New Hampshire Women's Political Network
March 12, 2004

Attending: Terri de Langis, Pat Yosha, Abbe Ross, Lucy Hodder, Kerri Champagne, Colleen Heffernan, Elizabeth Corell, Maggie Hassan, Renee Peterson

Current Initiatives:

• College Convention: Terri de Langis, Liz Wright, and Liz Hager participated in a college convention this past January. The discussion focused on the difficulties in implementing women's groups on campus. Commissioner Betsy Paine also sat on a panel discussion at Plymouth State College with Amanda Grady of CADSV, Sheila Evans of the Women's Lobby, and Representative Liz Hager. Also, Terri de Langis went to UNH for a Women's History Month celebration and suggested the possibility of the creation of a university women's political network.
• Marianne Jones brought up the idea that media coverage should highlight the positive aspects of women gaining leadership positions.
• Maggie Hassan brought up the idea of gender balance in politics. What is the basic message/goal of the New Hampshire Women's Political Network?
• Guide to Getting Appointed to NH Boards & Commissions / Talent Bank: the Commission on the Status of Women has acquired an intern who is working on this piece. Justin has been working with the Governor's office and collecting information on the appointment process in New Hampshire. He is now in the process of drafting a guide similar to the Vermont Commission's publication. Justin will assist with the marketing piece once the guide is complete. Also, another intern, Aaron, is reaching out to the Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women regarding their Talent Bank. The Commission hopes to implement a NH talent bank of women interested in serving on boards and commissions.
• NH Political Summit: Terri de Langis and Marianne Jones met with Anne Botteri of St. Anselm's College to discuss the possibility of a NH political summit. Anne Botteri is very interested and has several suggestions. She could put together a day of workshops for women in politics and policy. Would these be directed to students? Could the political network present break out groups similar to the October summit in Boston? We could use the five major goals of the political network as workshop topics. Anne Botteri would like to see something happen this fall. Possible speakers include Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Dole, and Jane Swift. The idea of having two events was discussed. We could support a September election event and then have a summit in 2005. Once Terri and Marianne touch base with Anne Botteri, more information and specifics can be gathered/reported.
• The idea of using this as a fundraising event for the political network was discussed. The funds could be used to create a nonprofit out of the network. Is this possible/worth it? How could this be done?
• We do not have to use the political network as a convening body. The network could be the umbrella for interested organizations. Lucy Hodder can look into membership organizations to get a sample structure.
• How can we draw people in to learn about self-advocacy? Kerri Champagne (CSW intern) stated that lower-income people are too busy living day by day to be involved unless you answer the question "what are you going to do for me?" It needs to directly affect their lives and the lives of their family.
• Candidate Training School: Abbe Ross met with Laura Simoes regarding a training school. Both Mini Timmaraju and Larua Simoes do not think that a bi-partisan training school will be a possibility this year. Mini is hosting an event with Senator Sylvia Larsen on training and strategizing. They will then host a Democratic candidate training school. Emily's List is hosting training in Vermont. Lucy Hodder suggested that the political network could support two trainings (one Democrat, one Republican). We may get a better response than if we had one bi-partisan training. Abbe will touch base with Mini.
• Terri de Langis asked if a one-page fact sheet could be created on how to run for office. Maggie Hassan thinks this can be done and will look into it. The fact sheet can then be posted to the web.
• The questions were asked: What can we give candidates? What can we give voters? Renee Peterson will check with the League of Women Voters to see what they do for women candidates.
• Maggie Hassan and Kerri Champagne discussed the possibility of creating a fact sheet for those interested in volunteering on campaigns. It would explain what the title 'volunteer' entails. Kerri will start this project with the help of Maggie Hassan.
• The Women's Fund and the CSW can create web links to help women register to vote.

The following topics will be discussed at the next meeting, May 18 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the law offices of Rath, Young and Pignatelli:

Get out the Vote
NH Political Summit
Guide to Appointment/Talent Bank
Girls in the House/Take Your Daughter to Work