As an advocacy association, PTAs should be involved with ballot issues pertaining to children. It is very appropriate for PTAs to support their school’s bond or override election, if the membership votes to do so.
There are 2 rules of thumb to keep in mind:
#1- No candidates!
- As a 501(c ) (3) organization, a PTA is not allowed to endorse and is not allowed to donate money to a candidate’s campaign.
- A PTA is not allowed to donate money to a “527” organization either. (527s are also known as “Super-PACs” or “IEs” because they make “independent expenditures” for or against a candidate but independent of the candidate’s campaign.)
- A PTA is not allowed to donate to or be involved with a political party in any way.
- A PTA must remain non-partisan.
- 5% maximum donation to a PAC (Political Action Committee) – but only if that PAC is organized to support or oppose a “Ballot Question” and does no activity for candidates or parties.
(It’s 5% of gross income. If a PTA has total revenue of $10,000 for the full fiscal year, it may donate no more than $500 to a PAC.) according to Money Matters, especially P.52 & P.53. http://www.pta.org/files/QRGtext_Money_Matters2012.pdf - Supporting a ballot issue is considered “direct lobbying.” PTAs are allowed to lobby. (The voters act as legislators in a ballot measure. The PTA members are lobbying the voters directly.)
- Voter and member outreach is better than a donation. The main efforts of any 501(c) (3) organization in political activity should be on educating voters about the organization’s issues, and even that must be done in an “insubstantial” way.
- IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Exemption-Requirements-Section-501(c)(3)-Organizations
- 5% maximum donation to a PAC (Political Action Committee) – but only if that PAC is organized to support or oppose a “Ballot Question” and does no activity for candidates or parties.
#2 – Lobbying must be an insubstantial part of a PTA’s activities.
For PTAs, it’s better to focus on educating members about the specific issue that pertains to children, and encouraging parents to vote, than it is to make donations to PACs.
Great things for PTAs to do:
1. Host a meeting (not on school grounds, or have the PAC pay the school rent for the space) about the election, and work hard to get many people to attend.
a. At that meeting, encourage EVERYBODY to register to vote, or to take home a paper voter-registration. (If you can set up for online-registrations, even better) Often, people are embarrassed that they are not already registered. Encourage them, “Even if you’re already registered to vote, fill out a form today to be sure you’re on the PEVL – Permanent Early Voter List.” (Register to vote at www.ServiceArizona.com )
b. Have the School CFO (or principal) explain Facts-Only about the election and answer questions, and the PAC members explain why to vote Yes.
c. Offer the attendees the opportunity to sign up to volunteer or donate to the PAC. ***** This is a much better way to fund the PAC, than with PTA donations. Let your members make the decision as individuals.
d. Offer yard signs for attendees to take home and post in their yards, or other appropriate areas.
2. Encourage all your members to write letters to the editor of your local newspapers. The PAC probably can give you specific tips.
3. Host House-Parties for a speaker from the PAC or the school to come and talk with your friends and neighbors about the school election.
4. Help the PAC by getting PTA volunteers to participate in phone banks and walks.
5. See NPTA’s page on “Ballot Measures”: http://www.pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2999
6. The organization, NonProfit Vote also has a good 1-page list:
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/doc_view/18-501-c-3-activities-en
Arizona School Board Association gave a great webinar on the Do’s and Don’ts of Bonds and Overrides:
Have questions, please email office@azpta.org