THE NWPC IS A PROUD PARTNER OF THE WOMEN’S MARCH ON WASHINGTON!
We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society! Together, on January 21st, we will send a message, that women’s rights are human rights and we will NOT stand for anything less.
After this past election, there has never been a greater need to come together and march for equality and justice. We will take the streets stronger together, marching in solidarity to amplify the voices of the under-represented and to support the protection of all human rights. Everyone is encouraged to attend, so please join us for this historic event!
Plan now to attend State Board activities and meeting in Sacramento February 1-5.
The first in-person state board meeting of the year will take place February 3-5 – Friday evening through Sunday midday—in Sacramento—and we hope it will give a strong start to the year.
The Board meeting itself will open Friday evening with an informal dinner at one of Sacramento’s great downtown restaurants. We will meet all day Saturday with at least part of the day being a planning retreat—getting a firm fix on what our priorities need to be in 2017-18 and figuring out how to carry them out. The business sessions will also continue Sunday and adjourn midday.
Saturday evening, the Sacramento Caucus will co-sponsor a fundraiser with the state—the location and program are still to be decided but we hope to have appearances by elected women from the local area, and maybe a surprise or two. This fundraiser is a key icebreaker for the board and all who attend the board meeting are cordially invited to the party.
In addition to the board meeting itself, NWPC-CA leadership will be using the timing of the meeting to try to build connections that will help expand women’s representation in office. On Wednesday evening, Feb. 1, California Women Lead—a nearly 40-year-old organization representing elected and appointed women and their supporters will hold its annual Legislative Reception—a major draw for legislators and legislative staff. NWPC members who want to come early to Sacramento can register for the reception at this link: Legislative Reception.
On Thursday, Feb. 2, NWPC will be setting up meetings with key women legislators to discuss the issue priorities for the women’s caucus in the new legislative session, and to discuss ways we can help. We will also be looking for ideas on reversing the downward trend of women in the legislature—from 31% in 2006 to 22.5% in 2017. Any member who can get to Sacramento will be welcome to join us.
Updates from Incoming President, Karen Humphrey
New state board marks New Year:
The newly-elected California NWPC State Board began work in January for the period 2017-18. The officers and board members elected at the November meeting in San Jose are: President-Karen Humphrey, Sacramento; Vice-President for Political Action, Karriann Farrell Hinds, LA Westside; Vice-President for Education and Training, Sherri Loveland, Orange County; Treasurer-Justine Quinones, Orange County; National Representative-Marguerite Cooper, Greater Pasadena; and Communications Director-Angelica Ramos, Silicon Valley.
Positions that remain vacant are Secretary, Fundraising Chair, Finance Chair, Membership Chair, Northern Regional Director, and Southern Regional Director. Recruiting is underway to fill these vacancies; if you are interested, please contact president@nwpcca.org. In addition, each local caucus is selecting its state representatives, who will also serve on the board.
The board wants to encourage members to consider service on the state board—either in one of the vacant positions, or by running to be their local’s state board representative. The board meets monthly, mostly by conference call, as well as three in-person meetings around the state during the year.
New organizational leadership for NWPC-CA:
In an effort to strengthen its statewide capacity and visibility, NWPC-CA recently opened a state office in Santa Ana. Part of the reason was to allow recruitment and assignment of more interns to assist in the many tasks of administration, outreach and communications, event planning and the like.
In another step forward, President Sherri Loveland has agreed to serve as a volunteer Executive Director for the Caucus, working out of that office to keep state activities running smoothly. Sherri has worked hard for several years to increase NWPC-CA’s capacity and our collaboration with other organizations which support women’s issues. She will also continue her leadership in the Orange County caucus and serve as state Vice-President for Education and Training.
The board and Sherri will work out the logistics of her role and the office operations over the coming weeks, including hours when the office will be open and specific assignments to interns. Stay tuned—and if you see or talk to Sherri, thank her for her dedication to the Caucus!
