|
Washington Watch
October 15, 2003
NASE WAC Gathers In
Washington, D.C.
Last week, the NASE Women’s Advisory Council came
together in Washington, D.C. to meet with policymakers
and legislators and to finalize their work plan
suggestions for growing the association.
It was an exciting few days as the 10-member Council,
chosen in May, relayed their ideas and experiences as
micro-business owners. They channeled their positive
energy into the finishing touches of their work plans,
to be presented to the NASE Board of Directors later
this month. Focused on Advocacy, Benefits and
Visibility, the plans develop proposals to poise the
association to meet the unique challenges facing women
micro-business owners today.
The Council also met with representatives from the
Department of Labor, National Women’s Business Council
(NWBC) and National Association of Women Business
Owners, at a policy roundtable. There the Council
members voiced their ideas and perspectives on the
issues that are most pressing for women business
owners.
The NASE recognizes that women-owned businesses are
growing and expanding at an incredible rate—twice as
fast as all other U.S. firms. Your association
continues to work hard to understand the unique needs
facing these entrepreneurs, especially when it comes
to public policy that impacts their micro-business.
Read more about the Women’s Advisory Council
SBA Office of Advocacy Urges
Participation in Census Bureau Survey
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of
Advocacy recently urged micro-business owners to watch their
mailboxes for the 2002 Survey of Business Owners from the
Census Bureau. Here’s what they said, in the October 2003
issue of “The
Small Business Advocate”:
“The survey, taken every five years, provides the data that
become the basis for sound small business public policy…The
survey features new questions about the characteristics of
business owners. Other new questions ask when the business
was started, where the equity capital for start-up or
acquisition came from, and the types of customers and
employees. Also new are questions about home-based
businesses, family-owned businesses, and franchises…even
though the forms are long and somewhat intrusive, it is
important for all small business owners that they be
promptly returned.”
The NASE follows Advocacy’s lead, and encourages members to
complete the survey as well. The information gained from the
surveys is used to develop NASE legislative priorities, as
well as show policymakers the importance of micro-business
in today’s economy.
Survey responses are confidential. For assistance with the
survey, call (800) 233-6132, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EDT,
weekdays, or visit the
Web site.
To read the entire October issue of the Small Business
Advocate,
click here.
SBA Ombudsman October Schedule of
Events
The U.S. Small Business Administration National Ombudsman
released the October schedule of hearings and roundtables
across the country. Ombudsman Michael Barrera’s primary
mission is to assist small businesses when they experience
excessive federal regulatory enforcement actions, such as
repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines,
penalties, threats, retaliation or other unfair enforcement
action by a federal agency. The hearings and roundtables are
an opportunity for micro-business owners to voice their
concerns about regulatory burdens.
October 28: Wilmington, Delaware Hearing
October 30: Annapolis, Maryland Roundtable
For more information, visit
www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
Do any of these issues affect you? Visit the NASE Legislative
Action Center and “Tell
Your Micro-Business Story.” This will help the NASE
understand - on a personal level - how key legislative issues
are affecting your business and your bottom line.
For more information about any of the articles in
Washington Watch, contact Maureen Petron, NASE public
affairs manager, at (202) 466-2100 or
mpetron@nase.org.
|
|
