How does the Newton League make decisions?
The League of Women Voters makes decisions carefully, following procedures established over many decades on the national, state, and local levels. While this means that the League can take longer than other organizations to come to a decision, most League members believe that this approach ensures thoughtful and meaningful action.
Issues or requests for action usually come through one of our subcommittees, although individual members (or groups that aren’t formal committees) are welcome to propose actions as well. Proposals for action must be presented to the board for approval. When an action falls under one of our existing positions, the proposal cites the position the action supports and the reasons action is needed. The board then votes to decide whether to take a particular action. When the action does not fall under an existing position, however, the process is a bit more complicated. Before taking action on something new, League procedures require that a formal study process be undertaken. The result of a formal study is a written document that proposes a new position for the League to adopt. The study and proposal are presented to the membership at the next Annual Meeting, and the whole membership votes on whether to adopt the new position.
LWVN Consensus Studies
Past Studies
Charter Commission Initiative
Rhanna Kidwell
Local Transportation Study
Alison Leary & Lucia Dolan
National Education Study
Jo Corro & Lynn Scheller
National Privatization Study
Jo Corro
LWVMA & LWVUS Consensus Studies
LWVMA Consensus Studies
The most recent LWVMA consensus study was conducted in the early part of 2019 and concerned the state ballot question process. For information on LWVN’s participation in that consensus study, see Study on State Ballot Question Process. For more detailed information on that consensus study as well as other LWVMA consensus studies, see LWVMA Consensus Studies.
LWVUS Consensus Studies
For a comprehensive list of studies and research conducted by League members, visit the League of Women Voters Education Fund Clearinghouse. The purpose of the site is to share League study documents among some 800 national, state and local Leagues and with the public. Leagues can save time by not reinventing study materials and see how other Leagues have approached a tough issue. Leagues can also gain inspiration for program planning. Visitors may download and print the documents. League members may submit documents for the site.