While I appreciate John's intent and enthusiasm, I would urge caution. I am not a lawyer and would like to get a legal opinion to corroborate or disavow the following. Under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations according to the IRS: "Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office." We need to be very careful not to endanger the ARRL's 501(c)(3) status. John's email may broach the prohibition. And yes, as a board president of another 501(c)(3), I may be hypersensitive. Art On 10/14/2023 9:54 PM, John Robert Stratton wrote:
All
We have a 10.20.23 in-person meeting with Sen. Ted Cruz at his Houston office. We will have multiple, local AR reps in the meeting, including at least one elected office holder. The purpose of the meeting is to persuade Sen.Cruz to be our lead Senate sponsor.
We also have a 10.24.23 dinner in DC with Cong. Bill Johnson and one other Congressman.
It would be beneficial to our cause if we were to tender contributions to their campaigns. I will be tendering contributions to both.
We are advised that $250 and up are reasonable contributions. If you can't hit that mark, any contribution would be beneficial. These contributions MUST be individual, non-corporate donations — and NO — any contribution cannot be reimbursed from your Director's budget. No contribution is too small.
If you wish to contribute to either Johnson or Cruz, you may make your check payable to "Bill Johnson Campaign" or "Ted Cruz Campaign" and send them to me. I will see to it that our lobbyists deliver your donations along with mine to the appropriate campaign person.
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John Robert Stratton
N5AUS
Director
West Gulf Division
Office:512-445-6262
Cell:512-426-2028
P.O. Box 2232
Austin, Texas 78768-2232
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-- Arthur I. Zygielbaum, K0AIZ ARRL Midwest Division Director Member, Executive Committee Member, Programs and Services Committee Member, ARRL Foundation Board ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio®