Legislative Update Krystelle Purkey


Dollar a Door or More Campaign


The Washington State Legislative Action Committee (WSLAC) is a committee supporting the efforts of Community Associations Institute (CAI), the largest not-for-profit organization, dedicated to promoting vibrant community associations, in America.


The WSLAC is a volunteer committee comprised of homeowners and professional servicing community associations throughout Washington State. WSLAC is dedicated to monitoring legislation, educating elected officials, and protecting the interests of all those living and working in community associations.


In order to support the dedicated volunteers on the WSLAC, the Washington State Chapter of CAI (WSCAI), is asking all homeowner associations to contribute to and promote our Dollar A Door or More campaign. Following are 10 reasons why you should donate to WSLAC.


10 Reasons to Donate to the Dollar a Door or More Campaign: 1. Serving Washington Community Associations.


WSCAI services the interests of approximately 2,060,00 Washingtonians living in nearly 10,250 community associations. The WSLAC communicates with legislators and other elected officials across the state, educating them on the important issues effecting you. The WSLAC’s legislative advocacy efforts are entirely dependent upon the opinions and experiences of the industry’s professionals and WSCAI homeowners. Members can support these efforts by sending letters, calling in, or personally visiting with their local lawmakers.


2. Tracking Legislation.


The WSLAC monitors and influences legislation that affects the interests of community associations and their business partners in Washington State. WSLAC researches and reviews proposed legislation in order to take ensure the protection of homeowners. WSLAC tracks bills related to WSCAI and educates lawmakers on the position of CAI.


3. Lawmaker Relationships.


The WSLAC meets with lawmakers regularly to ensure WSCAI maintains strong relationships between homeowners, business partners, and their officials as they advance issues. WSLAC educates and visits with lawmakers, legislative and committee staff, and other statewide organizations, and testifies on WSCAI’s behalf before legislative bodies.


4. WSLAC is NOT a PAC.


The committee does not give money to legislators for their campaigns. The WSLAC operates solely on the contributions made by


10 Community Associations Journal | January/February 2017


Washington members of CAI through campaigns like Dollar a Door or More and donations collected at various social events thrown by WSLAC. Donations are for LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY ONLY, NOT POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS.


5. Action Alerts.


The WSCAI sends out immediate action alerts as legislation moves through the legislative process. Providing these instant alerts allows WSLAC to effectively influence the formation and outcome of legislation affecting your community.


6. Your Voice.


Every citizen in Washington has a constitutional right to participate in the political process, but not everyone can be actively involved in Olympia everyday during the Legislative Session. The WSLAC helps you lend your voice to the process through “grass-roots” letters, emails, and phone communications with you legislators. Your donation gives you a voice in Olympia.


7. Giving is Easy.


Donations can be made online at: www.caionline.org/LACDonate or filling out and returning the Dollar a Door or More donation form.


8. Board Contributions.


It is legal for WSCAI boards to donate money from the assessments collected. The board may spend community funds on protecting the interests of the association and its owners by supporting constructive – and opposing offensive – state legislation.


9. Supporting Legislators.


The Legislative members, in both the House and the Senate, ask our advocate (lobbyist) for input as housing legislation is proposed and debated. The Governor’s Office often contacts WSLAC to solicit its position on a bill prior to the Governor signing the bill!


10. Trusted Advocacy.


WSLAC is a recognized resource for providing accurate, timely, and influential input to Washington legislators. WSLAC is comprised of three CAI membership categories: Volunteer Leaders (i.e., homeowners, board members); Business Partners (attorneys, etc.); and Community Managers. Providing a diverse perspective on how bills may impact WSCAI and its members.


—Krystelle Purkey is a contract Lobbyist.


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