Contact System

Maintenance of the contact system is an ongoing task which needs constant attention. APIC chairs should concentrate on the following two areas:

• Recruit APIC contacts to interact with elected officials. Ideally, each member of Congress should have at least six legislative contacts. Forward the names of contacts to the APIC Office at NAIFA (advocacy@NAIFA.org).
• Provide ratings for all legislative contacts based on the degree of the relationship with the legislator. Be sure to consult with other association leaders, such as the state executive, government relations chair, IFAPAC chair, national committeeperson, local APIC chair, etc. when assigning ratings.

Local Involvement

• Encourage NAIFA members to develop a rapport with the top staff people in the district offices of your member(s) of Congress.
• Hold at least one legislative meeting annually where your member of Congress (or top staff person) speaks, and ensure that the APIC Office at NAIFA is apprised of such visits.

Federal Coordinator Appointments

Identify one Federal Coordinator for each senator and representative in your state. Monitor the activities of the Federal Coordinators in your state to ensure that:

• All Federal Coordinators have formed a Constituent Group and reported their names to NAIFA.
• Federal Coordinators are holding regular meetings in the district with their legislators (ideally 3-4 times per year).
• Federal Coordinators are reporting the results of their meetings to NAIFA.

Communication

Communicate effectively and frequently with your National APIC regional vice chair and with the local APIC chairs in your state.

• Make routine APIC reports at your chapter meetings and ensure that association members understand APIC’s goals and objectives.
• Disseminate all NAIFA GovAlerts throughout your state to ensure prompt and extensive action during a legislative “call to action.”
• Make use of and inform your membership about NAIFA’s website (www.NAIFA.org) where extensive legislative information is available, including legislative bulletins, issue briefs and other timely materials. By using this website, NAIFA members can search for the names of their Senators/Representative on-line and send emails to members of Congress.

Coordination

Work closely with other chapter leaders, particularly the IFAPAC chair, Government Relations chair, and national committeeperson to ensure a well-coordinated legislative program in your association.

Campaign Involvement

Encourage the involvement of NAIFA members in political activities including local, state and federal election campaigns and attendance at town hall meetings.

Fundraising Activities

The APIC chair, in coordination with the IFAPAC and Government Relations chairs, should encourage personal dollar fundraising activities on behalf of congressional candidates.

Commitment

State APIC chairs and co-chairs should be contributing at least $500 a year to IFAPAC.