By Shaunise Day
It’s time to plan NCRA’s 2019 Political Action Committee fundraiser that will take place at the annual convention in Denver, Colo. State associations, let’s all bring some excitement to the NCRA Convention for a friendly state-to-state competition and start thinking of exciting ways to pack your gift baskets with unique items that represent your state. This is your chance to show off your state pride.
The NCRA PAC is the association’s and the member’s direct lifeline to the legislative community that will decide the outcome of the organization’s initiatives in Congress. Having a presence on Capitol Hill is critical when working to promote the profession on the national level, and NCRA PAC is an important vehicle through which the Association can deliver NCRA’s message to members of Congress for our 15,000 members.
For the 2018 NCRA Convention & Expo, several state associations and NCRA members contributed to the fundraiser by submitting gift baskets that contained unique items that represented their states. Not only was the fundraiser fun for state associations and the NCRA members who participated, but it also brought awareness to this important cause. About 13 states made gift basket donations that showed their state pride.
Since this was PAC’s first year of introducing this new and exciting fundraiser, and as a PAC committee member, I decided to donate a basket that represented all things California. The basket contained sports paraphernalia, non-perishable foods, wine, shot glasses, and a host of other California-related items. I was proud to submit a basket from my state in hopes that it would support a great cause and encourage states to participate in future fundraisers.
All states that participated did a great job, and we thank you! PAC was extremely proud of the turnout. Participants had to be present for the raffle and claim your winning basket. Although I donated a basket on behalf of my state of California, and on behalf of my state association CCRA, I also purchased raffle tickets to support PAC.
As Matthew Barusch, NCRA’s then Manager of State Government Relations, pulled the raffle tickets, I couldn’t believe that my ticket was called. I was so excited to win the raffle, but there was no way I was comfortable with winning my own basket and taking it back to California. I wanted to give another NCRA member the opportunity to enjoy the goodies from California. Matt thought it would be a great idea if I pulled the next winning raffle ticket. Mike Miller, FAPR, RDR, CRR, had the next winning ticket and was declared the winner of the raffle. I had a chance to catch up with Mike, and he shared with me that he enjoyed all the contents from California.
I would like to encourage every state association to participate and get involved. At your next round table board meeting, start thinking of unique items that you can donate to represent your state.
This year at Convention, visit the PAC table in the vendor hall. Support us by purchasing raffle tickets and dropping your raffle ticket in the basket of your choice.
Shaunise Day, of Oakland, Calif., is a member of NCRA’s Political Action Committee. Questions about PAC can be address to Director, State Government Relations Jocelynn Moore at jmoore@ncra.org.
