Page 18 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Third Quarter 2022

FRIENDS OF FORESTRY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Friends of Forestry PAC
The Friends of Forestry Political Action Committee (FFPAC) is composed of NCFA members and individuals interested in supporting candidates that are friends of forestry and the forest products industry.
Formed in 1999, the FFPAC is non- partisan and not affiliated with any political party and is registered with the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The FFPAC was formed to provide financial assistance to candidates for statewide political office who support forestry and the forest products industry.
MISSION STATEMENT
Champion forestry/agricultural interests by organizing more effective political action and by creating awareness among candidates of the importance of forestry to the economy and the environment, thus carrying out its civic responsibility.
HOW DO I CONTRIBUTE?
If you would like to become an FFPAC supporter, your contributions must be personal funds. For example, the FFPAC cannot accept a donation on a company check or company credit card. You can contact the FFPAC’s treasurer, Jill Bite, at jbite@ncforestry.org, or by calling her at the NCFA office at (919) 834-3943 ext. 1. As a reminder, donations to the FFPAC are not tax deductible.
WHO IS AN FFPAC GOLD MEMBER?
The FFPAC maintains three levels of sponsorship: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
GOLD MEMBERS donate $500 annually and are automatically a member of the FFPAC committee. They attend meetings and are instrumental in the decisions and distribution of FFPAC funds.
SILVER MEMBERS are supporters at the $200 a year level. They receive recognition and updates on the FFPAC meetings.
BRONZE LEVEL includes all individuals contributing less than $200.
WHY IS A PAC NECESSARY?
In short, it is critical that forestry interests are advocated for in politics in North Carolina and the PAC supports state legislators who support forestry.
The “Right to Practice Forestry” law of 2005 is landmark legislation that recognizes a landowner’s right to practice forestry. Each year, the NCFA and others support legislation that benefits private landowners and forest products members.
As North Carolina continues to urbanize, it is worth noting that more than 51%
of the voting population comes from 14 urban counties.
WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES OF THE PAC?
• Promote and strive for the improvement of government by encouraging and stimulating forestry interests to take a more active and effective role in governmental affairs.
• Financially support those candidates for state election who are knowledgeable and/or supportive of forestry needs.
• Assist forestry and agriculture interests in organizing for more effective political action to carry out the PAC’s civic responsibility.
• Create awareness among candidates
of the importance of forestry to the economy and the environment.
WILL THE PAC SUPPORT CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL OFFICE?
No. The FFPAC was formed as a state PAC and will not participate in federal elections.
WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES IN SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS?
All monies solicited shall be voluntary contributions and may not be secured
by physical force, job discrimination,
or financial reprisals, or by dues, fees,
or other monies required as a condition
of membership or employment, or as a requirement with respect to any terms or conditions of employment. Additionally, North Carolina law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, job title, or profession and name of employer or employer’s specific field for each individual whose contributions aggregate is in excess of $50 in an election cycle.
IS THE FFPAC AFFILIATED WITH ANY MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY?
No. The PAC is not bound by the Democratic or Republican (other any other) party. Environmental and business issues are not party specific. The FFPAC’s support of a candidate will be based on their voting record, past support of forestry issues, or their stated platform regarding forestry- related and business issues.
WHO WILL MAKE THE DECISIONS ON WHOM TO SUPPORT?
All Gold members are invited to meetings
to determine whom to support and how much will be contributed to an individual campaign. This committee will solicit and accept advice from NCFA members and others knowledgeable about the candidates. ■
FFPAC
REVERSE RAFFLE! It’s that time again!
FFPAC Reverse Raffle is underway.
This is our biggest fundraising event. You can purchase your raffle tickets from board members or the FFPAC committee members. Tickets are one for $50 or three for $100. The winning jackpot is typically around $5,000. Once the number of tickets left in the barrel drops to five, there is an option for the individuals to share the winnings.
The deadline to purchase tickets is September 1, 2022. The final drawing will take place at the NCFA Annual Meeting on September 28th in Greensboro, NC. Ticketholders do not need to be present to win.
16 ncforestry.org / THIRD QUARTER 2022
FFPAC