What is the AIA Virginia PAC? The AIA Virginia Political Action Committee (PAC) serves as the funding vehicle for supporting legislators in office and candidates seeking elected office who share policy positions that support the profession of architecture and align with our Directory of Public Policies and Position Statements. Contributions to the PAC are voluntary and shall in no way be a condition of membership in AIA Virginia. The PAC is governed by its own Board of Trustees (distinct from the AIA Virginia’s Board of Directors), which consists of AIA Virginia members along with the Executive Vice President of AIA Virginia.
Why does the organization have to give money to legislators?Shouldn’t legislators just do the right thing?It sounds like you are trying to buy votes. We will never buy votes. Investing in legislators provides access and forms partnerships. Any legislator only has so much time to balance the competing demands, priorities, and requests that are a part of their job. Often, time allocations are as follows: constituents first, then supporters, and if any time remains after priorities are complete, it is allocated to everyone else.
Showing support for a legislator or candidate is done in one of two ways: time or money. Handing out flyers and knocking on doors to connect with individuals is unfeasible for an organization of our size. Therefore, we demonstrate our support through contributions, not unlike personally showing your support to a non-profit. For example, to advance the mission of Habitat for Humanity, one must either swing a hammer on site on a Saturday or make a financial contribution. This is the only way Habitat can achieve its goals and how it knows you exist as a resource.
The same principle holds true for a legislator or a candidate running for elected office. In addition, making a contribution to attend a legislative event provides the organization an opportunity to educate legislators about what we do as architects. This is the foundation for relationship-building and establishes AIA Virginia as a resource for consulting when certain bills are introduced during the General Assembly session. Remember, the Virginia General Assembly is comprised of members of varying backgrounds, professions, experiences, and cultures. Many have no idea what architects do or why what we do is important for a community. If we don’t speak for ourselves in terms of educating legislators, then who will? and what will they say?
How much money do you need in the PAC to be successful? A meaningful contribution from an organization our size ranges from $500 to $1,500, depending on the legislator’s rank and influence. Our PAC goal for this year is $45,000.
How do you decide which candidates to support? The PAC Board of Trustees develops a Disbursement Plan using counsel from our lobbyist team. Many bills that impact the profession of architecture land in the General Laws Committees. Primarily, we focus on individuals who sit on the House General Laws Committees, the House Subcommittees on Procurement/Open Government and Professions/Occupations, the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee, and members of the House and Senate leadership. We strategically contribute to members on other Committees as our available PAC member investments allow.
You all lean a little too heavily toward one particular party for my liking. How much money did you give to Democrats vs. Republicans? The AIA Virginia PAC is non-partisan. Contributions to one political party may be greater than the other in any given year due to the composition of the General Assembly. The political party in power will have more individuals on Committees [not just General Laws] and hold the Chair of those committees.
The PAC only focuses on procurement issues. My firm does not do public work, so the PAC is irrelevant to me and provides no value to my firm. The PAC benefits ALL firms. If you are concerned with the conditions of architectural practice in Virginia, then the PAC is relevant to you. We work to maintain a positive legal framework for practicing in Virginia, and the PAC is essential to ensuring this framework benefits the profession as a whole. Historically, you frequently hear about procurement for two reasons. First, many of the bills introduced in the General Assembly involve procurement of design services using taxpayer dollars and those have an impact on the profession and the built environment. Second, the AIA Virginia PAC’s historical funding levels requires us to be judicious with our resources and react to the “hottest fires.” But we continue to advocate for many issues including civic engagement, resiliency, mass transit, tort reform, regulation, the business of architecture, environmental responsibility, diversity + inclusion, accessibility, housing, historic preservation, and livable communities – to name a few priorities.
Am I not already contributing to the PAC? We defer a small portion of dues money to the PAC annually. This alone is insufficient; it funds about half of our PAC plan annually. AIA Virginia requires additional PAC investments to be successful. Members will ALWAYS have the option to Opt Out and designate those funds to the AIA Virginia General Operating Fund instead, but we require additional support to execute on our goals.
Do I get a check back for the amount of the dues increase if I decide not to allocate it as a PAC investment? By Virginia law, an organization cannot mandate that you contribute to a PAC. No rebates will be issued, but AIA Virginia will allow those who wish not to invest in the PAC to Opt Out and designate that those funds be allocated to the organization’s General Operating Fund.
Does the AIA Virginia PAC benefit candidates for national office or U.S. House and Senate legislators? No. AIA National has a separate PAC called ArchiPAC, which supports legislators in the U.S. House and Senate as well as candidates for national office—a completely different undertaking than the AIA Virginia PAC. The AIA Virginia PAC is used to support legislators in the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate as well as candidates for state office.
