Virtual Public Policy Days
Do you want to make a difference in national public policy issues, but can't make the trip to Washington, D.C.? Take part in NAWBO's Virtual Public Policy Days and raise your voice without leaving home.
From March 17-28 NAWBO members all across the country will be speaking with their members of Congress in their home districts. Women business owners from a wide variety of industries will discuss laws and regulations that impact their bottom line and their ability to do business. You can participate with your NAWBO chapter, your friends, or on your own. The resources below will make your visit easy and affective.
Seven Steps to Advocacy
Taking part in NAWBO's Virtual Public Policy Days only requires seven simple steps.
1. Find other NAWBO members to join you or decide to go on your own. Connect with your local chapter or use our membership directory to find other members in your area.
2. Contact your local Congressional office before March 1. Find your representative through NAWBO's Legislative Action Center (scroll down to the U.S. map).
- Ask to speak to Scheduling Secretary.
- Introduce yourself and your business.
- Explain you are a local business owner and a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
- Request a meeting between March 17-28, 2008 to talk about small business issues impacting your business.
3. Get informed. Read about our issues, then download our current Public Policy Positions, which contains key messages on NAWBO's top issues and background information on our organization.
4. Place a copy of NAWBO's Public Policy Positions in a folder with information on your business. Include your business card with contact details. You may also want to include information on H.R. 5050, the Women's Business Ownership Act, to demonstrate NAWBO's history of successful advocacy.
5. Practice your presentation. You may only get 10-15 minutes so explain your business in a few sentences, then launch right into the small business issues that are important to you as a NAWBO advocate.
- If you are asked a question that you don't know the answer to, let your Representative or the staff member know that you'll check on it and get back to them.
- Send the detailed question and requested information to national@nawbo.org. Include the name of your Representative, the name of the staff member, and contact details for following up.
6. Thank your member of Congress for his or her time. Send a thank you note summarizing the issues you discussed and inviting the member of Congress to keep you up to date. Keep the letter under one page in length.
7. Complete a feedback form so we know about the action you've taken. Email it to national@nawbo.org or fax it to 703-506-3266.
Other Tips
- If you have the type of business that manufactures, builds things or has a lot of employees or visual appeal, feel free to invite the member of Congress to tour your facilityness issues impacting your business.
- If you would like to get to know your member of Congress more, consider attending a small ticket fundraising event or offer to host a “coffee in your home” where you would invite your neighbors to attend.
- Remember: laws and regulations made in Washington, D.C. impact your business every day! Your voice does make a difference!
- Connect with NAWBO's Public Policy Forum for advice and other ideas for effective advocacy.