ALFAPAC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1
General ALFAPAC
Q: What is ALFAPAC?
A: ALFAPAC is a non-partisan fund supported by ALFA members who want to support
candidates who understand and support the senior living industry. Individuals give
money to the fund, and the money is distributed to federal representatives who support
our goals of increasing access to and affordability of quality senior living services.
Q: Why does senior living need a PAC?
A: Legislators make decisions that impact our ability to serve our residents and their
families every day. ALFAPAC allows us to meet with elected officials and explain the
needs of our industry face to face. Through ALFAPAC, legislators can ask us questions
and get a better idea of the value senior living professionals provide to residents. We get
the opportunity to participate in the political process and establish relationships with
lawmakers that will ensure senior living professionals can provide quality care for years
to come.
Q: What's in it for me?
A: ALFAPAC is a powerful tool for senior living professionals, but ensuring a bright future
for senior living is not the only reason to join. There are exclusive benefits to ALFAPAC
membership. At the present time they include, but are not limited to:
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ALFAPAC pin and gift at the end of the year for your commitment to ALFAPAC
Based on the amount you contribute, you will receive recognition in the
ALFAPAC Newsletter and at the ALFA Conference & Expo
Invitation to a PAC-members only reception at ALFA’s Annual Conference and
Expo
Trustee Circle Members receive an invitation to the annual Trustee Circle Dinner,
an exclusive event held each year in a new luxury location
Donating to ALFAPAC
Q: How can I donate?
A: Donating to ALFAPAC is quick and simple. Click to contribute online using a personal
debit or credit card, or send a personal check made payable to “ALFAPAC” to:
ALFAPAC
c/o Maribeth Bersani
1650 King Street Suite 602
Alexandria, VA 22314
(Reminder: Corporate credit cards and corporate checks are not permitted under
federal law.)
Q: What are ALFAPAC’s membership levels?
2 ALFAPAC FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
A: ALFAPAC appreciates every donor’s commitment to ALFAPAC and tailors benefits to
specific membership levels. ALFAPAC personalizes benefits through the following donor
levels:
Trustee
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Advocate
$ 2,000 and above
$1,000 to $ 1,999
$ 750 to $999
$ 250 to $ 749
$ 249 and below
Q: What is the Trustee Circle?
A: ALFAPAC’s Trustee Circle is an elite group of senior living professionals who are
exceptionally committed to ALFAPAC. All ALFAPAC donors who contribute $2,000 or
more during a calendar year are a part of the Trustee Circle and receive exclusive
benefits, such as an invitation to the annual trustee circle dinner, an event where
attendees are educated by a Washington insider and network with other leaders in the
senior living industry.
Q: Are there any limitations on donations?
A: Yes, federal law places limitations on PAC donations. All contributions to ALFAPAC
must be made from a personal account. Corporate donations are not accepted. Also,
each person is limited to a maximum donation of $5,000 per calendar year.
How PACs Work
Q: Are PACs regulated?
A: PACs are regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and are required to
file regular reports disclosing their receipts and disbursements. The Federal Election
Campaign Act and FEC Regulations create specific rules for how PACs collect
donations and contribute to elected officials. PAC’s must file regular reports with the
FEC listing the name and address of the candidate receiving the contribution, amount
contributed and the name, address, occupation, employer, and amount contributed from
any member of a PAC who contributes over $200 per year to their PAC.
Q: How do federal representatives use our PAC money?
A: PAC contributions can only be spent by representatives on their campaign: to pay for
polls, surveys, TV ads, production and time running TV ads, fundraising, direct mail,
telephone calls, staff, etc.
Q: Don’t PACs just buy votes?
A: By your use of the word “buying”, you may have been led to believe that legislators
change their philosophy upon receiving a PAC check. However, money doesn’t create a
legislator’s philosophy. PAC contributions give ALFA, as well as other associations, the
opportunity to educate officials on our values and the importance of the services we
offer. Contributions are also given to legislators who have already demonstrated a
ALFAPAC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 3
philosophy consistent with ALFA’s as it pertains to enhancing the lives of America’s
seniors. This helps legislators who support our mission to stay in office and continue to
fight for a legislative climate that allows our industry to provide high quality senior care.
ALFAPAC Operations
Q: Does the PAC give to both Democratic and Republican candidates?
A: Yes, ALFAPAC has been formed to promote public policy that benefits ALFA’s
members, residents, and employees. Thus, we make contributions to legislators who
support our mission, regardless of which side of the aisle they reside.
Our PAC only supports those candidates who share our position on business issues and
will help advance public policies that serve ALFA members and the residents they care
for. Not all ALFA members are Democrats and not all are Republicans. However, we are
all dedicated to serving our residents, their families, and our employees; and support
legislators who make that possible.
Q: Who makes the decisions?
A: ALFAPAC is governed by a committee. The ALFAPAC Steering Committee is
comprised of representatives from ALFA’s Board of Directors, who have demonstrated a
belief in and support of ALFA’s legislative agenda. The Steering Committee currently
includes:
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Michael Leader, President & CEO, Country Meadows Retirement Communities
(Chair)
Michel Augsburger, President & CEO, Chancellor Health Care Inc.
Sue Farrow, President & CEO, Integral Senior Living Management Group
Brad Klitsch, SVP Market Development, Direct Supply Inc.
Blair Minton, Founder & President, BMA Management
Pat Mulloy, President & CEO, Senior Care, Inc.
Loren B. Shook, President & CEO, Silverado Senior Living
Q: What qualifies a candidate for an ALFAPAC contribution?
A: There are several defined criteria and processes for determining PAC contributions.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of ALFAPAC dollars, ALFAPAC only contributes
to incumbent candidates running for office on the federal level (with minor exceptions)
and heavily analyzes legislators’ voting record.
Although a candidate’s voting record is the primary consideration, we also take into
account:
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The legislator’s service on key committees, such as the Senate Finance
Committee or House Ways & Means Committee
Balancing contributions between Republican and Democrat candidates
Previous amounts contributed to a candidate
4 ALFAPAC FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is my participation confidential?
A: Participation is confidential to the extent permitted by law. We are required to collect
and report to the Federal Election Commission in Washington, D.C., the name, mailing
address, occupation and name of employer for individuals whose contributions exceed
$200 per calendar year. This information is available on the Federal Election
Commission website. ALFA periodically recognizes ALFAPAC supports. If you would
prefer we not do so, please email mbersani@alfa.org.
Personal Political Participation Questions/General Objections
Q: I give to the United Way - why should I give to the PAC?
A: The fact that you give to the United Way is consistent with PAC giving. You have
demonstrated that you are an aware citizen who contributes to the welfare of others.
ALFAPAC is an extension of that, because your PAC contributions help legislators who
help our residents, their families, and our employees.
Q: I don't think any corporation should be involved in politics. Why are we getting
involved?
A: There are worthy adversaries who continuously promote legislation that impacts our
ability to grow and thrive. Until these groups are disbanded, which is highly unlikely, we
must defend our business goals through the political process.
Many lawmakers do not understand the differences between senior living communities
and nursing homes. ALFAPAC allows us to explain how senior living options differ from
institutionalized care settings. When lawmakers do understand our industry and our
values, ALFAPAC helps them stay in office, so they can continue to advocate for senior
living issues.
Just as we vigorously compete in the business environment, we must also compete in
the political environment. Our business competitors have PACs. If we are not talking to
legislators, there are plenty of other industries that may not share our values, who would
influence lawmakers. We would be negating opportunities to compete, if we did not use
all the tools available to us.
Q: I’m not a political person. Is it still important for me to donate?
A: Absolutely! Most ALFAPAC members aren’t deeply involved in politics. They are just
people who care deeply about the future of senior living. ALFAPAC is managed by
ALFA’s Public Policy Department as well as professional lobbyists, so you don’t need
any knowledge of the political system to be an effective part of ALFAPAC.
Q: I try to stay informed on politics, so I don't need a committee to tell me which
candidates to support. Why should I contribute to ALFAPAC?
A: The fact that you are politically informed puts you in a very elite group, and ALFA
supports all employees being informed and involved in political issues that affect them.
Political contributions made through ALFAPAC send a clear, powerful message to
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candidates. Through combining our resources and working together, we can educate
candidates on issues important to you and our industry.
Q: I give personal contributions to candidates. I don't need to give through a PAC.
A: Only one-fourth of one percent of the population gives at least $200 in political
contributions (www.opensecrets.org.) If you are already giving, then you know how
important this is. Have you ever wondered if a candidate you contribute to knows what
issues concern you?
When a candidate receives a contribution from ALFAPAC, the candidate knows that
hundreds of senior living professionals are concerned about issues that impact our
industry.
Addition Questions
Q: Who should I contact if I have additional questions about ALFAPAC?
A: If you have any questions that we have not answered, please contact Maribeth
Bersani, ALFA’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy, at mbersani@alfa.org.