MSPA Political Action Committee

Article I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the Maryland School Psychologists’ Association Political Action Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “MSPA PAC”). The MSPA PAC is a non-profit, non-partisan, voluntary committee of school psychologists in Maryland. The MSPA PAC operates as a separate entity of the Maryland School Psychologist Association.

Article II

Purpose

The purpose of the MSPA PAC is to:

1. Make contributions to candidates for Maryland public office who demonstrate support for school psychologists or who are in a position to affect the interest of school psychologists.

2. Facilitate the participation of school psychologists in the political process.

3. Build connections with legislators who can effect change in the Maryland General Assembly.

The MSPA PAC Mission is to advocate for legislation that promotes best practices in school psychology to improve learning, behavior, and mental health for all students, families, and schools.

Article III

Contributions

All members of MSPA are eligible to contribute to the MSPA PAC. All contributions to the MSPA PAC by MSPA members shall be voluntary. The MSPA PAC may solicit and collect contributions from members as allowed by the State of Maryland.

All contributions to the MSPA PAC shall be maintained as a separate segregated fund, and all expenditures by the MSPA PAC in support of any candidate or political committee shall be made from that fund and no other source.

Policies and decisions concerning political expenditures or distribution of any contributions shall be the responsibility of the MSPA PAC Executive Board, separate from the MSPA General Treasury.

The MSPA PAC Executive Board will distribute contributions based on values in alignment with MSPA’s mission, vision, core values, and legislative goals.

The selection process for contributions to Maryland General Assembly candidates should be based on the following factors:

• Candidates of key jurisdictional committees

• Candidates in leadership positions

• Champions or potential champions of legislation

• Candidates in competitive races

• Candidates who demonstrate consideration for the concerns of school psychologists.

• Candidates who demonstrate that their political and governmental philosophy is usually consistent with the policies and aims of MSPA.

• Emphasis will be placed on smaller fundraising events in order to promote interaction with the legislator and key staff.

Article V

Executive Board and Officers

The MSPA PAC shall be governed by an Executive Board that shall have the general responsibility for carrying out the policies and activities of the MSPA PAC, advocating for participation by members of the MSPA in the MSPA PAC, assuring consistency with MSPA policies, and assuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

Section 1. The officers of the MSPA PAC shall be the Chair, Chair in Waiting, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. All active members of MSPA are eligible to be an officer. Officers will be nominated for consideration by the MSPA Executive Board by the MSPA Legislative Committee. The MSPA Executive Board will approve or reject all nominees.

Section 2. Officers shall be chosen for four year terms, coinciding with the Maryland General Assembly election cycle.

Section 3. The Chair shall administer and have general and active management and supervision of all the affairs of the MSPA PAC. They shall uphold MSPA’s mission, vision, core values and legislative goals as funding capacity and the law allows.

Section 4. The Chair in Waiting shall perform any duties as assigned by the Chair in regards to general management of the MSPA PAC.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall keep the financial and other records, shall comply with all applicable requirements by Maryland Election Law, shall file appropriate state disclosures, and shall perform other duties assigned by the Committee Chair.

Section 6. The Assistant Treasurer shall perform any duties as assigned by the Treasurer in regards to financial management of the MSPA PAC.

Section 7. The MSPA Legislative Committee chair can petition an officer for removal if necessary to the MSPA Executive Board, who will then vote. If a vacancy occurs as a result of removal, resignation, or for any other reason, a nominee shall be chosen by the Legislative Committee and submitted for approval to the MSPA executive board.

Article VI

Meetings

The MSPA PAC board shall meet no less than annually. Any board member and/or contributor may attend meetings.

Article VII

Adoption and Amendments

These articles shall be adopted effective upon approval by MSPA Executive Board.

These articles may be amended from time to time by the MSPA Executive Board.

Article VIII

Dissolution

The MSPA PAC may be dissolved at any time by the majority vote of the MSPA Executive Board. In the event of such dissolution, all funds contained in the MSPA PAC depository, after payment of all lawful obligations, shall be dispersed to political committees and candidates at the discretion of the MSPA Executive Board.

1. What is a PAC? What would be the goal of creating a PAC?

   1. A Maryland "political committee" (PAC) is a combination of two or more individuals that has as its major purpose promoting the success or defeat of a candidate, political party, or question submitted to a vote at any election.

   2. Our goal is to further MSPA’s agenda by continuing to partner with key legislators, having a stronger voice in the Maryland General Assembly, and potentially reducing reliance on lobbyists.

2. How would our PAC be different from PACs that we see in the news?

   1. We are not advertising for specific candidates.

   2. We are not based on a specific political party.

   3. We are not just soliciting money - we are focusing on building connections with legislators who can advocate for our profession, and promote the legislation that we support.

   4. This PAC would be more about connection than contributions.

3. What would we support?

   1. Legislation that supports MSPA’s objectives, and legislators that are influential in developing/promoting legislation that we advocate for.

   2. Would continue the main objectives of advocacy and the legislative committee in general - but with a louder voice.

4. How does what we support align with MSPA?

   1. Our objectives in the PAC will align with MSPA’s vision, mission, and core values.

   2. This would be an extension of the work already being conducted by MSPA’s legislative committee.

   3. The MSPA Executive Board will be linked to the MSPA PAC Executive Board by approving officers, removing officers, amending bylaws, and dissolving the PAC if necessary.

5. Do we need one?

   1. Having a PAC will reduce our reliance on lobbyists by elevating our platform and giving us more bargaining power when we advocate in Annapolis.

   2. We will be able to centralize campaign contributions rather than individually fundraising.

   3. We will be able to show our appreciation to delegates who work in MSPA’s best interests.

   4. This is about face time with legislators more than just the money donated.