Distraction: If you donate over $5,000, you can decide who gets that donation — plus you get a free vacation to a tropical destination.

Fact: PAC donations can’t be earmarked. In President’s Circle, you must first give RPAC $1,000, then donate directly to select candidates. If you want to back someone, donate directly — no vacation is worth breaking the Code of Ethics.

---

The Sales Pitch

Major investors are often told: “Join President’s Circle. Donate $5,000, choose your candidates, and enjoy a getaway with other top donors.” It sounds like influence plus perks — a win-win.

But here’s the truth: that narrative is misleading.

How It Really Works

• No earmarks allowed. By law, PAC donations can’t be earmarked for specific candidates. Your $1,000 to RPAC goes into the general pool — where it can fund candidates you oppose.
• President’s Circle is separate. Only after giving RPAC its cut are you allowed to direct additional contributions to a preselected list of candidates.
• The “vacation” is just window dressing. The trips aren’t free — they’re funded by your own donations, and they come bundled with the baggage of RPAC’s broader endorsements.

Why This Matters

When REALTORS® buy into the idea that money buys control, they’re misled into thinking they’ve “fixed” the system. In reality, the structure still forces members to funnel funds into RPAC before supporting candidates they actually believe in. That’s not choice — that’s a cover story.

A Better Path

If you want to support a candidate, donate directly. You’ll have full control, total transparency, and won’t be complicit in RPAC’s mixed messages. And more importantly, you’ll avoid violating Article 10 of the Code of Ethics by indirectly funding anti-diversity candidates.

Bottom Line

No vacation, no cocktail reception, and no “exclusive access” is worth undermining the REALTOR® brand and our ethical commitments. Influence isn’t bought with misleading packages — it’s built through integrity.