Working for You and the Future of Clinical Laboratory Science

PAC: Positive Action and Commitment

The acronym PAC stands for Political Action Committee, a voluntary nonprofit organization created to provide financial and educational support for the election campaigns of responsible candidates for Congress. All PACs are legal, ethical and strictly regulated by federal law, which limits the amount of individual contributions and requires full and regular disclosure.

ASCLS/PAC offers members a simple, convenient way to influence the elections process and actively participate in the federal decision-making process. Through the PAC, ASCLS members are able to unite together to gain the attention of candidates for national political office.

In another sense, your support and generous contributions to the ASCLS/PAC represents your Positive Action and Commitment.

Now More Than Ever, Our Profession Needs A Voice in Government

Our system of government depends on the wisdom and integrity of elected officials., They, in turn, represent us best when they are exposed to and held accountable by an informed and active public.

Now more than ever, laboratory professionals must take an active role to see that congressional reforms of American health care support cost-effective, high-quality clinical laboratory services. You can help by supporting ASCLS/PAC. Each dollar you give improves the chances that informed and capable people will be elected to Congress to enact responsible reforms in America’s health service delivery system.

Access and Attention: A Key to Political Success

Healthcare in the United States has unfortunately evolved into a complex and intricate network of legislation and regulation. Legislation approved today can vastly change the future course of a profession — our profession. It is the responsibility of the profession itself and its members to keep lawmakers fully informed and cognizant of the key issues that may directly impact us.

To provide the needed information to our lawmakers, it is necessary to gain access and attention. ASCLS/PAC is designed to do just that — to gain access and obtain the attention of lawmakers.

By providing campaign contributions to a carefully selected number of candidates, ASCLS/PAC helps ensure the re-election of lawmakers who have been sensitive to the needs of the clinical laboratory profession. Our support for these candidates guarantees that ASCLS is well-represented in Congress.

ASCLS/PAC: Working for Your Best Interests

Established in 1976, the ASCLS/PAC is administered by its own Board of Trustees. Campaign contribution decisions are driven by policies developed by the Board of Trustees, which is made up of medical laboratory professional members. Recommendations for contributions are made by both ASCLS staff and members; decisions are based on a candidate’s past record of performance, understanding of health care issues and likelihood of future support for clinical laboratory science.

Any solicitation for contributions to ASCLS/PAC is intended solely for members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, an individual membership organization, for the purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1976, as amended. ASCLS does not solicit or accept contributions from individuals who are not members of ASCLS.

ASCLS/PAC is supported solely by donations from ASCLS members. Under federal law, these donations must be voluntary, and cannot be listed as a charitable contribution for tax purposes. The PAC files financial reports with the Federal Election Commission on a quarterly basis.

Your support of ASCLS/PAC demonstrates your support of hard-working and responsible candidates for public office. Your contribution decision will in no way affect your rights as a member of ASCLS.

Read about how the PAC supports the profession

Hosting a PAC Table

What is a PAC

All PACs are legal, ethical, and strictly regulated by federal law. There are different types of PACs; the ASCLS PAC is considered a separate segregated fund (SSF). SSF’s can only directly solicit from members for donations but are allowed to accept voluntary donations from anyone.

  • Direct: ASCLS/PAC committee is allowed to ask other ASCLS members directly if they would like to donate to the PAC
  • Indirect: ASCLS nonmembers cannot be asked directly to donate but they may still donate of their own free will

No money from members’ dues is given to the PAC. Donations must be voluntary and are not tax deductible.

What is PAC vs GAC

The Government Affairs committee deals with an organization’s interaction with the legislative branch (Congress) and regulatory agencies. Congress can pass legislation that impacts laboratories and Federal agencies can publish regulations that impact laboratories.

The GAC receives updates from ASCLS’s legislative consults about current issues pertaining to the Laboratory. The GAC asks questions and raises concerns they might have. The GAC then passes the information to all ASCLS members through various communications.

The GAC assists in reviewing and drafting comments of proposed legislation that affects the Laboratory profession. They also promote understanding of key issues that affect the laboratory. The GAC is also responsible for communicating to ASCLS members on proposed legislation that will affect the laboratory.

The ASCLS Legislative Consultant and GAC Committee may identify issues and/or legislation that needs support from members of Congress. Funds from the ASCLS PAC may be requested to facilitate access to key members supporting ASCLS issues.

Why Donate

At current member donation levels to the PAC, ASCLS PAC would be able to make approximately 8-10 campaign contributions a year. However, ASCLS PAC desires to make 25-30 contributions each year, to make significant headway in pushing our legislative agenda. To make that happen, we need your help and financial contribution from the ASCLS constituent society members.

Furthermore, as laboratory professionals, we are bound by our professional duty to “actively seek to change those laws and regulations that do not meet the high standards of care and practice.” As an ASCLS member, you “pledge to uphold my duty to Patients, the Profession and Society by (among other things) changing conditions where necessary to advance the best interests of patients.”

Donating to the PAC puts patients first and elevates the issues of the clinical laboratory profession.

Setting Up a PAC Table

Constituent Society meetings are a great place to host a PAC table, Creativity is encouraged! Eye-catching displays will attract attention and generate conversation.

At least 28 days before the beginning of your meeting, request pins and ribbons from ASCLS. In addition to the pins and ribbons, you will be provided with a unique link and QR code that will be used for you meeting to collect donations. This allows us to track your success. A flyer with you QR code as well as a small sign that allows attendees to scan and donate on their phones will also be provided.

All major credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.

Locate the PAC table close to Registration.  As people register, it is easy to catch their eye and offer information about PAC. Ensure the table includes:

  • Flyers: This provides information about the PAC
  • Donation QR code: Set the QR code where members can easily scan to access donation page

This setup invites curiosity and makes it convenient for members to learn more and contribute to the PAC. Setting and preparing this table took less than $10 and can be reused year after year. The dollar store, Walmart or Amazon are all places you can purchase red, white and blue decor for the PAC table.

PAC Table Display

Get out in the crowd and circulate! Wear your PAC pin proudly and explain what it is. ASK MEMBERS FOR DONATIONS!! Make PAC announcements throughout the event and direct members to your table. Anyone may donate to the ASCLS PAC; however, our PAC may only directly solicit donations from ASCLS members.

Wrapping Up

At the conclusion of the meeting, return any unused pins and ribbons to the address provided in your original shipment. Any questions can be addressed to PAC@ascls.org.

Guidelines for Fundraising

The ASCLS PAC is classified as a Separate Segregated Fund (SSF), which operates under specific rules for fundraising and donations. Here’s how it works:

Types of Solicitations

  • Direct Solicitation: The ASCLS PAC can directly ask ASCLS members if they would like to contribute.
  • Indirect Solicitation: Non-members of ASCLS cannot be directly asked to donate; however, they are permitted to contribute voluntarily if they choose to do so.

Donation Guidelines

  • Source of Funds: No portion of ASCLS member dues is allocated to the PAC. All PAC funding comes from voluntary contributions.
  • Nature of Donations: All donations to the PAC must be voluntary and are not tax-deductible.

These rules ensure compliance with regulations while allowing the ASCLS PAC to gather support and amplify the voice of the clinical laboratory profession.

Contributions

Each ASCLS member is eligible to donate up to $5,000 per year.

The ASCLS PAC is only allowed to directly ask ASCLS members for donations.

Donations may be made electronically. The PAC does not accept cash or checks.

The minimum PAC donation is $20. Ribbons and/or pins are given to each donor.

  • $20 donation = Ribbon
  • $40 donation = Ribbon and yearly ASCLS PAC pin
  • $150 donation = PAC breakfast at JAM
  • $300 donation = Gold Pin
  • $300 donation for three years = Platinum Pin

Tracking Donations

Campaign finance and PAC contributions to legislators are highly regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This requires that donations to PACs and contributions made by PACs be traceable and properly disclosed. To remain compliant with these legal standards, ASCLS PAC must track the amount of each donation, along with the name and address of each donor. Additionally, while all donations must be reported regardless of amount, donors contributing $200 or more must also provide their employer’s information. By only accepting donations through the link provided, donations are tracked automatically and require no additional paperwork on your part.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I get in return for donating?

ASCLS PAC donors can donate anywhere from $20 – $5,000. ASCLS PAC has a recognition structure for dedicated donors who go above and beyond in supporting the PAC. There are annual PAC pins, “Gold Pins,” and “Platinum Pins” given as thank you gifts for varied levels of donation. All donors receive the satisfaction that comes from supporting their profession and the patients they serve.

Why Does the PAC Collect My Information?

Campaign finance and PAC contributions to legislators are both highly regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This means both donations to PACs and contributions made by PACs must be traceable for proper disclosure to the FEC. Therefore, to stay in compliance with these legal requirements, ASCLS PAC must track the amount of each donation, name and address of each donor, and the employer of all donors donating $200 or more.

Resources

PAC Pin Request Form