RENSSELAER
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About Us |
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.
The League of Women Voters grew out of the women's suffrage movement. In 1920, after passage of the 19th 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
The LWV believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States. It believes that:
THE LEAGUE'S ROLE IN MODERATING CANDIDATE FORUMS
Part of the Voters Service mission of the League of Women Voters is to conduct and moderate Candidate Forums. The forums serve voters because they give citizens a means of forming first-hand judgments about the candidates. The forums also serve candidates because the contenders have an opportunity to present their views directly to citizens of varied political affiliations.
These forums are not classical debates, but the format we use is somewhat formal. Candidates start by making opening statements. The moderator then asks the candidates a series of written questions collected from the audience, giving all candidates an equal opportunity to respond. In addition to the audience questions, the League and meeting sponsors may also pose questions. It is the responsibility of the moderator to see that the questions reflect the issues of greatest interest to the entire community, cover a broad range of topics, and are worded to elicit the political philosophy of each candidate. The moderator also screens out "soft ball" or inappropriate questions submitted by the audience. Finally each candidate makes a closing statement. The time allowed for a forum depends on the number of candidates present.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, volunteer, political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose political parties or candidates. We look forward in future election seasons to working with non-partisan community groups who take their civic responsibility seriously by volunteering to sponsor Candidate Forums.
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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 forums ***; conducting voter registration drives; providing information about voting to the public; and getting out the vote on Election Day.
***Part of the Voters Service mission of the League of Women Voters is to conduct and moderate Candidate Forums.
We conduct these forums as a service to voters because it gives them a means of forming a first-hand judgment of the various candidates. [It is also] a service to candidates because it gives them an opportunity to present their views to citizen audiences of varied political affiliations. We do not refer to them as "debates" since no one conducts classical debates.
The format we general use is somewhat formal. Candidates start by making an opening statement. The moderator then asks a series of questions alternating [which candidate gets to make] the first response. ....Finally closing statements are made by each candidate. The time allowed [for the forum] depends on the number of candidates. In addition to the written questions collected from audience members, questions [may also come from] ...... the League and the meeting sponsors. It is the responsibility of the moderator to see that the questions reflect the issues of greatest interest to the entire community, cover a broad range of topics, and are worded to elicit the political philosophy of each candidate. The moderator also screens out "soft ball" or inappropriate questions submitted by the audience.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan volunteer political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose political parties or candidates. We are pleased to work with non-partisan community groups who take their civic responsibility seriously by volunteering to sponsor Candidate Forums.***
· 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: NON-PARTISAN POLICY STATEMENT
Reaffirmed by Board of Directors on June 17, 2010
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.
LWV OF RENSSELAER COUNTY - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2010-2011
(Assignments updated at June 17, 2010 Reorganization Meeting)
Diane Bell , Co-President
Board Admininstration: prepare and send Board meeting agendas,
prepare/maintain calendar, maintain Board list;
Member involvement/retention
Maintain website
Margaret Story , Co-President
Public spokesperson,
Receive and distribute State and National information
Arts Center: Retrieve mail and phone calls,
Voter Services: Coordinator, State Voters Guides, candidate forums, Library votes,
Member involvement/retention
Local Program: Troy Charter review
Fred Stein, Vice President
Local Program: Solid Waste/Environment
Membership committee
Minutes/Correspondence; "Voter" editor
Irene S. Wynnyczuk, Treasurer
Treasurer reports, arrange for audit, budget committee, member/finance drive;
Library Votes; Troy Housing Authority elections
Voter Services: candidate forums,
Joyce Diwan, Director
Voter Services: Election Night Reporting (Brunswick, N. Greenbush, Rensselaer)
Jane Ducatt, Director
Voter Services: Election night reporting (Troy)
Nancy Fairchild, Director
Membership: Records management, member directory/mailing labels, dues notice
Member interest data base
Mary Ellen Frieberg, Director
Meeting Coordinator
Membership committee
Hazel Landa, Director
Voter Services: "They Represent You", Local Voters Guides
Action alerts
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