FAPAC enable architects to approach vital public policy matters through a well-organized, well-informed, and united front. Through our PACs, architects are able to multiply their individual political effectiveness and increase the visibility and presence of the profession at the national and state level and ensure that our legislators hear what we have to say.

ArchiPAC is the bipartisan political arm of the AIA, which exists to help elect architect-friendly candidates to the U.S. Congress.  Pursuant to federal law, ArchiPAC is completely funded by individual, voluntary contributions from AIA members.

FAPAC is the state-level political vehicle in Florida – allowing Florida architects to make their voices heard in the state legislature on such state issues as licensure, service taxes, and the like.

Who do ArchiPAC and FAPAC support?

The AIA’s PACs do not make contributions based on a candidate’s political affiliation. Instead, contributions are made based on a review of a candidate’s understanding of our profession’s concerns, past voting record on key AIA issues, committee assignments, and leadership positions. This ensures that our PAC funds—including your donations—are used most effectively.

As a bipartisan organization, the AIA’s PAC strategy takes into account the current leadership in the state and federal legislatures, but we also acknowledge the fact that leadership could change in any given election cycle so we must be able to work with members of all parties. In addition to trying to achieve a bipartisan balance, we also look to the possible agenda for the next congressional session. As such, before any contributions are made, the likely committee positions of the candidate (if an incumbent) and the likelihood that the candidate can win the race are considered.

Board members of AIA Gainesville urge every architect and associate member to do their part by contributing right away.