Legislation and Public Policy Program
GFWC Resolutions are the foundation of our Public Policy Program, which seeks to engage, educate, and mobilize clubwomen as advocates for the Federation’s public policy priorities.
GFWC clubs and members have the opportunity to impact public policy by encouraging civic participation by all citizens. Ideas for ENGAGING club and community members include:
- Invite an elected official to discuss the importance of input and direction from constituents.
- Hold a letter writing session after a meeting. Have each member write a short letter to a legislator, on club stationery, stating her stand on an issue chosen by the club and based on GFWC Resolutions. Have addressed envelopes ready to mail those letters.
Successful civic participation requires a working knowledge of issues, processes and policy. To assist in EDUCATING members on public policy initiatives and issues, as well as the legislative process, consider the following:
- Appoint an interested, informed member to serve as public policy chairman.
- Become familiar with the public policies of GFWC by reviewing the current GFWC Resolutions Book.
- Participate in issues awareness programs.
- Distribute existing directory identifying public officials by duties and how to contact them to all club members. If this directory doesn't exist, create one!
- Use the lesson plan, available from the Public Policy Chairman, to explain to members “How a Bill Becomes a Law”.
A comprehensive public policy strategy enables club members to advocate effectively for Federation priorities. By MOBILIZING our members, GFWC can continue to have a strong impact on the public policy issues important to clubwomen everywhere. To develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy, try these ideas:
- After studying and responding to GFWC Legislative Alerts, newsletters and articles, choose an issue that is important to your members. Decide how to promote public awareness of this issue and how to affect legislation pending before the U.S.Congress.
- Use advocacy guides and tools such as: state and GFWC Resolutions; the GFWC Guide to Public Policy and Advocacy; voting records of elected officials, community and Federation networks.
