Complaince Officer

Compliance Officer

Purpose of Position:

To serve as Election Law Compliance Officer to the Chapter or Group, advising those involved in a chapter’s political program about how to conduct political activities to ensure compliance with the provisions of its own state and local election laws, as well as Sierra Club policies and restrictions.

The Chapter Compliance Officer must maintain a neutral role and cannot participate on either the coordinated or independent side of the firewall. Due to the neutral nature of this role, the Chapter Compliance Officer and the Chapter Political Committee Chair cannot be the same person.

NO STATE OR LOCAL POLITICAL ACTIVITY MAY BE UNDERTAKEN BY A SIERRA CLUB ENTITY WITHOUT A COMPLIANCE OFFICER.

Duties of the Compliance Officer:

• The Compliance Officer ensures that the political campaign activities of the chapter and its entities adhere to all applicable state and local election regulation and reporting requirements. This includes responsibility for compliance with the laws and regulations pertaining to direct and in-kind contribution limits, public and member communications, fundraising restrictions, and the reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures.
• Explain, justify, and persuade Club members to accept and comply with all appropriate Sierra Club policies and Club-related restrictions as stated in the Sierra Club Political Team Compliance Guidelines and other related resources.
• The Compliance Officer ensures that adequate communication between him or herself and the chapter chair, political chair, political action committee treasurer(s) and staff regarding pertinent political campaign activities.
• The Compliance Officer serves as a compliance resource for the Chapter’s political program as to local and state and federal election laws
• The Compliance Officer shall keep informed of any changes in regulations and reporting requirements for various state and local elections, the application of 501(c)(4), PAC, and independent expenditures, and other information relating to the Chapter’s state and local campaign-related activities.
• The Compliance Officer shall maintain a permanent file of campaign reports and correspondence, and pass the file on to the compliance officer’s successor.
• If a volunteer, the Chapter Compliance Officer shall, before leaving office, assist in training a replacement.

Requisite Knowledge: Requires knowledge of state and local election law and regulations, and be a resident of Ohio.