For reasons of financial self-interest and recognition of their profession: Decisions made by Congress on when valuations should or should not be required for federal purposes, who is or is not qualified to perform them and how they should be performed are obviously crucial to the financial well-being of ASA's members. Donations to the PAC are important for a reason beyond their ability to ensure the financial success of individual ASA members. They are an expression and affirmation of the importance of the valuation profession as a whole.
If the role played by appraisers in our economic system is unique and important, that role will either be acknowledged and respected by Congress; or, appraisers will be considered appendages of lawyers, accountants, estate planners, investment bankers and other prime time players. In order for the interests of appraisers to be advanced, the profession must be recognized as distinct from all the others.
Being a professional appraiser and not supporting an organized effort to promote its interests before Congress is a little like being a citizen but not voting or otherwise participating in the democratic process.