The WAFP takes pride in offering members a wide range of services and benefits. One of the Academy's key functions is a strong government affairs program to influence legislation and policies that could impact Family Medicine.
What is a political action committee?
A political action committee (called a PAC) is a political giving mechanism that collects contributions from an organization’s members into a single account and uses the pooled funds to support political candidates. PACs are among the most common sources of funding for candidates running for elected office.
WAFP’s PAC, which is known as WIFamMedPAC, provides WAFP with a convenient tool to make political contributions to help elect state legislative candidates and other candidates for state governmental offices who support effective health care and workforce policies that protects the health and safety of patients and supports family physicians.
What are the benefits of a political action committee?
A PAC is one of the most effective advocacy tools an organization has at its disposal. With strong member participation, WIFamMedPAC significantly strengthens the association’s government affairs efforts. A well-funded PAC can:
Are political action committees legal?
Absolutely. Wisconsin law specifically authorizes the creation and operation of PACs. Furthermore, it is important to remember that despite occasional negative connotations in the media, PACs are not “shady,” and they do not buy elections or votes. Rather, they are a legal, highly regulated political giving tool that provide organizations like WAFP with a stronger voice in the political process.
How are political action committees governed?
PAC fundraising efforts and contributions to state candidates are approved and administered by the WIFamMedPAC board of directors, who are members of WAFP.
The WIFamMedPAC allows the Academy to be more nimble, and ultimately more effective when participating in the political process. It collects member contributions into a single account and distributes them to candidates under the direction of a governing board comprised of WAFP leadership. While the WAFP maintains, and continues to utilize the Legislative Involvement Fund political conduit, the WIFamMedPAC provides the Academy with a number of additional benefits:
