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Issues Mobilization Committee Guidelines

Issues Mobilization Committee Guidelines

Committee Policy #94B — Issues Mobilization Committee/Fund

Ohio REALTORS shall maintain an Issues Mobilization Fund. Upon the approval of the Finance Committee, there will be an annual funding of this account from excess reserves in the amount of $50,000.

The purpose of the Issues Mobilization Fund is to promote the REALTOR position on public policy issues by providing resources to affect the outcome of ballot issues, state and federal legislation, local ordinances, regulations and resolutions.

Requests for funding may be submitted by local boards or the Association. Such requests will be considered by a committee, comprised of the 13 at-large appointees to the Legislative Steering Committee. The chair and vice chair of this committee shall be the chair of the Local Government Forum and the EO appointee to the Legislative Steering Committee.

Any award authorized by the committee shall be reported to the Legislative Steering and Enlarged Legislative Committees but is not subject to their approval. Any award that exceeds $10,000 must be approved by the Executive Committee. The committee, advisory group, or staff review of applications may produce the following determinations:

  • Approval of the funding request in full, with or without special conditions.
  • Approval of a portion of the funding request, with or without special conditions.
  • Denial of the request.
  • Postponement of any action until the committee receives and reviews additional information.

Staff will notify the applicant of the decision of the advisory group/committee immediately following the meeting.

A. Procedures for applications for ballot Issues not exceeding $1,000...Staff Review

Any request from a Local Board that would be used to affect the outcome of ballot initiatives involving school funding, transportation and infrastructure or public safety, shall be reviewed by Ohio REALTORS public policy staff.

B. Applications for funding requests not exceeding $2,500...Advisory Group Review

Advisory Group Consideration/Approval

These application(s) will be reviewed by an advisory group of the issues mobilization committee. The advisory group consists of the issues mobilization committee chair, vice chair and the legislative steering committee chair.

C. Applications for funding requests greater than $2,500

The application will be reviewed by the full Issues Mobilization Committee.

D. Applications for funding requests of $5,000 or greater

The application will be reviewed by the full Issues Mobilization Committee.

Applications for funding of $5,000 or greater should also contain an application to the NAR State Local Issues Mobilization Fund for additional support.

Committee Guidelines

  1. The Issues Mobilization request forms must be completed by the Local Board/Association, or Ohio REALTORS committee and returned to OIMC along with a motion passed by the Board of Directors of the Local Board/Association requesting assistance.
  2. OIMC will only provide funding for those matters that are consistent with Ohio REALTOR policies, the action and decisions of its Board of Directors and its legislative and legal activities.
  3. Issues to be funded must be of statewide significance to the real estate industry or policies which, if adopted on a statewide basis, would have a significance impact on the real estate industry or REALTOR position.
  4. Participation and dollars allocated by the Local Board/Association will be considered but not required, in determining whether, and to what extent, particular issues will be funded.
  5. Those organizations seeking general contributions with regard to a particular issue shall submit a budget, with sufficient detail to allow for evaluation, which justifies the amount of the contribution requested. To the extent that actual expenses have been incurred, those expenses shall appear in, and be noted in the budget. The Local Board/Association must include all receipts of any expenses incurred as documentation prior to the OIMC reimbursement.
  6. The participation of OIMC will be limited to those policies and issues in which its participation can have a tangible effect or which will benefit future issues or a similar nature.
  7. Consideration will be given to the groups, elected officials and local leaders who have already taken positions on the policy or issue or who will be effected by the participation of OIMC.
  8. Those organizations requesting a contribution which is to be spent over a period of six (6) months shall periodically submit a report to the OIMC on the nature and developments of the issues campaign. Such a report shall also include a discussion/analysis of the goals and accomplishments of the campaign to date.

Legal Expenses

OIMC may provide funding for the cost of legal expenses incurred in connection with research or analysis of a particular issue provided that the following procedures are followed by Ohio REALTORS and the Local Board/Association:

  • The Local Board/Association shall contact Ohio REALTORS Public Policy/Legal staff and indicate why legal research or analysis is needed in regard to the issue.
  • The Local Board/Association shall provide to Ohio REALTORS copies of the proposed ordinance or regulation and any documents related to the issue.
  • The Local Board/Association shall complete the request forms provided above by OIMC and submit it to their district representative of the OIMC and to Ohio REALTORS.
  • OIMC may fund the cost of legal expenses if it is determined that such services are necessary prior to member mobilization or negotiations with governmental officials on the related issue.
  • OIMC shall consider its Guidelines in determining whether, and to what extent, to fund legal expenses or, in fact, may refer the Legal questions on issues to the Ohio Legal Action Committee for their review.
  • OIMC will not fund a request that has any type of court action pending which could affect or impede the final outcome, either negatively or positively of the issue.
  • OIMC is vested with the authority to approve funding requests which do not exceed 10 percent of the current balance of the Ohio Issues Mobilization Fund. In the event a funding request exceeds 10 percent of the current balance of the Ohio Issues Mobilization Fund and is approved by the OIMC, such approval must also receive subsequent approval by the Executive Committee.