Permissible Activities Checklist for GFWC Clubs

Click here for the Legislation and Public Policy pages in Information Please.

Nonpartisan status means we do not support one party, person or issue.  Both sides of issues and all candidates for office must always be represented.  Clubs are encouraged to be involved using these guidelines.
 
Clubs can engage in nonpartisan voter education activity and in a limited amount of lobbying as defined by the IRS.
 
Clubs may:

• Engage in limited lobbying including work on ballot issues.
• Conduct nonpartisan public education and training sessions about participation in the political process
• Educate all the candidates on public interest issues
• Prepare candidate questionnaires and create voter guides
• Canvas the public on issues
• Sponsor candidate debates
• Conduct nonpartisan get-out-the-vote and voter registration drives

 
Clubs may NOT:

• Endorse candidates for public office
• Make any campaign contributions
• Make expenditures on behalf of candidates
• Increase the volume or amount of incumbent criticism as election time approaches
• Publish or communicate anything that explicitly or implicitly favors or opposes a candidate
• Allow use of club mailing list, copier or any club property to be used by a candidate

           
Clubs can participate in the GFWC Legislation and Public Policy Committee by:
 
Watching Washington
Each issue of Clubwoman's Magazine will feature the column Watching Washington. Check out the timely issues and keep your members informed.
 
Resolutions - Importance of identifying with GFWC Resolutions for Clubs to act on.
LegNet
Sign up to receive LegNet, an e-mail alert sent to GFWC members regarding legislative information related to our priority issues, usually with time-sensitive response opportunities.  Fill out the LegNet form and send it to GFWC Public Policy Director at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  You may also sign up online by visiting www.GFWC.org and clicking on "sign up for our mailing list."
 
GFWC Bills to focus on:

• Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
• Shingles Prevention Bill
• National Woman's History Museum in D.C.
• Heart Health

 
Write a letter
Organize letter-writing sessions on issues important to your members.  Remember when writing as members of a GFWC club, the issue must be covered under a GFWC Resolution.  Review our department listing of GFWC of Massachusetts Resolutions in our state manual, as well.  If you fax or email, put it in letter form. Request a response.  Call the office and speak with Chief of Staff.
 
Converse with local, county, State and Congressional Legislators
Invite local and county officials, state legislators, members of Congress to come
speak to your club.  Remind speakers that we are nonpartisan and request
that he/she speak on a particular topic.  Avoid the appearance of an "endorsement."
 
Meet with your legislator (and or staff members!)
Schedule a meeting through scheduler or office staff members. Office contact
information can be obtained from www.mass.gov  (General Court members)
A listing of state bills that have been filed can also be found at www.mass.gov
It is helpful to know the bill's name and number. Congressional members are listed at www.Senate.gov
and www.House.gov and information on congressional bills are on the internet at www.Thomas.Loc.gov by key word, name or number of bill.
 
Committee Meetings
Bills are assigned to committees for a hearing.  The public is invited to attend
committee hearings or to send testimony.  Sign in to speak for or against a
bill that is being heard.
 
Plan a "Legislation Day" at the State House

Karen O'Donnell
GFWC of Massachusetts Chairman
617/943-2682
Karen-Ibew@excite.com

www.GFWC.org                     www.GFWCMA.org                  www.GFWCMAJuniors.org