New Guidelines for Congressional Constituent Service Events: What You Need to Know
BY NICK DOKOOZLIAN
New guidance changes how Members of Congress can collaborate with community organizations on constituent service events. A memo from the Committee on Ethics, Committee on House Administration, and Communications Standards Commission outlines new rules for Member offices cosponsoring events with certain nonprofit entities.
Members of Congress can now cosponsor constituent service events with organizations qualified under IRC § 170(c), which includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits. These events must directly benefit constituents. Examples listed in the guidelines include information fairs, town halls on specific issues, and seminars on topics like student financial aid.
Key details of the new policy:
1. Eligibility: Only IRC § 170(c) qualified organizations can cosponsor events. For-profit companies and individuals are not eligible.
2. Event requirements: Events must be held in the Member's district, provide direct information or assistance to constituents, and be open to the public.
3. Timing restrictions: Cosponsored events cannot occur within 60 days before an election where the Member is on the ballot.
4. Shared responsibility: Both the Member and cosponsor must jointly organize, publicize, and fund the event.
5. Common interest: Cosponsors must share a "common core of interest" with the Member in the event's subject matter through their routine organizational activities.
6. Lobbyist restrictions: If a cosponsor employs federally registered lobbyists, those individuals cannot be involved in planning or organizing the event.
7. Promotional guidelines: All cosponsors must be listed equally on promotional materials, which must comply with House communications standards.
8. Funding limitations: Cosponsors can only use general funds, not money specifically raised to support Member events.
9. Activity restrictions: No fundraising, commercial transactions, or political activities can occur at these events.
10. Data usage: Cosponsors cannot use attendee contact information gathered at the event for purposes other than coordinating the event itself.
The guidelines are designed to create a framework for collaboration while maintaining ethical standards, allowing Members to leverage local expertise and resources, and setting clear boundaries on permissible activities.
For nonprofit organizations, the policy opens new avenues for working directly with representatives on community-focused events to better connect and engage with communities.
Organizations considering cosponsoring events with Members of Congress should carefully review the full guidance to ensure compliance with all requirements. Constituents may also find it interesting to understand the nature of these new collaboration opportunities between their Representative and cosponsoring organizations.
