The purpose of this committee is to provide the members with the resources to engage educate and advocate for the Federation’s public policy priorities. Members are challenged to facilitate an impact on public policy at all levels by becoming better informed, engaged and able to make a difference while remaining nonpartisan in outreach efforts.
ENGAGE
Goal: To encourage members to make an impact through civic participation
· Involve members in developing Federation policy positions through participation in the process of formulating and implementing the Resolutions of GFWC Ohio and GFWC.
· Participate in issue-awareness programs and non-partisan panels.
· Subscribe to The GFWC Clubwoman Magazine, GFWC News and Notes and other issues-oriented nonpartisan publications.
· Meet with legislators in their home offices to discuss concerns.
EDUCATE
Goal: To educate the members about the legislative process, policy issues and resolutions
· Become familiar with the public policies of GFWC and GFWC Ohio by reviewing the current Resolutions
· Devote time at meetings to discuss GFWC and GFWC Ohio Resolutions, proposed amendments, current events and priority issues.
· Educate members on the bylaws and standing rules pertaining to GFWC and GFWC Ohio Resolutions.
· Refer to the GFWC website, News and Notes and Facebook pages on a regular basis to learn about issues and how to participate.
· Learn about the legislative process and create programs about the functions of all levels of government officials.
ADVOCATE
Goal: To develop and implement a club advocacy plan of action to gain support on an issue or specific piece of legislation.
· Develop and distribute a directory of public officials including contact information.
· Hold letter writing sessions to state positions on issues.
· Contact public officials to discuss issues.
Sponsor forums with candidates for public office prior to elections to allow members and the c
· Network with other groups and establish coalitions for public policy and legislative initiatives.
· Attend public forums and meetings on issues of importance and interest to the club.
· Study and respond to GFWC public policies by promoting awareness, debate and action on pending legislation.
· Discuss proposed resolutions and/or amendments published in the annual Call to Convention of both GFWC and GFWC Ohio so that the delegate to the convention may participate, debate and vote the club’s decision.
LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC POLICY AWARDS
A $50 award will be given one club in the nation for creativity in implementing an effective Advocacy and Public Policy program. Certificates will be presented to one State Federation in each membership category to recognize outstanding efforts in implementing an effective GFWC Advocacy and Public Policy program.
Awards will be determined by entries into the Awards Program. Each State Federation may submit one State Award cover sheet and one Club Creativity Award Entry cover sheet for the Legislation and Public Policy Advancement Area. Clubs do not submit entries to GFWC.
RESOLUTIONS
Goal: To raise awareness of the impact of resolutions.
WHY HAVE RESOLUTIONS
· Resolutions are a tool for advocating important issues at local, state and national levels.
· Resolutions, upon adoption, become an integral part of the policies of GFWC Ohio and its members. If a subject is not addressed by a resolution, members cannot use GFWC’s or GFWC Ohio’s support to advocate for or against an issue.
RESOLUTION RULES
· The subject matter of all resolutions shall be germane to the interests or work of the GFWC Ohio Federation of Women’s Clubs and its parent organization.
· Specific methods of implementation shall be outlined in the resolutions when appropriate.
· The GFWC Ohio President, CSP and Standing and Special Committee Chairmen to whose work it is germane, and the membership shall be responsible for carrying out the intent of the resolutions and policies.
The Legislation, Public Policy and Resolutions committee shall review all resolutions,
including emergency resolutions, before presentation to the Board of Directors or
Convention.
· Any proposed resolution presented to the committee which is not recommended by the committee may be presented as a motion to the convention body as a matter of new business except motions to rescind which shall be included in the Call to Convention to provide proper notice to the membership.
· Resolutions may be presented by the GFWC Ohio Board of Directors, a CSP or committee chairman in accordance with their programs of work, the Legislation, Public Policy and Resolutions committee, and any per capita club in good standing.
· Resolutions submitted shall be accompanied by supporting documents and shall be submitted no later than November 15th along with supporting material.
· Except for emergency resolutions and resolutions originating under new business, all resolutions to be presented shall be incorporated into the Call to Convention.
· Emergency resolutions are those whose subject matter has arisen since the preparation of the Call.
· Emergency resolutions may be presented only by those eligible to present resolutions and must be reviewed by the committee and the Board of Directors prior to presentation to the convention body.
· All resolutions which have been in force for four years shall automatically be reviewed by the committee for timeliness, change of opinion, etc.
· Resolutions shall be in force until rescinded by the delegate body.
· The committee shall give notice of those resolutions to be rescinded, amended, or remain unchanged in the Call to Convention.
FORMAT OF A RESOLUTION
Resolutions must be typed and submitted in the following manner: Title- provides the subject, Whereas- provides the statement of facts, Resolved- state position and suggested action. Example:
Whereas, the GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women’s Clubs encourages members to be advocates in action; and
Whereas, legislative positions taken by GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women’s Clubs must be based on consensus of the members; therefore
Resolved, that the GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women’s Clubs actively encourage its member clubs to submit relevant resolutions for consideration by the membership.
Submitted by,
Member’s name, Club, District
TIMELINE OF A RESOLUTION
· Member/Club becomes aware of an issue of state, national or international importance.
· Member/Club formulates a resolution and has club approval for presentation.
· The Member/Club submits the resolution along with supporting materials to the Legislation, Public Relations and Resolutions Committee Chairman postmarked no later than November 15, 2014 or 2015.
· The committee reviews the resolution for proper form and germaneness.
· The committee may then submit the resolution for approval to the GFWC Ohio Board of Directors.
· If it is accepted it then appears in the Call to Convention issue of The Buckeye Magazine.
· Members throughout the state may then review the proposals and share their opinions and information with the delegates who will attend the convention.
· It will then be read and voted upon at convention.
· If the resolution is adopted and action is recommended appropriate officers, committees and club members shall implement that action.
· If the resolution is national or international in scope, it may be submitted to the GFWC Resolutions committee for consideration.
· If accepted there, it may be presented at an International Convention of GFWC for a vote.
· If adopted, it becomes part of the policy of GFWC and any recommended action shall be implemented.
· Any resolution adopted at state or national level will automatically be reviewed every four years, possibly be presented for action, and will remain in effect until its purpose is completed at which time it will be recommended to be rescinded.
RESOURCES
In addition to the resources found in the GFWC Manual, GFWC News and Notes, GFWC Clubwoman Magazine and www.gfwc.org under “Public Policy” these are resources used for Ohio and U. S. government searches for information on legislative issues and public policy.
OHIO.GOV: http://www.ohio.gov is Ohio’s portal to state agencies, voter information, Ohio government, living in Ohio, tourism and more.
Ohio’s General Assembly: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us Find bills, resolutions and legislators through this website. Search for legislative information, laws, acts, legislative schedules. Watch video of sessions. Find Ohio’s legislative agencies, education topics and legislative reports.
USA.GOV: www.usa.gov is the U. S. government’s official portal to government agencies, services and resources. You might even find recipes, featured apps and holiday resources.
THOMAS: thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php The Library of Congress THOMAS site is the source for federal legislative information. THOMAS provides several options for finding bills, resolutions, and legislative information. Also on this site is the Congressional Record, presidential nominations, treaties, committee report and government resources. Of interest may be the teacher resources which the club can use for programs or to assist a classroom or school.