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What is a PAC?
A PAC is a Political Action Committee designed to allow American citizens the ability to exercise their constitutional right and need to participate in the political process, but in a way that is controlled and allows for full disclosure and openness in the campaign finance process. Under law, non-profit associations like ASHI are allowed to form PACs. A PAC is a very efficient and cost-effective way for the membership to combine their forces and help support candidates who reflect their business views.

What is InspectPAC?
InspectPAC, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Political Action Committee (PAC), is the voluntary non-partisan PAC of ASHI. It is the only federal PAC that directly represents the interest of the U.S. home inspection profession in our nation's political system. When ASHI members contribute to InspectPAC, they focus and coordinate their efforts to generate important political support for Members of Congress who share ASHI's views on positive home inspection messages from HUD...increased homeownership...consumer protection...protection for small businesses...continuing the prohibition on banks in realty...RESPA reform...and more. 

What is the Purpose of InspectPAC?
InspectPAC raises money to help elect and re-elect candidates to Congress who have an understanding of the home inspection profession, and who are supportive of our profession. InspectPAC encourages participation in the political process by pooling financial resources to help elect qualified federal candidates whose views and voting records reflect the interests of ASHI and its members. InspectPAC promotes responsibility in government and encourages participation of the ASHI membership in the political and elective process.

Is a PAC really necessary for ASHI?
Regardless of political views, some may have mixed feelings about campaign finance matters. The reality is, our system works better when more responsible people get involved, and certainly our needs are no less important than any other group of business leaders. ASHI must be a part of that system in order to have a better shot at making an impact. Hopefully, you have taken notice at the significant increase in the amount of federal activity ASHI is involved in. The PAC will allow us to help elect candidates who recognize the importance of the home inspection profession.

How do I become a member and what are the benefits?
To join or participate in InspectPAC your company must first file an "authorization to solicit" form. Click here to download the Authorization Form.

Your company's chief executive officer or principal ASHI company contact must sign and return the form to ASHI Headquarters. Your authorization to solicit may only be granted to one Federal PAC per calendar year.  If you are unsure if an Authorization Form has been submitted to ASHI, please send an email to inspectpac@ashi.org and let us know your name and company and we'll check our files and will let you know.

Following receipt of this authorization, you may then contribute to InspectPAC by simply filling out the donor form and mailing it back to InspectPAC with your check or credit card authorization. Please note that Federal Law requires all contributions to InspectPAC be of your personal funds.  No corporate dollars can be contributed to a PAC. Also by law, PAC contributions are not tax deductible. See below for ways to contribute corporate dollars to the InspectPAC Administrative Fund.

How much of my money goes to InspectPAC administrative costs?
The Federal Election Commission allows administrative and operating expenses of InspectPAC to be paid by ASHI. This allows 100 percent of all dollars for a federal PAC to go to candidates and to be used for campaign purposes.

Does InspectPAC buy votes?
InspectPAC does not buy votes with its contributions. There is no quid pro quo for contributions. It simply supports candidates whom we hope will be sympathetic to our issues. All we expect from elected officials is an opportunity to be heard, to inform them, and to make our profession's point of view known. The Federal Election Commission limits PACs to a $5,000 contribution per election (primary and general), per candidate.

Am I required to join?
Participation in InspectPAC is strictly voluntary. In fact, federal law prohibits any forced participation and you may refuse to contribute without reprisal.

You are free to contribute more or less than the guidelines suggested and ASHI will not favor nor disadvantage you by reason of the amount of your contribution or your decision not to contribute. Please refer to attached authorization and contribution form for details regarding your decision to contribute.

How can my company participate?
Under federal law, InspectPAC may not accept corporate contributions. However, a separate account, the InspectPAC Administrative Fund, can accept corporate contributions. The law allows that this separate account can be used to defray our fundraising and administrative expenses. Doing so will conserve InspectPAC money, which we want to restrict solely to supporting federal candidates. 

There is no limit on the amount an individual or corporation can give to the InspectPAC Administrative Fund. Checks should be made payable to the InspectPAC Administrative Fund and mailed to ASHI Headquarters at 932 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016.