PDNC FAQS

PDNC FAQS

What is the purpose or mission of the PDNC?

Article II of our bylaws states:

The Progressive Democrats of North Carolina pledge themselves to:

1. Forge a strong, active, progressive Democratic Party with grassroots-based campaign strategies and technologies;
2. Work for a more democratic, transparent, and open political process within the Democratic Party;
3. Hold the Democratic Party’s leadership, candidates and elected officials to a greater degree of accountability to the party’s highest ideals in carrying out the party’s policy objectives;
4. Recruit, support and elect Democratic candidates at all levels of public and party offices; who support social, economic, and environmental justice.
5. Work for social, economic, and environmental justice together with national and state progressive action groups;
6. Inspire, involve, and empower progressive North Carolinians to participate in the electoral process;
7. Advocate and promote progressive policies for the health, education, safety and well-being of the residents of North Carolina.

What type of organization is PDNC?

The Progressive Democrats of North Carolina (PDNC) is officially registered as a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit organization with an affiliated PAC (see Section 1 of the PDNC bylaws). This status allows us to, among other things, lobby for legislation in NC, and with our affiliated PAC, to endorse candidates in state, county and municipal primary elections.

“501(c)(4) exemptions are given to civic leagues or political education organizations not organized for profit and operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, or local associations of employees organizations. Net earnings are devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.

“The exemption applies so long as ...no part of the net earnings of such entity inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual (Internal Revenue Code).

Characteristics that set a 501(c)(4) apart from a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization include but are not limited to:

• Limited membership. …
• Broader ability to lobby for legislation." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501(c)#501.28c.29.284.29)

Donations to a section 501(c)(4) organization are not tax deductible by the donor under section 170 of the code.

Some other prominent 501(c)(4) organizations include:

• AARP
• Democratic Leadership Council
• League of Conservation Voters
• MoveOn.org
• National Rifle Association

A Political Action Committee, or PAC, is a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates. Donations to PDNC and to our affiliated PAC are accounted for separately. Money is allocated to the PAC at the discretion of a donor.

The organization is administered by an elected all-volunteer Board of Directors.
To become an at-large member of PDNC, members pay minimal dues of $10 annually, or $3.00 per year if also a member of a county chapter.

Is PDNC part of the NC Democratic Party?

No. PDNC is an independent organization not formally affiliated with the NCDP, although most of our members are very active in the party. We are not an NCDP caucus for two reasons. First, the Party Chair has told us that we very probably could not be recognized as a caucus because national Democratic Party rules restrict formal auxiliaries or caucuses to groups characterized by immutable characteristics such as sex, race, ethnic origin, or age. Being progressive is not an immutable characteristic. Second, to carry out our mission we need to be able to endorse in primary elections. Party caucuses, because they are part of the Party, are not allowed to do so.

Does the PDNC lobby the legislature?

Yes. We encourage our members and officers to actively lobby on the positions we support. Since we don’t have paid staff yet, we don’t have to register as lobbyists. We are simply individuals exercising our right to petition our government.

Can I find PDNC at the State Executive Committee meetings or state party conventions?

Yes. When possible, we try to meet at the same time and near large party meetings, since many of our members and supporters attend them. During most state meetings, we either arrange for space at the convention with the party in exchange for rent (or an equivalent donation to the party), or rent space directly from the facility in which the NCDP meeting is taking place.

What is PDNC’s relationship to the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)?

PDNC and PDA are separate and distinct organizations, though we do share a common ethos and many common concerns. There are a number of members of PDNC who are also members of PDA—just as there are also PDNC members who belong to NAACP, MoveOn, Common Cause, etc.—and this is encouraged. Some of our county chapters are choosing to become dual identity chapters—affiliating officially with both PDNC and PDA. We share ideas and advocate one another’s work, programs and events—within the legal bounds of our respective 504(c)(4) organizations.
For more in depth knowledge about the workings of PDNC, please see our bylaws:
http://www.progressivedemocratsnc.org/blog/node/4