Lobby Days Across the Nation!     4/21/2008
By Leslie Steddenbenz

Concerned Women for America (CWA) of California is sponsoring Lobby Day 2008: A Day of Influence in Sacramento, California, on April 28, 2008. Participants will hear pro-family perspectives from legislators and policy experts, learn about the legislative and the lobbying process, and make their voice heard through meetings with legislators and staff. CWA of California will meet for the morning educational session at the Sheraton Grand, and will spend the afternoon lobbying legislators at the Capitol. Penny Harrington, CWA of California's Director of Legislation, remarks, "This event offers an opportunity to see inside the political process. Participants will gain insight from classroom instruction and updates from the policymakers themselves, plus they'll actually walk the halls of the Capitol, meeting and influencing the people who make the decisions."

The morning session will consist of several speaking guests and informational sessions. Guest legislators Senator Bob Margett (R-29) and Assemblywoman Audra Strickland (R-37) will update participants on their current legislation. Kevin Snider, Chief Counsel of the Pacific Justice Institute, will discuss cases they are handling that relate to CWA's six core issues, specifically religious liberty and education. Penny Harrington will lead an interactive presentation on how a bill becomes a law. CWA of California State Director Phyllis Nemeth states, "Before lunch, we will do a role play so that those who lobby in the afternoon will have an idea of what they can expect and what should occur during their meetings with legislators or staff members."

A Presence in Iowa
Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Iowa also held several "Learn to Lobby" days while the Iowa state legislature was in session this year. CWA of Iowa led training in and around the Capitol to familiarize volunteers with the layout and the legislative process. Tamara Scott, State Director for CWA of Iowa, says, "Our presence at the Capitol gives CWA the ability to observe firsthand if pertinent legislation is coming to debate or if action needs to be taken and CWA members need warning through our e-alert system."

After training, CWA of Iowa asked graduates to consider three levels of volunteer service. Mrs. Scott explains, "We ask individuals who are interested in joining our Lobby Team to fill out the application form and reference sheets and commit to two hours per week at the State House. At the second level, we ask volunteers to come and lobby whenever we have a pressing issue or when they have time in their schedule and can come. The third level is lobbying from home now that they know how to go online and follow legislation or listen to live audio of Senate and House chambers."

To get involved in CWA of California, go to california.cwfa.org or e-mail director@california.cwfa.org. To get involved in CWA of Iowa, simply point your browser to iowa.cwfa.org or e-mail director@iowa.cwfa.org. To get involved with one of our other fine state organizations, please visit the CWA in the States site.

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