AAUW'S Public Policy Program

Mandatory Reporting Initiative - posted 7-3-07

AAUW California Biennial Public Policy Action Priorities 2007-2009

Legislative activism has a long history in AAUW.  Members first lobbied for women’s suffrage in 1892 and have continued to be responsive to critical issues of the times. The AAUW Public Policy program supports its mission to advance equity for women and girls, through advocacy, education and research and complements the Association Public Policy program. AAUW California’s priorities for action are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, and strong member support.

Equity

Recognizing that equity for all women and girls requires an application of legal definition, AAUW CA supports:

• Constitutional protection for the civil rights of all individuals

• Legislation that addresses current inequities in compensation and benefits for all working women

• Vigorous enforcement of California Title V and Federal Title IX statutes on gender equity in education

Education

Believing that public education and life-long learning are the foundations of a democratic society, AAUW CA supports:

• Equitable funding for quality public education in preschool through secondary schools that supports all students of any culture, race, ethnicity, special needs, or sexual orientation

• Opposition to the use of public funds for school vouchers

• Continuing educational research and reform that improves student achievement

• Programs that provide women with education, training, and support for long-term success in the work force and the community

• Medically accurate health curriculum, including comprehensive sex education

Societal Change

Promoting the social, economic, and physical well being of all individuals, AAUW CA supports:

• Right to determine one's reproductive life, including the right to privacy and access to quality family planning services

• Access to health care and the expansion of patient rights

• Availability of and access to quality, affordable family care giving services, including rigorous oversight

• Respect for diversity and the rejection of all forms of discrimination

• Access to decent, affordable housing

• Promotion of safe, healthy work environments free from sexual harassment and intimidation

• Freedom from violence and fear in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities

Adopted by the California Convention, Ontario April, 2007

The 45th Biennial Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, June 2007, adopted the 2007-2009 Association Biennial Action Priorities

Guidelines for legislative action: Branches may take action on local issues, the state takes action on statewide issues and the Association takes action on national issues. If a branch feels that the AAUW-CA or Association should take action, there are guidelines available. Stands may also be taken for nonpartisan offices e.g. State Superintendent of Public Instruction (in California).

Now for the part you get to do: here are various web sites (California only) for getting information. Other states will probably have equivalent information.

1. leginfo.ca.gov. This is the official web site for California legislative information i.e. bills, resolutions, propositions, amendments, etc. Other states probably have equivalent sites. Also, Google is an excellent source for finding this kind (or any kind) of information.

2. ca.statenet.com/resources/index.php. Statenet is the place to order legislator rosters plus finding other information. The rosters are not free but if you are going to be contacting legislators, I strongly suggest you buy them. They are less expensive if bought in bulk. All the committees are listed and who serves on them along with contact information.

3. Buying Congressional rosters is a little more challenging. The roster is called "The Original U.S. Congress Handbook." I telephone them because I have never been successful ordering the book online. The phone # is: 1-800-868-3638. The web site is: www.uscongresshandbook.com. I suggest buying the spiral bound because it lies flat.

4. Other organizations I participate with are: MoveOn.org, ActforChange.com, Planned Parenthood, NARAL and CODEPINK. When getting connected to these organizations, I do not list my affiliation with AAUW. However, when there is discussion (especially with PP or NARAL) I sometimes mention the connection.

5. Senator Barbara Boxer has her PAC for a Change. E-mail is: info@pacforachange.com. Senator Feinstein's e-mail is: senator@feinstein.senate.gov. Their web sites are boxer.senate.gov and feinstein.senate.gov.

Have fun! You all can do these searches, expand on them and find what works for you. Always remember USE OF NAME when you feel motivated to contact a legislator or organization.

The general guidelines for California are here:
http://www.aauw-ca.org/policy/principle.htm#priorities

The state-level Public Policy committee also publishes a "bill package" each year, listing the specific bills that AAUW California supports and opposes.  Each one has a link to the Legislature's online bill tracking system that tells you the status of each bill.  You can find the 2007 bill package here: http://www.aauw-ca.org/policy/billpackage.htm

Please feel free to contact Caroline Wood if you need information.

Purpose of the Public Policy Program
AAUW's Public Policy Program establishes the federal action priorities on which AAUW members across the country will focus their advocacy efforts and guides the work of the national staff.

Member Input
The strength of the two-year AAUW Public Policy Program is that it originates and ends with the membership. The adoption of the Association's two-year Public Policy Program at each national convention is the culmination of a process involving AAUW members nationwide.

Ongoing feedback mechanisms: Leaders and staff receive feedback on AAUW issues through branch and state reports, Leader-on-Loan consultations, committee calls with state leaders, member response, and AAUW HELPLINE calls.

Development of the Public Policy Program
In the fall of even-numbered years, the Association Public Policy Committee meets to develop a proposed two-year Public Policy Program using the results of the member survey, ongoing feedback, and advice from staff on likely legislative action before the Congress in the next biennium. Criteria used for developing the program priorities include viability, critical need, strong member support, and potential for distinctive AAUW contribution.

Once developed, the proposed program priorities are presented to the AAUW Board of Directors for approval. Upon approval, the proposed program is then sent to state public policy chairs and sent to every member through AAUW Outlook or AAUW in Action. States and branches are encouraged to discuss the program with their members prior to convention.

At Convention
The Association Public Policy Committee conducts convention-briefing sessions on the proposed program prior to the business session in which it is considered and voted on by delegates. The briefings allow delegates the opportunity to receive background information, have questions answered, discuss any concerns or proposed changes, and work with the committee to draft any proposed amendments. By the time consideration and adoption of the Public Policy Program come to the convention floor, delegates have had time to participate in briefings, discuss the program informally, and understand its importance to AAUW's work in the public policy arena.