WHAT WE DO
WOMEN
WIRE is a network of (mostly) women dedicated to getting more women into local leadership and willing to share their skills and experience.
IDENTIFY
WIRE publicizes opportunities for elected and appointed positions to members to identify women might be interested in these roles.
RECRUIT
WIRE recruits and encourages women to pursue public service opportunities.
ELECT
WIRE helps elect or appoint women with support and resources like mentors and workshops.
WIRE is with candidates every step of the way!
WORKSHOPS
Candidate Workshops
WIRE hosts events, workshops and networking opportunities that offer a wealth of campaign knowledge and experience to help women run the best campaigns possible. Candidates can learn effective strategies for campaign planning, fundraising, marketing, and social media while interacting on a personal level with elected officeholders and each other.
Community Workshops
WIRE hosts events in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties to inform and encourage women to run for elected office or to seek appointment to a local government commission. At these events, experienced office holders share their personal stories and inspire other women to serve in public office.
The WIRE Mentor Program is a key component of our network of resources. Volunteer Mentors are available to help candidates on a one-to-one basis on subjects such as how to write a campaign plan, how to raise funds, how to get the candidate’s message out to voters, and other crucial skills.
OUTREACH
WIRE for Women created a Speakers Bureau to tell our story to the community at large. Board members reach out and accept invitations from many political clubs, women’s organizations, and community groups. It is a pleasure and an honor for us to inform the public about WIRE and our mission and vision to see more women elected and appointed to public service positions in San Mateo and Santa Counties and the services we provide to candidates. We hope the Speakers Bureau work helps us to recruit candidates and volunteers to assist in accomplishing our mission.
Some of the groups where we have spoken include: League of Women Voters, Dem Fems, American Association of University Women, Palo Alto Rotary Cub, Menlo Park Library, IGNITE, PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), Asian Pacific American Democratic Club, and San Mateo County Republican Central Committee. We were well received by these groups, there was positive affirmation of our goals and, in particular, our non-partisan nature.
Introduce WIRE to your workplace, place of worship, civic organization, or community program.
Our Board and Advisory Board Members love to share our mission and the importance of supporting women in politics with our community.
We will provide a presentation format that is most appropriate for your engagement.
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Moderated panels of WIRE speakers
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Individual WIRE speakers
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Formal slide presentations by a WIRE speaker
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Large or small group conversations focused on the status of appointed and elected women in SMC and SCC and Q&A.
The Speakers Bureau welcomes the opportunity to address other interested organizations in the future. If you or your organization is interested in working with WIRE, please contact info@wireforwomen.com.
Committees
WIRE's efforts are designed and executed several committees composed of Board Members, Advisory Council Members and Volunteers
Elected
The WIRE Elected Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of WIRE's Elected programs including:
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Recruitment of women candidates.
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Adminis of the WIRE Mentor Program both in recruiting experienced mentors and introducing them to candidates that need their assistance.
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Identification of subjects on which candidates need assistance and organization of workshops with panels of experts to present the requisite materials for WIRE workshops.
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Assisting the Marketing Committee to publicize and promote the WIRE programs that help local candidates run effective campaigns
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Research and retention of research statistics on numbers of women running and winning elections in our two counties.
Appointed
The WIRE Appointed Committee is responsible for the planning and execution of WIRE's Appointed programs including:
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Connecting to the City Clerks in Cities in both counties to receive current openings on boards and commissions.
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Notifying WIRE members of open opportunities in their city or county.
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Developing a pipeline of potentially interested women to invite to upcoming workshops and events.
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Mentoring and sharing resources with interested women and aid in the application process.
School Board
WIRE's School Board Member Advisory group seeks to expand outreach to new and incumbent female candidates who are or are considering running for school boards. This group also advises the WIRE Elected Committee on the types of workshops, resources, and other opportunities that female school board candidates desire and need.