1. 5/2/2019
League 101
Everything you wanted to know about the League … but were afraid to ask

2. About the League History Mission Principles Structure
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About the League
History
Mission
Principles
Structure
Voter service activities
Program development and League positions
Action/Advocacy
Financing
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3. 5/2/2019
Our History
Carrie Chapman Catt

4. A rich history of volunteerism
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A rich history of volunteerism
LWVUS - founded in 1920
LWVOR - founded in 1924
Over 700 local and state Leagues in all 50 states and the District of Columbia
1200 members statewide.
12 local Leagues and 3 Member at Large (MAL) Units
LWVUS - founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt shortly before the Women’s Suffrage Amendment was ratified, to help newly enfranchised women become politically educated, responsible voting citizens.
Over the years, the League has opened a door to intellectual activity and involvement in political life
Local politicians began seeing women as capable of serving on local boards
League has studied many issues and been active in calling for changes and reforms
Has served as a training ground for community leaders
Is determined to be a pertinent and meaningful voice in local governance
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5. 5/2/2019
Our Mission

6. Our Mission defines what we are about
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Our Mission defines what we are about
The League of Women Voters,
a nonpartisan political organization,
encourages informed and active
participation in government,
works to increase understanding
of major public policy issues, and
influences public policy
through education and advocacy 
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7. Our nonpartisan policy
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Our nonpartisan policy
Neither supports nor opposes candidates for office
However
Members are encouraged to participate in the party of their choice (as long as they don’t claim to represent the League)
LWVOR Board member political activity is more limited
Our nonpartisan policy is key to our reputation
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8. 5/2/2019
LWV is also political
LWVOR takes positions and lobbies on selected governmental issues after members have studied the issues and reached consensus.
While our nonpartisan reputation is important to us, LWV is also political
More on League positions later in the presentation
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9. 5/2/2019
Our Principles

10. League principles – based on fundamental beliefs about government
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League principles – based on fundamental beliefs about government
The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.
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11. 5/2/2019
Fundamental beliefs
The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon:
informed and active participation of its citizens, and
protection of the citizens’ right to know.
The right to know is protected through adequate notice of proposed government actions, open meetings of government bodies and full access to public records.
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12. Fundamental beliefs The League of Women Voters believes that:
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Fundamental beliefs
The League of Women Voters believes that:
every citizen’s right to vote should be protected
every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and
no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.
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13. 5/2/2019
Fundamental beliefs
The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires:
competent personnel,
clear assignment of responsibility,
adequate financing and
coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.
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14. 5/2/2019
Fundamental beliefs
The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people and should:
maintain an equitable, flexible, tax system,
promote conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest,
share in solving economic and social problems that affect the general welfare,
promote a sound economy, and
adopt domestic policies that facilitate solutions of international problems.
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15. Fundamental beliefs The League of Women Voters believes that
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Fundamental beliefs
The League of Women Voters believes that
cooperation with other nations is essential to solving world problems, and
support for the United Nations and international law are imperative in the promotion of world peace.
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16. 5/2/2019
Structure

17. The League is a grassroots organization
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The League is a grassroots organization
LWV – Local Leagues
LWV
– State Leagues
National
At each level,
elected Boards
manage activities
Members are welcome at Board meetings and conventions
The League is a grassroots organization. Members determine policies and program for all League levels
State leagues include 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hong Kong
Local leagues number over 800, with 12 in Oregon alone
Local agendas are set at the Annual Meeting (ours is in April)
Officers are elected
Dues & budget are set
Bylaws are changed
Issues to be studies or acted on are selected
At state and national levels, recommendations on officers and program begin with members at local meetings
Final decisions are made at state or national biennial Convention composed of delegates elected by Leagues in proportion to their memberships
In alternate years, national & state Councils, composed of 2 delegates from each League of state, are held
Because these Councils are not proportionately representative of the membership, they may not change dues or adopt new program emphases
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18. Local League interactions
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Local League interactions
LWV – Local Leagues
LWV – State Leagues
LWV
National
President’s Mailings
Websites
List serves
Consultants
Telephone calls
Local Leagues interact with the National and State Leagues in several ways

19. Current League Presidents
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Current League Presidents
To ensure League “speaks with one voice,” only League presidents may speak for their Leagues
Chris Carson
LWV-US
Norman Turrill
LWVOR
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20. In _______ Local League, we have a strong Board and a growing League
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In _______ Local League, we have a strong Board and a growing League
Board Officers
President --
1st Vice President --
Secretary --
Treasurer --
Directors
Fill in local League information
Membership as of 00/00/10 = ____
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21. The League is committed to diversity
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The League is committed to diversity
LWV diversity policy allows no barriers to participation on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin or disability
The National League of Women Voters has a national statement about diversity.
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22. Membership is open to all
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Membership is open to all
Voting membership is open to any citizen at least 16 years old living in the U.S.
Anyone joining League automatically becomes a member of the local, state & national organizations
Non-citizens, younger people, and members of other Leagues who are seasonal attendees of ______(Local) may join as associate members
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23. Men have been welcome since 1973!
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Men have been welcome since 1973!
Men have been allowed to become members and join the leadership of the League since the 70’s! In fact our current LWVOR President, Norman was the first male board member for the national league and the first male state League president.
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24. There are many types of League meetings
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There are many types of League meetings
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25. League meeting business
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League meeting business
Annual Meeting
Visits by League officials
League studies
Consensus sessions
Guest speakers
Lively League meetings usually address some form of League business
Annual Meeting, for electing officers and board members, adopting budget and program, approving bylaw changes
Visits from state and national league
Briefing on the research on League study issues on a state, local and national level – presentation of facts obtained through research to provide members with information for consensus on positions.
Consensus sessions, to develop positions on issues studied
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26. General meetings open to the public
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General meetings
open to the public
a topic of interest to the broader community
encourage informed and active participation in government through education
General Meetings are membership meetings of local Leagues that are open to the public
LWVOR Office in Salem
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27. Events and Programs Open to the public Free of charge 5/2/2019
Both daytime and evening programs are held to encourage community outreach
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28. 5/2/2019
Committee meetings
Committee programs seek balance between education and action/advocacy
Educational activities are ideally linked to advocacy/ action efforts
Committee meetings encourage participation in areas of specific interest
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29. Recent publications are available at www.lwvor.org
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Hot topic meetings
Can include:
State League Legislative Priorities
Current studies
Upcoming:
Primary and Fall Elections
Ballot measures
Hot Topics meetings are held on an ad-hoc basis about current issues of interest
Recent publications are available at
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30. State Level Meetings Legislative Workshop Fall Workshop
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State Level Meetings
Legislative Workshop
Fall Workshop
Convention (odd years)
Council (even years)
State Level Meetings are great opportunities to meet like-minded people
Legislative Workshop (annually in March)
Lobby legislators
Attend training sessions
Share tips with other League leaders
Fall Workshop – networking and information meeting on current state topics.
Convention (odd years)
Participate in LWVOR decision-making
Council (even years)
Adopt budget
Recognize achievements
Oregon State Capitol
Salem
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31. National Meetings Convention (even years) Council (odd years)
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National Meetings
Convention (even years)
Council (odd years)
National meetings - bring together delegates from all over the country Convention (even years)
Elect officers
Adopt program
Adopt budget
Bylaw changes
Have fun
Learn from each other
Council (odd years)
Give guidance to national board
Oregon Delegation
Portland
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32. All meetings are publicized
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All meetings are publicized
On and ________ (local League)
In state and local LWV newsletters: The Voter
In local newspapers
All meetings are publicized well in advance to maximize participation
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33. Our Voter Service Activities
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Our Voter Service Activities

34. Voter service (EDUCATION) activities
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Voter service (EDUCATION) activities
build awareness of public issues and help voters make independent decisions, based on facts
are distinct and separate from the League’s action agenda,
do not take sides on issues.
can be funded by tax-deductible contributions.
The action agenda takes a position supporting or opposing an issue, the education activities provide non partisan positions on candidates and on ballot measures and provides non-biased educational information in the form of studies of current issues.
Since voter service activities do not take sides on issues, they can be funded by tax-deductible contributions from 501(c) (3) organizations
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35. Voter service activities
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Voter service activities
Voters’ Guide
Voter Registration
Candidate forums
Ballot measure forums presenting pros and cons
Information available on our website (lwvor.org, vote411.org)
Our voter service activities notify communities of important voting information:
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36. How We Decide on Our Program and League Positions
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How We Decide on Our Program and League Positions

37. League Program = Action Agenda based on League Positions
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League Program = Action Agenda based on League Positions
Program is the bridge from education to advocacy
Program
The league bases their programing off of actions that are created through League positions. The league cannot have a position on an issue without a study on the topic.
Education
Advocacy
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38. Studies come first Members may take action only
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Studies come first
Members may take action
only
on issues that have been studied through fact-gathering
and
on which the members are in general agreement
While program is action-oriented, study comes first.
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39. League position development
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League position development
Issues are studied
Based on study, League members reach “consensus” on issue questions
Board reviews and ratifies the process
“Position” is written based on consensus
“Position” becomes the basis for League action
The general membership approves or opposes the position as written at the League’s next annual meeting
League positions are developed, after study and action, through “consensus”
A committee studies a chosen program item
Committee members discuss specific key questions to arrive at “consensus” (general sense of the group)
If consensus is found, the Board reviews the process and ratifies it
The Board selects the wording that best reflects the League’s point of view on the issue
The Board’s statement of consensus (“position”) becomes the basis for League action
The general membership may approve or oppose the position at the League’s next annual meeting
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40. There are two other bases on which League may act:
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There are two other bases on which League may act:
Through concurrence with the recommendations of a task force or other League organization,
By reference to League principles – beliefs about government that are deemed basic and incontrovertible
Belief such as supporting the checks and balances of our Constitutional government)
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41. League positions are published and updated periodically
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League positions are published and updated periodically
National positions are found in Impact on Issues
Oregon’s positions are found in Issues for Action
_____’s positions are reported in _________
National positions are found in Impact on Issues (last updated for )
Oregon’s positions are found in Issues for Action (last updated for )
_____’s positions are reported in _________
Impact on Issues is available at
Issues for Action is available at
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42. Local Leagues meet for Program Planning each year
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Local Leagues meet for Program Planning each year
Review all previous positions –local positions, state and national
Consider doing
first-time study of an issue,
update of a previous study,
restudying an issue
action on an existing position
dropping a position
Submit program recommendations to Board
Each League decides on current action agenda and educational “program” annually
Local leagues review local positions, state positions and national positions – National and state positions are reviewed in alternate years, local positions are reviewed annually.
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43. Program recommendations are filtered through the Board’s debate
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Program recommendations are filtered through the Board’s debate
Will the issue inspire sufficient member interest and commitment?
Can we be effective on the issue?
Is governmental action necessary to solve the problem?
Would we be duplicating another public-interest group’s study?
Is it an idea whose time has come politically?
Do we have sufficient resources?
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44. The Board makes a program recommendation to the membership
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The Board makes a program recommendation to the membership
Members vote on the Board’s recommended program at the local League’s Annual Meeting or State/National Convention
Be sure to mention state and local events
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45. How the League Takes Action
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46. Action is taken based on League Positions
Issue identified
League position reviewed
Board approves taking action
Action is taken:
Testimony on issue
Written material on issue
Public meetings on issue
Encourage citizen action on issue
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47. How League’s Activities are Financed
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How League’s Activities are Financed

48. The League is primarily financed by dues
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The League is primarily financed by dues
_______ membership dues are $_____
Local Leagues pay assessments totaling $____ to support LWVUS and LWVOR (“per member payments,” or PMPs)
Member contributions and fund raising provide additional financial support
LWVOR PMP $------
LWVUS PMP $---
mention scholarships or differing rates if available fro local League.
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49. In review – What you should know about the League:
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In review – What you should know about the League:
Our history
Our mission
Our principles
How we operate
Our voter service activities
Program development and League positions
Action
How League’s activities are financed
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50. As a knowledgeable League member, you can make a difference!
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As a knowledgeable League member, you can make a difference!
Do As Much Or As Little As You Want,
But Remember …
Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport!
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