§ 2556.740 May VISTAs participate in political fundraising activities?

(a) Provided that paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section are fully adhered to, and in accordance with the prohibitions set forth in § 2556.710, a VISTA may: (1) Make a political contribution to a political party, political group, campaign committee of a candidate for public office in a partisan election; (2) Attend a political fundraiser; and (3) Solicit, accept, or receive uncompensated volunteer services for a political campaign from any individual. (b) A VISTA may participate in fundraising activities as long as such participation: (1) Does not interfere with the performance of, or availability to perform, their assigned VISTA project duties; (2) Does not interfere with the provision of service in the VISTA program; (3) Does not involve any use of VISTA assistance, resources or funds; (4) Would not result in the identification of the VISTA as being a participant in or otherwise associated with the VISTA program; (5) Is not conducted during scheduled VISTA service hours; and (6) Does not interfere with the full-time commitment to remain available for VISTA service without regard to regular working hours, at all times during periods of service, except for authorized periods of leave. (c) A VISTA may not knowingly: (1) Personally solicit, accept, or receive a political contribution from another individual; (2) Personally solicit political contributions in a speech or keynote address given at a fundraiser; (3) Allow their perceived or actual affiliation with the VISTA program, or their official title as a VISTA, to be used in connection with fundraising activities; or (4) Solicit, accept, or receive uncompensated individual volunteer services from a subordinate (e.g., a leader may not solicit, accept or receive a political contribution from a VISTA). (d) Except for VISTAs who reside in municipalities or political subdivisions designated under 5 CFR part 733, no VISTA may accept or receive a political contribution on behalf of an individual who is a candidate for local partisan political office and who represents a political party.