Founded in 1975, Women in Government Relations, Inc. (WGR) is an American non-profit, non-partisan government relations associations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. WGR is “committed to the advancement of women at all career levels of government relations.” WGR’s over 750 members include women and men at all professional levels representing corporations, trade associations and professional societies, law firms, lobbying firms, non-profit groups and federal, state and local governments. A number of female U.S. Senators participate in WGR as Emeritus members.
Contents
- WGR Task Forces and Working Groups
- Energy Environment Task Force
- Health Social Policies Task Force
- Homeland Security Task Force
- PACs Politics Grassroots Task Force
- Transportation Infrastructure Task Force
- Education Task Force
- State Relations Working Group
- Telecommunications Technology Working Group
- References
WGR Task Forces and Working Groups
WGR hosts regular briefings, round table and panel discussions as well as brown bag luncheons with policymakers and other government affairs professionals, organized through special task forces and working groups focused on major issue areas. New working groups are formed based on the interests of the membership.
Energy & Environment Task Force
The Energy & Environment Task Force focuses on current events and trends affecting energy and environmental policy. The task force brings together industry, government, and public interest stakeholders for activities like panel discussions, presentations or networking events. Energy & Environment often coordinates with other WGR task forces in order to present the issues in a broad political and policy context. Past Energy & Environment events include a seminar on the implications of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and a luncheon with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers who sits on the House Natural Resources Committee.
Health & Social Policies Task Force
The Health & Social Policies Task Force is composed of members from the public and private sectors who share a common interest in shaping health care and social policy. By bringing together congressional, federal agency, and health care industry leaders, the task force provides all WGR members with networking and educational opportunities. In addition to regulatory briefings and networking events, at the beginning of each year, the Health & Social Policies Task Force conducts an annual House and Senate Congressional staff panel to discuss the upcoming legislative cycle.
Homeland Security Task Force
The Homeland Security Task Force’s mission is to provide information and networking opportunities with key Congressional and Administration Members and staff, on a broad cross section of homeland security issues. Task force events include discussions with key members of Congress with homeland security oversight such as House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson. The Task Force has also hosted events with several relevant Administration officials on pressing issues such as reorganization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); chemical security regulations, intelligence and information sharing, border security, terrorism prevention and more. In addition, the Task Force plans activities with members of the media who cover homeland security and with Congressional staff.
PACs, Politics & Grassroots Task Force
The PACs, Politics & Grassroots Task Force provides WGR members with career enhancement opportunities through a variety of professional development and networking activities. WGR’s annual PACs & Grassroots Conference instructs attendees on how to start or grow a PAC, develop a grassroots campaign, and add contacts to their network. This task force has hosted events such as “An Election Preview” with Charlie Cook, as well as “5 months to Election Day: Make Your GOTV Count.”
Transportation & Infrastructure Task Force
The Transportation Task Force is composed of women transportation professionals. The task force invites Members of Congress and Agency officials who are in the midst of high profile transportation initiatives to speak and answer questions at breakfast and lunch events throughout the year. Some of the recent events include a breakfast with Maria Cino, Acting Secretary of the Department of Transportation; a budget briefing with Phyllis Scheinberg, CFO of the Department of Transportation, and events with Representatives John Mica and Steven La Tourette of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Education Task Force
The Education Task Force seeks to help WGR Members enhance knowledge of education issues, provide a forum for discussion, expand their network, expose them to practitioners in schools and districts, and introduce them to new technologies and tools that can improve their effectiveness and efficiency. This new group will offer services, special events, and analysis that focus on major educational policies including pre-K, ESEA, HEA, educational research programs, and address topics such as child nutrition, juvenile delinquency, the student loan crisis, high school reform and other areas of interest to the community.
State Relations Working Group
The State Relations Working Group provides a forum for individuals with interest and experience in State Government Affairs to share knowledge, gain new information and perspective, and network. This group invites experts in the field, including members of State Houses and state legislative groups, to participate in panel discussions, roundtable deliberations, and networking events focused on current issues in the states. Programs include the “State of the States” pre-election briefing and Brown-Bag lunches featuring educational programs.
Telecommunications & Technology Working Group
The Telecommunications & Technology Working Group enables individuals to share knowledge, gain new information and network. This working group brings Members of Congress, congressional staff, administration representatives, regulatory officials and industry leaders together to discuss current and upcoming telecommunications and technology issues.