Editor’s note: Following is the latest update from AAUW of Oregon Public Policy Chair Trish Garner. Trish also shared several attachments along with the message. Please contact us to obtain copies of the attachments:
I NEED YOUR HELP EMAILING LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR AAUW OF OR’s # 1 PRIORITY BILLS TO THE RELEVANT COMMITTEES — NOW!!!
This may seem confusing — although I surely hope not!! — but our two priority bills are scheduled to be heard in Committee soon. I usually try and separate out my requests for your help, but no can do this time. You may have heard of the expression “hurry to wait,” but this is “wait to hurry!!” All the info you will need to complete your letters of support is set out below.
This said, we need to have the bill schedules officially published in the Oregon Legislative Information Service (https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1) BEFORE you can actually send in the testimony. I will send you an email when that takes place. Here are the two bills:
- Age Discrimination Task Force Bill (House Bill 2938):
DEADLINE TO FILE LETTERS / TESTIMONY: Monday, February 15, 2021 — If this date changes, I will let you know ASAP, but I expect I’ll be sending you an email asking you to send it in later this week.
COMMITTEE: House Business and Labor
THE BILL does what it says — sets up a Task Force to study age discrimination in the workplace. We anticipate this Task Force will tee us up to introduce and pass a bill in the 2022 Session detailing what employers and employees actually need to do to combat age discrimination.
- Corporate Diversity Bill (House Bill 3110):
DEADLINE TO FILE LETTERS / TESTIMONY: TBA, but will be in week of February 22 or March 1st.
COMMITTEE: House Rules
THE BILL requires publicly traded corporations doing business in Oregon to have a minimum number of women and people from underrepresented communities on their boards of directors.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT!!!
Age Discrimination Task Force Bill: Prepare and email letter / testimony to the House Business and Labor Committee to be submitted by February 15th (but wait for my email telling you it’s time to send it in).
Corporate Diversity Bill: Prepare and email letter / testimony to the House Rules Committee. I will let you know the exact date this bill will be heard, but now is the time to prepare your email in support.
I have attached copies of each bill and supporting info about them below my signature. Make sure and check out the article from the Portland Business Journal regarding the corporate diversity bill!
HOW TO FILE TESTIMONY FOR AGE DISCRIMINATION TASK FORCE BILL
STEP ONE: Prepare your letter / testimony in support of the bill. I use the words “letter” and “testimony” interchangeably — legislators use the word “testimony” but “letter” is fine. Mention you are a member of AAUW of OR. Keep it brief. The more personal you make it, the better. Write in your city below your signature but don’t add any additional personal information on the letter. Don’t include your phone number.
STEP TWO: Save your letter in a PDF format. That’s easy – choose the “Save As” option in “File.” You will see a box with the title “File Format.” Use the up-down arrows and it will take you a “PDF” format. Choose that and you’ll have a PDF format of your letter on your Desktop.
STEP THREE: On your computer, choose https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/HBL.
STEP FOUR: You are now on the Testimony Submission Form page. The “Choose a Committee” should already say “House Committee on Business and Labor.” You’ll need to select a meeting date and time by using the blue arrows
STEP FIVE: Choose HB 2938. Enter on your first and last name, email address, AAUW of Oregon as the “Organization” or the City of Residence. Check the “support” position. Check “Upload a PDF.” The “Document Title” will already say “Testimony,” which is fine. Select the PDF file from your desktop. Check the “I’m not a robot” box” and hit “Submit.”
POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOR LETTER REGARDING AGE DISCRIMINATION TASK FORCE BILL
Older employees bring proven job and leadership experience to the workplace. They deserve full and equal access to employment opportunities like everyone else. Unfortunately it is an unfortunate fact today that workplace discrimination based on age is so routinely practiced that it has become acceptable, and a part of everyday reality. That’s not right.
Age discrimination also especially hurts women, who may have gaps in their employment history due to child raising or caregiving and are already at retirement security risk.
HOW TO FILE TESTIMONY FOR CORPORATE DIVERSITY BILL
You follow the same procedure as with the age discrimination task force bill, BUT: (1) the Committee the bill is being heard by is the House Rules Committee so the address to email in your letter is: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Committees/HRULES/Overview, (2) the bill number is HB 3110.
POSSIBLE LANGUAGE FOR LETTER REGARDING CORPORATE BOARD DIVERSITY
Most corporate boards are populated by white men. As late as 2018, 61% of Fortune 100 boards were comprised of white men, as opposed to 19% white women, 6% minority women, and 14% minority men. Oregon’s largest publicly traded companies show an average of only 21% of board seats were held by women in 2019.
Most corporations claim they honor diversity, but statistics paint another picture. The argument that there aren’t enough “qualified” women and people of color to serve on corporate boards is not only factually inaccurate, but offensive. A critical mass of diverse corporate board members creates an environment where people are no longer viewed as outsiders and ensures their viewpoints are valued. No more “check the box” mentality for choosing our business leaders. Maintaining glass ceilings at the top — which are really made of concrete — reinforces a system that seeks to “put people in their place” throughout our entire socio-economic structure.
SO – IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, just let me know!! If you are having trouble with the PDF formatting or sending in your testimony, send it to me and I’ll file it for you,
Here’s to AAUW of OR Public Policy at work!!!
Trish Garner, J.D., M.S.W.
State Public Policy Chair, AAUW of OR
American Association of University Women of Oregon