Virtual Public Policy Days

presented by NAWBO’s Public Policy Forum

© Deborah Wilder, 2007 - Law Office of Deborah Wilder, 1200 Sixth Ave, Suite 200, Belmont, Ca 94002

What is Virtual Public Policy Days?

• Opportunity for NAWBO members to meet with their elected representatives in their local/home offices

• Discuss laws and regulations impacting bottom line profitability and ability to do business

Who can participate?

• All NAWBO members

• You don’t need to travel to Washington D.C. and miss days of work…

Everyone can be an advocate for their business!

Where does this take place?

• In your city, county, or local area

• Contact your elected official and set up an appointment

When will this happen?March 17-28, 2008 (Congress is in recess)

How does this work?

7 Easy Steps

1. Find other NAWBO members to join you or decide to go on your

own

2. Contact your local Congressional Office

• Ask to speak to Scheduling Secretary

• Introduce yourself and your business

• Explain you are a local business owner and a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners

• Request a meeting between March 17-28, 2008 to talk about small business issues impacting your business

2. Contact your local Congressional Office

What if I do not know my member of Congress?

• Go to www.house.gov

• Enter your home zip code

If you are going to call, mail or fax your request, send it to the local Congressional office, not the Washington, D.C. office, before March 1.

3. Get Informed• Go to NAWBO’s Web site (www.nawbo.org)

• Print out the information under the “Virtual Public Policy Days” link

sheet describing NAWBOset of documents describing NAWBO’s policy

positions on important issue

• Find out on what committees your Congress member serves and what bills or issues has he or she sponsored

4. Put NAWBO material in a simple folder

Include:Include:•Information about your Information about your

businessbusiness•Your business cardYour business card

5. Practice your presentation• You may only get 10-15 minutes

• Explain your business in just a few sentences

• Launch right into small business issues important to you as an advocate for NAWBO

What if I get asked questions and I do not know the answer?

• Write down the specific question or information they need

• Email that information to NAWBO at national@nawbo.org

• Include the question, member of Congress, and any staff person who needs to receive that follow-up information

6. Make sure to thank the member of Congress for his/her time

Follow up your visit with a thank you note summarizing the important issues and inviting the member of Congress to and inviting the member of Congress to keep you up to date on these issues.

* Your note should not be more than 1 page in length* Your note should not be more than 1 page in length

7. Complete a feedback sheet

• Go to NAWBO website, www.nawbo.org

• Complete the Virtual Public Policy Days feedback sheet

• E-mail or fax it back to NAWBO at national@nawbo.org; 202-747-0692 .

Will this really be effective?

Members of Congress want to hear from real

people, especially small business

owners.

Yes!Yes!

If you have the type of business that manufactures, builds things or has a

lot of employees or visual appeal, feel free to invite the member of

Congress to tour your facility

If you would like to get to know your member of Congress more, consider attending a small ticket fundraising event or offer to host a “coffee in your home” where you would invite your neighbors to attend.

Laws and regulations made in Washington, Laws and regulations made in Washington,

D.C. impact your business every day!D.C. impact your business every day!

Your voice does make a difference!Your voice does make a difference!

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

For more information, contact NAWBO:

703-506-3268

national@nawbo.org

www.nawbo.org