Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
The KC-CWBO is a Coalition Partner with WIPP. We rely on WIPP as our primary point of contact to educate us about, get our opinions on, and keep us abreast of public policy issues at the federal level.

With a membership of 500,000, WIPP is the nation's largest bi-partisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women business owners and women in business on economic issues. WIPP and its Coalition Partners work as a single voice to strengthen our sphere of influence in the legislative process of our nation, to create economic opportunities, and to build bridges and alliances with businesswomen and small business organizations. WIPP is the trusted source for public policy education and "hands-on" advocacy training, resulting in more knowledgeable and politically savvy women throughout the country. Through WIPP, our collective voice makes a powerful impact on Capitol Hill and with the Administration.

Here's how WIPP works and the opportunities available to us:

Information: Leveraging the power of knowledge
WIPP provides unbiased information and real data necessary for members to make informed choices about current issues. Member input results in clear positions on targeted issues, and WIPP disseminates information about how specific legislation impacts our businesses. WIPP is the trusted source for public policy education and "hands-on" advocacy training, resulting in more knowledgeable and politically savvy women throughout the nation. WIPP provides the strategy, does the research, and marshals our arguments for the purpose of spreading our influence.

Influence: Strength in numbers
Once our strategy and position on an issue has been established, WIPP is ready to influence the political process. On Capitol Hill, one of the best ways to achieve and exercise influence is through sheer numbers, a proposition that WIPP understands. When WIPP members speak, people listen because we speak with one voice for 500,000 members. Collectively, WIPP is influential so that small businesses thrive and by extension, employees and dependents are protected.

Access: Enabling your voice to be heard by decision makers
Being armed with knowledge and backed by numbers is not the total picture of how WIPP makes the most of its influence. Simply stated, access to the right decision-makers at the right time is crucial. WIPP is the Capitol Hill "watch dog" on duty representing the interests of women business owners. As such, WIPP monitors and connects with the key decision-makers on an issue-by-issue basis so that when the timing is right, WIPP members are ready to act.

Information, Influence, and Access combine to create Clout!
Clout is being able to shape and influence legislation that directly affects our businesses; Clout is getting corporate board and political appointments; Clout is a seat at the table; Clout is being called on to testify on the Hill; Clout is impacting elections; Clout is being a recognized leader, locally and nationally; Clout is having strong, successful businesses!

WIPP is our conduit to collective clout because their success is our success!
Visit their website at www.wipp.org. Even better, plan to join KC-CWBO members at WIPP's next national event in Washington D.C.!

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
NAWBO is a 28-year old organization, with 85 chapters nationwide. NAWBO has a different agenda and format than we do, with their focus on leadership training and business management training. While they primarily attract and retain smaller businesses (as compared to our membership criteria,) they have been very influential over the years and still provide great education and leadership experience for??women business owners. Two examples:

1. From NAWBO came the first third-party, nationwide WBE certification. This now exists as a separate entity called National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC), and it is they who our organization has worked with in promoting certification and signing an agreement to provide WBE certification for the state of Missouri.
2. Out of NAWBO also came the first research organization focused solely on women and business. This also exists as a separate entity, called the Center for Women's Business Research (CWBR), and it is now the nation's leading research company regarding women business owners. We know it is important to support what has gone on before us, and to retain close ties to NAWBO, both locally and nationally. Our existence is mutually beneficial. That is why, as part of joining KC-CWBO, you are also supporting and joining NAWBO.

www.nawbo.org for the NAWBO national website;
www.nawbo-kc.org for the local Kansas City Chapter of NAWBO.