American League of Lobbyists - Governance Documents: Corporate Principles

STATEMENT OF
CORPORATE PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
OF THE
AMERICAN LEAGUE OF LOBBYISTS

""To enhance the development of professionalism, competence and high ethical standards for advocates in the public policy arena; and to collectively address challenges which affect the First Amendment right to 'petition the government for redress of grievances'."

LEAGUE HISTORY

The American League of Lobbyists traces its roots to informal, monthly luncheons among public policy professionals simply sharing the comradery of colleagues. Over time, regular participants in these public luncheons recognized that an association of public policy advocates could advance the general competency of the profession and enhance public understanding of, and respect for, the contributions of professional advocates to the legislative and executive branches of government. Early guidance and encouragement from Bryce Harlow was especially important in the creation of a formal association for lobbyists.

The League was incorporated in 1979 in the District of Columbia. Membership is open to all public policy professionals. Indeed, the League actively seeks members from across the spectrum of public interest represented by professional advocates. Then, as now, an avowed purpose of the League was to inculcate basic principles of "professionalism" among lobbyists and public policy advocates.

Initially, the League's activities consisted primarily of continuation of luncheon programs at which public policy professionals discussed public issues in a setting open to the full range of interests. The League provided an open forum in which professionals could gain information, knowledge, and experience.

Building upon the success of its luncheon program, the League rapidly expanded its activities under a succession of distinguished Presidents drawn from business, labor, and independent lobbying firms. Current activities include numerous meetings and presentations on public policy issues, seminars on lobbying techniques and practices, surveys of public policy professionals, representation of the profession of public policy advocacy, and maintenance of a Code of Ethics for lobbyists.

From its origins the League stressed the importance of ethical behavior by professional public policy advocates. In 1987, an ad hoc committee appointed by the board of directors formulated guidelines for professional conduct for lobbyists. The membership approved the code in September of that year. When Congress began considering changes to the lobbying registration law, representatives of the League testified as to the need for increased reporting requirements. Both Congress and the media have come to regard the League as a credible voice for the profession. The League continues to shape and refine that Code to provide guidance to lobbying professionals.

Additionally, the League formed an adjunct organization, the ALL Education Foundation, in order to enhance educational programs for the profession. The Foundation periodically hosts special forums and seminars as an educational service to the public policy profession. It is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Today, the League is the only national professional association dedicated exclusively to representing the educational and professional interests of all public policy professionals. The League continues to pursue its mission of increasing the level of public policy discourse through enhanced professionalism among public policy professionals.

GOVERNANCE

A. Incorporated Status

The League is organized and operated as a corporation under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the District of Columbia.

B. Tax Exempt Status

The League has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to qualify for exemption from federal income taxation as a business league (trade association) pursuant to Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

C. Bylaws

The League's operations are conducted in accordance with its Bylaws and this Statement of Corporate Principles.

D. Board of Directors

The League operates under the management of an eighteen member Board of Directors, consisting of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate past president, and twelve Directors elected by the membership. Elected Directors serve terms of three years, and terms are staggered to assure a gradual turnover of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is charged with general management of the League. Its responsibilities include the following duties specifically set forth in the Bylaws:

Determine the proper and appropriate policies for the League;

Supervise, control, and direct the affairs of the League;

Direct the pursuit of programs and activities conducive to achieving the League's objectives.

E. Officers

The League's officers are the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and immediate past president. Officers are elected annually by the membership for a one-year term. Ordinarily, officers progress from Second Vice President to First Vice President to the position of President. The duties of the League's Officers are set forth in the Bylaws.

Duties of Directors

The League's Directors are elected by the Membership to utilize their personal knowledge, interest, wisdom, and experience for the advancement of the League. Directors' duties to the League are personal and fiduciary in nature. Directors have an absolute duty of loyalty to the League and a fiduciary responsibility to exercise prudent, informed judgment in the management of the League's affairs.

Directors must keep themselves informed of the facts pertaining to the League's business through regular attendance at Board meetings and thoughtful review of pertinent information. Of course, Directors may rely upon the advice and guidance of staff and outside experts, but they must continuously fulfill the duties of loyalty, inquiry, knowledge, and prudence expected of any persons charged with management responsibilities. These duties are to be observed not because of possible liability for failure to do so, but because they are the appropriate standard of care to be expected of persons managing the affairs of the League.

The League requires that Directors must fulfill their duties and demonstrate their commitment to the League through:

avoidance of any conflict of interest;

maintenance of appropriate confidentiality of League business;

attendance at Board meetings and regular, diligent review of the League's activities and financial performance (Failure to attend two consecutive Board meetings without excuse results in removal of a Director from the Board);

regular attendance at programs sponsored by the League;

participation in non-Board activities, such as committees, programs, meetings, and other activities [proposed: Board members are required to participate in at least one Committee];

actively encouraging public policy professionals to join the League and to participate in its activities; and

suggest activities and programs for the League to conduct and exercise leadership to see to it that these initiates are carried out.

Committee Structure

The League's activities are planned and guided through its committees. Service on a committee is a principal way in which the members may participate in the League's governance and in the development of programs beneficial to public policy professionals.

It is not necessary to be on the Board of Directors to serve as Chair of a committee and all members are invited and encouraged to participate in committee service. Service on a committee ordinarily is the way in which members progress to the Board of Directors and Officer positions. The League's Committees are:

Budget & Finance - The members shall include the first Vice President and the Treasurer, along with such other members and Chairman appointed by the President. Historically, the committee has five to eight members with some financial background or knowledge. The committee meets at least twice a year, first to set the budget for the upcoming year and then after about six months to evaluate status and recommend changes if necessary. The budget recommended by the committee must be approved by the board of directors.

Membership - Usually chaired by the First Vice President, the committee members are generally League members who express interest in serving. Meetings are subject to call by the chair, and the purpose of the committee is to evaluate recommend programs to retain and/or expand membership numbers. The committee may recommend membership enhancements but the board of directors makes the final decision about implementation.

Programs - Usually chaired or co-chaired by the Second Vice President, the committee works with any individuals interested in helping procure speakers for the programs. There are few if any formal committee meetings; the work is generally accomplished by telephone consultation.

Nominating - The committee is chaired by a past president appointed by the president, plus two other members not currently holding office. The committee members are to be appointed six months prior to the annual meetings for the purpose of recommending a slate of candidates for consideration by the membership.

Professional Ethics and Standards - The committee chairman is appointed by the president; the committee may or may not have additional members. One of the largest responsibilities of the chairman is to respond to inquiries from the press and the public about lobbying ethics. The current chairman is also conducting an exhaustive examination of our guidelines for conduct and recommending changes. Once completed, this code will probably not need revision on the foreseeable short-term.

The following are new or proposed committees:

Public Relations/Member Communications - The President shall appoint the chairman. The committee's function will be to generate positive publicity for the League and public policy processionals. The committee will also be responsible for generating internal communications to the membership about League members and activities.

Strategic Planning - Recognizing the need for ongoing strategic planning, The President on a biannual basis should appoint a Chairman and committee with a broad cross representation of the membership to revise and update the strategic plan of the organization.

Internet and Technology - The committee chairman is appointed by the President. The two main responsibilities are: 1) to oversee, recommend and implement a strategy that allows the League to fully utilize the internet and all modern technology and 2) work closely with the program committee to help sponsor programs and events which allow our members to be prepared for "cyber advocacy".

Independent Lobbyist Network - This is envisioned as an informal group of independent lobbyist to discuss the unique issues that this group of lobbyists encounter. Discussion of solutions to common problems is the goal. The Chairman shall be appointed by the President.

Commitment to Diversity

The League represents public policy professionals and seeks to advance public policy processes. In pursuit of these objectives, the League seeks leadership and membership of persons representing both the diversity of the public policy arena and the personal diversity of public policy advocates.

The League's members and leaders are drawn from individuals representing the full range of public policy perspectives such as business, labor, social welfare, charitable, educational, and individual membership organizations. Through its membership and leadership, the League seeks to promote the quality and integrity of the public policy professional without regard to the particular viewpoint the professional may represent. The League believes that the quality and integrity of public policy discourse rests, in large measure, on the qualities of the public policy professionals. By advancing the education, training, knowledge, and ethical awareness of the professional, the League inevitably enhances public policy debate.

The League also recognizes and accepts a special responsibility to provide equal opportunity for all persons interested in public policy without regard to characteristics such as race, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, and other such personal characteristics. Discrimination on the basis of such characteristics violates the public policy of the United States and is contrary to the League's basic objective of advancing public policy discourse within the United States. Indeed, part of the League's commitment to equal rights and diversity includes the development of programs and policies that advance the participation of all segments of society in the public policy profession and public policy debates, including persons and groups historically-disadvantage by discrimination.

Commitment to Ethical Practices

The League recognizes an obligation to undertake its activities in accordance with the highest principles of business ethics. Thus, the League recognizes, accepts, and supports responsibilities to its members, the public policy community, and the public welfare.

A. Duties to its Members

The League recognizes an obligation to:

Comply with all laws and regulations governing the conduct of affairs of tax exempt associations and not-for-profit corporations;

Steadfastly observe the fundamental ethical principle that responsible associations advance the public welfare through the vigorous and ethical advancement of the interests of their memberships;

Undertake only activities that are consistent with the League's overriding mission of advancing the education, training, reputation, and professionalism of individuals working in the public policy arena; and

Report regularly and accurately to the Membership on the conduct of its activities.

B. Duties to the Public Policy Community

The League's audience is the broad community of public officials, public policy advocates, persons and enterprises interested in lobbying. In providing services, products, and programs to this audience, the League must:

Assure that its goods and services are delivered in accordance with high standards of quality and integrity;

Observe the League's Code of Ethics with regard to appropriate business ethics in the conduct of its commercial activities.

C. Duties to the Public Welfare

The League recognizes that its obligations extend beyond the public policy communities to the public welfare. Thus, the League recognizes duties to the public by:

Assuring that the League remains cognizant of the public welfare in the conduct of its activities;

Assuring that the League's practices are conducted in a non-discriminatory manner consistent with the equality of humankind and with the fundamental moral duty of observing principles of equality in every aspect of its activities, including the delivery of services and programs.

Avoiding any activity that may be injurious to the public welfare.

Code of Ethics - Click here to review the Code of Ethics

Representation of Public Policy Professionals

The League represents the professional interests of public policy professionals in varying public forums. As a matter of policy and of financial prudence, no representation is undertaken that would affect the dues payments of the League members.

Areas in which the League represents the interests of public policy professionals include:

Federal Legislation such as the Lobbying Disclosure Act and deductibility of lobbying expenses;

Federal Regulations such as Internal Revenue Regulations related to deductibility of lobbying expenses;

Litigation involving important public policy and first amendment considerations, such as the Federal Gratuities Act; and

State laws and regulations seeking to impose discriminatory requirements upon public policy professionals.

Membership Policies

Membership in the League is open to all individuals with business, in the broadest sense of that term, before a governmental entity within the United States. To enhance its membership, the League has developed membership classes and certain special membership categories.

Classes of Membership - the League's membership classes are:

Associate - Available to non-lobbying organizations or vendors who provide products or services of use to lobbyists. Offers several advertising opportunities as part of membership.

Organizational - Covers up to six individuals within one government relations office.

Individual - Open to professionals whose employment requires them to spend a substantial portion of their time in government relations or related public affairs activities.

Young Leadership Network - Available to full-time government relations professionals under the age of 30.
Government/Academic - Open to government relations or public affairs professionals representing government or academic interests.

Nonresident - Open to government relations of public affairs professionals operating outside the Washington metropolitan area.

Student - Available to full-time students enrolled in accredited institutions.

Emeritus - Available to retired professionals who have been League members at least five years.

Special Membership Categories - the League maintains the following special membership categories:

New Member Discount: To encourage membership by developing professionals, the League offers a dues discount for new members who are under age 30 for up to two years. The discount is determined by the Membership Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Unemployed Member Waiver: To encourage members who have temporarily discontinued active employment as a public policy professional, the League offers to waive dues for any existing member who is current on dues and who becomes unemployed. The waiver period is one calendar year or until the members regains employment, whichever is earlier.

Program Policies

Because the membership of the league is so diverse, the speakers who appeal to their interests are also diverse. The Program Committee tries to provide a cross-section of congressional speakers but concentrates on those in leadership positions or in the news because of specific issues. The committee is nonpartisan in its approach, though the majority party tends to provide more speakers in a given year than does the minority. No fees or honoraria are offered to speakers, and the gift presented to a speaker upon completion of the program is a token that comes under the minimum set by the congressional ethics panels.

In addition to congressional speakers, programs are also offered which are more educational in nature, generally focusing on changes or advances in the profession. For these seminars, the event chairman attempts to provide as full and accurate information as possible, inviting proponents of all sides of an issue.