This document discusses the Society of Women Engineers' (SWE) involvement in public policy and advocacy. It provides examples of SWE committees that advocate for policies supporting women in engineering, such as promoting STEM education and recognition of women engineers. It also describes SWE's advocacy training modules and activities, including an annual Capitol Hill Day where members can advocate directly with legislators. The document outlines SWE's public policy positions and partnership with a Washington representative to monitor relevant policy developments and support the society's advocacy efforts.

1. What is SWE doing in
Public Policy?
Elizabeth Bierman
GRPP Coordinator

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– SWE will advocate for the inclusion and success of women, present
and prospective, in engineering and technology.
Examples in SWE:
• Government Relations & Public Policy Committee
• Advocates for policies and laws friendly to women engineers with the federal government
• Trains SWE members to advocate for these policies
• Outreach Committee
• Advocates for a positive impression of engineering as a career among young women and girls and their
parents and educators
• Trains SWE members to be outreach advocates
• Awards Committee
• Advocates for the recognition of women engineers
• Corporate Partners Council
• Forum for advocating for women engineers and SWE with employers
SWE Advocacy

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THE ADVOCACY MODULES
SWE Advocacy 201 focuses on
efforts in Washington, DC, giving
members a look at the Governmental
Relations and Public Policy (GRPP)
Committee and how they, too, can
get involved
SWE Advocacy 101 provides
insight on advocacy at the basic
level – providing members
information on how they can
advocate themselves

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SWE Advocacy 101
Raising SWE Awareness in Your Community

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SWE Advocacy 101
Raising SWE Awareness in Your Community

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Why Advocate? Media Campaign
A monthly advocacy blog featuring SWE members.
#whyadvocate

7. ADVOCATE THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY

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How did SWE get involved in public policy?
• SWE became actively engaged in public policy a
decade ago with the publication of two important
position statements:
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative
Action
• Application of Title IX to STEM
• Statements have been added on STEM education
and most recently, work-life integration
These can be viewed on the SWE website

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What does SWE do to promote these positions?
• Through the GRPP and several HQ-based initiatives,
SWE supports a number of activities to help educate the
public about the issues that affect the success of women
engineer:
• Sponsors Annual Capitol Hill Day – Congressional visits to bring our
messages directly to our legislators
• Published a self-paced advocacy module for members, which
contains information on public policy advocacy
• Promotes SWE positions through social media, SWE All Together,
and our recently launched Legislative Action Center.
• Provides advocacy and public policy materials on the web to help
individual SWE members who want to advocate for women in
engineering.

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Work Life Integration Position Paper at SWE.org
SWE Position Statement on
Work & Life Integration
Policies
SWE General Position
Statement on the Need for
Work & Life Integration
Policies to Retain Women in
STEM

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Washington Partners, LCC
SWE has signed a contract with Washington Partners, LCC (WPLCC) to act as our
Washington Representative. They will be focused on three key areas:
• Monitor developments and events of interest and inform SWE and its members.
• Advise SWE on when and how to convey interests and concerns to lawmakers on
various policies important to the society
• Support SWE’s Capital Hill Event in March

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SWE Capitol Hill Day – March 2-3, 2016
SWE sponsors a multi-agency annual Congressional visit
event, which includes:
• Training for meeting with Congressional representatives
• Reception and breakfast with inspirational speakers
• Meetings with representatives
It is fun, exciting, and feels good to personally advocate for
STEM and women in engineering.
YOU can make a difference!

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SWE Capitol Hill Day – Meeting Your Representatives
• Most meetings are with staffers, not with actual representatives.
• Staffers are friendly but usually on tight schedules.
• Meetings are as brief as 10 minutes, as long as 30 minutes. Be prepared to make your
case quickly.
– Review materials on the SWE website and what is provided in the training packet prior to the visit.
– Practice what you will say.
– Leave a packet (provided by SWE) behind with your contact info.
• It is okay to follow-up later if you don’t know the answer to a question!

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Legislative Action Center
You can use the Legislative Action Center to find information about your elected
officials (Congressional Delegates and State Legislature)
• Office Information
• Bio
• Staff
• Committees

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Legislative Action Center
You can use the Legislative Action Center to:
• Make appointments with Legislators
• Write your Legislators

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Legislative Action Center – Easy and Quick!

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SWE Advocacy 201
Government Relations and Public Policy

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SWE Advocacy 201
Government Relations and Public Policy

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Government Relations and Public Policy
All Together Blogs and Quarterly Newsletter
Updates on legislation from
Washington Partners, LCC.
The GRPP committee has
issued the first quarterly
Government Relations and
Public Policy – Advocacy
Spotlight.

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What is Next in Advocacy/Public Policy?
Why Advocate Webinars and Podcasts
In the next few months we will start featuring members in webinars
and podcasts sharing their advocacy experiences.
Social Media
Promotion of #WhyAdvocate in social media (Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram)
Advocacy Webpage
Develop a SWE Advocacy webpage that features advocacy tools and
resources. Resources that have been previously developed by
committees will need to be relocated out of the SWE communities
and SWE resources.