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A private retreat among women leaders as divergent as Joan Blades, Co-founder, MoveOn.org and Roberta Combs, Chairperson, Christian Coalition. Out of the retreat among 30 women leaders from across the political spectrum emerged working groups to include -- Ground Rules for Democracy, Energy Security and Climate Change, Foreign Policy and Civil Liberties, Health and Wellness, and Family Centered Policies.

Reuniting America
Transpartisan Women’s Leadership Retreat
January 21-24, 2007

Working Group Reports and Next Steps

I. Ground Rules for Democracy Working Group
II. Foreign Policy and Civil Liberties Working Group
III. Family Centered Policies Working Group
IV. Climate Change/ Global Warming Working Group
V. Health and Wellness Breakout Group
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I. Ground Rules for Democracy / Truth in Public Discourse Working Group

Participants who have joined this WG so far:

Ana Micka, Samah Norquist, Kimberly King (possibly), Chellie Pingree, Laura Chasin (possibly)
Specific Ideas the Group is Exploring:

• Mechanisms to establish accountability and responsibility for truth in public discourse within our own transpartisan network.
• A cross-partisan group of women leaders willing to address (together) lies in the public political discourse (potentially in partnership with existing conservative, non-partisan and liberal (perceived) organizations focused on accuracy in the media)
• A transpartisan network of organizations that pose the same questions to their memberships/communities for face-to-face and online discussion. The answers will be posted to a common website. The question will focus on some aspect of improving our democratic republic … what it means to be American. This could potentially be aligned with the work of the Presidential libraries of the next 2 years.

II. Foreign Policy and Civil Liberties Working Group

Participants who have joined this WG so far:

Michelle Bernard, Janis Claflin, Carla Goldstein, Samah Norquist, Barbara Guth, Donna Edwards, Laura Chasin, Susan Allen, Chellie Pingree

Projects:

• Mutual Statements to include:
o A statement from as many of the Wild Dunes participants supporting efforts to avoid pre-emptive strike in Iran.
• Joint Op-Eds
• Outreach Congress
• Educate Grassroots
• Access Experts to Speak / Speakers Exchange

III. Family Centered Policies Working Group

Participants who have joined this WG so far:

Michele Combs, Rosalyn Pelles, Joan Blades, Michelle Bernard, Irma Herrera, Laura Chasin, Carla Goldstein, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Lora O’Connor, Kimberly King, Jeanette Casuccio, Linda Blankenship, Jennifer Tye

Family Statement:

Expanded opportunities for women during the past ¼ century have dramatically altered the American Society. Today women are 46% of the nations entire labor force. Nearly ¾ of women are employed, and 82% of all women in the US become a mother. Our nation has yet to catch up with these changes.

We must design new policies and programs hat address the current realities of families and individuals. This is an opportune time for robust public discourse on effective and affordable ways to support our families.

Endorsers of this draft statement:

Linda Blankenship, Donna Edwards, Jennifer Tye, Lisa Renstrom, Carla Goldstein, Pat Spino, Jeanette Casuccio, Roz Pelles, Laura Chasin, Kimberly King

Issues the Working Group will explore:

A. Cradle to Grave Family Centered Policies

Work Force
Paid family leave 6 Dots
• Work incentives
• Sick leave
Flex Time 1 Dot
Affordable Insurance / Health Care
Pay Equity 2 Dots
Maternal Profiling 2 Dots
Retirement / Social Security 1 Dot
Child Care 4 Dots
Tax Breaks for single / stay-at-home moms 2 Dots
(dots indicate interest in specific issues from group members)

B. Children / Justice / Media

1. Stricter penalties for criminals
a. Child abuse
b. Kidnapping / molestation
c. Child safety protection
d. Missing children
2. Grandparent Rights / Support
3. Elderly Care
4. Media
a. Influence on children
5. Support for families at Risk
a. Emergency funding for families
b. Rehab

C. Our Education

1. Higher level of public school accountability
Time limits
School board
Politicians
Unions
Parents
Superintendents, teachers, students
Curriculum
2. After School Programs and Before Care
3. Better Nutrition

IV. Climate Change / Global Warming Working Group

Participants who have joined this WG so far:

Janis Claflin, Michele Combs, Tipper Gore, Kara Ball, Lisa Renstrom, Roberta Combs, Jeanette Casuccio, Lora O’Connor, Roz Pelles, Carla Goldstein, Joan Blades, Kimberly King, Linda Blankenship, Laura Chasin, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Jennifer Tye

Problem:

State of the Earth Affecting the Family of Man / Climate Catastrophe

Vision:

A World that is healthy for children … where children know that polar bears frolic on the north’s glacier.

Solutions:

Education - Gore movie training 1000 people
Awareness
A True Family Issue
Stewardship
What can women do?
Convey hope and urgency
Enable us to see our own self-interest in addressing climate change – businesses and individuals
Medical Associations
Acknowledge value our self-interest, us now as well as children and grandchildren
Bring unity and community – the victory garden, all of us.
Shift the language so it includes the other dimensions
Communicate the agreements of women
Communicate the impact now to our health and well-being
Future conference calls
Map the current solutions
Make this meeting carbon neutral
Michele will coordinate with RA and each of to develop audacious next steps
Why Women:
Women are connected to the earth
Women’s voices are needed
Women Leaders
A better planet for our children
Oil Dependence/Foreign Security
Women of Faith and Leaders
Women can connect the dots, i.e. Katrina and asthma
Climate change inequity

Goal: Carbon 30 % by 2020
1 – cap and trade
2- carbon tax
3 offsets

Actions:
Efficiency
Conservation
Biofuels
Renewable Wind Solar
Areas for Action:
Federal Policy and Actions
State Policy and Actions
Business
Individuals

V. Health Issues Breakout Group

Health Issues:

Cost 1
Education / Prevention 4
R & D
Patient education
Insurance 1
Employment/Healthcare
Different Models (other country examples)
Litigation
Delivery Systems 1
Community
Chronic vs. Acute
Toxins (linked to Prevention)
Education / Prevention:
Schools – Wellness vs. Anatomy
Business/Work
Media
Cultural
Personal responsibility – consequences
State/Govt.

Pts. Of Contention:

1. Universal healthcare – (cost, Govt.)
2. Who decides who’s / what’s healthy
3. Role of Gov’t vs. individual

Ideas:

1. Individual / small business buy into Medicare
2. Association health plan
3. School prevention/ Wellness focus
4. Ban drug ads
5. Incentives/consequences (car insurance)
6. Universal healthcare?
7. Research top 5 other countries solutions
8. Outsmart “capital markets”
9. Environmental “Connect the Dots”
10. Incentives smart wellness