passpacs, Author at PASS

Single Sign On With A Dash Of Multi-Factor

passpacs on October 27, 2023

Single sign on (SSO) is a secure and efficient way to authenticate to your PASS applications without having to recall that pesky password or security questions when changing your password. SSO has been a website staple for quite some time and you have likely used it in one place or another, even if you didn’t know it. SSO is all handled through your network management group and allows for you to login to your workstation each morning and have access to all of the applications under your SSO umbrella. PASS website users have experienced SSO when clicking the link to a PAC enrollment site or using epacManager.

These applications seamlessly link to the Company intranet to provide more secure and efficient access.

While SSO was the standard for securing a site, multi-factor (MFA) will further enhance your authentication security. Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security by having the application user provide a second form of identification. This includes an email or text message, which contains a one-time code, generated to the specific user’s inbox. The user provides the code back to the application and is granted access. While it may sound cumbersome, introducing MFA to your epacManager or PAC website authentication process increases site security exponentially.

Our goal at PASS is to provide top security and ease of access to our applications and PAC enrollment websites. Single sign on and multi-factor (MFA) authentication are straight-forward to implement and strongly encouraged. PASS will work directly with your network group to iron out the details and put these in place. Reach out to Erin Ver Doorn at PASS with any requests for additional information.

PASS – An ESOP Company – What Does That Mean?

passpacs on September 5, 2023

A common question that I get asked by my friends, neighbors, and extended family is, “What do you do?” or “Who do you work for”? I am sure that you receive similar questions as well. My initial answer is to try and explain what we do. That can be challenging as many people are unfamiliar with political action committees and the laws regulating their activity. After a successful or not-so-successful explanation, I usually say that our job is to ensure our clients don’t get in trouble when they make contributions to candidates running for office by filing campaign finance reports on time. Following that portion of the conversation, I will tell them that we are an Employee-Owned Company (“an ESOP”) and that I am the President.

My answer usually leads to the next question, “What is an ESOP?” That’s when the fun part of our conversation begins. I explain that the founders of PASS decided, when they were looking at retiring, to sell PASS to their employees and turn PASS into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan or an ESOP. This decision allowed PASS’ 35 employees to become 100% owners of the Company.

As owners, we accumulate shares in PASS stock, which we can cash in upon retirement or when we leave the company. The value of the shares is determined annually by an independent appraisal, which means that the better PASS performs, the greater the share price. All employees are shareholders and, therefore, directly impacted by and accountable for PASS’ performance.

I see the value of being an ESOP company every day as I work with fellow employee-owners and see how they work with their co-workers, manage their time, and seek to provide excellent service to our clients. PASS employees take responsibility for their actions and performance like an owner, which makes my job a joy. Many surveys by the National Center for Employee Ownership and other groups show ESOP companies experience less turnover, lower chance of lay-offs, higher compensation and greater retirement benefits than non-ESOP companies. Based on my 20 years of experience leading an 100% employee-owned company, I am not surprised by these findings because I see them every day.

Best Practices To Combat PAC Check Fraud

passpacs on August 15, 2023

PACs are under attack and not just attacks in the media by anti-PAC factions. These attacks are from criminals stealing money from PAC accounts by duplicating PAC disbursement checks. While it is unclear how the perpetrators are getting the PAC checks, the results are clear. Criminals obtain a legitimate PAC check and use the account name and address along with the banking information to create fraudulent checks. The fraudulent checks look exactly like your PAC check with the routing and account information and even your PAC’s check signature. Criminals change the amounts and distribute the checks to unsuspecting individuals as payment to purchase goods. By the time the seller deposits the check and realizes it’s fraudulent, the criminal is long gone with the merchandise and the seller is left with nothing.

One such situation occurred when a perpetrator sent a check to an individual attempting to purchase a boat listed on an internet selling site. The criminal sent a check in advance to the boat’s owner. The check was for more than the purchase price which the criminal claimed was a “mistake by his secretary”. The criminal then asked the seller to have the difference in cash ready when he came to pick up the boat. Thankfully, this smart seller called the PAC listed on the check and learned that the check he received was fraudulent and he did not go through with the transaction.

More times than not, individuals only learn they deposited a fraudulent check when the check comes back as unpaid. Or the PAC learns about fraudulent activity when they get their bank statement and see that a check that doesn’t match the check register, has been cashed.

What should we do to combat check fraud, you ask? First, talk to your bank about adding positive pay to your account. The positive pay function involves the account holder submitting a file to the bank anytime a check is written. As checks are presented for payment, the bank checks the date, payee, and amount against the file you submitted. Any differences between the file and the check presented result in the check being put into a decision queue. The account holder must review the check presented and determine if it is the check they wrote. If the check presented is not the same as the check written, the account holder simply declines to pay the check and the check is returned to the individual who presented it.

The second option is to skip sending paper checks and move to ACH transactions. Using ACH transactions eliminates a paper check being sent through the mail so there’s no chance it can be used to create fraudulent checks. ACH transactions are electronic and are very secure; however, they are not 100% secure as criminals can obtain the PAC account details and create fraudulent transactions. Additionally, two downsides to ACH transactions are bank fees for each transaction, and you will need to obtain banking information from each campaign seeking a contribution. This could slow down the process of getting a campaign their check, but it will secure your transaction.

The third, and most secure, option for transmitting money to campaigns is to use a combination of ACH and positive pay. Using positive pay – submitting a file to the bank with transaction details to be compared against the instrument presented for payment – and ACH as the payment instrument, you can virtually eliminate fraud on your PAC account. This does take a bit more time and potentially money, but it will save you from the headache of trying to get the funds back from a fraudulent transaction or losing PAC funds if, in the end, you are not able to recoup your money.

To secure your PAC bank account contact the experts at PASS for information about the positive pay feature and ACH transactions.

PAC Laws Are Changing In The States. What Can You Expect In 2023?

passpacs on July 7, 2023

As state legislatures start to adjourn from their sessions, this time of year usually brings to light campaign finance legislation that was passed and signed into law. This summer is no exception!

Many states raised their campaign contribution limits this year. Most of these increases were based on the rising cost of living as some states include indexing contribution limits for inflation in their campaign finance statutes. However, in some states like New York, the contribution limits were lowered slightly.

Several states enacted legislation this year that changes their existing campaign finance reporting rules. For instance, Virginia previously required state PACs to file campaign finance reports on a quarterly basis. Going forward, PACs will instead file five reports per year as well as additional reports due within 24 hours if a PAC receives or spends $1,000 or more close to an election. Tennessee eliminated the requirement for state-registered PACs to register and file campaign finance reports in any county where they make county or local political contributions. All reporting going forward will be done at the state level only through the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. In Wyoming, Federal PACs will once again be required to register and file campaign finance reports with the state when making contributions to Wyoming non-federal candidates.

There is also a growing trend in state legislatures to introduce bills that prohibit “foreign participation” in state elections. At the Federal level, foreign nationals have been banned from participating in the political process for a long time. Some states are simply codifying the Federal ban into their state laws. While others are taking it a step further. This year, Minnesota enacted a ban on political spending by foreign-influenced corporations and LLCs. A legal challenge to the law is likely with the definition of “foreign influence” at the center of the debate. This ban appears to impact many publicly traded companies who have foreign shareholders through the sale of company stock on the exchanges.

When you choose PASS for your federal and state PAC compliance needs, you can rest assured we’ve got you covered. PASS will continue watching closely as states consider and enact campaign finance legislation.

Using Your Federal PAC for Non-Federal Disbursements

passpacs on May 30, 2023

Your PAC Board wants to give to non-federal Candidates and PACs, but where do you start?

Many states and local governments require PACs to register and file reports with the state to make contributions to non-federal campaigns.

With so many different regulations to understand and follow, getting set up for non-federal giving can seem a bit overwhelming. However, there are many jurisdictions where you can contribute from your Federal PAC without too much extra work and time.

Every state has their own way of regulating political contributions and many require extensive registration and reporting requirements such as California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York. Several states even go as far as requiring the use of a bank account held within the state or only allowing PAC members in the state to contribute to the PAC. It is possible to make non-federal contributions out of your Federal PAC in these jurisdictions, but they don’t make it easy.

At the same time there are some states that allow Federal PACs to contribute without having to register or add any additional reporting requirements to the PAC. In localities such as Delaware, DC, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia any Federal PAC can contribute to state and local campaigns, committees, and PACs without having to register with the State. Each state has their own contribution limits so make sure to check how much you can give annually or per election. Your Compliance Manager can provide you with this information.

Some states will allow non-federal contributions up to certain limits before the PAC has to register or report their activity. Illinois, for example, will let any Federal PAC contribute up to $5,000 annually prior to registering. Maryland will allow Federal PAC spending up to $6,000 per year; however, after that threshold has been reached the state has an ongoing reporting requirement. New Jersey will allow up to $7,200 per year of Federal spending prior to registering or reporting. New Jersey also will allow Federal PACs whose main purpose is not to influence NJ elections to continue to give past the threshold in the state without registering. Virginia will allow up to $200 worth of contributions prior to requiring registration. Once a PAC hits the VA threshold, they then must register within 10 days.

There are states that require registration prior to making contributions and only require an additional letter and/or a copy of the FEC report covering the contribution with some requiring disclosure of all receipts from residents of that State. Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and Texas are examples of States that have limited reporting and itemization when making contributions to State candidates.

Each state, and even some local jurisdictions, have their own giving limits and reporting requirements, and this article just covers the basics. Navigating these regulations can seem like a nightmare. At PASS, we are here to help you maintain a successful and compliant PAC program. If you have any questions, reach out to your Compliance Manager for guidance and get your PAC set up for state and local spending.

How PASS Keeps Sensitive Data Safe

passpacs on May 12, 2023

Working with personal data is like having your cake and eating it too. It is imperative for organizations to use personal data but, at the same time, they need to be mindful of how that data is stored, shared, and used. In this digital age, privacy is a hot topic and for good reason, considering that the last ten years have been littered with thefts of sensitive information and data breaches that have affected companies and organizations of all shapes, sizes, and sectors.

PASS clients trust us with their sensitive information so concerns about how this data is being used and who has access to it are warranted, and we take privacy and security of the data we managed and use very seriously.

For this reason, we have implemented a data governance process that includes privacy, compliance, and security protocols which are regularly monitored and audited.

One of the ways we protect our clients’ data is by limiting access to it. We only request data that we deem necessary to provide our services, and we have strict controls in place to prevent unauthorized access. We allow the clients SPOC (single point of contact) to limit epacInfo® access based on each epacInfo® user’s role and “need to know” basis. Additionally, we use encryption and other security measures to protect our clients’ data when it is in transit and at rest. This helps to ensure that even in the event of a breach, our client’s data is still protected.

We also give our clients control over their data. Our clients can choose what information they want to share with us and can alter or revoke access to their data at any time. We are transparent about what information we collect and how we use it, and we make it easy for our clients to understand and manage their data. The information we use every day is client’s data, and we respect their privacy and ownership.

In conclusion, data privacy is of utmost importance to the PASS team of employee-owners. We take every measure possible to protect it. We want our clients to feel secure and confident in our services – our data privacy and security protocols are a key to meeting this goal.

Launching a PAC Match Program? Here are 3 Tips to Make Sure Your Program Runs Smoothly.

passpacs on April 10, 2023

You’ve decided to take your PAC to the next level and start a PAC Match Program. PAC Match is a great tool to increase PAC participation and contribution amounts. When you offer a charitable match to your PAC Members’ favorite charities, members are more loyal, contribute more, and spread the word! With this increase in participation comes an increase in administrative time. Wise PAC Mangers take advantage of an outside vendor to handle Charity Match administration because tracking charity selections and writing hundreds, or thousands, of checks is tedious and time-consuming.

As a Senior Charity Match Manager, one of my responsibilities is to on-board new PAC Match Programs. Based on my 10+-years of experience, here are a few tips for a smooth start to your Charity Match program:

Program Parameters: Set your program parameters – number of charity choices, required giving minimum, types of charities, match levels, etc – with your team. Be as open as possible and allow members to select any 501c3 organization, and keep in mind that budgets can be met by adjusting the match levels. Your vendor is a valuable resource for advice to get started and program best practices.

Communication with Members: When you announce this exciting new member benefit, be sure to have a communications plan and timeline in place. Share that information with everyone involved so timelines can be met. Once the program is launched, set a schedule for annual reminders to give members a chance to choose or change their charity selections. Make sure communications are approved and email IP addresses are whitelisted well in advance of the first communication date.

When you offer a match to your PAC Members’ favorite charities, members are more loyal, contribute more, and spread the word!

Funding: Your funding is approved, but where is it coming from and how will it get to the charity match bank account? Set-up an in-house meeting with your accounts payable department to confirm the process for requesting funding and the turn-around time you can expect for receiving the funds. You will need the funding in-hand before check processing begins. Communicate payment dates to your members with the funding schedule in mind.

Be prepared for the exciting PAC growth that comes with the launch of your charity match program! Contact PASS to partner with you on this new adventure. We will help ensure that your charity match program is a success. Schedule a demo to see our Charity Match software and hear about our services.

4 Keys to PAC Fundraising Success

passpacs on March 17, 2023

Raising money for a Political Action Committee (PAC) is never easy, but there are 4-key pieces to any effective campaign.

1. PAC Website – A branded PAC website is essential to any fundraising campaign. With a workforce that is spread out and not always on-site, you need a way to reach them and deliver your message. Websites can also be tailored to offer giving guidelines based on the role the individual visiting the site holds in the company.

2. Communication – A PAC Campaign should not be the only time you talk to your employees. Frequent and effective communication is needed for a successful fundraising campaign AND a successful PAC. You must communicate often throughout your entire campaign, and not just about donating. Give people a reason to go to the website and help them to see the value of the PAC through the resources and information you offer.

3. PAC Champions – Personal communication is the number one way to get people to contribute. A network of PAC Coordinators who reach out to your employees and talk to them personally about the PAC is an extremely effective way to gain new members. Ask your Champions to talk about their experience as a member of the PAC and what compelled them to become a member. Choose Champions who are well-liked by their peers and known for getting things done,

4. Data – Do you have the data you need to micro-target potential PAC members? As a PASS client, you can access your data using our PAC software, epacInfo®, produce lists of potential members and real-time campaign results.

Using these four keys, and our epacInfo® software, your fundraising campaign will be a success and so will you.

Click here for more information about our epacInfo® software and how it will help you become a more effective fundraiser.

Don’t Let The Fear Of Changing Vendors Stop You From Taking Your PAC To The Next Level

passpacs on February 15, 2023

As part of my role as Director of Business Development here at PASS I am responsible for meeting with prospective clients to walk them through our PAC outsourcing solutions. One concern that always comes up during those conversations is the process of transitioning from one campaign finance compliance vendor to another.

I know this can seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning and preparation and PASS’ custom transition process, it doesn’t have to be.

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition once you’ve decided to make the switch to PASS:

Time the switch appropriately: It is important to remember how lengthy onboarding a new vendor with your organization can take. Contract negotiations and IT security reviews take time. Be sure to loop-in the appropriate departments to get an idea of how long these processes take. After a contract is in place, PASS guarantees a 20-business day turn-around from the date we receive your data until we are able to provide compliance services.

Backup your data: Consider how much data you want to load into the new vendor’s system and make a back-up. Backing up all of your PAC data ensures that you don’t lose any important information during the transition. PASS has the ability to aid in this process by either working directly with your current vendor or providing you with all the required data fields we will need to perform our services.

Plan the start-up process: Work with your new vendor to map out the start-up process. PASS makes service start-up easy by providing a memo that acts as a road map to getting the proper processes and procedures in place with the correct teams and contacts for everyone. PASS schedules a weekly check-in to make sure everything is on time and all parties are providing the necessary information for a seamless transition.

Train your team: Make sure you get training on your new PAC software. PASS provides unlimited training for our proprietary PAC software, epacInfo®. Software is a tool that allows you access to your data all day, every day. Make sure you and the other members of your team know how to use the new system to run PAC statistics and produce reports when you need them.

By following these steps, you can ensure a seamless transition from your current vendor to PASS. Want to know more about why PASS is the right fit for you? Click here to see how we compare to other outsource vendors and software.

3 PAC Website Features You Don’t Want to Miss

passpacs on January 24, 2023

Choosing what to display on your PAC website can be a daunting task! Of course you want the site to be user friendly, and you want the enrollment process to be straightforward, but what about site content? One of the questions we are asked frequently during the website development process is “What do your other clients do?” Here are the top 3 website features you don’t want to miss!

A question most PAC donors have is, where is my money going? I always recommend adding a disbursement map to your PAC website. Our disbursement map breaks down all disbursements by election cycle or a specific date range. Then your PAC members can click on the states to view where their PAC dollars went. If your PAC is looking for a way to be transparent with their PAC spending, you need this for your PAC site!

If you are looking for a way to boost your PAC participation,

Charity Match is the way to go!

Your employees can enroll in the PAC and be directed to the Charity Match page to select their charity. If you choose PASS to facilitate your Charity Match program, we handle everything for you, you just have to get approval to start the program!

Finally, I would recommend including personalized calls to action! If someone hasn’t given before, ask them to join, and if they are a current member, prompt them to view their giving history or make a change to their enrollment. You can also do specific calls to action based on each employees suggested giving level. Having personalized calls to action gives you more options when planning your PAC solicitation.

Interested in adding one or all of these features to your PAC site? Let us know. Don’t have a PAC site? It’s not too late to get started! Schedule a demo to see our PAC services.