Lobby Days

AAUW FL Public Policy is Preparing for Lobbying

At Home

The week of February 23 has been designated as Lobby at Home Week. Branches should plan to send delegations to local legislators during this week. Position papers and talking points will be provided. This is your chance to let your local legislators know where you stand even if you cannot travel to Tallahassee.

In Tallahassee

March 17-19, 2025

Public Policy is Preparing for Lobbying (i.e. taking action in Florida to influence legislation).  Lobby Days in Tallahassee this year will be March 18th and 19th. We will arrive on Monday March 17th, have a last-minute training in the evening, and visit our legislators during Tuesday and Wednesday morning. We have been told that visiting the legislators in person is very effective to let them know what we support or oppose. Previous lobbyists have enjoyed working with colleagues and seeing how things work at the Capitol. The Public Policy Committee will provide position papers and talking points on all the bills we will support or oppose.

The hotel will be TRYP by Wyndham on I-10 and the cost per night including taxes and fees will be $159.85. AAUW Florida offers partial subsidies for travel, hotel (half the cost), meals, and transportation from the hotel to the Capitol.

If you are interested in lobby days:

For more information contact:

Pat Dewitt, Ph. D., AAUW FL Co-Director for Public Policy

Ensure legislators understand AAUW issues

Meeting with legislators is an effective and exciting way to make sure they understand AAUW positions on our priority issues. And there’s strength in numbers. That’s why AAUW Florida sponsors Lobby Days each year, encouraging branches throughout the state to participate. 

The pandemic meant scheduling visits virtually in 2021 and 2022. But in 2023, we were back in person in Tallahassee, March 13-15, near the start of the legislative session. Branches represented were Tampa, St. Augustine, Venice, New Smyrna Beach, and Jacksonville.  An AAUW Florida State member also participated.  

Our public policy committee selects priority legislation each year and publishes talking points for attendees, and conduct training sessions.  Priorities for 2023 were economic security, education and civil rights. Read a summary of priority legislation here. Click each item in the list below to read talking points for specific legislation.

Continue to advocate for gender equity

Lobby Days are over till next year, but that doesn’t mean advocacy efforts should end. In preparation for attending Lobby Day, participants did their homework. You can use the same preparations and get in touch with your legislators any time. You don’t have to wait till next year’s Lobby Days. 

  • Identify your legislators, and call or email them or their legislative aides to arrange meetings.   
  • Review our positions for the top priority bills on our 2023 legislative agenda and talking points.
  • Review the AAUW Public Policy Advocacy Toolkit for tips on meetings with legislators, and more.
  • Give legislators information about AAUW when you contact them. The state public policy committee will provide guidance.    
  • Sign up to be a Two-Minute Activist.    
  • Review AAUW Quick Facts.   

                  Lobby Days 2024                   

Members Shared Our Mission in Tallahassee

AAUW FL Co-Director for Public Policy, Pat DeWitt, and a group of AAUW FL members spent January 15 – 17 in Tallahassee for Lobby Days!  We carried our message to our own legislators and visited supportive legislators with thanks and enjoyed dinner together. The Naples, Vero Beach, Gainesville, Palm Beach and Jacksonville branches were represented.

AAUW FL Delegation at Lobby Days 2024

Rose Llanos with Leisa Wiseman and FL lobby members

FL AAUW Lobby Members with Representative Eskamani

 

                           

 

 

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