Layout 1 (Page 1) · in Lansdale on Messaging, Issue Framing, and Advocacy Success. † On November 20, 2015, presented on a panel in Bethlehem, PA. † On December 9, 2015, attended

BUCKS COUNTY WOMEN’S ADVOCACY COALITION

Annual ReportJuly 2015 – June 2016

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2015-2016 was a year of growth and impact for BCWAC. With 37 organization Partners. over 150 individual Partners, and continued interest by other organizations and individuals in other counties of the state, we expanded our infrastructure to support growth. We are constantly looking for new ways to use technology to improve communication among our Partners and donors. This year we expanded our database to accommodatethe increased numbers of contacts and donations. We rearranged our committee structure and began to identified new individuals to be issue specialists tracking legislation. To communicate with our growing list of Partners, we established a weekly eNewsletter. As part of our continued efforts to achieve high standards of excellence, this year the Board developed a Vision Statement and tweaked our Mission Statement. A vision State-ment keeps us focused on what our ultimate goal is in the future.

In October, we held a first-of-its-kind-in-Pennsylvania symposium, Who Cares? The Economics of Caregiving, and distributed the report with recommendations to all PA Senators, Representatives, Governor, Congressman,U.S Senators, Commissioners of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and PA Secretaries of Human Services, Labor& Industry, and Aging. This report will be the foundation for changes in public policy and best business practicesin the coming years.

On behalf of the Board, we thank AWP, Pennswood Village, and the BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship forthe use of their space for our Board, Committee, Full Coalition, and Conversation with Elected Officials meetings.Additionally, Sircely Marketing & Design and LaVO Design devote many hours to the Coalition as in-kind donors.

With your generous support, BCWAC will continue to grow, gather data, develop relationships with our elected officials and community, and have a positive impact in the years ahead.

Thank you for investing your time, energy, and capitol in the work of our Coalition. We value the trust that youplace in us and look forward to continue serving the advocacy needs of women in Bucks County and beyond.

Sincerely,

Tam St. Claire, President

Letter from Tam St. Claire, President, BCWAC

OFFICERS

President: Tam St. Claire

1st VP: Kathy Beveridge

2nd VP: Carolyn R. Cowgill

Secretary: Donna Byrne

Treasurer: Karen M. Kreller

DIRECTORS

Ifeoma Aduba

Connie Bastek-Karasow

Donna Buthko

Martricia McLaughlin,Esq

Maggie Leigh Groff

Laurie Smith Kacznowska, Esq.

Crystal Kwentoh

Nancy Morrill

Barbara Price

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Board of Directors2015–2016

Our Vision: The Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition envisions a socially just and respectful society invested in a common good to achieve the full potential of individuals,families, and the community.

Our Mission: The Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition (BCWAC) educates and advocates on behalf of women to promote systemic change to achieve gender equityand economic security for all.

Key Events

The Board of Directors met six times during the year including a Board retreat on June 20, 2016.

The Full Coalition convened five times during the year including:

• On September 25, 2015 with guest speakers Fritz Walker and Shira Goodman withCeaseFire PA on gun violence.

• An annual strategic planning meeting on January 29, 2016.

• On March 18, 2016 with guest speakers Peggy Dator and Connie Borichevsky of theLWVBC discussing the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) plans for 2016.

• The Conversation with Elected Officials on April 8, 2016 with guest speaker ElizabethHersh, Director of the Office of Supportive Housing of Philadelphia.

• The Annual Call To Action on May 25, 2016 with guest speaker Diane Ellis-Marseglia,Bucks County Commissioner.

The Coalition sponsored the first Bucks County Caregiving Symposium on October 30, 2015.More details are contained in the Report from the Jobs and Education Committee on page 14.

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• On July 28, 2015, met with PA Senator Chuck McIlhinney to plan Child Care and KEYS legislation strategy.

• BCWAC, League of Women Voters of Bucks Co. and AAUW collaborated to Get Out TheVote (GOTV) and update the tool kit for the election year.

• On September 22-23, BCWAC presented at the PANO Conference.

• On November 10, 2015, presented as guest speaker at the BucksMont Collaborative Meetingin Lansdale on Messaging, Issue Framing, and Advocacy Success.

• On November 20, 2015, presented on a panel in Bethlehem, PA.

• On December 9, 2015, attended the release of the SR 62 Study of Family Work Support Programs and recognized by the PA Legislative Budget and Finance Committee.

• On January 3, 2016, presented at the BuxMont UU Fellowship on Caregiving

• On January 14, 2016, presented at the AAUW-Doylestown on Gun Safety

• On January 19, 2016, presented at the Pennswood forum at Pennswood Village

• Met with PA Senator Tomlinson on gun safety.

• Representatives attended the February 19-20 Keystone Progressive Summit in Harrisburg.

• Representatives attended the March 3rd Budget Summit in Harrisburg.

• Met with PA Senator Mensch on caregiving.

• Co-sponsored the Bucks County Women’s History Month Award.

• Taped an interview with Comcast News Works on caregiving.

• Met with PA Senator Haywood of Montgomery County on Caregiving.

• Representatives attended gun rally for background checks in Harrisburg on May 16th.

• Spoke at the Pennsylvania Choices news conference in the PA Capitol Rotunda on thebudget on June 27th.

Key Meetings, Invitations and Presentations

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Finance Committee

We extend our most sincere appreciation to our 2015-2016 donors. The vast majority of our donors are our individual and organizational partners. They are the backbone of our collective efforts. A list of donors appears on the next page.

We would like to thank in a very special way Mr. Joseph Baumhauer. Through the CarolBaumhauer Memorial Fund named for his wife, Mr. Baumhauer has donated over $4,000 over the last three years to cover the cost of our Etapestry database – a critical tool in capturing andreporting participants’ activities and their giving histories. In addition, in February 2016, he challenged the Coalition to raise $2,500 by the end of the month in the Power in Numbers Campaign. Thirty-eight people answered the call, and their donations were matched dollar for dollar by the Carol Baumhauer Memorial Fund. This $5,000 is designated to fund the services of a Marketing Consultant who will assist in efforts to grow the Coalition.

We must recognize that BCWAC, with no paid staff, hums and runs on the steam of our volunteerindividual and organizational partners. Together, they offer thousands of hours attending meetings, doing committee work, making phone calls, visiting legislators and officials, writingemails, organizing events and workshops and seminars – the list is endless. Some also donate in-kind to cover budget expenses like postage, food for meetings, printing, and website hosting,not to mention the nearly 10,000 miles driven to Coalition meetings and events.

Reports from Key Committees and Initiatives

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Finance Committee (continued)

Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016) opened with a balance forward of $25,090.81.

Income as of June 30, 2016, totaled $29,539.98.

Expenses totaled $10,632.13, leaving a balance at the fiscal year’s end of $43,998.66.

As required by federal law for 501c4 nonprofit organizations with income between $25,000 and $50,000, we generated an internally prepared Financial Statement which was reviewed by Cindy Bergvall, CPA, of Bee Bergvall and Co.

The Coalition adopted a budget for Fiscal Year 2017, projecting an income of $23,000 and expenses of $10,910


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Finance: Donors to the Coalition, 2015–2016

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A Woman's PlaceAAUW Doylestown

BranchAAUW Levittown –

Lower Bucks BranchAAUW PennsylvaniaIfeoma AdubaTeresa AndroutsosConnie Bastek-KarasowCarol Baumhauer

Memorial FundJoseph BaumhauerAlice BentleyKathy BeveridgeClaire BillinghamJoanne Bintliff-RitchieFrancine BlockConnie Borichevsky Maggi BoyerBucks County Area

Agency on AgingBucks County

Opportunity CouncilBucks County Workforce

Investment BoardDonna ButchkoDonna ByrneChild, Home and

CommunityJo Ann ConnellyCarolyn Cowgill

Peggy DatorDelaware Valley

Association for the Education of YoungChildren

Julia DugeryCarol EasterJudith FranlinMargaret George Gayle GoodmanMaggie GroffBev HaberleHabitat for Humanity

of Bucks CountySusan HauserJaneth HendershotSusanne HewittSandy HomelKathleen Horvatt Nancy JacksonLynne JacobsDiane JonesLaurie KaczanowskaPamela KerrKaren KrellerCarol KurlandCrystal KwentohKimberly Tucker LandonLeague of Women Voters

of Bucks CountyEleanor Levie

Libertae, Inc. Erin LukossSusan MadianMakefield Area Action

Fund of AAUWSusan MaslowMaternity Care CoalitionLouise McCleodMartricia McLaughlinBetty (Kullie) MellorPat MiillerNancy MorrillWilliam MorrillJudie MuchNational Council of

Jewish Women – PACheryl NeasMae O'BrienPlanned Parenthood

KeystoneLois PlotnickBarbara PricePublic Citizens for

Children and YouthQuality Child Care

Coalition of BucksCounty

Madeline RawleyKathleen SaundersSircely Marketing

& Design

Kate SmithTam St. ClaireKyle St. ClaireBarbara StakesKate SweeneyArdith TalbottBetty TathamThe Peace Center The Council of Southeast

PennsylvaniaTom ThomasRebecca Van DinePeggy WalshNoni WestKari WilliamsLydia WindermanLinda WisniewskiWomen's Center of

Montgomery CountyYWCA of Bucks County

Relationship Development Committee

The Relationship Development Committee of the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition(BCWAC) plans, oversees, and evaluates the partnership and donor life cycle while growing diverse, comprehensive engagement of individuals, organizations, and other entities that supportBCWAC activities to empower, educate, and advocate for gender equality and economic self-sufficiency for all.

As of June 30, 2016, more than 150 individuals and 37 organizations have joined BCWAC aspartners. These partnerships add depth to the impact of BCWAC’s efforts and volume as wespeak with one voice for a stronger and healthier community.

During the 2015-2016 year, the Relationship Development Committee supported BCWAC by:

• Initiating a #GivingTuesday campaign and collaborating with other community organizations through #GivingTuesdayBucks.

• Successfully raising funds to enhance BCWAC communications and outreach to the community.

• Hosting BCWAC’s annual Call to Action, with guest speaker Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW.

• Continuing to support the proactive recruitment of new partners – both individual and organizational – to join BCWAC in speaking with one voice.


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Legislative Committee

Our goal is educating and speaking with one voice to those responsible for bringing about sys-temic change which will establish gender equity and economic security for all.

The Legislative Committee focused on three areas to support and increase the effectiveness of theBucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition.

1. BCWAC Legislative Tracking ChartWe organized and maintained a tracking chart for bills considered important to our goal and con-gruent with our 10 principles. Laurie Kaczanowska has worked with several technically savvy peo-ple to present a changeable and readable format for the chart.

2. Issue ExpertsEight women volunteered to be issue experts keeping in touch with bills within their area of expert-ise on a daily basis. When nimbleness was indicated, they rose to the task, conferring with theBCWAC president about calling for immediate contacts to Pennsylvania legislators on our posi-tion. The issue experts also wrote timely letters and/or emails to the legislators necessary to takethe bill to the next step.

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Legislative Committee (continued)

3. Advocacy DayResponding to Advocacy Day participants from May, 2015, the Legislative Committee chairsmoved to firm up appointments and logistics earlier. The goal was to give participants more information to study so they could feel more comfortable participating in the legislative visits inHarrisburg. Team leaders also had time to set up a conference call with their team to discuss theirplan and assure that they were all on the same page. The Legislative Committee worked hard toprovide talking points regarding bills moving toward the floor for legislators who could get thenext steps done. We were pleased when we were on target by discussing our position on severalbills coming up during the week following our Harrisburg visits.

More committee members and partners attended Advocacy Day as indicated by the 20 peoplewho participated – the largest number ever. The team members were better informed as seen innew team leaders for Advocacy Day who stepped up at the last minute to fill empty slots.

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Legislative Committee (continued)

Through our visits, petitions, phone calls, letters, emails, and legislative visits, we effectively influenced:• A timely budget for 2016-17• Moving the Keys Bill forward HB 934• Getting the Housing Trust Fund Bill HB 792 passed• Getting the Long Term Care Council HB 753 passed• Helping to Pass HB 1329 The Care Act• Passing SB 293 Regulating Exchange Navigators• Other bills that we have advocated for that are currently moving towards passage include:

SB 717 Licensure for Certified Nurse Practitioners, HB 1581 Creating an offense of Strangulation and HB 1051 Rental Protection for DV victims

• We follow bills we oppose that are still active: HB 1948 Criminal penalties for women that have abortions after 24 weeks and SB 1330 Allowing preemptions of local gun safety ordinances

• Our support and advocacy on behalf of bills that have not moved much, but,may be introduced in the 20162019 session: HB 415 Child Protection gun safety bill, HB 1010/SB1049 Background checks for Firearms and 48 hour check for gun shows, SB 303 Equal Payand the associated Federal Bills, raising the Minimum Wage bills, SB 1196/HB 1100 Accommodations for Nursing Mothers and SB 40 the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

• Our relationship with Bucks County Legislators includes our support of Senator Greenleaf’sSB 851 establishing the Safe Harbor for sexually exploited children/creating a safe harbor forvictims of human trafficking

• Working with other organizations on Health, Safety, Jobs and Education Legislation, includingthe General Fund Budgeting Bill to include human services and education funding, HB1460/SB 1073.

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Health and Safety Committee

The Health and Safety Committee met four times, in August, November, February and April. Thecommittee’s strategic plan was reviewed and updated.

The committee monitored and advocated on the following:• Monitored the full implementation of Medicaid Expansion in PA.• Continued reauthorization of Planned Parenthood funding, which is constantly under attack at

the state and federal levels.• Against State Abortion Restrictions – HB1948, which passed the house in June and was sent

to the Senate. It was “Laid on the Table” on July 13, 2016 after passing First Consideration inthe House.

• Against efforts to derail the Affordable Care Act at the federal level.• Legislation under the state “Campaign for Women’s Health”, specifically The Patient Trust Act

(HB1105), Pregnancy Accommodation (SB40/HB704) and Accommodations for NursingMothers (HB1100); SB1105 concerning safety zones for clinics, introduced by Senator Furness; and, SR156 – Women Veteran’s Health Care, which was passed and was sent toHouse.

• Nurse Practitioner SB717/HB765 to expand practice privileges for NPs and advanced practice nurses. The Committee supported a compromise that reduced the requirement for aphysician collaboration agreement to three years or 3,600 practice hours. The Senate passedthe amended bill in July 2016 and the bill is in the House.

• State Gun Safety bills introduced by Rep. Madeline Dean (HB1030, Firearms RestrainingOrder and HB1020, Reporting the Loss of Stolen Firearms); Rep. Santarsiero (HB1010, Longguns); Rep. Briggs (HB415 – Child Access Prevention}; and Sen. Haywood (SB1029 – gun insurance).

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Health and Safety Committee (continued)

• Domestic Violence Bills, specifically Rep. Dean’s HB1051 Rental Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence that we worked with stakeholders to clarify wording and now sits on theHouse floor; and HB1581 introduced by Rep. Corbin to make the crime of strangulation afelony. This passed the House and is awaiting third consideration by the Senate as of July 13, 2016.

• Human Trafficking Bills, specifically Senator Greenleaf (SB851 – Safe Harbor/Human Trafficking).

On Legislative Advocacy Day, the focus was on the Nurse Practitioner Bill and Gun Safety Bills,particularly universal background checks.

The Committee will be meeting with the Executive Director of the Bucks County Assistance OfficeExecutive Director in August 2016 to discuss ways we can be supportive of their work.

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Basic Needs Committee

Economic empowerment for women, children, and families living in poverty is our broad mandate.

The Basic Needs Committee focuses on two primary areas, housing and food security.

Engagement: Our approach is to engage individuals, organizations and institutions that share

our commitment, in a process of research, education and action designed to reduce the numbers

hungry and homeless, increase resources and work toward permanent solutions. Bucks County

has a vibrant community of housing and food advocates working with families 13% of whom live

on $25,000 or less; 52% of renter households paying at least 30% of income on rent; 22% 65 and

older. We will continue to promote membership that will include voters in each district who are

knowledgeable and committed to advocate for basic needs.

Our partners are: PA Housing Alliance; National Low Income Housing Coalition; US Interagency

Council on Homelessness; Food Research Action Center and others.

HousingWe supported and celebrated the successful passage of the Amendment to 2016 PHARE Plan;

Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund/Realty Transfer Tax

(PHARE/RTT). Gov. Wolf signed the act November 4, 2015 which in part, directs certain Realty

Transfer Tax receipts to the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund. This

new revenue (capped at $25m.) is now in the process of being implemented distributing funds to

address the housing needs of 67 counties across PA.

Priorities include: preservation of current rental housing stock, development of affordable rental

housing; funding for projects/programs to address specific vulnerable populations; comprehensive

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housing and redevelopment; new opportunities for affordable homeownership; other efforts toaddress unmet housing and community development needs.Bucks County providers can respond to requests for proposals in the fall of 2016.

Food SecurityOur food security strategic goal is to increase awareness and advocate for SNAP, SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamp Program) to further strengthen proven positive effects in addressing hunger.

Basic Needs Committee (continued)


Jobs and Education Committee

The Jobs and Education portfolio includes BCWAC mission-related issues dealing with economicself-sufficiency and pre-K education: Caregiving, Minimum Wage, Wage Gap, Pre-K education,Making Work Pay. In addition, we have been advocating for a fair and balanced 2016 PA statebudget in collaboration with the PA Choice Campaign.

Caregiving InitiativeThe Coalition planned and convened a symposium, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, “WhoCares: The Economics of Caregiving.” This was a cross-county collaborative between Bucks andMontgomery counties, hosted by the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition (BCWAC),Aging and Adult Services Montgomery County, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging, Women’sCenter of Montgomery County, A Woman’s Place, and the BucksMont Collaborative.

The goal of the symposium was educational: • To promote awareness and validate with researched data the financial needs of caregivers;• To catalyze a dialogue and engage partners among key players to provide insight and

potential solutions for an improved economic support system;• To produce a “white paper” supporting the need for greater awareness and assistance that

can be shared in order to effect reform.

An impressive list of caregivers, dignitaries and experts spoke at the Symposium, includingkeynote speaker, Gail Gibson Hunt, President and CEO of National Alliance of Caregivers. Additional dignitaries included: • David Gingerich, Deputy Secretary, PA Department of Aging,• Diane Bosak, Deputy Secretary, Workforce Development, PA Department of Labor & Industry,

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Jobs and Education Committee (continued)

• Jen Burnett, Deputy Secretary, Office of Long–Term Living, PA Department of Human Serv-ices,

• Brian Duke, Former PA Secretary of Aging, and Systems Director, Senior Services, Main LineHealth

• Dan Bates, President, Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. • Robert P. Casey, Jr, U.S. Senator (by video) • Wendy Campbell, Exec. Director, Alzheimer’s Association of the Delaware Valley• William S. Blacker, Owner, Home Instead Senior Care • Kathleen Chalmers, Human Resource Specialist at Moldamatic, LLC. Bucks County• Jane Meier Hamilton, CEO and Founder of Partners on the Path• Elizabeth M. Walsh, Exec. Director, Bucks County Workforce Development Board, Inc.• Madeleine Dean and Kate Harper, PA Representatives• Valery Arkoosh, M.D. Montgomery County Commissioner• Jon Rubin, Bucks County Director of Human Services.

The white paper, The Economics of Caregiving, was produced, which captured recommendationsfrom the speakers and panels of experts who discussed the issues impacting caregivers, legislators and employers. The report is being used as a guide to action. The committee has de-fined three areas for future action and follow up (Caregivers and the General Public, Legislationand Employer initiatives). At the close of F/Y 2016, the committee is fleshing out a strategic planand engaged in learning the systems of support that currently exist for family caregivers, and identifying any gaps with the goal of closing them through legislation or employer initiatives.

The BCWAC’s Caregiving Committee, along with others, advocated successfully for the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act as well as the passage of The CARE Act in April 2016.

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Minimum Wage Activities involving the Minimum Wage issues included: writing articles about raising the minimumwage for the weekly e-news; meeting with the staff of Senator Tomlinson's office to ask him tosupport raining the minimum wage; and Providing information for talking points on raising the minimum wage for the May 2016 lobby day packets.

Pay Equity/Economic SufficiencyInformation was provided on the AAUW Equal Pay Day rally in Harrisburg on April 12 and the virtual petition to support SB 303 and HB 1160 that was shared in the weekly e-news. Petitionsfor these pay equity bills were brought to the March full Coalition meeting for people to sign. Letters were sent to Santarsiero and Galloway inviting them to attend the rally and material on pay equity taken to a few of our Bucks County legislators, Chuck McIlhenny, Tina Davis, TomTomlinson, Steve Santarsiero and John Galloway. Tina Davis spoke at the rally.

Talking points on pay equity and info on pregnant workers' fairness act, workplace accommodations for nursing mothers and raise the minimum wage for lobby day were sent to selected legislators. Info on pay equity and funding for Pre-K for PA was made available at theBCWAC Annual Meeting.

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Making Work Pay PA (MWPP)FY 15-16 was an important milestone in the long-time work of the BCWAC on the “cliff effect”issue. As a result of the passage by the PA Senate of Sen. Res. 62, the bi-partisan research armof the PA. General Assembly, the Legislative and Budget Policy Committee (LBPC), released its report: “Study of Family Work Support Programs”. Its recommendations together with the administrative and legislative recommendations of the MWPP Coalition have driven our discussions with key legislators and the Department of Human Services. For further information,see either www.bcwac.org or www.makingworkpaypa.org .

Additional progress on the MWPP agenda were the expansion of Medicaid; the elimination of theSNAP asset test; passage of the KEYS bill (allowing TANF parents in community colleges to count24 months of their education toward the TANF work requirement); submission of comments onthe state and Bucks County WIOA plans; recruitment of additional members of the Coalition(League of Women Voters, Success Against All Odds, Chester County Fund for Women and Girls).Work continues on implementation of the LBPC recommendations as well as tracking legislationwhich could impact low income working families in Pennsylvania.

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Pre-K BCWAC supports the pre-K activities of partner Pre-K PA. In June 2016, BCWAC sent a letter to our legislators supporting an increase in the state budget to close the education gap for vulnerable 3-5 year olds by funding more Pre-K services.

2016 PA State Budget BCWAC supports a fair and balanced PA state budget providing equitable services for its partnersand families affected by current decreases in state funding in the 2015 state budget. From Marchto mid-July of 2016, BCWAC attended weekly teleconferences held by the PA Choice Campaign.In June, BCWAC members attended the PA Choice Campaign rally in Harrisburg. We visited theoffices of all 14 of our legislators and presented information on the effects of current funding levelson families in Pennsylvania and requested the passage of a fair and equitable state budget for2016. BCWAC President Tam St. Claire spoke at the rally. A video of her presentation is availableon our FaceBook page and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r18Ch1K7QfE.

BCWAC also participated in various Twitter and Social media “storms” organized by PA Choice.On July 12, 2016, in order to prevent another downgrading by the credit rating agency Moody’s,the PA General Assembly passed the revenue plan necessary to balance the 2016-17 statebudget. The vote in the House on the revenue plan was 116-75. In the Senate it was 28-22.

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Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition

Contact Information:

P.O. Box 248Doylestown, PA 18901

215-860-1449

[email protected]

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Documents

Layout 1 (Page 1) · in Lansdale on Messaging, Issue Framing, and Advocacy Success. † On November 20, 2015, presented on a panel in Bethlehem, PA. † On December 9, 2015, attended