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Understanding League Lingo: Principles, Positions, and Program

Principles 

Principles are concepts of government supported by the League of Women Voters as a whole. They constitute the authorization for the adoption of national, state, and local programming. https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/LWV%202018-20%20Impact%20on%20Issues.pdf

The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that all powers of the U.S. government should be exercised within the constitutional framework of a balance among the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon informed and active participation in government and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

The League of Women Voters believes that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.

The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.

The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems.

The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems and that development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.

Positions

Positions are specific statements and guidelines developed as the result of study and provide the basis for action.  LWVN only works on issues that have been adopted as official “positions.”  Once we have a position, we can act on it.   Any position that we support must align with state and national positions.  

Steps in adopting a position are:

  • Formal adoption (by members at an annual meeting or by state/national convention delegates) of an issue for study.
  • Member study and consensus (general agreement) on broad concepts.
  • Formulation of a position by the appropriate board of directors.
  • Action as directed by the board of directors.
  • Annual or biennial re-adoption of the position.

It is essential that members have an opportunity to become educated before making a decision about adopting a new position.  This is what makes subsequent League action on that issue uniquely credible and respected. Therefore, the League undertakes a study before considering a new position.  During this study, members have an opportunity to examine the facts and key points pro and con, to discuss the political realities of action, and to contribute ideas for the board to consider when it formulates an action strategy after a position is reached.

The technique currently used most often in Leagues for reaching member agreement on new positions is consensus.  The League uses the word “consensus” in a very specific way as the “collective opinion of a substantial number of League members, representative of the membership as a whole, after objective study of an issue.”  Consensus is not a simple majority, nor is it unanimity; rather it is the overall sense of the group as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions, whether in a meeting of the full membership or a series of smaller discussion meetings.  

We vote on any proposed changes to our local positions, as well as on our focus for the coming year’s work, at our Annual Meeting, held each spring.  

Changes to the state and national positions are made at their respective conventions.  The LWVMA Convention is held in the spring during odd-numbered years; the LWVUS Convention is held in even-numbered years.  In even-numbered years, LWVMA also holds a one-day Council.  LWVN is entitled to send voting delegates to both conventions and the state Council. 

The process used in formulating positions and acting at the grassroots level makes the League unique and sets the League apart from other organizations. The fact that we are members not only of a local League, but of a state League, and of the League of Women Voters of the United States, makes us a powerful force.

The positions of the League of Women Voters US are found in Impact on Issues. The LWVUS public policy positions reflect the program adopted by the most recent convention of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Impact on Issues is updated following each biennial convention.

The positions of the Massachusetts League are found in Where We Stand, and fall into the broad categories of Government, including voting and elections; Natural Resources; and Social Policy, including meeting basic human needs and education.

The ongoing Positions of the LWVN fall into the broad categories of City Government, Environmental Quality, Fiscal Policy, Human Services, Land Use, and Transportion, and were approved by the LWVN membership at the 2021 Annual Meeting. 

Program

Program consists of governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.

Local program (the program adopted by the LWVN) arises from the suggestions of members.  Any member who introduces a particular program and/or proposal contemplating 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.

The 2021-2022 LWVN Program was approved by the members at the annual meeting held on June 13, 2021. 

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Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: A conversation with Carol Moore, Newton’s City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign, part 1
  • The League Presents: Newton’s Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: What it means to be a League of Women Voters member
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Three New School Committee Members

All past programs

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  • Support Public Health Measures 
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Facebook Posts

Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

mailchi.mp

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

lwvnewton.org

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

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Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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