WWN Policy Institute: Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027 Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute?

The 2027 Policy Institute consists of four, two-day retreats held in Madison. All retreats are held in-person. If you are invited to participate in the Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute, you shall commit to attend all scheduled Institute trainings in Madison and spend an average of two to four hours a week communicating regularly and effectively with your team between retreats. The 2027 Institute will be held on the following days:

Retreat 1: Friday, January 8, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 9, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Retreat 2: Friday, February 5, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 6, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Retreat 3: Friday, March 12, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 13, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Retreat 4: Friday, April 23, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

*WWN will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and will update safety precautions for the Policy Institute with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels/venues hosting our events.

What is the timeline for applications and selection?

Institute participants will be selected through a multistep application process. The selection committee will review all completed applications received by the deadline and selected applicants will be invited to participate in Zoom interviews. Applications and recommendations must be submitted through the online forms by midnight on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted by Monday, October 26, to schedule a Zoom interview. Interviews will take place in November. Participants who have been accepted into the Institute will then be notified of their selection by Friday, December 4, 2026.

Who should fill out my recommendation form?

Your recommendation form—a required part of your application—should be completed by someone who can speak to your interest in growing your advocacy skills and your commitment to issues related to women's health, economic security, and/or safety.

Ideally, your recommendation form should be completed by your supervisor at work so they can also address the organization's support of your participation in the Policy Institute, including the time commitment required. If a supervisor is not able to complete your recommendation, that’s okay. Please ask someone else (e.g., an individual from an affiliate group such as a volunteer organization, neighborhood organization, church group, etc.) who can speak to your interest in and commitment to advancing policies that will benefit Wisconsin's women, as well as what you would gain by participating in the Policy Institute.

Your recommender should complete and submit the recommendation form directly.

Do I need to live in Wisconsin to participate in the Policy Institute?

Yes. Residency in the state of Wisconsin is required to participate in the Wisconsin Women’s Network Policy Institute.

What is the cost for participation in the Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute?

The Wisconsin Women’s Network Policy Institute is provided at no cost to participants, and sponsorship is not required for participation. As a nonprofit organization, WWN works hard to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participating in the Institute. Therefore, we request and encourage organizations with staff members and/or volunteers are selected to participate to support the Policy Institute through full or partial sponsorship.

Sponsorship helps support the training, resources, and coordination that make the Policy Institute possible. Institute graduates return to their organizations and communities equipped with the knowledge, skills, expertise, and connections to impact policy change at the state and local level.

2027 Sponsorship Opportunities:

$5,000 – Policy Institute Sponsor
Makes a significant investment in the overall Policy Institute by supporting the coalition infrastructure for your sponsored participant. It's this kind of investment from sponsors that makes a full, robust coalition possible year after year. Policy Institute Sponsors will be recognized on 2027 Policy Institute program materials and receive digital recognition throughout the program year.
$2,500 – Comprehensive Sponsor
Provides expanded support for the full Policy Institute experience, including participant lodging, personnel costs, and other program expenses.
$1,500 – Participant Sponsor
Provides meaningful support for the training, resources, and coordination that make the Policy Institute possible for a sponsored participant
Partial Sponsorship
Organizations unable to provide sponsorship at one of the levels above are welcome to contribute at another amount.

Are food and lodging provided during the Policy Institute retreats?

Yes. Light breakfast items, lunch, and snacks are provided during each retreat.

For participants who live outside of the Greater Madison Area, Friday night hotel accommodations are offered for each retreat. For participants who live two or more hours from Madison, Thursday and Friday night hotel accommodations are offered for each retreat.

What if I have questions prior to applying?

Please do not hesitate to ask questions prior to submitting your application. You may email the Wisconsin Women’s Network at info@wiwomensnetwork.org. You may also email Lead Instructor T.R. Williams at trwconsult414@gmail.com.

What are the criteria for a successful application?

There are several criteria for a successful application to the Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute. Successful applicants will:

Possess an interest in, passion for, and/or content knowledge of one or more of the Institute’s focus areas of women’s health, safety, or economic security;
Demonstrate how your participation in the Wisconsin Women's Network Policy Institute will increase your policy advocacy work at your organization and/or in your community. If you do not represent an organization, be able to demonstrate how your participation will help a specific community or community group in which you are involved;
Have the full support of your employer or volunteer organization to participate in the Institute and to spend time working on a policy project that includes advocacy;
Be committed and available to attend all four training retreats for the full time of each retreat. All retreats are held in-person in Madison. Retreats are scheduled for the dates below:
- Retreat 1: Friday, January 8, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 9, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Retreat 2: Friday, February 5, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 6, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Retreat 3: Friday, March 12, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 13, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Retreat 4: Friday, April 23, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, 2027, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Be willing to work on a team to collectively develop a policy project and actively contribute to the project even if the specific policy issue is not a top priority for you, your organization, or your community, recognizing that the skills you learn on a policy project will be broadly applicable and useful to you after the Institute has concluded. Team members must be willing to communicate effectively and work to bridge differences in personalities and working styles to collaborate successfully as a team;
Be able to dedicate an average of two to four hours a week to Institute-related activities, in addition to the four retreats during the four-month period of the 2027 Policy Institute. This time may include research, policy project work, virtual meetings, communication, and other activities, depending on your group's agreement;
Be willing and prepared to bring what you have learned in the Institute back to your organization or community;
Be willing and prepared to engage with the network of Institute participants and to continue advancing public policy agendas that benefit Wisconsin’s women and girls after completion of the training;
Have regular access to reliable communications technology and commit to checking and responding to all Institute-related emails in a timely manner; and
Have a passion for and eagerness to learn about how to more effectively make a difference in the lives of Wisconsin’s women and girls!