Compact for America Educational Foundation Inc

The goals of the organization's first initiative, the Compact for a Balanced Budget, is to educate the states on the targeted us of their power under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to both propose and ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The Founders considered this power critical in the establishment of checks and balances within the various branches of the federal government. The Founders envisioned that the states would likely only use this power when necessary structural changes to the Constitution were identified and the Congress was either unable or unwilling to propose the required amendment under the alternate power held by Congress to propose amendments to the states.

The education process would include vetting and drafting the necessary interstate compact agreement among the states that would control the process, vetting and drafting the text of the proposed amendment, vetting and drafting the text of the activating congressional resolution, helping to identify sponsors in the various legislatures the would propose entry into the Compact by the various states, educated members of the various state legislatures as to how the amendment process would work in conjunction with an interstate compact, providing expert testimony before the various state legislative committees as the various bills are considered, incorporating rules into the Compact that would control the convention process and logistics, and educating the members of Congress on the need for the activating congressional resolution.

The strategies to make this happen are the following:

a. Develop a world-class team of experts to provide the necessary educational component
b. Develop an organizational structure that is nimble and can quickly respond to requests by the various state legislatures for assistance.
c. Minimize administrative burdens by utilizing virtual offices across the country.
d. Develop a reputation as the "go-to" organization when it comes to multi-state approaches to restoring the proper role of the states in the Constitution's balance of federalism.
e. Locate and develop long-term relationships with "patriots of means" who can provide the funding necessary for this national effort.

a. The Foundation has developed an Executive Staff, Council of Scholars and Advisory Council of premiere experts across the nation. The experts are available in person, by phone, and through social media to provide education on the Compact for a Balance Budget Amendment.
b. Because of the unique aspect of the Compact for a Balanced Budget initiative, the Foundation is able to operate without employees. Instead, the expertise of the Executive Staff and key scholars is provided through short-term consulting contracts. This enables the Foundation to quickly expand or contract its operations as the need arises. This makes the Foundation unique among the state and national think-tanks.
c. In conjunction with these consulting contracts, the Foundation has indeed been able to operate across the country using the virtual offices of the various consultants.
d. The reputation of the Foundation as the “go-to" entity for interstate compacts that address federalism continues to grow as the Foundation has received numerous requests from state legislators, state-based think-tanks, national organizations, and members of Congress to provide further education and assistance on the Compact for a Balanced Budget and related issues.
e. The Executive Staff of the Foundation have made it a top priority to develop relationships with long-term donors and investors. Developing and nurturing such relationships is of paramount importance to the success of the initiative.

As of September 30, 2015:

a. Council of Scholars and Advisory Council members - premiere experts on board, with more to follow
b. Member states: 4 obtained, 34 more required
c. Big push will be made during the 2016 state legislative sessions to have additional states join the Compact
d. Congressional resolution: filed in House and under consideration, companion Senate legislation in progress, target date for passage is fall of 2015 in conjunction with the upcoming Congressional budget and debt limit debates.
e. Required convention: pending additional member states and congressional activating resolution
f. Funding - definitely need to find additional "patriots of means" to support the effort financially.