MAY 2015
Political Action Training News


Our VISION
Torres Consulting and Law Group champions America's working families. TCLG strengthens political relationships, delivers effective communication strategies, builds stronger partnerships, and advances prevailing wage compliance for trade unions and their partners across the country. Our passion and unique expertise makes us a national leader for giving working families a voice. 
  

 

People holding public office affect your members' take-home pay.

You can no longer stay on the sidelines during an election. 

 

That is why the Arizona AFL-CIO launched a series of training sessions, developed by Torres Consulting and Law Group, designed to prepare your union for political action. Seating is limited.     

 

Training sessions begin May 27. Each two-hour session begins at 1:30 p.m. and can be taken individually. The training sessions are crafted to build on each other, providing participants with a full view of best practices and common pitfalls of political action.

 

Each training session costs $99 per person. To register, contact Cherie Harris at 602-626-8805 or [email protected].

 

Learn more about each session below. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Israel G. Torres

Managing Partner

Torres Consulting and Law Group, LLC

PAC Tune Up: Preparing for Political Action

 

When: May 27 and Sept. 9

 

A broad overview of the steps necessary to form and operate a political action committee, with the focus on common mistakes in forming a PAC and techniques for maximizing influence.Questions addressed include:

  • Why does the Internal Revenue Service care if your PAC has the same EIN as your connected organization?
  • What is a QSLPO and why does it matter to the Federal Election Commission? 
  • Does the Secretary of State care if you registered with Arizona but spent money on the Phoenix city election?

Campaign Finance: Major Stakes of Minor Mistakes    

      

When: June 3 and Oct. 13

 

A nuts-and-bolts look at campaign finance laws and the steps your organization must take to avoid running afoul of state and federal laws. Questions addressed include:

  • Do you really have to report the name and address of every contributor?
  • What does the FEC mean when it says that I "may only solicit restricted class"?
  • When do I have to file a trigger report for an independent expenditure?
PAC Tactics: Six Steps to Political Relevance 
 
When: June 17 and Sept. 23

A beginner's guide to effective participation in an election, with particular attention to candidate limits, required disclaimers on election material and legalities of independent expenditures. Questions addressed include:

  • What can your union do to increase your PAC's influence?
  • What is coordination and when is it illegal?
  • Will the candidates you support take your calls after the election?

Ballot Initiatives: Properly Employing the People's Power

 

When: July 8

 

An overview of the ballot initiative process in Arizona and the steps a group needs to take to put a referendum on the ballot. Questions addressed include:

  • Is promoting a ballot measure lobbying?
  • Why was one ballot measure committee fined $20,000?

Illuminating Dark Money: Running a Social Welfare Non-Profit

 

When: July 22

 

A course that covers the do's and don'ts of operating a non-profit working for the public welfare without crossing the line into political action. Questions addressed include:

  • Does "political activity" mean the same thing to the Arizona Secretary of State, the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service?
  • Is your organization primarily engaged in social welfare? What happens if it's not?
  • What is a non-exempt expenditure?