POLITICAL AFFAIRS MEETING NOTES
Thursday, October 19, 2006-Long BeachChair Dennis Mason called the meeting to order at 10:05 am and he welcomed the committee to their last meeting and thanked all those who participated in making 2006 a record breaking year! The Chair, reminded the committee that the Golden R Reception was scheduled for that evening, Thursday, October 19, 2006, between 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Rainbow Pavilion.Feedback on the “Don’t Be a Karl” brochure, everyone spoke in favor of the brochure, they loved them!C.A.R. RAF Fundraising program!  As of October 8, 2006, we had raised close to 5.3 million dollars.  We have a total of 59,757 members participating and our total membership is 197,940, so we have an overall RAF participation of 30%.  As of the meeting date, we had 17 regions that were at 100% participation; however, we are hoping to have all 32 regions be a 100%!  He thanked the committee for alltheir hard work and dedication to the C.A.R. RAF fundraising program!CREPAC Chair, John Scarborough reported on the election results that were available.IMPAC Chair Greg Haas reported that the IMPAC Trustees had a good meeting. For more detailed information, please see the Directors Minutes posted on the C.A.R. website.PAF Chair Mary Funk reported that the Political Activities Fund was going strong and were meeting their objectives.RPAC representative Ann Pettijohn reported that the FPC Training would take place January 8-11, 2007 in Washington DC.  Also, reminded those members that were interested in being a FPC, the deadline for NAR is September 17, 2006.RAF Captain Update: Matt Giacalone believes that our success for 2007 will be on how well we “link” together to make a strong “chain.”  He wants to see every association with a RAF Captain to help with our goals!  Dorothy Jackson offered Bay East for RAF Captain training!
Mission of a RAF Captain is to:
1. Help increase your board’s participation in RAF.
2. To educate and inform your local membership on the importance of contributing to RAF.
3. Inform members of the various contribution levels. (i.e. $49, minimum, $197 TrueCost of Doing Business, $498-Sterling R, $1598 California Golden R and $5098, NAR Golden R).
Responsibilities of a RAF Captain is to:
1. Contribute to RAF $197’
2. Encourage those who have consistently contributed to RAF togo to the next level.
3. Make presentations at your local board and at the local offices’ monthly staff meetings.
4. Organize fundraising events to increase the $$ in your local BORPAC.
5. Communicate with C.A.R. staffto inform them of new ideas developed in your campaign to increase contributions to RAF.

2006 Contest Update-Contest ends Friday, December 15, 2006-Jean Tietgen
Part 1 of the RAF contest, which is based on the Association that collects the most dollars raised by a petite, small, medium, large and jumbo associations.  As of October 8, 2006…the boards that are in the lead are:
Petite category:  Tehama County at $10, 332
Small category:  Humboldt County at $22,281
Medium category: Fresno at $82,492
Large category:  San Mateo County $221,896
Jumbo category: Pacific West at $411,088
Part 2-of the RAF Contest is which Association recruits the most Golden Rs.  As of October 8, 2006…the boards that are in the lead are:
Santa Clara at 8
Victor Valley and Plumas are tied with 5
Bay East and Orange County are tied with 4
Part 3-of the RAF Contest is the $5,000 club, which is based on a minimum of $5,000 new money.  As of October 8, 2006, we have 51 associations that have achieved this goal.2007 Dues Billing Statement Update:-Jean Tietgen
As directed by the BOD at the June 2006 meetings, we have updated the 2007 dues billing statement (DBS) to reflect theword “or” between the $197 and $49.  A copy of this clarification is in the packet or you can find it on our website at = At the January 2007 meeting, we will be addressing the 2008 DBS statement and we do have a new vendor that has the ability to personalize the DBS to an association’s needs. The details will be worked out later, this is just a heads up.  However, if there are suggestions for the 2008 DBS, please email them to Lisa Edwards at lisae@car.org.Administrative Updates:  Lisa Edwards presented the new President Circle pin for $10,000 and above, along with the new RAF pin (both in gold)and with the specified new stones denoting the money over $15,000 and above.  Here is the breakdown:
$10,001 to $15,000-14k Gold RAF Pin (plain no stones)
$15,001 to $20,000-14k Gold RAF pin w/a Ruby Stone
$20,001 to $25,000-14k GoldRAF pin w/a Ruby and Emerald Stones
$25,001 to $30,000-14k Gold RAF pin w/a Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire
$30,000 and above 14k Gold RAF Pin w/ a Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Amethyst stones.
RAF/Member Mob packets for AORs- we are redesigningthe materials to include the Don’t Be A Karl Piece and some other materials in a “brochure” type format.  Showed samples, they were liked, but need to be refined.  Staff was directed to revamp and bring back to the January 2007meeting.

New Business:  the 2007 new leadership was announced: 
Matt Giacalone, Chair-Les Fishman, Vice Chair-Bobbie Nelson-Vice Chair-Rick Violett, Committee Liaison
It was suggested that we redo President Circle letter, letting members know what their balance is and perhaps generate some extra money from those members who want to get to the next level.  Staff was directed to get this started for 2007.
Adjourned at 11:00 a.m.