Get Aboard the 2008 BUILD Bus!

The IBA Board of Directors is getting ready to kick off its 2008 BUILD campaign and invites you to get aboard the BUILD bus helping to reach the election year goal of $170,000.

BUILD is the banking industry’s political action committee and thanks to thousands of dedicated bankers around the state, the industry raised $164,200 in 2007. We are anxious to keep the momentum going in 2008.

The industry’s commitment to providing financial support to candidates that support the banking industry is extremely important. And it’s not just the dollars we raise; it’s what those dollars represent: a renewed activism from Iowa financial professionals who care deeply about the future of the industry. Last year over 2,000 bankers and board members reached into their own pockets to support our industry.
 
All the materials the bank needs to kick-off its campaign will arrive in your mail the first week in February. Please take time to review the materials and consider naming an individual to spearhead the fundraising effort in your institution. Included in the materials is the BUILD brochure containing a chart outlining a contribution target for banks at various asset levels. If each IBA member bank met the modest contribution goal outlined in the table, it would mean $277,900 for the industry PAC, putting us over our 2008 goal of $170,000.

Additionally, the IBA web-site provides a complete listing of elected officials who received funds during the last election. Nearly all of our PAC dollars go back to bankers to be delivered in their districts. If your bank is not taking advantage of the opportunity to deliver a PAC check to your elected officials, we encourage you to contact the IBA government relations staff and let them know you’re interested. The remaining PAC funds are delivered by IBA staff at various fundraising events.

Each of our individual commitments to BUILD is what creates a successful group effort that helps elect politicians whose basic philosophy and beliefs are consistent with our own. In our case, we look for people who understand business and its importance to the local, state and national economy. Contributions are disbursed based on input from the IBA Legislative Committee, the IBA Government Relations staff, and bankers across the state. These decisions are based on past voting records, interviews with candidates and most importantly, how bankers in their home district feel about the candidate’s accessibility and responsiveness to banking issues.

Look for the BUILD materials in your bank and get aboard the BUILD bus to help the IBA meet the 2008 industry goal. If you have any questions, contact Sharon Presnall at 800.532.1423 or spresnall@iowabankers.com.