2007

Grassroots Lobby Days 2007 was a huge success with more than 225 Nevada women and men participating in the three-day March event in Carson City. Over 35 groups and organizations were represented, from social work students to AARP members. They journeyed from 19 different Nevada cities and towns to our state capitol to learn about and get involved in Nevada’s law making process.

Some comments by attendees:

2005

Over 200 citizens attended NWL’s Grassroots Lobby Days in Carson City in March 2005. At least half were college students from the Boyd School of Law, UNR, UNLV and Great Basin Community College. This nonpartisan group, primarily Nevada women, journeyed from sixteen cities and towns to our state capitol to learn about and get involved in their law making process.

GLD participants, ranging in age from 20 to 80 and representing over 30 different groups, attended workshops on hot topics in this legislative session and received tips from panels of lobbyists and legislators on how to lobby their issues. Several sat with their assemblypersons during the floor session; some met with their representatives one-on-one or in small groups; and some students testified before committees.

Attendees gathered at an evening reception sponsored by AARP, where First Lady Dema Guinn and sixteen senators and assemblypersons joined them for good food and conversation.

Since Lobby Days, participants have continued their involvement by doing research on issues before the legislature and testifying before committees. One attendee is exploring the creation a new NWL region in Elko (for information, call Carol Snyder at (775)777-0949.) Some comments by attendees:

"I did meet with my legislator & sat on the floor with him. It was a wonderful experience."

"Watching the debates and the decision making first hand was such an incredible experience." After this experience I learned I could become an unpaid registered lobbyist. So, I registered..."

"Less than a month after attending GLD I testified during an assembly subcommittee about an issue dear to my heart, NEW Leadership Nevada."

NWL thanks all the co-sponsors, attendees, speakers, scholarship donors and volunteers who made Grassroots Lobby Days a success. Event co-sponsors:

AARP Nevada, AAUW of Nevada, Committee to Aid Abused Women, Family and Child Treatment of Southern Nevada, Greater Nevada School Counselors Association, League of Women Voters of Nevada and of Las Vegas Valley, National Association of Social Workers - Nevada Chapter, Nevada Nurses Association, Nevada Women’s Agenda, PLAN, Planned Parenthoods of Mar Monte and of Southern Nevada, Reno Association for the Education of Young Children, Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas, Southwest Gas.

2003

Some comments from 2003 participants:

"As a scholarship recipient of Grassroots Lobby Days and a graduate of law school, I found this seminar to be one of the most effective and inspiring of all the seminars I attended in the past (including my law school education). All speakers were interesting, fully knowledgeable about their subjects and most importantly, accessible to talk to following the seminars. I feel that all college and law students (both men and women) should be required to attend Grassroots Lobby Days as part of their college curriculum. "

"As a newcomer this has been an extraordinary session that provided clarity and an education for me prior to going to the legislative sessions. This will not be my last time attending."

More than 160 people joined the legislative process during Grassroots Lobby Days in March. Sunday sessions provided information about tax reform, economic justice, reproductive healthcare and other issues important to Nevada families. Senator Valerie Weiner and Assemblywomen Barbara Buckley, Vonne Chowning and Sheila Leslie educated participants about how constituents can most effectively work with legislators to influence public policy.

On Monday and Tuesday, attendees flooded the halls of the legislature, packing committee hearings, attending the general sessions and meeting with their representatives. At Monday’s lunch with legislators, Melanie Nathanson from the national Center on Budget and Policy Priorities spoke on the problem of healthcare, nationally and in Nevada.

Thank you to all the participants, speakers, co-sponsors, scholarship donors and volunteers who made Grassroots Lobby Days 2003 a success. Special thanks to AARP for their generous grant.

2001

Sixty-one organizations were represented at NWL's 2001 Grassroots Lobby Days, as co-sponsors, supporters, planners or participants, and over 150 individuals attended. Grassroots training began Sunday, covering health care access, integration of the child welfare system, fair pay, funding for education and reciprocal beneficiaries." Following a networking lunch, attendees heard from a panel of women legislators on how to best communicate with legislators and how we can work together to pass legislation beneficial to women and families." A dinner and entertainment allowed time with old friends and new. AAUW Nevada arranged a Monday breakfast where training and tours were offered." Attendees spent the day attending and sometimes participating in hearings on pertinent issues, and observing the floor sessions of the Senate and Assembly." Many participants arranged meetings with their own legislators on Monday and Tuesday to discuss issues and bills." Small group orientations and discussions around specific bills were held informally Monday and Tuesday." Legislators were invited to join the group for a luncheon featuring national speakers on youth and violence, Alex Aitcheson and Howard Haas, a highlight of this year's Grassroots Lobby Days." Tuesday featured additional hearings and meetings and a luncheon sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers. Grants from PLAN and Nevada Bell funded participant scholarships, the luncheon speakers, and the publishing of the Nevada Women's Agenda"

1999

Coordinated by the Nevada Women’s Lobby, the steering committee included: American Association of University Women, Lighthouse, Lutheran Advocacy Ministries," Maternal and Child Health Coalition, National Association of Social Workers, Nevada Chapter, Nevada Business and Professional Women, Northern Nevada Women’s Political Caucus," Planned Parenthood Mar Monte," Step 2." Additional organization co-sponsoring the event were Child Assault Prevention; League of Women Voters; Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence; Nevada Nurses Association; Nevada Woman; Nevada State Education Association; Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada; Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada; Planned Parenthood of Rocky Mountains; Soroptimist International of Carson City. "Sunday morning opened with a workshop “Strength in Unity” with panelists, Bob Fulkerson, Jan Gilbert and Bree Carlson, from PLAN." After a networking lunch, Kathy England, Attorney at Law, and" Allison Gaulden of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, presented “Chipping Away at Choice,” a discussion of reproductive choice issues." This was followed by three mini-sessions on “Hot Issues and Cool Action: on three topics:" Mary Peterson, State Superintendent of"Public Instruction, and Debbie Cahill, lobbyist for NSEA, on Education; Jon Sasser, Advocate for Legal Services and Anne Cory, Human Services Consultant, on Health Care; Brian Lahren, Exec. Director of WARC, and Dave Kaul, case manager at TruVista on Mental Health/Substance Abuse." The afternoon concluded with a presentation on “Effective Grassroots Advocacy” by Michigan legislator Pan Godchaux, and Kimberly Robson, WAND." The evening dinner was a time for relaxation and renewal as we all enjoyed “Scenes from Parallel Lives, a Comedy about Women’s Lives. "Monday and Tuesday were at the Legislature observing and testifying at many legislative committee hearings and observing the Assembly and Senate floor sessions." This year the participants were scheduled to meet with key legislators and committee chairs to discuss specific legislation, including mental health parity and contraceptive equity." A luncheon with legislators was held at the Golden Nugget with featured guest speaker Pan Godchaux, Michigan State Representative and WAND board member, speaking on “Women Take Action” regarding a feminist budget." Special events were: Monday breakfast hosted by AAUW Nevada; Tuesday breakfast hosted by Nevada Nurses Association; and Tuesday lunch arranged by NASW, Nevada Chapter."

1997

Ten organizations formed the Steering Committee for Grassroots Lobby Days:" American Association of University Women; Business and Professional Women/USA, Nevada; Campaign for Choice; Girl Scout Councils of Nevada; League of Women Voters of Nevada; Maternal and Child Health Coalition of Northern Nevada; National Association of Social Worker, Nevada Chapter; Nevada Women’s Political Caucus; Planned Parenthoods in Nevada; and Soroptimist International, Sierra Nevada Region; Nevada Women’s Lobby coordinated the planning and the event." Twenty organizations signed on as co-sponsors and over 180 people attended. Sunday began with an interactive workshop, “Communicating Across Barriers,” followed by a panel of legislative lobbyists with tips for successful lobbying." The day concluded with “Developing a Feminist Budget,” a workshop presented by highly talented trainers from Just Economics who guided us through the state budget, demonstrating how it can be more responsive to women and families." At lunch, Becky Cain, National President of League of Women Voters, presented an analysis of the women’s vote in the 1996 elections." The day ended with lighting of Luninaria and reading the names of those honored by the lighting ceremony. Training continued on Monday with orientation programs and issue workshops on campaign reform, domestic violence, health care reform, and reproductive choice." We attended legislative committee hearings, with some participants providing testimony, and we observed the general sessions." Our networking lunch featured Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa as guest speaker and we entertained legislators at dinner with comedienne Kat Simmons. "Tuesday was less structured, with the focus on committee hearings and appointments with legislators." Grassroots Lobby Days participants and legislators were invited to a continental breakfast hosted by Nevada Nurses Association, and a “soup kitchen” lunch hosted by NASW Nevada Chapter.

1995

Nevada Women’s Lobby coordinated the planning for Grassroots Lobby Days with the following organizations comprising the Steering Committee:" American Association of University Women, Nevada; Business and Professional Women/USA, Nevada; Campaign for Choice; Child Care Alliance; League of Women Voters of Nevada; Nevada Women’s Political Caucus; Planned Parenthood of Northern Nevada and Soroptimist International, Sierra Nevada Region." Twenty-one organizations co-sponsored the event, and over 150 people attendee, representing 55 organizations. "This year, Grassroots Lobby Days began on Sunday, March 12 with another outstanding advocacy workshop by Nancy Amidei followed by panel discussions of hot topics for the legislative session: Family Violence, Children, Reproductive Choice, Families in Poverty, and Substance Abuse. "Activities over the next two days included attending committee hearings and legislative sessions, tours of the State Library and Archives, the State Supreme Court, and the Nevada State Museum, as well as meetings with constitutional officers." Monday’s lunch at the Ormsby House was an empowering event, when sponsors and participating organizations introduced themselves." We returned that evening to the Ormsby House for a reception and dinner with legislators." The program “A discussion of Family Values” featured Karen Bell, speaking on the dangers of parental involvement laws regarding abortion." The luncheon on Tuesday was a box lunch at Nevada State Library with networking and table topics for discussion. "Another huge success, Grassroots Lobby Days continues to emphasize the inter-relationship of issues affecting women, children and families."

1993

Building on the success of Grassroots Lobby Days at the 1991 Legislative Session, the second Grassroots Lobby Days was held March 8-9, 1993." The Nevada Women’s Lobby invited Coordinating Council participants to help, expanding the steering committee to include:" American Association of University Women of Nevada, Business and Professional Women/USA of Nevada, Campaign for Choice, League of Women Voters of Nevada, Planned Parenthood of Northern Nevada, Nevada Women’s Political Caucus, and Soroptimist International of Carson City. New programs included a seminar on legislative advocacy featuring public policy specialist Nancy Amidei from the University of Washington, and issues workshops to prepare us to visit the legislature." Two luncheons and a dinner with legislators were held, and the two-day event concluded with a reception at the Governor’s Mansion." Also featured was a solidarity rally for women’s rights with guest speaker Sharon Schuster, AAUW National President." The dinner program focused on child abuse and neglect, with a graphic slide presentation by Dr. William Torch, a Reno pediatric neurologist." More than one hundred seventy women and men attended, representing fifty-five organizations from around the state.

1991

In March 1991, the Nevada Women’s Lobby organized its first Grassroots Lobby Days, Two Days at the Legislature in Carson City, for individuals and organizations interested in issues affecting women and children." Other organizations involved in planning the March 11-12, 1991 event were American Association of University Women of Nevada, Nevada Federation of Business and Professional Women, Campaign for Choice, Planned Parenthood of Northern Nevada, and Women’s Political Caucus." In addition, representatives of the following groups took part in the events:" Association of Children for the Enforcement of Child Support, League of Women Voters, Nevada Alliance for Children, Nevada Law Foundation, Nevada Legal Services, Nevada Literacy Coalition, Nevada National Organization for Women, Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence, Nevada State Education Association, Nevada State Parent Teachers Association, Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, Pro-Choice Advocacy, Reno Commission on the Status of Women, Reno Women’s Civic Club, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Soroptimist International of Carson City and Greater Las Vegas, Truckee Meadows Human Services Association, and Women’s Issues of Nevada." One hundred twenty-seven people attended. That year we were honored to have Sue Wagner, Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, as featured speaker for the Legislator’s Dinner."" In addition to committee hearings and general sessions at the legislature, an orientation was conducted by former State Senators Jean Ford and Helen Foley." There were tours of state facilities, meeting with state officials, and a networking lunch to bring us all together. The Grassroots Lobby Days experience generated interest in continuing networking between legislative sessions and Coordinating Councils were formed in Northern and Southern Nevada." Coordinating Council is a “roundtable” of organizations interested in women and children’s issues." We share concerns and legislative programs as well as plan strategies for success for our legislative issues. "