Women Impacting Public Policy
Mission
The Voice for Women in Business in our Nation’s Capital, Women
Impacting Public Policy, Inc. (WIPP) is a national nonpartisan public
policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women and
minorities in business in the legislative processes of our nation,
creating economic opportunities and building bridges and alliances to
other small business organizations. Through WIPP, our collective voice
makes a powerful impact on Capitol Hill and with the Administration.
WIPP Nonpartisan Policy Statement
WIPP is a nonpartisan organization which educates and advocates on
behalf of women and minorities in business. Since its inception in June
of 2001, WIPP has reviewed, provided input, and has taken specific
positions on many economic issues and policies which affect the bottom
line of our membership. The issues cover a broad range of current
legislation and/or policies such as affordable health care, leveling the
playing field for women-owned and minority-owned businesses, opening up
federal procurement policies for small businesses, the implementation
of well-established federal law which seeks to encourage women and
minorities in the marketplace, tax policies, energy, telecom, etc.
Matters which are not directly relevant to the economic health and
well-being of constituent businesses are not part of our agenda.
As an organization which represents over half a million members, we
have within our ranks Republicans, Democrats and independents, liberals,
conservatives and every variety of opinion. We urge and encourage our
members to become involved and politically active as their consciences
dictate, but these members do not speak for the organization or for its
positions.
Our organization surveys its membership on a regular basis to
determine which issues are priority issues for them, and we maintain
issue committees to review options and alternatives, and to advise on
legislation which meets the needs of our membership. In order to further
our objectives, we maintain relationships with all Members of Congress,
as well as the incumbent Administration, regardless of political
affiliation, and scrupulously maintain our nonpartisan approach.
Action Statement
WIPP educates women and minority business owners on economic policy
and current legislative initiatives that impact business health and
growth. Through its programming, they learn the tools necessary to
become advocates on issues that cover a broad range of current
legislation and policies, such as affordable health care, federal
procurement policies for small businesses, tax policies, energy,
telecom, etc. Matters which are not directly relevant to the economic
health and well-being of constituent businesses are not part of WIPP's
agenda. Its Government Relations team has a full-time presence on
Capitol Hill and conveys the direction and intent of WIPP's membership
to members of Congress.
WIPP represents over half a million members, and has within its ranks
republicans, democrats and independents, liberals, conservatives and
every variety of opinion. The membership is surveyed on a regular basis
to determine which issues are priority issues, and members work together
in issue-centric committees to research and advise WIPP's Government
Relations team.
WIPP activities specifically state that the organization does not
spend any funds for intervention in political campaigns of any kind. Its
primary activity is gathering information and disseminating it to
members, tracking and reviewing legislation concerning small business
owners, and informing its members of legislators' positions on issues.
Legislative Strategy
Our legislative strategy is to have the greatest possible impact
for small business owners. We focus on our economic principles and
craft a succinct small business message that we bring directly to
members of Congress, the White House and federal agencies. Your
guidance and advocacy efforts together with political reality allows us
to move our agenda forward effectively.
Policy on Campaign vs. Organizational Activities
All WIPP meetings are policy meetings and cannot cross over into
the campaign area. While elected officials and candidates running for
office may be invited to a WIPP meeting, they are invited only to
discuss policy issues, not to solicit for votes or to fundraise and they
are to be given clear guidelines to that effect. Frequently a candidate
will ask if they may remain after the meeting for a specific
fundraising event. In that instance the meeting invitation and agenda
must clearly state the time frame for the WIPP meeting with no mention
of the candidate's separate function. The candidate or an individual
must issue his/her own separate invitation for the campaign event.
Neither the candidate nor the member can issue a verbal invitation to
the campaign event to the participants at the WIPP meeting.
WIPP encourages its members to participate and to engage personally
in campaign activities and the political party of their choice, as they
feel appropriate, and to encourage friends/associates and other WIPP
members to attend events separate and apart from a specific WIPP event.
Our Reach
WIPP's advocacy work is conducted on behalf of our direct
membership, our 49 coalition partner organizations and its total reach
extends to well over half a million women business owners.
WIPP Diversity Statement
Diversity is a core value belief, found in every great
organization, which permeates its business ethos, and sets forth a
standard of excellence. Diversity is appreciated and valued at leading
companies, for it brings them a richness of talent, market share,
thought, vision, action and innovation. Diversity is demonstrated
consistently by respect for all employees, as well as customers,
vendors, suppliers and associates.
