THE CYCLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Most Georgians consider protecting our state's environment to be extremely important.  But, when it comes to voting for natural legacy, our elected officials have not always kept pace with what Georgians want.

At every step of the way, Georgia's elected officials need to understand what Georgians want, and Georgians need to know how their elected officials voted on the issues that matter to them, but most non-profit groups are very limited in doing this vital work.

That's what makes Georgia Conservation Voters different.

There are many wonderful non-profit organizations in Georgia that seek to improve the way our natural resources are managed. The staff, board members, and many volunteers of the various non-profit conservation groups in Georgia constitute an community of dedicated folks who care about their environment, and who devote their time and energy to making the state a better place to live. What fuels their work is their conviction that they speak for more than themselves and their groups' members -- they speak for the vast majority of Georgia's citizens, who want a clean environment for themselves and their children.

However, the IRS places strict limits on the amount of lobbying most non-profits can do, and groups can't get involved in political elections in any way. Under chapter 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, organizations that accept tax-deductible contributions cannot spend a "substantial part" of their budget on lobbying, can do no campaigning, and can make no endorsements of candidates for elected office.

We are a non-profit, non-partisan group organized under a different chapter of the Internal Revenue Code, 501(c)(4), which allows us to accept contributions to lobby, endorse and even elect pro-conservation candidates to office.  Only Georgia Conservation Voters is working to implement a "Cycle of  Accountability."