PIN Points: COVID-19 Special Edition

As we all face unfamiliar obstacles, 2020 is proving to be one of the most transformative and challenging years. We have adjusted to a new normal balancing family priorities, communicating virtually and working from our homes. Public affairs professionals have once again shown just how talented and adaptable they can be. From lobbying to PACs to grassroots, we have witnessed our network come up with creative and resourceful ways to effectively do their jobs from home. It has been the Council’s pleasure to observe, advise and guide our community through this time by providing resources, best practices and relevant events and content all of which can be found in our Working Through COVID-19 Together resource center.

The Council has conducted two surveys on PAC response to COVID-19. Click the links below to access the original survey results on COVID-19: Impact on PAC and Advocacy Efforts as well as the Follow-Up Survey. We will continue seeking feedback from our community as COVID-19 and reopening phases progress.

It is still an election year, and your PAC is critical. As you strategize, there are a number of considerations, including surveying the damage COVID-19 has caused your industry. This will guide what is appropriate for you to ask of your eligible class and help determine how to distribute checks without events. As you chart the best path for your PAC in the second half of 2020, use our COVID-19 Toolkit: Considerations and Risk Assessment for Your PAC as your guide.

The Council’s new LinkedIn Live series features interviews with some of the profession’s best. Discussions cover a wide range of public affairs topics from the future of lobbying to diversity and workforce development to pivoting to digital during quarantine. Click here to check out a conversation with Nathan Gonzales on the 2020 Election. Tune in live on Thursdays at 11 a.m. ET to view them via the Public Affairs Council’s LinkedIn page or view recordings in the COVID-19 resource center.

If you find you fall short of your PAC goals this year, know that you are not alone. However, now is the time to prove the value of your PAC outside of just fundraising with meaningful communications and open conversations with leadership. Learn more by checking out our upcoming Webinar: Measuring and Communicating the Value of Your PAC.

PAC match is consistently ranked as the most effective PAC benefit, and this year your eligible class is likely looking to maximize their impact and make charitable contributions. Capitalize on this moment and consider implementing a program or revitalizing your current efforts. Learn the keys to successfully managing this wonderful PAC benefit by attending our upcoming Virtual Workshop: PAC Charitable Match: Implementation and Best Practices.

The Council recently issued a statement on the recent events surrounding racial inequality and injustice and the resulting protests. Diversity and inclusion in our community is a priority, and we believe in the importance of political engagement, including the right to protest. Click here to read the full statement. We are actively engaging with our network leaders and others in the community to discuss and respond to inquiries over other forms of corporate political involvement, such as PAC contributions, resulting from these current events.

Every two years, the Council conducts both a PAC and Grassroots Salary Survey in response to a growing interest in compensation levels and job responsibilities for PAC and grassroots professionals, respectively. The survey collects, analyzes and reports reliable data on compensation, bonuses and job responsibilities based on a number of factors, including years of experience, title, PAC size and more – click the links below to view the full reports.

We want to hear from you! Please share your thoughts on our online community platform, Council Connect. This short (two minute!) questionnaire will provide us with valuable information to ensure the platform resources are accessible, relevant and helpful to you. Plus, you’ll be entered to win an Amazon gift card!