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LWVUS 2012
LWVUS_2012
News about the LWVUS organization 2012
Like us on Facebook or Tweet us on Twitter
Upcoming Events.
Messages from LWVUS.
Power the Vote.
LWVUS Legislative Alerts.
LWVUS Advocacy.
Task Forces-2012.
LWVUS Guidelines.
LWVUS Budget.
LWVUS Programs.
LWVUS 2011 Studies - Government Privatization.
LWVUS 2011 Studies - Education.
Federal Role in Education.
Reference Materials.
Past Events.
Upcoming Events
*2/21/12 LWVUS Webinar: National Convention Webinar Series:
Register Today to Participate! (NEW)
Ahhh...in February, League minds and hearts turn to thoughts of spring...which means Convention! We mean to Power the Vote throughout this + the League's 50th + National Convention with exciting speakers, energetic workshops and awards. We've added a healthy dose of "fun" activities, too. You can be a part of one of the most exciting conventions to date. Newcomers and experienced attendees, you will want to know more details. Join Convention Chair Marcia Merrins and Cheryl Graeve for the first of two webinars on February 21 at 1:00 pm ET. Register for the webinar here.
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
- 2/16/12 LWVUS PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear League Leader:
Last week, the League and its partners demonstrated, once again, that the grassroots can speak up to power! More than 25,000 activists answered our call and signed onto our petition urging the President to begin fixing what ails the Federal Elections Commission. The ball is now in President Obama's court, and we hope his response will be to make the appointments that restore the FEC to its watchdog role.
As we all know, the Citizens United decision has already had enormous impact on our elections. Currently, we have been hearing about the Super PAC money pouring into the Presidential primary. A robust effort by the FEC to ensure that independent expenditures are indeed independent is an important first step to protect against big special interest money in our elections. Another key component in the battle for clean elections is public information. At the federal level, we are supporting legislation to require complete disclosure of spending on big-money advertising let loose by Citizens United. (See Advocacy section below.) The voting public deserves the opportunity to know and discuss the impact of special interest money on House and Senate races, as well as on statewide judicial elections.
Recently, we have seen organized efforts to unseat state court judges, even in states with a merit selection system. Outside influence has been brought to bear in several states on judicial retention elections. As a result, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) at the University of Denver conducted a roundtable discussion among lawyers and lay persons of a variety of political persuasions and from different backgrounds to address selection of judges. Starting from the premise that in order to select judges with merit, we must first identify what qualities we want in a good judge, the discussion was lively and productive. Developing a consensus around judicial qualifications led to an even more productive conversation about the best ways to select judges.
We just commemorated the League's 92nd birthday on Tuesday with this celebratory message. For those 92 years, the League has been a strong voice for voters and a source of thoughtful and factual information vital to keeping our democracy safe from the outsized influence of special interests. Let's continue to raise awareness in our communities about the issues, especially the issue of money in all of our elections. By doing so, we continue our tradition of Powering the Vote.
In League,
- 2/9/12 LWVUS PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear League Leader:
Next week the League celebrates 92 years of Powering the Vote!
Election 2012 is well underway as we celebrate our birthday, and the League of Women Voters is geared up to Power the Vote. Over the next few weeks, the Update will focus on the many ways in which we can work together to ensure that the focus of this election is the voter. Working in Congress, state legislatures and with local registrars, we can come together to ensure that the power to shape our democracy is the power of the vote and not the power of big money and big media.
Among the decisions made by the Board at its January meeting is the adoption of Power the Vote as our call to action in all that we do this year, from the theme of Convention 2012 to the work that the League family does at the local, state and national level. Identifying our work as Power the Vote will identify us as a single unit, energized and working for voters nationwide. As you go about voter registration, voter protection advocacy, voter education through debates and voter guides, and other election year activities, this theme will unify our efforts and create greater visibility.
Reminding the public and the media in particular that elections are about the voter, gives us an opportunity to educate the media about election-related issues and the needs of the voter as well as the League's election activities. If every League identified five media contacts and communicated with those contacts at least once a month, imagine the visibility for voters and for the League!
We are among the engines that Power the Vote. At the national level, we will be providing you with much more information and many opportunities for powering the vote in the coming months. For now, I urge all Leagues to use the theme in every election-related activity you undertake this year. Let us never forget that we do what we do for voters.
In League,
- 2/2/12 LWVUS PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear League Leader:
As we heard from Leagues, campaign finance reform emerged as a top legislative priority. The Board discussed possible approaches to the issue and approved the creation of a Campaign Finance Reform Task Force, as well as making the issue a legislative priority. (See application information below this message.) The Task Force will be charged with exploring interim and long term solutions for the purpose of educating our members and the public as well as informing our advocacy at all levels of League. The 2012 election provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the implications of unlimited money in elections and to advocate for the reforms that can be achieved legislatively, including improved disclosure and tighter limitations on what constitutes an "independent" expenditure. As you know, most of the special interest big money flowing into elections this year is for so-called "independent" spending.
In related action, the Board determined that the League is not in a position, at this time, to support a Constitutional amendment in this area or the efforts currently underway to encourage state legislatures to adopt resolutions in support of a Constitutional amendment. The Board concluded that too many questions about this approach remained unanswered. The Supreme Court in Citizens United used several well-established legal concepts to create an elections funding formula that leaves a legal tangle among "independent" expenditures, so-called corporate free speech, freedom of the press and the meaning of "person" under the Constitution. Constitutional solutions will have implications beyond campaign finance, and we need to build on our solid reputation among lawmakers for proposing well-considered solutions to difficult policy problems.
There is no better time to bring to bear on this issue the League's considerable reputation and member expertise. Looking beyond 2012 and the legislation we are currently pushing, a task force of members with experience and training in campaign finance and constitutional law will prove invaluable in tackling long-term reform.
In League,
- 12/28/11 LWVUS: New Years Resolutions from Elisabeth MacNamara, President, League of Women Voters
- 12/15/11 A look back at 2011
- 2/9/12: LWVUS Board Minutes from October 2011
Power the Vote
*2/17/12 LWVUS video: Take Control - Vote PSA
LWVUS Legislative Alerts
*2/2/12 LWVUS: LWVUS Legislative Priorities for 2012 (NEW)
The LWVUS Board established the following as Legislative Priorities for 2012: Voter Protection, Campaign Finance Reform, Environmental Defense and Health Care Defense. In addition, these items were included on the LWVUS Watch List for 2012: Fair Taxation, CEDAW (Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), UN Support and Immigration. Items on the Watch List will be acted upon if the opportunity arises for League action, it does not interfere with action on an LWVUS Priority and it appears the LWVUS can make an impact.
The Board considered many issues and the responses from members suggesting Legislative Priorities. The decisions were based on what issues are likely to come before the 112th Congress, the opportunities to make an impact, program decisions made by members at the last Convention, member interest and resources available to manage these priorities effectively. The Board reviews these priorities throughout the year, making changes if necessary.
LWVUS Advocacy
*2/16/12: League Supports DISCLOSE 2012 in Congress
The LWVUS Lobby Corps is carrying this message to House offices, asking Representatives to cosponsor H.R. 4010, DISCLOSE 2012, introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen. The legislation provides essential new disclosure requirements to cover the hundreds of millions of dollars in secret contributions being injected into federal elections by non-profit groups and other entities. The legislation also ensures that there will be timely disclosure by Super PACs. The League and coalition partners also sent this letter to the House in support of H.R. 4010.
*2/16/12 League Opposes Keystone XL Pipeline Legislation
The League joined groups from the environmental community in opposing legislation to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. The letter said pending legislation would effectively turn Congress into a permitting authority, bypassing a robust environmental and safety review and approving a project for which a route has not even been determined, and called for the rejection of such actions.
*2/16/12: An Opportunity to Use Your Experience and Expertise!
As the League tackles long-term reform, the new Campaign Finance Reform Task Force is seeking members with experience and expertise in campaign finance and constitutional law. If you have an interest in this issue as well as expertise and background in campaign finance and constitutional law, please submit your application to serve on this Task Force here by March 1, 2012.
LWVUS Task Forces - 2012
*2/2/12 LWVUS: Campaign Finance Reform Task Force (NEW)
As noted in the President's message above, a Campaign Finance Reform Task Force of members with experience and expertise in campaign finance and constitutional law will prove invaluable as the League tackles long-term reform. Members, with an interest in this issue as well as expertise and background in campaign finance and constitutional law, who would like to apply to serve on this Task Force may do so here. Applications are due by March 1, 2012.
LWVUS Guidelines
*2/9/12 LWVUS: League Logo Rules for use on web and in emails
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
*1/16/12 LWVUS:LWVUS 2011 Mid-Year Advocacy Report as of June 19, 2011 by Judy Duffy, LWVUS
Advocacy Committee Chair
*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
*Like the League on Facebook
Donate to the League on our Facebook Causes page.
Past Events
*2/14/12 Happy League of Women Voters Day!
February 14, 2012 is our 92nd birthday + so join us on our Facebook page or Twitter feed to leave a birthday wish for the League.
Our birthday wish this year is a special one. 2012 is an important election year and there is a great deal of work to be done to help register, educate and mobilize voters. That is why the League is launching an important campaign + Power the Vote!
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Last revised: February 18, 2012 10:11 PST.
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League of Women Voters of La Plata County, Colorado. All rights reserved.
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