MIDWIVES' ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON STATE

Info for Members & Supporters

Updates & Legislative Agenda 2025
Recording of Legislative Agenda Webinar
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Want more info about the Topics & Issues for this year
  • Legislative Agenda
  • ​Talking Points
  • Webinar Slides & Recording

​Never Been Before?

Watch our Lobby Day Prep Video
​Our pre-recorded Preparation Video (above) is the best place to start if you've never attended Lobby Day before. It covers logistics, lobbying tips, & why Lobby Day is so important. We are back in person!
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Short on time? You can check out these Webinar slides:
  • Why is Midwife Lobby Day so Important?
  • Visiting Your Legislator
  • The Elevator Speech
  • Parking & Logistics (note there is no longer a Dash Bus)

​
  • Updates on this Year's Legislative Priorities


​Typical SCHEDULE for Midwife Lobby Day 


​8:00am: Briefing on Legislative Agenda updates & What to Expect at Amber’s house in Olympia, WA; Light breakfast items provided

8:45am: leave for Meetings with Legislators with Team; Remember to complete lobby day response form for each visit

TBD, ?11:30: Group Photo in the Rotunda 

~12:00pm: Lunch Hour, Return to basecamp at Amber's home

4/5pm: Skip traffic & join us to Debrief. 

​
​2025 Guiding Documents:
  • 2025 Legislative Agenda 
  • Talking Points
​




​The beauty of Midwife Lobby Day is that you can just show up and make an impact even if you don't want to say anything! 
 

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If you are planning to attend Lobby Day and you are someone who likes to feel over prepared, these documents are for you!
  • The 9 Steps of a Lobby Day Visit​
  • LM Fact Sheet
  • Infographic about Licensed Midwives (LM)
  • Background Reading & References
  • And as from above, Legislative Agenda & Talking Points


What to Expect on (In Person) Lobby Day:
​
a note from our lobbyist, Amber Ulvenes

​Coming to the Capitol during the legislative session is exciting and fun, but can be a little intimidating too. Here are tips from our lobbyist, Amber, to help you enjoy your day on the hill.

  1. Yes, it's true, parking is a pain in the neck. My advice is to arrive early, and check out our parking location suggestions in the slides below. You may have to park a ways away, but once you get to base camp, you are set for the day. We will walk everywhere else. If you do have to park a ways away, buses are free (but may not be convenient).
  2. What to wear? Business casual is how I would describe it. Your everyday lobbyist types wear suits, which is not necessary for Lobby Day, but slacks and jacket, or skirt and sweater are appropriate. Though sometimes very tempted, I don't wear jeans, athletic shoes, or muddy boots to the Capitol.
  3. Arrive on time for the morning briefing. You won't want to miss this orientation to our Lobby Day agenda and to your schedule and team leads.
  4. Going to meetings with legislators. If you choose to, you can ALWAYS go with a team, and you don't have to say anything. There are those of us that might not let you get a word in edgewise anyway! Do what feels comfortable for you. You will get the hang of the meetings as we go. We will provide notes for you to speak from, and information for you to hand out.
  5. Food. We will have some morning snacks, coffee and tea at the briefing. For lunch, feel free to pack your own or walk downtown. For those who ordered ahead, Lunch boxes will be delivered for you. La Gitana, Kitzel's Deli, Trinacria, and the Bread Peddler are all right downtown Dash and are locally-owned deliciousness. If its a nice day, it's only a 15-minute walk downtown. For those able to stick around, we will be meeting up at a location where we can all debrief and share about our day and where anyone who wants food can order.
  6. Kiddos. It can be a long day, but you're welcome to bring them. It's nice for legislators to see some little ones.
​
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​Back to main Lobby Day page

Last Updated 2/2024 by Kristin Effland
Banner photo used with permission.
Land Acknowledgement 
MAWS acknowledges that we live and work on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Salish tribes and pay our respects to all of the ancestral homelands and traditional territories of Indigenous peoples who have been here since time immemorial. We recognize that this land touches on the shared waters of tribes and bands within the Duwamish, Puyallup, Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. We recognize we are grateful to be guests in these lands and commit to show solidarity for the continued fight for Indigenous sovereignty. ​
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Advocacy/Midwife Lobby Day >
      • Annual Midwife Lobby Day >
        • Information for Participants
        • Information for Legislators 2025
        • Reports from Past Years >
          • MAWS Policy Achievements 2022 & Rx Authority Update
      • Initiatives and Programs
    • Continuing Education >
      • 2021 Webinar Series
      • Past Years
    • Quality Management Program & Incident Review
    • Provider Directory
  • RESOURCES
    • Health Access Resources
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Scholarly Articles
    • For Midwives >
      • Clinical Guidelines
      • Position Statements
      • Quality Management Program
      • Data Collection
      • Smooth Transitions
      • License Extensions
      • Partners
    • For Families
    • For Aspiring Midwives
    • For Other Healthcare Professionals
    • About Disparities, Anti-Oppression, and Anti-Racism
    • Gun Violence Justice
  • JOIN US
    • Get Involved
    • Donate
  • FIND A MIDWIFE
  • STORE