2007 CORPAC Committee Report

Someone is watching out for us

An Interview with your 2007 CORPAC Chairs

The following is an interview with the 2007 Co-Chairs of the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee. Chris Bell from R S Garek and Associates represents the commercial section of CBR's membership. Dave Dewey from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage represents CBR's affiliate membership, and Ted Griffin from Keller Williams The Realty Firm represents the residential section.

In Contract asked: REALTORS® are regular people. We read the papers, watch the TV news and browse the Internet trying to stay informed. Even so, considering all that goes on locally and across the country, how can REALTORS® protect themselves when there are new laws, regulations and politicians sure to be coming along?

Chris Bell: Good question, because with the combination of term limits and voter dissatisfaction we know that new faces and new ideas will be coming along all the time! The first thing we should all do is make sure we are registered to vote, and then make sure that on election day we do vote. Second, we can get involved in the political process at the Board level.

What do you mean by "get involved at the Board level?"

Ted Griffin: Our REALTOR® associations are constantly watching for legislation and other regulations that can have effects on our business. We can get involved by joining one of our committees that do this. Or, by supporting our CEO Larry Metzger and our Governmental Affairs Committee, CORPAC and the CORPAC Governing Board, along with the legislative staffs of OAR and NAR that do this so we won't have to.

You're talking about CORPAC. What is CORPAC?

Dave Dewey: CORPAC stands for the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee. CORPAC is a fund that supports issues and candidates who support the promotion and preservation of private property rights, thereby creating a more favorable real estate environment for the members of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

If CORPAC gives money to political candidates, isn't that really just a waste of our money?

Ted Griffin: REALTOR® political involvement is definitely not a waste of time or money. Political involvement is a valuable investment in our future. The simple concept of term limits for legislators means that we have to make sure our legislators know who we are, and know that we are a reliable source of information about how these new ideas, laws and regulations will affect our industry and our real estate environment.

Who decides to whom our CORPAC money is given?

Ted Griffin: The CORPAC Governing Board, comprised of REALTORS® who are active in politics and interested in serving the members, interviews candidates each year. Candidates are sent questionnaires in advance; and then interviewed in person. Following the interviews, the Governing Board determines which candidates are in tune with our mission. Finally, CBR's Board of Directors approves the contributions as well. By the time a candidate receives a campaign contribution from CORPAC, they are fully aware that it is from an organization representing 7, 500 real estate professionals.

Is it true that CORPAC traditionally supports one party more than the other?

Dave Dewey: Not at all. CORPAC supports the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Probably the most important attribute the candidate likely to receive CORPAC support will demonstrate, is a willingness to listen and communicate with us.

What has CORPAC been doing for REALTORS® recently?

Ted Griffin: Locally, CBR and CORPAC regularly keep in contact with our city councils and county officials to weigh in on the issues that will affect our industry. For example, by showing our support for local schools; supporting planned progrowth initiatives such as in the Pickerington area; monitoring watershed protection issues such as with Big Darby; and in general supporting those candidates that support the protection of private property rights, we let our public officials know we care about the decisions they make.

Chris Bell: At the state level, RPAC has been very involved in protecting our commission dollars. Proposals of late have tried to commandeer our commercial brokerage commissions, and impose state sales tax on everyone's commissions in order to balance the state budget. Fortunately we were able to soundly defeat those attempts. Also, the law that gave us the ability to file a lien to collect our commercial real estate commissions was a real victory for commercial REALTORS®. The Ohio Association of REALTORS® staff constantly stays in contact with our state legislators and state office holders, and closely watches school funding, state budget proposals, and other legislation that will affect our business.

Dave Dewey: We also have benefit of the National Association of REALTORS® who continues the fight for legislation that will: enable small business health care coverage for REALTORS® and employees; broaden FHA opportunities; preserve the housing mission of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; preserve crucial federal tax incentives for real estate such as the mortgage interest deduction; preserve funding for National Flood Insurance claims; and of course the fight to maintain the separation of banking and real estate brokerage activities.

The recent invoice that members received for REALTOR® dues includes an opportunity to contribute $20 to CORPAC. Can one member's $20 really make a difference?

Chris Bell: Absolutely yes! Every $20 makes a difference. If every member of CBR gave a voluntary $20 with their dues payment, there would be no need for more fundraising, and our committee's goals would be met.

What are your committee's goals?

Chris Bell: Our CORPAC Committee has goals to raise $157,500 in 2007, and to increase the percent of members that support CORPAC. That sounds like a lot of money, but it is just a little more than $20 per member. Plus, last year only 40% of our members supported CORPAC.

That does sound like a lot of money. Is it really needed?

Chris Bell: Yes it is. Remember, we send two-thirds of our contributions on to OAR and NAR for their important work at the Ohio and National levels, and we only keep the remaining third for our local candidates and issues. Let me add, we have a great CORPAC Committee this year, and we are confident we can achieve our goals, particularly when we have some fun events planned for fundraisers.

Are you saying we can support CORPAC and also have some fun at the same time?

Dave Dewey: Thanks for asking that question! Unless you happen to be one of our September golfers, the CORPAC auction on May 24th at the Villa Milano will be the most fun we have all year. Our theme for the auction is 007 Casino Royale. Members can buy single tickets for $30, which counts as a contribution to CORPAC, and a table for ten guarantees a good spot to watch the exciting bidding that night. Tickets or tables can be bought from any CORPAC Committee member, or at the Board.

Thank you for telling us about CORPAC this year. Is there anything you would like to add?

Chris Bell, Dave Dewey and Ted Griffin all responded: Yes! Now that REALTORS® know that someone really is watching out for us, we want our REALTORS® to remember this year's top ten ways to support CORPAC. And here they are:

10. Make a CORPAC pledge and send it in to the Board
9. Buy a ticket to the CORPAC auction
8. Donate an auction item to the CORPAC Auction
7. Be a sponsor of the CORPAC Auction
6. Be a highest bidder at the CORPAC Auction
5. Be a sponsor of the CORPAC Golf Outing
4. Put together your foursome for the CORPAC Golf Outing
3. Dedicate some of your own time on the CORPAC Committee
2. Learn more about, and help us promote CORPAC

And the Number One way to support CORPAC this year is:

1. Include the voluntary $20 contribution with your Board dues!

Note: CORPAC can only accept personal contributions. Direct contributions to the Central Ohio REALTORS® Political Action Committee are not deductible for purposes of federal income tax. However sponsorship of Board events where fundraising also occurs may be deductible as a general business expense. Please consult your tax counsel for expert tax advice.