THE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING FUND
What is it?
The Professional Counseling Fund is a Political Action Committee formed to promote the Counseling Profession and the welfare of its clients through the national political process. The Fund will do this by making political contributions to candidates and incumbents of political office at the federal level.
What is a PAC?
A Political Action Committee is formed in order to make political contributions on behalf of a special interest group—yes, counselors are a special interest group. The Professional Counseling Fund will contribute to political campaigns of Congressmen and Senators in Washington who are proponents of legislation favorable to counselors. Our inclusion as providers in Medicare is a prime example, but there are other issues, such as the Elementary and Secondary School Counselor Program, for which we seek support.
Is this legal?
Yes, PACs are legal, though there are special rules they must observe. The contributions made by individuals are neither tax-deductible as a business expense nor as a charitable contribution. A not-for-profit entity such as ACA cannot sponsor a PAC; it must be an independent entity. There are reports that must be submitted to the Federal Elections Committee.
Is this moral?
PACs are not mentioned in the Bible or the Koran. PAC contributions are not bribes; they are a matter of public knowledge, but they do relate to the system by which political campaigns are funded by contributions from individuals and special interest groups. As long as this is the system, counselors will need to be seen as participating. All of the other helping professions have had PACs for years
Is it fattening?
On the contrary, studies have shown that you can lose weight when money is removed from your wallet.
Who is behind this?
The Board of Directors: Scott Barstow, Jack Cloud, Kelly Collins, Rose Cooper, Dana Couch-Davis, Doris Coy, Norman Dasenbrook, Walta Sue Dodd, Rebecca Farrell, Donna Ford, Francesca Giordano, Carolyn Greer, Nita Jones, Harvey Kelber, Pat Kozik,
Anne Kuntz, Courtland Lee, Judy Lewis, Lynn Linde, Pat McGinn, Scott
McGowan, Irene McIntosh, Beverly O'Bryant, Mark Pope, Dean Porter, John
Rinke, Pat Schwallie-Giddis, Howard Smith, Bob Walsh, Gail Wirtz.
The Board of Directors takes responsibility for fundraising. Donations are used to make political contributions to members of Congress who will help advance the issues important to Counselors, such as restoring funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program and the drive to have mental health counselors included in Medicare and be able to practice independently under TRICARE.
