Individual Benefits
Professional Development, Educational, and Networking Opportunities
WGR accomplishes its goal of advancing and empowering women by hosting a series of formal and informal events throughout the year. Our focus is on professional development, education, and networking opportunities for women in our field. Toward that end, WGR hosts a series of signature events including the following:
- Education Series “Direct Connect to Congress” with Judy Schneider
- PAC’s, Politics & Grassroots Conference
- Spring Soiree: Celebrating Congressional Leaders
- Emeritus Member Event
- Holiday Reception
- Charity Golf Tournament
- Wine Tasting Reception
- Great Political Race Scavenger Hunt
WGR also conducts regular briefings with national policymakers and other government affairs professionals through task forces organized by major legislative and regulatory issue areas. Our task forces include Congressional Relations, Energy & Environment, Health & Social Polices, Homeland Security, PACs, Politics & Grassroots, and Transportation. Check our website for more information including new working groups.
Leadership
WGR develops leaders. WGR members are given numerous opportunities to gain valuable leadership skills by organizing programs that feature Members of Congress and their staff and/or Administration officials and key staff. WGR members also learn leadership skills by serving on committees, chairing task forces, and serving in elected offices within the organization. Develop leadership skills; utilize and discover untapped talents; and build a network in Washington!
The two most important assets in Washington are your network and your visibility – WGR can provide both.
— Former WGR President, Carolyn Herr Watts
Online Resources - Membership Directory, Career Center, CapWiz Resource Center and Online Account Management
The Membership Directory is categorized alphabetically by professional interest and business organization in a format that enables members to find and make appropriate contacts and gather information easily to enhance networking and information exchange.
The Career Center is one of the best government relations resources in Washington for job seekers and employers. As a Job Seeker you can search and manage jobs, post resumes confidentially, manage documents such as cover letters, references and work samples. Job seekers can also create job agents by providing criteria, generating automatic emails about new job postings. Employers can post and manage job openings and a resume bank, create automated notifications and highlight specific jobs to make them stand apart.
The Capwiz Resource Center is a powerful online advocacy tool that enables WGR members to research legislators and legislation at the federal, state, and local levels by entering a key word, zip code or bill number. Media outlets and tips about communicating with Congress are also available.
“My WGR” is a resource for all personal WGR activities. Members can update contact information, manage interest groups, pay invoices online, register for events and post to Outlook and communicate with task forces and committees.
Professional Development
WGR offers a wide array of activities and programs to further the career development and personal growth of our members and afford more senior members the opportunity to share their experiences.
WGR partners with universities and different organizations, such as the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN), that share our mission of mentoring, educating and advancing the next generation of government affairs professionals.
WGR Toastmasters
WGR Toastmasters is dedicated to improving members' public speaking abilities through a supportive environment. Members take on various speaking roles and present speeches while receiving feedback from other members.
I explored all of the various professional organizations before joining WGR. WGR is a unique organization. It is the only organization in Washington which enables women to come together and network and learn from one another. I’ll never forget the many women who had a positive impact on my career and I am proud to say I've been able to mentor younger women in our field.
— Jacqueline D. Bowens, Former WGR President and 2001 Distinguished Member