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Nancy Mion & Judith McGinn
NYS Public Policy Directors
The following are the AAUW NYS Public Policy Program Goals:
Voter
Education for the 2007 Elections
Get voters registered and to the polls. Provide candidate forums
in your community. Work with other like-minded organizations in
your communities.
Public Policy E-Group
We want every branch to have at least one member subscribing to
the Public Policy E-Group. We send out Action Alerts as well
as interesting information. We can build a tremendous electronic network when
each branch forwards the information to its members. Contact the
NYS Public Policy Director.
Got a passion? Volunteer to follow a particular bill or issue that
is relative to our priorities. Keep us posted so we know when the
vote will take place, who needs to be nudged, who needs to be thanked.
Build a Coalition
The collective voice has so such power! Build coalitions with other
branches in your part of the state around common issues OR build
a coalition with sister organizations like BPW, LWV YWCA, PTA, Zonta,
etc. in your community.
Develop a Relationship with Elected Representatives
Invite legislators to tea…Or breakfast or a social hour.
Let them know who you/we are—where we stand on the issues,
and educate them before the next vote! Figure out when the legislature
takes a break and plan an event when your assembly member and senator
are home.
Educate Your Legislators
No one person can be expected to know all there is to know about
all the pending bills. You be the ones to provide information on
the NYS Fair Pay Bill or the gender disparity
in the number of tenured positions on campuses state-wide.
Communicate with Your Legislators
Use surface mail, a letter or postcard, email, a phone call, but
let your legislator know who you are and where you stand. Pass out
postcards at meetings for members to mail. Use the sample
letters provided by the Association and by NYS. Change it to
suit your style, but send it! Note - email is preferable these days, since regular mail may be delayed for security reasons (checking for anthrax, etc).
Hm-m. What Can You Expect From The Public Policy
Wonks?
Training…Support…Sample letters to use…On-line
resources and training…Guest speakers for your meetings…How-To
packets…and lots of information.
- Mary Stewart |
