About Us

Links to Sections Below:

Overview of the League of Women Voters
History
Principles of the League
League Organization
League Activities: the Nuts and Bolts
Rensselaer LWV Non-partisan Policy Statement
Rensselaer County LWV Board of Directors
Bylaws

The League of Women Voters is a strictly nonpartisan organization that strives to make democracy work for all citizens of the U.S.A. and beyond.  It neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government.  Nonetheless, the League is wholeheartedly political.

Citizen Responsibility. At its core, the League believes that citizens are responsible for ensuring that our democratic system of governance functions effectively.  The Leagues seeks to:

·        Inspire citizens to actively participate in the democratic process; 

·        Educate citizens about democratic principles;

·        Develop in-depth understanding of current public policy issues and come to consensus among League members about the best solutions; and   

·        Advocate for these solutions in the halls of government.    

Decentralized, grassroots organization. The League's enduring vitality and resonance comes from its unique decentralized structure that consists of a network of groups working at all levels of government – local, state, and national.  (Joining the League at one level automatically makes you a member of all levels.)

There are Leagues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.  Altogether, some 900 state and local leagues comprise a vast grassroots corps of concerned citizens.  While paid staff manage the state and national offices of the League, volunteers do the bulk of the League's work.

Membership Diversity.The League is open to any person who subscribes to LWV principles.  It is committed to diversity and welcomes members of varied backgrounds.  It recognizes that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision-making in a democracy.  Since the 1970's, membership in the LWV has been open to men, as well as women, and now men make up a significant part of the organization.  (See also the "Join/Donate" page on this website.)

Finances.As a nonprofit organization, the League relies primarily on dues and contributions to operate and to achieve its goals.  Support comes from members, non-members, and the community at large.   Each local LWV decides the amount of its dues and the method for collecting them.  From its funds, the local LWV pays a per-member payment to support the state and national LWVs.  The LWV also conducts fundraising campaigns at each level. 

Since the LWV is a lobbying organization, donations for advocacy activities and League membership dues are not tax-deductible.  However, both the NYS Education Foundation and the national Education Fund qualify as 510(c)(3) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code and may accept tax-deductible contributions.  These funds are used exclusively for educational projects. 

HISTORY

The League of Women Voters grew out of the women's suffrage movement.  In 1920, after passage of the 19^th amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote, Carrie Chapman Catt, who led the battle, organized the League of Women Voters of the United States.  The League's first goal was to equip women to exercise their new right to vote.

Since its founding, the League at all levels has worked on a multitude of issues.  These include:  

·        Election, campaign, and legislative lobbying reform

·        Government finances and tax reform

·        Local government structure and efficiency

·        Judicial reform

·        Public education

·        Health care

·        Equal opportunity in employment and housing

·        Welfare reform

·        Child care

·        Environmental quality

·        Consumer protection

PRINCIPLES OF THE LEAGUE

The LWV believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.  It believes that:

• Democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen's right to know about their actions 
  
  
• Every citizen should be: guaranteed the right to vote; protected from legal, economic or administrative discrimination; and assured of equal access to free public education  
        
  
• Efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among different agencies and levels of government
  
  
• Responsible government should:
  
  
  • respond to the will of the people
  • maintain an equitable and flexible tax system
  • participate in solving economic and social problems
  • maintain an equitable and flexible tax system
  • participate in solving economic and social problems that affect the general welfare
  • promote a sound economy
  • promote conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest
  •   adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems

•   Cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE LEAGUE

Boards of Directors.  The LWV, members elect boards to manage the activities of the League (* see below for members of the Rensselaer LWV Board).  In addition to elected officers, boards are composed of elected and appointed directors.  The number of directors elected and the manner of their election is outlined in the bylaws of each League organization.  Each board member usually has a specific area of responsibility, such as program, voter service, public relations, or advocacy.

Committees.  There are two types of committees:  study committees and standing committees.  Study committees study a public policy issue of LWV concern and develop a focus for League consideration.  Standing committees carry out the balance of the LWV's work in voter service, membership and budget.

Meetings.  In Rensselaer County, the board meets once a month and holds an annual membership meeting in the spring to elect officers, set dues rates, and adopt a local program of action, bylaw revisions, and an annual budget.  Other informative, working and social meetings are held throughout the year.  The New York State and national Leagues also hold annual conventions.

LEAGUE ACTIVITIES: the Nuts and Bolts

Education

·        Voter Service/Citizen Information.  The LWV is perhaps best known for its services to voters.  It directs its efforts toward encouraging citizens to register to vote and to take part in government and politics.  Voter service activities include:  sponsoring candidate meetings, debates, and interviews; conducting voter registration drives; providing information about voting to the public; and getting out the vote on Election Day. 

·        Study of Issues.  LWV's at each level choose public policy issues for their members to study.  Study committees examine the issues in-depth and present their findings to members.  Members discuss the issues and the pro's and con's of potential solutions and then strive to come to a consensus (substantial agreement amongst the members) on a position for the League to promote. The LWV's reputation for fairness rests on this practice of thorough, impartial study and consideration.

Action and Advocacy

Once the LWV has a position on an issue, the LWV board develops a plan of action.  Advocacy actions include:

·        lobbying, writing letters and sending e-mails to elected officials;

·        testifying at public hearings;

·        litigating to help clarify laws in the public interest;

·        working in coalitions with like-minded organizations;

·        monitoring elections and other government activities; and

·        using public forums, panel discussions, publications, and the media to provide information to members and the public.  

 (The LWV always makes a distinction between LWV advocacy of specific positions on issues and the League's nonpartisan voter information activities.) 

Public Relations

The LWV uses the Internet, press conferences, radio and television programs, statements to governmental bodies, presence at community events, and the enthusiasm of each of its members to promote the LWV's mission.

Publications

The LWV produces publications that are researched, written and distributed by members at every level.  Catalogs are available for state and national publications.  Many publications are free to members and the public; others are available for purchase.

The Rensselaer LWV produces a newsletter, The Voter, 6 times a year.  It is mailed to members and is also available on this website.  The state and national Voter newsletters are published quarterly and available in print and on-line.  

Observer Corps

The LWV maintains observers at many meetings of various local, regional, state and national governmental bodies.  Observers do not speak for the LWV but attend these meetings to listen, learn, and make factual reports of the proceedings.  The Rensselaer LWV has been attending meetings of the Troy and Rensselaer City Councils and also the Rensselaer County Legislature.

Speakers Bureau

Many LWV's have members who are available to speak on LWV issues to organizations within their communities.  Anyone wishing to contact the Rensselaer LWV about speakers should inquire at info@lwvrc. 

LWV OF RENSSELAER COUNTY'S NON-PARTISAN POLICY STATEMENT

Adopted at the June 19, 2007 Board Meeting

The League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. It does, however, adopt and advocate positions on governmental measures, policies, and issues in the public interest after careful study and substantial agreement among its members.

• At all times, League members shall be careful to distinguish their activities as individuals from those undertaken on behalf of the League. They shall take particular care to avoid the appearance of representing the League when, in fact, they do not.

• The president, the voter service director, and any officer or board member who speaks publicly on behalf of the League shall not run for or hold elective office or work actively on behalf of a candidate for elective office while serving as a board member. Financial contribution to a candidate's campaign shall not, in itself, constitute working actively on behalf of a candidate; however, such persons shall not publicly endorse any candidate.

• No member who is running for elective office or actively supporting a candidate for public office shall participate on behalf of the League in any activity pertaining to that office, including, but not limited to, candidates' forums or debates.

• Any member who, as an individual, speaks or works against a League position shall make it clear that she/he is acting as an individual and not on behalf of the League. Any officer or board member who is strongly identified by the public with the League should consider resigning from the board before speaking or working against a League position.

• The political activities of a spouse or relative of a board member are to be considered as separate and distinct from the activities of the board member.

LWV OF RENSSELAER COUNTY - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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