Year after year, Vacation Ownership owners are the target for federal, state and local lawmakers searching for various ways to raise revenue. So, who is working to protect our interests as Vacation Ownership owners? The American Resort Development Association’s Resort Owners Coalition Political Action Committee (ARDA-ROC PAC). We hope you will support the Coalition that represents our economic interests in state capitals and Washington, D.C.
ARDA is a thirty-nine year old Washington, D.C.-based industry trade association representing the resort industry through lobbying, consumer advocacy and a unique organization called ARDA-ROC PAC. “Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money to even get beat with!” Will Rogers said that in 1931 and it still rings true today. Campaigns are indeed expensive.
ARDA-ROC PAC was created nine years ago, and is proving to be extremely successful. Funds contributed to ARDA-ROC PAC possess maximum flexibility. They can be used to engage attorneys and government affairs professionals, pay for research to defend owner legislative positions, and contribute to elected officials at the state, local and federal levels who are supportive of owner legislative positions. Expenditures of ARDA-ROC PAC funds are being directed by the ARDA-ROC Executive Group; the same entity that has spearheaded more than a dozen successful legislative efforts across the country over the past eighteen years.
The concept of ARDA-ROC PAC is simple – owners across the country join together to gain collectively what they are unable to achieve on their own. With unity comes strength! Thanks in large part to your generous support, ARDA-ROC PAC is counted among the nation’s top 20 most effective trade association PACs. These same individuals, now members of the 110th Congress, were appointed to key Committees such as Ways & Means, Senate Finance, Judiciary and Homeland Security.
This Presidential election year is an exciting time for all citizens. It also promises to bring much anticipated change in a number of high-profile legislative battles and initiatives.
Looking ahead, ARDA and ARDA-ROC PAC supports those candidates who continue the fight on our behalf. In addition, ARDA and ARDA-ROC PAC is supportive of consumer protection for timeshare buyers and has been active in establishing and supporting the system of state timeshare registration laws which has been very effective for more than 25 years in regulating developers and forcing unscrupulous developers and sellers out of the industry. Lastly, we strongly believe that any immigration reform should be comprehensive by addressing both future economic needs for future workers and undocumented workers already in the United States.
As you can see, ARDA-ROC PAC and our industry as a whole find us in the midst of a number of vitally important public policy challenges and opportunities. High-profile debates over tax policy, predatory lending and relaxed immigration laws will consume lawmakers in the coming months – and we must stand ready if we want our voice to be heard!
For the last six years, Marriott Vacation Club International has been a leader in the industry in ARDA-ROC fundraising. As such, we were recognized as being among the highest contributors during the ARDA 2007 Fall Conference in Washington, DC.
With this in mind, we are encouraging Marriott Vacation Club International owners to voluntarily contribute $10.00 to ARDA-ROC PAC in conjunction with your annual assessment. In turn, ARDA-ROC PAC will utilize these funds to continue to protect your investment as Owners.
What has this "political arm" done for timeshare owners lately? Is it worthwhile? Do YOU pay the fee?
