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2008 Nationwide Survey Members of Boards of Directors Attitudes & Awareness: Campaign Finance Laws, Corporate Oversight of Political Spending and Activity & Proposed Reform. Research Objectives. To document, measure and better understand; Level of political activity of board members
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2008 Nationwide Survey Members of Boards of Directors Attitudes & Awareness: Campaign Finance Laws, Corporate Oversight of Political Spending and Activity & Proposed Reform
Research Objectives To document, measure and better understand; • Level of political activity of board members • The perceived importance and impact of corporate political activity • Level of familiarity and knowledge of campaign finance laws as they relate to corporations. • Internal reporting & processes related to corporate political activity • Perceived level of risk associated with corporate political activity • Degree of support for specific reform proposals regarding disclosure and board oversight of corporate political activity Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Methodology • A total of 255 members of boards of directors of Russell 2000 companies were interviewed by telephone. • Interviews were conducted between February 4 – 15, 2008. • Margin of error is 6%. • 57% were internal/management board members, 43% independent/outside. • Employed several batteries of ‘Likert Scale’ questions to measure both attitude and intensity. Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Findings Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Level of Political Activity of Boards of Directors Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Fundraising Advocacy Changes in level of involvement Political Activity by Boards of Directors Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
(not so much) Pressure to Contribute? Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Importance & Impact of Corporate Political Advocacy & Fundraising Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
The Imperative of Corporate Political Activity (?) Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Impact of Political Advocacy & Spending by Companies Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Familiarity & Tested Knowledge ofCampaign Finance Law Relating to Corporations Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Familiarity with Campaign Finance Laws & Own Company Political Activities Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
PERCENTAGE NOT KNOWING CURRENT LAWS CORP. REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ALL POLITICAL SPENDING TRADE ASSOC. REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE MEMBERSHIP AND CANDIDATES & ORG. THAT BENEFIT FROM POLITICAL EXPENDITURES 501c4s REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE MEMBERSHIP AND CANDIDATES & ORG. THAT BENEFIT FROM POLITICAL EXPENDITURES BOARDS REQUIRED TO APPROVE & OVERSEE POLITICAL EXPENDITURES Knowledge of Current Campaign Finance Laws Relating to Corporations & Trade Associations Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Confidence with their own company’s policies and oversight Code of conduct or other policies to govern political activity Company provides directors with reports on political spending Current Internal Reporting & Processes Related to Corporate Political Activity Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Legal risk & risk to reputation Necessity of reform Impact of recent corporate scandals Attitudes about Corporate Political Activity & Risk Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Support for Specific Reform Proposals Disclosure of Contributions Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
Support for Specific Reform Proposals Oversight & Process Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
(again, not so much) The Burden & Cost of Reform Mason-Dixon Polling & Research
2008 Nationwide Survey Members of Boards of Directors Attitudes & Awareness: Campaign Finance Laws, Corporate Oversight of Political Spending and Activity & Proposed Reform