Informing members of new developments and their meaning is
central to any association's mission. That message may involve
commending or criticizing a federal candidate or officeholder.
Although associations have always had broad leeway to communicate
with their members, many association communications reach beyond
just the membership and include the general public. In the past,
this presented a problem because federal law prohibited
corporations—including associations (both membership
organizations and trade associations)— from spending
money for communications to the general public that advocated
electing or defeating a federal candidate.
The U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision
loosened these constraints, offering associations more choices in
what they may communicate through newsletters, mailings, the web,
paid advertisements, and other communication vehicles that go
beyond just their membership. This is important because the people
you consider to be
