How
we reach our positions
Member
Adoption
Statement of Position
Taking Action
Local League Involvement
Local Positions
Member Adoption
LWV involvement really begins when a study is adopted by members
at LWV Convention. Study makes action possible. It brings to members
the knowledge that makes LWV action uniquely credible and respected.
During the study phase, members have an opportunity to examine the
facts and key pro and con points. (Learn more about our current
studies and see past study
reports.) When the study committee members have completed a
study, local League members are given the opportunity to become
informed before being asked to make decisions on the issue under
consideration. Through a process the LWV terms consensus, local
League members express their agreement and the LWVOR
board adopts a Statement of Position.
Statement of
Position
The Statement of
Position is an expression of general agreement by a substantial
and representative number of members about certain governmental
policies. All state positions must be consistent with board approved
policies, a principle applying at all levels of LWV functioning.
For the board, the position is the yardstick against which to measure
governmental proposals. Each position affirms a basic philosophy
in general terms, defines the goals desired, and establishes guidelines
against which proposals can be measured. Each position is reexamined
biennially by local Leagues
in their program planning discussions before each biennial convention.
Taking Action
Action may be taken after a Statement
of Position has been adopted. The state
board appoints an action
committee. This group may be involved in many forms of action
at the state level, such as testifying
before legislative committees, conferring with state officials and
agencies, or working with other groups having common interests.
League action is always nonpartisan,
meaning it neither supports nor opposes candidates or political
parties.
Local League
Involvement
Local League and individual
member participation in state action is encouraged in a variety
of ways. League members recommend priorities for action for board
approval. Information on state action items is included in monthly
communications to local
Leagues. During the legislative session, the twice-monthly Legislative
Report describes state issues and activities and is available
by email to members and the public at no charge. Action
alerts are sent to local
Leagues for their action.
Local
Leagues may take action on behalf of LWV of Oregon on state
advocacy issues by having their president contact their local legislators
or other persons at the state level, or by developing letters to
the editor.
Also, League members
may use these materials as resource content for their individual
activities, such as letters to legislators, letters to the editor,
and in personal contacts, but not in the name of the League.
Local Positions
A local League may
testify on a state legislative matter that particularly affects
the local area when it has an appropriate position and the state
League has been notified.
A local
League may be requested by the state to testify on a legislative
bill if the state does not have a position
, but the local League
has an appropriate position that addresses the issue statewide.
Current
Issues
Youth Involvement
Contact Your Elected
Officials
Join the LWV
Action Committee
LWV Advocacy Positions
LWV Testimony
Legislative Reports
Nonpartisanship Statement
LWV Coalitions
Advocacy and Education
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