Winning!

With Republican leadership in the White House and a pro-business majority in both houses of Congress, NRCA has found significant opportunities to advance its members' policy agenda. To capitalize on opportunities, it is critical NRCA's message be heard clearly by policymakers in Washington, D.C.

In this context, the importance of ROOFPAC, NRCA's political action committee, continues to grow. As the only political action committee dedicated to advancing the roofing industry's interests at the federal level, ROOFPAC is the voice of NRCA members in Washington, D.C.

ROOFPAC goals

ROOFPAC's activities greatly strengthen NRCA's efforts to proactively advance government policies that enable roofing industry entrepreneurs to successfully start and grow businesses. These initiatives include tax reform, regulatory reform and initiatives designed to help contractors meet their workforce needs.

ROOFPAC was extremely successful in the 2016 congressional elections—it raised more than $400,000 and realized a winning percentage of nearly 90 percent among NRCA-supported candidates. ROOFPAC's focus now turns to the future and 2018 midterm congressional elections where ROOFPAC will play a significant role in efforts to maintain a pro-business majority in Congress.

ROOFPAC relies on voluntary personal contributions made by NRCA members. It has supported hundreds of candidates for Congress since its inception in 1990 and now raises more than $400,000 per two-year election cycle. NRCA is moving forward to further expand member participation in ROOFPAC to strengthen its efforts to make a difference for the roofing industry in Washington, D.C.

Get involved

There are numerous opportunities for NRCA members to support ROOFPAC throughout the year. Most notable are several events being held during NRCA's upcoming 131st annual convention and the 2018 International Roofing Expo^® (IRE) in New Orleans Feb. 4-8. These events include a ROOFPAC Golf Tournament with Grand Patron Sponsor Johns Manville, Denver, Monday, Feb. 5; a ROOFPAC Sporting Clays Tournament sponsored by Polyglass U.S.A. Inc., Deerfield Beach, Fla., the same day; a ROOFPAC Silent Auction with Platinum Sponsor GAF, Parsippany, N.J., to be held in NRCA's Booth 1933 during the IRE Tuesday, Feb. 6, and Wednesday, Feb. 7; and ROOFPAC's Party on the Mighty Mississippi sponsored by ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., Feb. 7, from 7-10 p.m. at Pat O's on the River.

All NRCA members attending NRCA's annual convention and the IRE are strongly encouraged to participate in one or more ROOFPAC events in New Orleans—the events are fun-filled opportunities to network with industry colleagues while also investing in a cause that helps protect your business. Strong member participation in these events is critical to ROOFPAC's success in 2018 and beyond.

As we turn our focus to the 2018 midterm congressional elections, ROOFPAC plans to build on its success to maximize NRCA's influence on the policymaking process in Washington, D.C. Having a strong ROOFPAC capable of providing support to lawmakers who share NRCA's vision for policies that enable entrepreneurs to start and grow successful businesses is vital as we move forward.

NRCA is exploring innovative opportunities that will enable more members to become involved with ROOFPAC in conjunction with strategies being implemented to expand our grassroots advocacy efforts. I encourage you to support ROOFPAC annually at whatever amount is right for your budget. If all NRCA members made a modest contribution of just $50 per year, this would greatly strengthen NRCA's advocacy programs.

NRCA members interested in supporting ROOFPAC in a major way should consider joining NRCA's prestigious Political Insiders Council (PIC), ROOFPAC's major-donor program. The PIC is open to individuals who contribute $5,000—the maximum allowed by law for a political action committee—within a given calendar year. To recognize their exceptional support, PIC members enjoy complimentary admission to all ROOFPAC events, opportunities to attend special events and meet members of Congress, and other benefits throughout the year.

Another option for members interested in becoming more involved in ROOFPAC is to join the NRCA Capitol Hill Club, which consists of members who contribute $1,000 annually to ROOFPAC. Capitol Hill Club members also enjoy unique benefits in recognition of their support.

To ensure ROOFPAC keeps winning for our industry, all NRCA members should be invested in ROOFPAC at some level. To learn more about ROOFPAC and obtain registration forms for ROOFPAC's IRE events, please contact NRCA's Washington, D.C., staff at (800) 338-5765, or click here.

Nathan Pick is NRCA's director of advocacy and political affairs.

This column is part of Rules + Regs. Click here to read additional stories from this section.