Preface

Special Interest Group Profiles for Students (SIGS) is the second volume in the U.S. Government for Students series, preceded by Federal Agency Profiles for Students, and followed by Presidential Administration Profiles for Students. The purpose of the series is to provide an overall view of the workings of the United States government geared specifically to meet the curriculum needs of high school students, undergraduate college students, and their teachers. Each profile in a U.S. Government for Students volume will cover not only the basic facts found in directories such as the United States Government Manual but will include the historical and political context, or the how and why. Furthermore, the series focuses on the relevancy and immediacy of government, explaining how an agency, a special interest group, or a presidential administration can impact the life of an average citizen and, in some cases, how a citizen can become actively involved in the federal government. While the series was designed to reflect curriculum standards, the general reader and researcher will also be able to find answers to their questions about the U.S. government.

SIGS includes profiles of 150 special interest groups. The term "special interest group" is used to describe any organized group of individuals, united together for a common cause, that attempts to influence public policy. Individuals and groups unite for a variety of reasons. An association may be composed of individuals within the same occupation, another organization may draw together individuals who share the same belief system. Regardless, all special interest groups share several common characteristics: they have an organizational structure; they act on behalf of group members; they broadcast the organization's message to the public; and, most important, they strive to effect political change.

The majority of special interest groups fall under three broad categories: economic interest groups, social-action groups, and single-issue groups. SIGS includes profiles of:

  • Agricultural Groups, such as the National Grange and the American Farm Bureau Federation, which serve the interest of agriculture. (Economic Interest)
  • Animal Rights Groups, which promote the welfare of animals. Such well-known groups include People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. (Social Action)
  • Business and Trade Associations, which are formed to promote and protect business interests. Some of the most well-known groups include the National Association of Manufacturing and the United States Chamber of Commerce. (Economic Interest)
  • Civil Rights Groups, which attempt to establish, uphold, protect, and extend the rights guaranteed to all Americans under the U.S. Constitution. Such groups may be organized along ethnic or gender lines or may represent particular segments of the U.S. population. Civil Rights Groups include the NAACP, the American Association of Retired Persons, and Lambda. (Social Action)
  • Environmental Protection Groups, such as the Sierra Club, which work for the conservation and preservation of the global environment. (Social Action)
  • Labor Unions, including the United Mine Workers and the AFL-CIO, which are composed of workers who have the same sort of job or work within the same industry. Such organizations present a unified voice that can speak for worker benefits and other job-related issues. (Economic Interest)
  • Professional Associations, which are groups composed of professionals–individuals in occupations that traditionally require specialized training. Examples include the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. (Economic Interest)
  • Public Interest Groups, which fight for causes that are believed to benefit not only the members of a particular organization, but all members of society. Public Interest Groups include Common Cause and the Center for Responsive Politics. (Social Action)
  • Religious Groups, such as the Christian Coalition and the American Jewish Congress, which are composed of members who are aligned along religious beliefs and attempt to influence legislation and policy that reflect these beliefs. (Social Action)
  • Single-Issue Groups, which are groups that focus all energies on one certain issue, such as abortion. Such issues are usually highly controversial with one group advocating for a particular viewpoint with another taking the opposing side.
  • Veterans' Rights Groups, which represent the interest of men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. (Social Action)

Selection Criteria

Not surprisingly, selecting which special interest groups to profile in SIGS was a daunting task as there are virtually thousands of groups in the United States representing millions of Americans. Gale editors began by surveying high school civics and government sources including top-rated textbooks and the National Standards for Civics and Government. We also relied on course curriculu supplied by our advisors that represented various school districts across the United States. We further consulted such lists as Fortune magazine's Washington's Power 25, which is an annual survey of the pressure groups that wield the greatest influence on public policy, and the Center for Responsive Politic's Open Secrets: The Encyclopedia of Congressional Money and Politics, that details which groups spent what in congressional elections. We eventually narrowed the list down to approximately 400. A core list soon emerged that included 60 special interest groups that were widely known, studied, and considered extremely influential. Our advisory board, consisting of high school teachers, media specialists, and subject experts, helped sort through and pare down the remaining list based on their knowledge of common classroom assignments.

How Each Profile is Organized

Profiles are arranged in alphabetical order, according to the official name of the special interest group as presented in group literature or if communication with the organization was not made available, we deferred to Gale's Encyclopedia of Associations. Each profile heading also includes the organization's acronym or other variant names. For additional access, readers should refer to the subject index for alternative name representations and the two tables of content: one is in book order, the second is based on type of special interest group. The following elements may be contained in each profile:

  • Established: Generally refers to the date that the organization as we know it today was established. Because many of the SIGS went through multiple incarnations, the profile's "History" section outlines the SIG's progression over time.
  • Employees: Includes the number of employees retained by the national organization based on 1998 figures. If figures are based on non-1998 information, the date is included in parentheses. The number of employees is an approximate figure as the structure of an organization can often be quite complicated. In addition, many of the SIGS are partially, or sometimes wholly, staffed by volunteers.
  • Members: Includes the number of members who belong to the organization based on 1998 figures. If figures are based on non-1998 information, the date is included in parentheses. The number of members is an approximate figure as the structure of an organization can often be scattered. For example, Amnesty is an international organization, but only the U.S. affiliate is profiled in SIGS.
  • PACs: Includes the name of the political action committee (PAC) maintained by the organization. Not all groups retain a PAC, which is the organization's arm responsible for collecting and administering funds for political purposes. For instance, an organization that has been granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considered a charitable organization. Part of the restrictions of 501(c)(3) status is the fact that a group may not influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and may not be involved in political campaign activity.
  • Contact Information: General mailing address, telephone number, toll free telephone number, TDD number, fax number, E-mail, and URL.
  • SIG Heads: Limited to the inclusion of the organization's top officials. These individuals shift positions frequently, depending on the group's bylaws, which usually indicate how frequently a president or board member may remain in office.
  • What is Its Mission?: The mission usually contains a quote directly from the SIG being profiled, which encapsulates the organization's primary motivation. Information was taken directly from published statements released by the SIG administrator or from annual reports. In some instances authors attempted to further define the mission if the statement required clarification.
  • How is it Structured?: Outlines the general structure of each SIG. The section begins by defining the type of SIG (e.g., labor union, professional association, fraternal organization) and continues by outlining the internal administrative organization at the national level progressing all the way down to the regional and local branches.
  • Primary Functions: This is the action center of the profile that offers a broad brush look at what a special interest group does. What are its primary responsibilities? Does it lobby Congress, attempt to influence elections, litigate, conduct research, hold public protests? How does it interact with government regulatory agencies or other special interest groups? Authors made a particular effort to stress the connection between special interest groups and U.S. government bodies to underscore that the formation of public policy is truly a collaborative enterprise.
  • Programs: Offers a general overview of the number and type of programs the organization administers. The section also profiles one or two of the organizations's most notable or newsworthy. For instance, the profile of Mothers Against Drunk Driving includes a description of the Red Ribbon Campaign.
  • Budget Information: Budget information is based on 1998 actual or 1999 estimated figures. The section details where SIG revenues come from and how resources are allocated. Figures are based on information supplied directly from the special interest group. If a group is considered by law to be a public charity or private foundation, it is required under section 6104(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to make the most current annual Form 990 available to the public. Reports are also available from the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
  • A budget graphic accompanies most profiles, which illustrates the organization's revenue and expenses. It is sometimes quite dramatic to see how very much, or very little, of an organization's dollars are spent on a particular initiative.
  • History: This section details the history of the special interest group, including key events, administrations, people, and legislation. The narrative usually includes history that pre-dates the organization's formation explaining why it was necessary for this particular organization to be established.
  • Political Issue: The political issue section serves as the nerve center of the profile. It begins with a brief introduction that outlines the organization's current concerns and the controversies surrounding them. A case study is then highlighted to illuminate a particular issue. Authors were careful to include all sides of the story by relating how the organization is involved with the issue, how the public was impacted by the event, how the public feels about the organization, and how other special interest groups, government agencies, or other countries responded.
  • Successes and Failures: A variety of indicators determines a success or a failure, however such indicators are usually subjective. A failure is apparent when a special interest group establishes a benchmark for success, such as passage of a particular piece of legislation. For example, the National Organization for Women (NOW) has worked for 30 years to enact the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The fact that it has never passed may be viewed by NOW members as a failure. However, defeat of the ERA is considered a success for a group like the Eagle Forum, which has spent considerable time blocking the amendment. Authors were careful to include events that would invite analysis by SIGS readers.
  • Future Directions: Where is the organization headed? What challenges does it face? What are the organization's projected goals for the future? Information for this section was gleaned from reports submitted by SIG administrators.
  • Group Resources: Resources refers to hot lines, Web sites, information clearinghouses and centers, dockets, libraries, databases, document repositories, and archives. Authors tried to highlight information available to the average consumer or general researcher, although many organizations have members-only access. The section includes how to tap into the information whether via mail, E-mail, telephone, or Internet.
  • Group Publications: The section provides information about the number and type of publications the organization makes available to both members and non members. Representative pamphlets, newsletters, and other publications are included along with contact information on how an interested party can access them.
  • Bibliography: An alphabetical list of sources, including books and current periodicals quoted in the profile, with full bibliographic information. Also lists other critical sources that may prove helpful for the student and researcher.

In addition, a SIGS profile may contain one or more of the following supplementary sidebars:

  • Fast Facts: At-a-glance facts that are current and reflect how the organization impacts the daily lives of all citizens. Facts may reflect the workings of the SIG being profiled or might illustrate the issues that have been discussed throughout the essay. Each fact is fully cited.
  • Biography: An individual who was pivotal to an organization's history is profiled in a biography sidebar that includes birth and death dates, identifier, a brief sketch, and a thumbnail photo.

Additional Features

In an attempt to create a comprehensive, one-stop reference tool for the study of the U.S. federal government, SIGS also includes:

  • Illustrations that depict historic events, notable individuals, and current issues along with graphics and maps.
  • A chronology of over 900 key events in U.S. history that allows students to place each special interest group in an historical context.
  • A glossary containing over 450 political terms used throughout the profiles.
  • A subject index for easy access to special interest groups, people, places, and events.

Acknowledgments

It is important for Gale to acknowledge the bounty of materials available to all researchers through the United States government. Specifically, the United States Government Manual was a much-thumbed, constant source of information that helped untangle the vast web known as the federal government. It is a valuable first-stop directory that is held by most libraries and is available for purchase at U.S. government bookstores. It is also available on-line at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/nara001.html. The Government Printing Office (GPO) is the United States' preeminent publisher that offers a plethora of information resources on every facet of government. Catalogs may be requested by writing to 732 N. Capitol St. NW, Washington, DC 20401 or visit the GPO Web site at http://www.access.gpo.gov/#info.

We must also recognize the contribution made by each of the special interest groups profiled. SIG Web sites made good launching pads for beginning research. To further guarantee accuracy of information and to gather as much information as possible, our industrious researchers and authors undertook a mail, fax, and E-mail blitz for over two months. Organization representatives were sent questionnaires to fill in and sample profiles to review. Our authors were often rewarded for their efforts thanks to helpful special interest group members.

Special thanks must be extended to our advisory board who continue to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Government for Students series. Their input was invaluable from the genesis of the series and remains constant through each volume. In addition, we must mention our various contributors, many of whom are former teachers. Their classroom experience led to the creation of well-researched, thoughtful, and enjoyable profiles that hopefully will stimulate students' interest in U.S. government.

We Welcome Your Suggestions

The editor of Special Interest Group Profiles for Students welcomes your comments and suggestions. Please direct all correspondence to:

Editor
Special Interest Group Profiles for Students
The Gale Group
27500 Drake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535