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LWVUS 2011
LWVUS_2011
News about the LWVUS organization 2011
Upcoming Events.
Messages from LWVUS.
LWVUS Legislative Alerts.
LWVUS Guidelines.
LWVUS Budget.
LWVUS Programs.
LWVUS 2011 Studies - Government Privatization.
LWVUS 2011 Studies - Education.
Federal Role in Education.
Reference Materials.
Upcoming Events
FIRST CALL TO CONVENTION 2012
From LWVUS President Elisabeth G. MacNamara
Join Us for the LWVUS 50th
National Convention in Washington DC!
June 8-12, 2012
Imagine, Commit, Act! "The Power of the Vote!"
Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Avenue
YES!! We're finally BACK in Washington, DC for the National League Convention!!! Have "the DC Experience" with many other LWV leaders from around the nation!
- Great Speakers
- Interesting Workshops and Training
- Discussing Program and Issues
- Electing Leaders
- Incredible Networking
- Visit DC area sites + the Hill, Smithsonian, the Monuments, and many others!!!
- Friday, June 8 Pre-Convention Training 2-5 pm
- Saturday, June 9 Briefings 10 am-Noon
- Saturday, June 9 Call to Order 1 pm
- Tuesday, June 12 Adjourn Noon
Watch for additional information to assist Leagues in fully participating in the Convention. We'll send information about program planning process, bylaws, awards, the costs, registration, reservations process, and how to sign up for convention list serve and others.
Be part of this exciting opportunity to connect with other League leaders around the country!
Messages from LWVUS
- 12/15/11 A look back at 2011
- 12/15/11 LWVUS PRESIDENT'S CORNER
SPECIAL NOTE*** Best wishes for a joyous holiday season! The Leaders' Update is taking a holiday break for the next two weeks. We will be back on January 5!
Dear League Leader:
The end of a very busy year is approaching and offers lots of opportunity to reflect on the work that we have done and the work ahead.
I'd like to focus on the work ahead simply because of its urgency. Many state legislatures have managed to make it more difficult for citizens to vote in the upcoming 2012 elections. This week, the Attorney General of the United States finally acknowledged what we, in the League, have known for a long time. Voting rights are being undermined in a variety of ways in a majority of the states. The time for action is now if we want the 2012 election to be fair.
Whatever course the Department of Justice takes over the next few months, we know that state legislatures will be coming back into session next year, and efforts will be renewed to require voter ID, curb early voting and discourage groups like the League from registering voters. We, who understand the importance of full participation, must continue to oppose these efforts in every way possible. Whatever barriers the states throw up, we must work to overcome them. We know this is an organized effort, but regardless of who is behind it or what is motivating it, we must be just as organized and just as determined to make the process work for every voter and to make every vote count.
This past year, the League has been very involved in "protecting the voter" activities in various capacities. In mid-November, I was on Capitol Hill to speak about the impact of 2011 state-passed voting legislation. If you missed it, you may view my testimony here.
Our state Leagues have been busy, too, fighting back against these anti-voter measures! See the piece under Education Fund/Elections below for recent examples. Still, there is so much more to do.
This final message for 2011, then, is a call to arms to all Leagues! Let's roll up our sleeves and do the valuable work for which we are best known and best qualified. Let's get out and register new voters, provide Voters' Guides, participate in VOTE411, host candidate debates and forums, and mobilize voters for the 2012 elections!
In League,
LWVUS Legislative Alerts
LWVUS Guidelines
*7/28/11: Guidelines for Major LWVUS/EF In-State Initiatives
In a special meeting, the LWVUS/EF Board of Directors adopted Guidelines for Major In-State Initiatives. The Board has adopted these Guidelines (see below) in response to concerns voiced by members regarding major in-state initiatives undertaken by the LWVUS/EF Board. The Guidelines outline communication and consultation procedures to state LWV leaders, local League leaders and notification of other members who should be informed of the initiatives. The Guidelines were adopted in a special meeting on July 28, 2011.
In General
From time to time, the LWVUS/EF may undertake major advocacy, educational, visibility or membership campaigns or initiatives in one or more states. Major initiatives may enhance the League's effectiveness in achieving its educational, advocacy and organizational goals or further a current program or organizational priority. All aspects of major initiatives must be consistent with LWVUS/EF bylaws, policies, and positions.
Consultation with State and Local Leagues
In advance of the launching of a major initiative, the LWVUS/EF Board and staff shall do the necessary consultation and appropriate pre-planning with the state Leagues directly involved in the initiative.
The LWVUS/EF will brief state League presidents on the rationale and scope of the initiative. The consultation may include communicating, coordinating and reinforcing the League's activities and/or message, and ensuring that the League speaks with one voice.
Information will be shared with state League(s) first, and unless otherwise directed by the state League leadership, the LWVUS/EF will work to ensure that appropriate supporting materials are prepared and distributed in a timely manner to state and local League leaders. Materials will be designed to help League leaders understand and assist in the initiative at the state and local level as appropriate. Examples of materials include information and response templates, additional factsheets, press releases, model letters to the editor and other substantive documents prepared in support of the initiative.
The LWVUS/EF will work to help ensure that appropriate spokespersons are identified and briefed on the initiative. The LWVUS/EF will inform the LWVUS Lobby Corps members and the Ruth M. Shur Fellows of any major in-state initiatives in a timely manner.
Monitoring and Results
The LWVUS/EF will monitor the progress of major initiatives, including implementation challenges and successes, internal feedback and external response, and level of impact at the national, state and local levels. As initiatives progress, the information obtained may lead to adjustments.
LWVUS Budget
*The LWVUS/EF budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012 are available for viewing at 2011-2012 LWVUS budget
Delegates to Council have approved the LWVUS budget. The Board of Trustees has formally approve the LWVEF budget at its meeting immediately following Council.
The proposed budgets support the vital functions of the national office while reducing spending in line with available resources. Projected revenues are somewhat less than in the current year budget due to membership loss and
decreased expectations for both direct marketing and grant revenues. However, the proposed budget continues support for all the LWVUS and EF functions, and
includes needed investments that will provide long-term benefits for the League at all levels.
LWVUS Programs
*11/17/11 LWVUS: Program Planning Guide Is Here!
Every two years state and local Leagues and ILO's participate in the LWVUS Program Planning process by making recommendations concerning program issues + this is one of the ways we remain a grassroots organization. The Program Planning process is an important League tool for identifying issues for study, review and update or concurrence. Here is the guide to assist you in your January/February meetings on Program Planning. The deadline for submitting program planning response forms is March 1, 2012.
LWVUS 2011 Studies - Government Privatization
*12/28/11 LWVUS: Leaders' Guide for the Privatization Study Consensus by Gretchen Knell
Member Resource: Privatization
*11/6/11 LWVUS: The initial Privatization Study Background papers are available from the LWVUS Study team.
*The following additional papers concerning the Government Privatization Study have been received from Toni Larson, PhD., former LWVCO President, who has studied privatization at the state level in higher education and hospital administration.
*2011 Government Privatization Study (received 8-10-11)
- Committee Chair
Janis McMillen, Kansas
- Members
Cathy Lazarus- California,
Diane DiIanni- Tennessee,
Nora Leech- Washington,
Carole Garrison- Virginia,
Muriel Strand- California,
Ann Henkener- Ohio,
Ted Volskay- South Carolina
*9/22/11 LWVUS:
Privatization Study Discussion List Now Available
The Privatization Study list is now available for members to hold discussions on this topic. Papers written by the Study Committee will be posted on the website in the coming weeks. As a reminder, the scope of this study is "to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good." Consider what is happening in your local community or state with regard to transferring some government services to the private sector. Are you aware of the policy issues associated with such a transfer? The study papers will offer some guidelines for best practices that should be considered in these efforts, whether they affect your public libraries, your public schools or your state's highway system.
We have received questions about the Privatization Study and are sending the following information to let you know the timeline and scope of the study so that you can include the study in your upcoming calendars. In late summer, there will be a Privatization Study List for all interested League members and study materials will begin to be posted. In the interim, please feel free to contact Committee Chair Janis McMillen at jkmcmillen@kc.rr.com with questions.
Scope of the Privatization Study:
The purpose of this study is to identify those parameters and policy issues to be considered in connection with proposals to transfer federal, state or local government services, assets and/or functions to the private sector. It will review the stated goals and the community impact of such transfers, and identify strategies to ensure transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good.
Timeline:
LWVUS 2011 Studies - Education
*10/6/11 LWVUS:
November 30, 2011, is the Consensus deadline for the study, "Role of the Federal Government in Public Education."
Each League should input their data once their boards have approved. All materials (papers, power points, and leaders' guide for the study) plus the link to the Consensus form are here or can be found at http://www.lwv.org (click members, click projects and programs, click education study). Specific questions may be directed to Peggy Hill (hillp@uhcl.edu) or Joanne Leavitt (ac997@lafn.org).
*8/4/11 LWVUS: Education Study: New Material Available Online (NEW)
The online Education Study Response form and three Power Point presentations on History, Common Core Standards and Assessments, and Equity and Funding are now online. The Power Points can be used for League study meetings and the Response Form is to be used by each League to submit their consensus report.
*8/21/11 Leaders' Guide for the Education Study GLOSSARY and ACRONYMS
*Study on the Role of the Federal Government in Public Education
*3/24/11: LWVUS: Public Education Study Update (NEW)
The LWVUS study on the Role of the Federal Government in Public Education is well underway. The target schedule is for Leagues to have materials (papers, consensus questions and a Leaders Guide for taking consensus) in May. Local Leagues will have from May through November to conduct their local study and take consensus. The study committee is writing papers; as they are completed, they will be posted on the LWVUS website. In addition, a webinar is scheduled for April 21 (see below). Watch the Leaders' Update and the Public Education List for the availability of the study materials. What can you do right now? Form a study committee, select a chair and put the study on your local League calendars. Also, keep reading the Public Education list and Leaders' Update for continuing information.
LWVLPC-2011 Studies-Federal Role in Education
*The following are papers collected by the LWVLPC Committee concerned with the Federal Role in Education:
LWVLPC members are encourage to read these papers before the upcoming League COnsensus Meeting on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 9-12:30 at Christ the King Fellowship Hall in Durango, Colorado.
Reference Materials
*9/30/11 Support Group for Leagues Surviving and Thriving in Social Media
A few months ago, we launched the League of Women Voters New Media Facebook group, and it has been a great success! We have 82 League members from around the country helping each other learn best practices for using new technology and social networks to improve their communications, fundraising and advocacy work. Petti Van Rekom (LWV of the Capistrano Bay Area) says "It's great to have a group of League members who WANT to learn to use technology better. The help and rapid support is terrific!" Please join the League of Women Voters New Media Facebook group and help make our discussions even better! Group members range from beginners to regular users of social media and technology. There's an understanding among members that no question is too basic. We're here to support each other in using and learning best practices in new technology and communications to help our Leagues succeed. Often a blog post or question ignites energizing discussions on how to apply social tactics not just to nonprofits or advocacy groups, but specifically to League work.
*6/30/11 The Impact of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 on the Administration of Elections for Federal Office 2009-2010 A Report to the 112th Congress June 30, 2011 by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
* 6/10/11 LWVUS: Last month the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Nation's Report Card on Civics for 2010 was released and showed disappointing results for the third year in a row (1996, 2006, 2010), indicating that we are not imparting the civic education critical to being an informed and engaged citizen.
The LWVUS serves on the Commission on Civic Education in the Nation's Schools created by the American Bar Association. The Commission has developed six separate, but related, curricula for civics and law academies, which is available here. The ABA will be addressing its own members and contacting state and local bar associations to encourage them to participate this summer. I encourage you to take advantage of this new opportunity to introduce the League and good government to our nation's youth.
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Last revised: May 14, 2012 07:51 PDT.
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