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Local Program Planning Meeting – April 3, 2024
Our local Program Planning meeting will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 7:00-9:00pm. At this meeting, LWVN will discuss the proposed local action priorities and goals for 2024-2025. As you consider what issues for study and action are important to Newton, we recommend that you review the 2023-24 Program Plan and LWVN Positions as a point of reference. The program that is decided upon will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and then presented to the entire membership at the Annual Meeting for approval.
We invite all LWVN members to attend. This is an opportunity to share your vision for LWVN next year—we want to hear from you!
Registration in advance is required. A Zoom link will be sent to you after you register.
Read more about program planning and the process below.
Annual Program Planning
Why we do Program Planning
There are many important issues on which LWVN could have an impact. With program planning, LWVN members decide where we could be most effective and which issues deserver our time and efforts.
Program Planning is a member-centered multistep process
Members recommend which issues to address, new studies to undertake, and changes to LWVN advocacy positions.
The program planning process begins in March/April. Members discuss the important issues that LWVN should focus on in the next fiscal year, which begins in July. The process ends at the Annual Meeting where members vote on the proposals developed earlier.
Any member who introduces a particular proposal contemplating study or action on a community issue should consider the following:
- Does the League have an existing position that supports the proposed action?
- Do members understand and would they agree with the proposed action?
- Is it a priority for LWVN?
- Does LWVN have a unique role to play or would the LWVN’s assets (time and money) be better spent on other activities?
- Does it have some chance of success or make an important statement for the League?
- Are other leagues, organizations, or a coalition already working on the issue?
- What action techniques would be most effective?
- How will the League deal with opposition?
- How can members be involved in the proposed action?
- What kind of community involvement would best support the League’s efforts?
If a suggestion for program falls under an existing position, that suggestion can simply be considered by the board and presented for approval by its members at the annual meeting, and action can be taken as appropriate. However, if the suggestion involves a new issue that does not fit under an existing position, members must first adopt an appropriate position.
The board of directors is responsible for reviewing and discussing program suggestions, formulating them in appropriate language, and recommending all or some of them for adoption according to procedures specified in the bylaws.
For further information on program and positions, see Understanding League Lingo.