WSIA PAC success is critical to advocacy efforts
The PAC has raised more than $1.5 million since launching in 2005 and is nearing its 2021 goal.
Following a pandemic-impacted year in 2020, the WSIA PAC Committee is forging ahead in the last month of this year to meet its 2021 fundraising goal of $200,000. With the same goal in 2020, the PAC ended the year with $160,115 in contributions from 255 WSIA member individuals. As of November 3, 2021, the PAC has raised more than $173,000 from over 300 members.
The PAC helps the association educate members of Congress about the importance and impact of the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines industry on the nation’s economy. The PAC makes WSIA an influential voice on the industry’s complex insurance issues and can also offer financial support to candidates whose philosophies are consistent with the goals of WSIA and its members.
Though 2021 contributions are ahead of last year, the WSIA PAC’s leaders said it is still important to finish the year strong and meet the committee’s $200,000 goal.
“WSIA members supported the PAC well throughout the pandemic, but we did fall short of the committee’s established goal last year,” said Cristi Carrington, WSIA PAC Committee chair and principal, and director of underwriting & carrier relations at Brown & Riding. “Because of that, it’s really critical that we keep pushing to meet it this year. We know that a number of potential legislative and regulatory issues have arisen out of the pandemic, and we definitely have a long-term need to educate lawmakers about our industry and its important role in the global economy.”
The WSIA PAC was formed in 2005, and it has become a key element of WSIA’s overall advocacy strategy. Since its inception, the WSIA PAC has raised $1,529,060. WSIA Senior State Relations Manager John Meetz explained every single contribution is critical to reaching lawmakers.
“People are surprised to learn that $5,000 is the most a Congressional candidate can receive in a year,” he said. “Contributions from a large number of our members, in any amount, helps us reach our goals, and Congressional members notice when our members provide broad support for the PAC.”
Carrington said that while the committee’s goals are ambitious, she believes that they’re on track to meet or exceed them this year and that current contributions are on record pace. In 2020, of the 255 individual supporters, 79 were first-time contributors and 44 were U40 members. This year, of the 305 contributors, 114 are first-time donors and 41 are U40 members. Carrington said that new energy and support is particularly energizing.
“Contributing to the PAC is really contributing to the long-term strength of our industry,” she said. “That kind of support from our U40 members also demonstrates their commitment to the industry in which they’re building careers, and it speaks volumes to have their engagement.”
To further encourage WSIA PAC contributions this year, the PAC Committee will recognize both U.S. wholesale member and insurance market member firms for their employees’ collective contributions. In 2021, one firm of each member type will be recognized for having the highest total contributions by employees and one firm of each member type will be recognized for most contributing employees, for a total of four awards.
Fly-in event is also critical for advocacy
The association’s annual legislative fly-in is also an important element of WSIA’s advocacy effort in Washington, D.C. Members of the WSIA Legislative Committee, PAC Committee and board of directors make the trip each year and meet with members of Congress who serve on either the House Financial Services Committee or the Senate Banking Committee, as well as members who serve on the respective subcommittees on insurance.
The 2021 fly-in was held virtually due to COVID-19 and ongoing issues with congressional office protocols will mean another delay on in-person meetings in 2022.
“We were hoping to return to Washington in person because those interactions are invaluable, but we have certainly been able to maintain and build relationships in new ways throughout the pandemic,” said Keri Kish, WSIA’s director of government relations. “The last 18 months have also highlighted the importance of our existing relationships. It has been critical for us to work with legislators and their staff members as we have navigated COVID-related issues. We have been able to do that fairly seamlessly because we have cultivated those relationships over the years. PAC support also helps us facilitate that.”
This year, anyone who contributes prior to or during the Virtual Annual Marketplace will be entered to win a bottle of Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and all U40 members will be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card. The PAC is deploying QR codes throughout the Marketplace space this year. Meetz urged members to encourage their colleagues to contribute using the codes or simply visit the WSIA PAC website, www.wsiapac.org.
“Our segment faces complex issues, and a strong PAC helps develop the relationships that the WSIA team needs to advocate on our behalf,” Carrington said. “This is a very easy way to provide support to our industry as individuals and make a mark on its future. I strongly encourage anyone who hasn’t added their name to the list of supporters to consider a contribution this week. If we all do a little, we can make a big impact.”
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