Permissible Activities Checklist for GFWC Clubs

Click here for the Public Policy and Legislation guide in the 2012-2014 GFWC Club Manual.
Click here for the Public Policy and Legislation pages in Information Please.

Click here for information on Day at the Statehouse!

More than 100 years of GFWC advocacy has garnered such results as child labor laws, women’s suffrage, pure food and drug statutes, rights for people with disabilities, and domestic violence programs. Today, GFWC extends this record of national significance with an organized and effective framework.
Our goals include:

• Educating members about the political process, policy issues, and pending legislation.
• Encouraging civic engagement among members.
• Mobilizing members to advocate for GFWC policy priorities.

Only with a resolution on the books can GFWC and GFWC of Massachusetts advocate for or against an issue. Resolutions can be used as tools for advocating important issues at the local, state, and national levels. If a particular subject is not addressed by a resolution, members cannot use GFWC’s support to advocate for or against the issue, but may advocate as concerned individuals.

Advocacy Do’s and Don’ts
Do:

• Advocate for various bills, issues, and ballot measures.
• Volunteer and attend voter registration drives.
• Hold nonpartisan public education sessions about political issues.
• Sponsor candidate forums, ensuring that all candidates are formally invited to  participate.
• Educate all candidates on GFWC and GFWC of Massachusetts Resolutions.

Don’t:

• Endorse or oppose a candidate or political party.
• Oppose GFWC Resolutions.*
• Use official club funds, facilities, in-kind donations, publications, or activities on behalf of a candidate or political party.
• Ask candidates to sign a pledge on any issue.
• Increase the volume or amount of incumbent criticism as election time approaches.

*A State Federation that has a differing opinion on any adopted resolutions may register a minority opinion with GFWC. If a State Federation takes legislative action on an issue that it has a minority opinion on, it must clearly state that its action represents the GFWC minority vote.

The 2012-2014 GFWC Club Manual contains much helpful information including the following:

• Tips for Calling your Legislator’s Office
• Tips for Writing your Legislator
• Tips for Meeting with your Legislator

Please refer to that as well as the GFWC of Massachusetts Manual for additional information regarding the origination and use of Resolutions.