Capitol Hill

Upon joining NRCA's Washington, D.C., office in March, I took responsibility for managing the association's political programs. As a former political operative and fund-raising specialist, I know NRCA's political action committee, ROOFPAC, is highly respected in our nation's capital. However, there is unrealized potential that can and must be fulfilled by ROOFPAC to maintain that respect and produce results in future elections.

Currently, ROOFPAC is raising less money than it did in the mid-1990s. On average, the 4,594 federal political action committees (PACs) registered with the Federal Election Commission have increased their activity by 13 percent since 2000 while ROOFPAC's growth has plateaued. In 1998, 213 NRCA members each contributed more than $200 to ROOFPAC, but by 2002, that number only had grown to 218 members.

Contributions made to ROOFPAC

In terms of giving, construction industry PACs are responsible for disbursements to federal candidates totaling more than $9 million in each of the past three election cycles. ROOFPAC's disbursements, however, have made up less than 3 percent of industry giving during that same time period.

NRCA cannot afford to be left behind by other construction industry PACs, "big labor" or aggressive corporate PACs. Not only are PAC contributions of larger associations beginning to dwarf the checks written by ROOFPAC, even small construction groups are giving more money to candidates. For example, with only 800 member companies, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association was able to disburse $372,500 in PAC contributions during the 2002 election cycle—more than twice that of ROOFPAC.

The amounts various trade organizations gave during the 2001-02 election cycle

Money donated to ROOFPAC is used to directly support pro-business candidates in their campaigns for federal office. These candidates are selected and political contributions are approved by NRCA's 15-member PAC Advisory Committee. This means 100 percent of your personal gift to ROOFPAC will be used to elect the authorized candidates who, once elected, provide NRCA a seat at the table to further the legislative priorities of its members.

Nevertheless, even with cost-effective use of ROOFPAC dollars, less than 7 percent of NRCA members are participating at any level in ROOFPAC donor programs. And ROOFPAC is constrained by legal definitions of whom can be solicited for funds. If the number of authorized participants does not grow, ROOFPAC will not succeed.

Obviously, tight economic conditions have forced many roofing contractors and others in the industry to cut back on donations of all kinds. However, the returns on an investment in ROOFPAC must not be overlooked. The elected officials supported by ROOFPAC and relationships solidified have resulted in shielding NRCA members from devastating federal actions, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's rescinded ergonomics standard, while advancing a proactive agenda that includes affordable health benefits and immigration reform. Yet NRCA members are contributing less than 0.05 percent of their annual sales to ROOFPAC. For the 2003-04 election cycle, if each NRCA member gives just $76, ROOFPAC will more than reach its goal.

ROOFPAC facilitates a more business-friendly government and is a solid investment for NRCA members. But to continue producing measurable achievements, it is imperative contributions to ROOFPAC begin growing again.

So I urge you to take the initiative and start your engines. ROOFPAC must shift into high gear. More NRCA members must become involved with everything from signing ROOFPAC authorization cards (which are necessary for making donations) to attending events, such as ROOFPAC's Fall Legislative Conference gala dinner on Oct. 1 (details will be available soon) and ROOFPAC's biannual auction at NRCA's convention. With greater support, ROOFPAC will be a more robust and formidable political tool for the roofing industry.

I welcome your input, questions and suggestions. You can contact me at (202) 546-7584 or ebrewer@nrca.net. I look forward to working with you to rebuild ROOFPAC.

Elisa Brewer is NRCA's director of public affairs.