Branch Women’s Officer

The Women’s Officer is a representative of women members in the Branch, and works to ensure that women are fully involved in the work of the local party, as well as taking a leading role in making sure that the campaigning work of the branch reaches out and engages with women voters. They’ll work closely with the CLP Women’s Officer and any Women’s branch in the area.

Key Responsibilities and tasks

The key responsibilities of this role include:

• Making sure that women members are included in all branch activity and that meetings are relevant and accessible to women.
• Bringing women together to empower each other and gain the knowledge and skills they need get involved, and in specific meetings and events.
• Encouraging women members to make the jump from member to activist.
• Liaising with the CLP Women’s Officer.

Activity

There are many different strands to the work of a Women’s Officer, but fundamentally the role comes down to two key aims:

• Building a party for women – this means working to make sure that women in your local part are supported, involved and engaged
• Campaigning with women – playing a leading role in making sure that your local party campaigns to win women’s votes

You should ensure you get in touch with all women members introducing yourself as the Women’s Officer and providing your contact details, and welcome new women members when they join through a one to one chat, emails, telephone contact or social events. You will be able to get this information from your Branch Secretary.

Ensure that women are invited as guest speakers to meetings and events and engage with women in the wider community and through campaigning.

Meetings

As Branch Women’s Officer, it is your role to ensure women members are able to get fully involved and that their views and concerns are reflected and listened to. Local meetings are a fantastic opportunity to increase women’s participation in the branch. At each meeting, you should:

• Actively encourage women members to get involved in meetings and contribute to discussions
• Report back on your activity and highlight any forthcoming events or campaigning
• Introduce yourself to any women members attending a meeting for the first time

Useful links and contacts

You can email women@labour.org.uk to contact or raise suggestions with the National Women’s Committee. If you have any questions about the role of Women’s Officer please contact the Labour Party’s Stakeholders Team.

The Labour Women’s Network (LWN) is a membership organisation providing expert training to Labour women considering seeking selection, as well as campaigning for 50:50 representation at every level of the Labour Party. You can visit their website and contact them on www.lwn.org.uk. The Jo Cox Women in Leadership Programme developed with LWN aims to provide leadership development opportunities to women in the Party. You can find out more at www.labour.org.uk/updates/members-updates/the-jo-cox-women-in-leadership-programme.

There are many other contacts and resources to assist you in your role. Keep up to date with our latest campaigns, find out more about Campaign Technology, find resources for role holders and check our online training offer at www.labour.org.uk/resources. You can also purchase and download membership recruitment and campaign materials from the Campaign Shop.

For useful guides and resources on membership engagement and how to use Organise to full effect, visit http://help.labour.org.uk, and if you need support or advice, you can contact your national or regional office.

Training resources are available at https://achieve.labour.org.uk.