League of Women Voters: 101

Presented by:The League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties

1

Agenda• Overview of the League

• History • Organization• Operations• Finance• League Principals

• LWV NC• ODC League: Who’s Who?• ODC Areas of Focus• Partners• Upcoming Events

What is the League?

• The League is a national non partisan political organization– Doesn’t support or oppose candidates or parties– League is an ‘ action group’– Promotes political responsibility through informed and

active participation of citizens in gov’t– Influences public policy through advocacy and

education– Members are urged to be involved in the political

process– The League helps ‘Make Democracy Work’

League Goals

• Strong vibrant and growing organization

• Have a powerful and visible image in community

• Influence public policy thru Advocacy

• Educate public on issues of interest• Support voting and fair elections

1920 League

History of the League

• Organized in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt before the 19th Amendment was ratified

• Goal to educate newly enfranchised women become politically educated/responsible voters

• 800 Leagues in every state and DC, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

• 130,000 members and supporters nationally

LWV North Carolina

• NC League first formed in 1920• 1930 had 4 league chapters• Final state League formed in 1951• Currently 15 Leagues and 3 Members at

Large (MAL) units• 900+ members statewide• 167 ODC members• State Board of Directors oversees NC

League organization

How is the League Organized?

• Parallels US representative gov’t (local, state and federal)

• Members determine policies and Program at all levels

• Presidents speak for the local Leagues• Each League has an elected BOD• Local Program setting meeting is the Annual

(Business) Meeting– officers are elected– dues and budgets are set– bylaws are amended– adopt our Program for the year– Next Annual Meeting May, 2015

• Decisions are made at the state or national biennial Convention

– Delegates represent their local or state Leagues proportional to membership

– NC’s next Convention is June 5-7 in Durham

• Alternate years meetings are called ‘Councils of Leaders’

– Two delegates from each local League or state attend

• All League members can attend these events/ only delegates can vote

Organization (con’t)

How the League Operates

• Action Group– Identifies issues for action only after careful study and

when members agree (consensus vs majority vote)

• Advocacy agenda is called ‘Program’

• Must inspire member interest and commitment• Can League be effective and make a difference?• Would our efforts be duplicative of another organization• Is underwriting required?• Are there other organizations/partners who have asked for

our assistance?

• Move to study or action once program items are selected

How is the League Financed?

• Member Dues– kept low so affordable (currently $55 per yr)– portion goes to state and national

• Fundraising to support program activities is essential

• National, state and local Leagues all raise funds

ODC Board

• President: Brenda Rogers

• VP: Janet Hoy• Secretary: Ruth Ann Groh• Treasurer: Susan Marston• Director: Krishna Mondal: Voter Protection and

Education• Director: Linda Borkowski: Membership• Director: Erin Barbato: : Webmaster and Social

Media: • Director: Marna Doucette: Program• Can appoint add’l members as needed

ODC League Areas of Focus (Roundtables)• Voter Services and Protection• Access to voting

• Information about candidates and issues

• Voter registration outreach

• Legal action as necessary

•Education

•Health Care:• ACA open enrollment #2

• Insurance 101

• Medicaid Expansion: Close the Gap!

• Environment (water quality)

ODC League Partners• Elections and Voting:

• Democracy NC• NC Center for Voter Education• Operation Jumpstart

• Health Care:• NC Justice Center• Planned Parenthood

• Environment:• NC Conservation Network

• Women’s Issues:• NC Women United• Mom’s Rising

Upcoming Events

• Chatham organizing meeting• Voter registration events:

– Durham Centerfest Sept. 20-21– National VR Day: Carrboro Arts Center Sept 23– Festifall: CH Oct 5

• UNC Telethon: November• Holiday Lunch: Dec• November- April Program Lunches• May 2015- Annual Meeting

The League of Women Voters(in summary)

• A non partisan political organization that advocates for issues but does not take positions on candidates or parties

• Leagues influence public policy through education and advocacy

• ‘Making Democracy Work’ by fostering active civic engagement and enhancing access to the vote

• Founded in 1920 through women’s suffragette movement leading to passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution

• Chapters nationwide with 15 in NC

This is Your League!

‘The more time and talent you are willing to invest, the more you will gain from being a member.

Be active. Get involved.

There is no shortage of opportunities!’