[WPA]WPA meeting

[wpa@ipepp.org]

WPA members,
     We held a meeting on Thursday June 2 at the Knitty Gritty Cafe.
In attendance: Kenna Hairgrove, Lysa Ringquest, and Amy Jacobson.  Several
members contacted WPA to say they would not be able to make the meeting.
    Discussion was held about the low attendance at the past several
meetings.  We came to a consensious that monthly meetings an hour and
a half to two hours in length is a better idea.  Teams would have more
time to meet between the larger meetings.  This will create WPA
meetings of more substance and direction.
    We have invited Ester Allen to lead a meeting on mission statement
development and planning.  We would like to establish a clear mission
for our organization.  That  meeting will be....

Tuesday June 22nd
7-9 pm
At the Knitty Gritty Cafe
on Main in Moorhead.

     Ms. Allen would like everyone in the write their vision for the WPA's
mission statement and bring it along as well as core values for the
organization.  Ester would like to know the number of people of
attending so please RSVP to Amy at wnrrv@wnrrv.org  or at 233-2737. 
If you are unable to attend we would still like your input.  Just
e-mail Amy your mission and anything else you would like to share.
     We will hold off on team meetings until after our mission is developed.
     Would also like to start working on meet and greets for the women
candidates to mingle with the community.  We would like to start
these events in July!
     PEPP will be hosting a political organizing workshop in July.  If you
are interested or have questions contact Lysa Ringquest at
lysa@pepp.org.

I am including the mission statements and guidelines for several political
women's organizations.   Reading what they are doing may help you write a
mission for WPA.

Thank you,
Amy Jacobson

MN Women’s Campaign Fund
Pipeline Committee Guidelines    Pursuant to Board policies:
 1.  Candidate funding requests are made on a case-by-case basis, taking
into account factors  such as:
 a.  the candidate’s need;
b.  likelihood of winning her race including the willingness and ability
to conduct a  good campaign;
 c.  the candidate’s potential as a future candidate;
d.  the candidate’s leadership on women’s issues and equal rights as
evidenced by  leadership positions held by the candidate;
 e.  nature of the opposition;
 f.  interest and knowledge in a broad spectrum of political, economic and
social  issues,
g.  support for Roe v. Wade and issues of reproductive choice; and
h.  a commitment to democratic principals and ethical process.
2.  Absent special circumstances, we will fund up to 25% of a candidate’s
total budget in the  Twin Cities metro area and up to 33% in greater
Minnesota.
3.  The Board does not make contributions to retire campaign debts.
4.  In a close race with an incumbent who has demonstrated a positive
voting record on  women’s issues, the Board may fund the incumbent and not
the challenger, or provide  only minimum funding for the challenger.
 5.  If an incumbent is not seriously challenged, the Board may provide
indicate approval  without providing funds or provide only minimal
support.
6.  If two viable newcomers are running against each other, the Board will
split the  maximum contribution for a single candidate between them.  The
Board may decide the  ratios of the split based in part on maintaining
party balance.  When two candidates  running for the same office meet all
Board funding criteria equally, the Board will either  support both or
neither.
7.  Funding may be targeted to particular races based on the following goals:
a.  supporting a pro-choice woman candidate so that she may obtain a
position of  power in dealing with women’s issues;
b.  supporting a woman candidate running against an incumbent with a
negative  voting record on women’s issues;
c.  supporting a woman candidate for an office that has never been held by
a  woman;
d.  supporting woman candidates in geographic areas where women have not
been  elected before.

NOW Guidelines
Rigorous Criteria
In addition to recommendations from state and local NOW chapters, NOW PACs
base their endorsements on a broad feminist agenda. No other PAC expects
its candidates to take strong stands on such a wide range of issues. These
issues include, but are not limited to:
• 	reproductive freedom without restriction
• 	 civil rights for all people—with emphasis on lesbian and gay rights
and racial justice
• 	moving women out of poverty through empowering, non-punitive welfare
policies
• 	 a constitutional amendment that guarantees women's equality,
reproductive rights and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation
• 	affirmative action ensuring equal opportunity for women and people of
color
• 	 ending violence against women
 After the elections, NOW follows up with the officials NOW PACs helped
elect to make sure they are meeting these commitments.
About NOW PACs
National NOW's political action committees put individual contributions
together to work for the best women's rights candidates. Which PAC you
choose to donate to depends on whether or not you're a NOW member and
whether you want to support national or state and local campaigns.
• 	 NOW Political Action Committee (NOW/PAC) supports feminist candidates
for federal office (U.S. House and Senate).
• 	 NOW Equality PAC (NEP) supports feminist candidates for state and
local office—governor, state legislature and city council, for example.
This PAC's work is crucial to protecting women's rights and filling up the
political pipeline with feminist supporters.
• 	 Since many NOW chapters sponsor their own local or state PACs, contact
your local chapter for detailed information about candidates for state and
local office.

Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus
Mission
The Minnesota Women's Political Caucus (MWPC) is a grassroots,
multipartisan organization of members throughout the state dedicated to
increasing the number of women in elected and appointed office by
identifying, recruiting, training and supporting pro-choice women
candidates.
MWPC seeks to be an expert resource for women in Minnesota and women
candidates supporting women's issues. Our goal is equality and equal
representation at all levels of government.

The White House Project
The White House Project (WHP) is a national, non-partisan organization
dedicated to advancing women's leadership across sectors and fostering the
entry of women into all positions of leadership, including the U.S.
presidency.
Does WHP support candidates?
No, WHP does not support candidates.
Why is it called The White House Project?
Americans have the perception that women have reached the top in all
fields, from business to education to politics, but in reality they
haven't. To challenge that misperception, The White House Project focuses
on the top spot in the country that has yet to be filled by a woman: the
presidency.
How does The White House Project advance women's leadership?
WHP is involved in a number of far-reaching strategies that encompass
research, national media campaigns, initiatives to encourage civic
engagement and measures to influence popular culture. WHP's programs are
designed to change the cultural climate so that it becomes commonplace and
normal in the eyes of the public and the press for women to be governors,
CEOs and president. These programs are designed to foster both immediate
and enduring change.
What kind of research does WHP do?
WHP conducts groundbreaking research on female candidates for elective
office, including studying how the press covers female candidates and how
often female experts and leaders appear on the Sunday morning political
talk shows. WHP's most recent research project studies the barriers and
opportunities women face in getting elected to office by analyzing a
number of political advertisements by female candidates from the last
decade to help them present themselves most effectively in ads.
Does WHP host events?
Yes, WHP has developed a series of events to engage the public in
discussion about women's leadership. For example, we host a forum that
brings together women business leaders to talk about the unique challenges
they face. WHP has also hosted a series featuring far-reaching, candid
discussions with high profile women leaders.

League of Women Voters
Our Mission
 The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization,
encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in
government, works to increase understanding of major public policy
issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Emily’s List
     EMILY's List members are dedicated to building a progressive America
by electing pro-choice Democratic women to office. We believe in the
power of women as candidates, as contributors, as campaign
professionals, and as voters to bring about great change in our
country.

When women are involved in the political process, our democracy is truly
representative. When women make policy, the needs of women and families
are not ignored. When women vote, Democrats -- who share our values and
priorities -- win.
     EMILY's List is committed to a three-pronged strategy to elect
pro-choice Democratic women: recruiting and funding viable women
candidates; helping them build and run effective campaign
organizations; and mobilizing women voters to help elect progressive
candidates across the nation.
     EMILY's List will win today and build for tomorrow. Our immediate
focus is to win elections to turn back the Bush Republicans and their
right-wing agenda. At the same time, we are making a long-term
investment in women to develop their political skills and cultivate
resources so that we can bring more women into politics and elected
office. Only then can we build a progressive majority and construct a
society built around equal opportunity for all, civil
rights, diversity, and compassion. 
     By working together, we can make a difference -- and change the face
of American politics.