Hi, Jim.

Public charities are prohibited from actively supporting or opposing any candidate for public office.  However, they may support or oppose legislation as long as the effort – defined in terms of expenditures -  is not substantial.  It costs clubs little or nothing to get the word out regarding HR-4969 via meetings, reflectors and electronic newsletters.  ARRL itself is a public charity, and its legislative efforts are allowed because the expenditures are so small compared with total expenses.  There are a couple of quantitative tests available, but I doubt any club would come even remotely close to the thresholds therein.  Go talk it up and don’t worry about violating any exempt-organization rules (ours or theirs).

73,

Marty N6VI

(retired CPA)

From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Jim Pace K7CEX NW Division Director
Sent: Friday, August 1, 2014 9:28 PM
To: ODV
Subject: [arrl-odv:23088] 501 ( c ) (3) Clubs vs. HR 4969

Question for you legal beagles:  Can a club that has organized under Section 501 ( c ) (3) actually participate in getting its members to write, call or visit on behalf or our position on this or any bill?  I've been invited to speak at 3 clubs, on the bill and getting co-sponsors, but I don't want to get cross threaded.  What say you Chris et al?

73, Jim Pace, K7CEX