NWPC-WA ANNUAL MEETING
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Join us on Sunday, January 24th from 3-5pm at the Mount Banker Community Club for our 2010 Annual Meeting.
Our
guest speakers will be Rep. Lynn Kessler, House Majority Leader, and
Rep. Dawn Morrell, House Majority Caucus Chair. They will talk about the
impact of women in our legislature and give an overview of the current
session.
All are welcome, members only may vote. This meeting will combine the King County and the State organization annual meetings.
Interested in getting more involved? We are looking for a new state board treasurer and Republican vice president and leadership positions within the King County Chapter.
Email info@wpcnet.org if you're interested in learning more about the positions!
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Other Ways To Stay Connected To The Caucus!
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and follow the national organization on facebook and on twitter at NWPC_updates
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From The President
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Happy New Year!
I hope you will join us at our annual meeting on January 24th to see old friends and meet new, hear two great Washington women leaders, and learn how to get involved and help us get
more great women elected in Washington!
Over the last year the
Caucus has been looking at ways we might organize to be more effective
as a statewide organization, engage more members in our work, and
support more women candidates earlier in the process.
One
organizational change that will be proposed at the annual meeting is
the creation of Local Endorsement Action Committees (LEACs) in counties
where there are not sufficient resources for a local chapter. The LEACs
will form to take on the endorsement process (research, interviews,
support) and will operate as a subcommittee of the state endorsement
committee - providing expertise on local issues and a connection to
candidates. NWPC-WA members recently received a notice of the
annual meeting via U.S. mail that included proposed bylaw changes that
support the formation of the LEACs. If approved, a call for local
LEACs to form will go out in early February in time for the 2010
election cycle.
Join us too as we thank outgoing Caucus officers and endorsed women electeds. All all welcome.
As you'll see below, delegates to the NWPC National Convention in August voted to extend the national policy of endorsing only women candidates to state and local chapters. While our state organization has long shared that endorsement policy, our King County chapter has recommended male candidates. This policy change ends that practice.
I know that there are mixed feelings and strongly held opinions on this change, but it is my hope that we can move forward and focus our energy on the great work that we do to recruit women to run for office, train them to run great campaigns, and help them win.
Onward and
upward. There is strength in our unity and commitment, and so much to
do to support great women candidates and achieve equal representation!
 Sincerely,
Linda Mitchell
NWPC-WA State President
206/720-9922
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National Endorsement Policy Change
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At the NWPC National Convention in California in August, 2009, the state delegates voted to pass a resolution that extends to all state and local chapters the endorsement criteria that the National organization has long held regarding candidates running for federal office, that is, the endorsement (and funding of) women candidates only.
At its meeting in November 2009, the NWPC National Board reviewed a recommendation from the Political Planning Committee for implementation and enforcement of the new policy. The Board discussed and reviewed the recommendations and voted to affirm that this policy means that there will be no process for the consideration of male candidates for any political office at any level, under any circumstances effective June 30, 2010. The board felt that to do otherwise would confuse the public and divert our resources away from support for our endorsed women candidates.
The policy of the NWPC-WA is that we only endorse and support women candidates. The King County chapter has Recommended male candidates in the past, this policy ends that practice. We thank our elected Good Guys for taking the time to participate in our process in the past and for their support of our shared goals of women's economic and social equality and reproductive freedom.
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Events of Interest
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NARAL Pro-Choice Washington's Chocolate for Choice
Thursday, January 21, 7-9pm at Safeco Field
A
delicious evening of chocolate tasting in celebration of the 37th
anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Contest for best
chocolate and chocolatier, a
silent auction, and a live auction of cakes and chocolate displays.
Tickets here.
Moving Forward, Looking Back: Washington's First Women in Government
January 2010-December 2010 at the Office of the Secretary of State, Legislative Building, Olympia
This
exhibit showcases women who were first of their gender to be elected to
state-wide offices; images and biographies of these women and their
stellar achievements. A celebration of the Centennial of Women's
Suffrage in Washington State, is presented with the cooperation of the
Women's History Consortium. The exhibit will formally open with a program and reception on January 21 at 4:30 p.m.
in the lobby of the Secretary of State's office in the northwest
corner, second floor of the Legislative (Capitol) Building. More info here.
NWPC-WA Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 24, 3-5pm at the Mt Baker Community Center (see sidebar).
Women's Legislative Reception
Monday,
February 1, 4:30pm - 7:00pm at the Governor's Mansion in Olympia. Also
celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote and women's
participation in the political process!
NWPC-WA Strategy Meeting
Join
Caucus board members, friends, and interested parties for a working
strategy session on Sunday, Feb 7th (replaces regular state board
meeting) from 10am-1pm in Seattle. RSVP to Linda for location and directions.
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