In today’s world, it seems that at every turn, someone is asking us for money.  At home, work, even at red lights traveling to and from work – we are constantly approached by those asking for our support.  The competition is fierce and it is getting tougher and tougher for organizations to raise needed dollars. 

Recently, I read that Kathleen Casey-Kirschling is commonly recognized as the nation's first baby boomer.  She was born in Philadelphia on Jan. 1, 1946, at 12:00:01 a.m. and signed-up online for Social Security retirement benefits on October 15, 2007.  Her benefits will begin in January 2008 by taking early retirement at age 62.   There are over 300 million people in the U.S. now and over 80 million were born from 1946 to 1964 and could qualify for Social Security and Medicare over the next 22 years.  By 2030, Social Security's caseload will be approximately 84 million people, up from 50 million today.  In 1945, a decade after Social Security was created, there were 42 workers paying into the system for each retiree.  Today, there are three.  By 2030, it is estimated that two workers will be paying payroll taxes for every retiree.

When you talk with baby boomers, most have a healthy dose of skepticism about Social Security and sincerely believe it will be drastically changed before they ever see the benefits.  In addition, those who have worked for organizations offering pension plans have even stronger feelings.  The nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute reported that the number of single-employer defined benefit pension plans declined 75% over the last 20 years.  The number of plans is less than 30,000, down from over 112,000 in 1988.  The number of employees covered by these plans is 16.2 million, down 26% from 22 million in 1988.  There also seems to be a growing attitude among boomers to “get all we can, while we can”. 

Over the last few years, we are also seeing another trend.  It is associated with holding each area in an organization, no matter how large or small, directly accountable for contributing to the bottom line.  Increases in compensation are then tied to the success of the organization and the respective business area.  Those areas, where the connection is not a direct one, are not immune and experience intense scrutiny.  Sometimes the terms “overhead” and “nonessential” are heard in public forums when budgets are discussed.  Everything is viewed strictly from a business perspective.  But, savvy PAC managers are at the forefront of tying their work and the PAC to the bottom line of the organization – and, with good results.

PAC Managers and Baby Boomers have one thing in common.  They both want money and want it now.  PAC managers are under constant pressure to raise additional dollars for the PAC and baby boomers want to make as much money as possible for their retirement.  Where do the lines cross?  Investing in the PAC. 

One of the most successful messages we see being used in PAC membership campaigns today is about investing in the PAC.  The logic flows from the very top -- the more successful the organization, the more successful the employee.  However, no matter how successful the organization is in accomplishing its goals, executing the strategic plan, or performing perfectly from an operational standpoint, there is still one fact that must be considered at the beginning of every day.  A good year can turn into a disastrous one very quickly with one bad decision on Capitol Hill.  This is a risk that cannot be ignored.  Thus, when a boomer makes an investment in the PAC, they are really protecting their own future by recognizing the fact that this money will go to support candidates who understand the organization and are willing to listen when issues come before them that directly impact the organization.  Money given to the PAC is then viewed as an investment in the organization, themselves and ultimately their future. 

So the next time you conduct a membership drive, stop and think about those baby boomers and how they might be more receptive to your messages about Investing in the PAC.