Convention Workbook · 2019-05-20 · Campaign Director Presentation of Proposed Program for 2019-2021 (pp 32-47): Joanne Leavitt, 2nd Vice President ... (LAANE) on the Los Angeles

Convention

Workbook May 31 – June 2, 2019

Westin Pasadena Hotel

191 North Los Robles, Pasadena CA 91101

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY

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Mission Statement ......................................................................................... Page 1

Proposed Order of Business .......................................................................... Page 2

Speakers ........................................................................................................ Page 9

Workshops .................................................................................................. Page 13

Caucuses and Other Meetings ...................................................................... Page 17

Biennial Report ........................................................................................... Page 24

Financial Report .......................................................................................... Page 27

Program

Program 2019-2021 Overview ........................................................ Page 32

Proposed Program 2019-2021 ......................................................... Page 35

Program Planning Report ................................................................ Page 48

Legislative Priorities 2019 .............................................................. Page 52

Program 2019-2021 Resources ....................................................... Page 53

State Leaders ............................................................................................... Page 63

Nominees ........................................................................................ Page 66

Proposed Budget FY2019-2021 .................................................................. Page 75

Proposed Bylaws Amendments .................................................................. Page 82

Bylaws ......................................................................................................... Page 85

Convention Rules and Procedures .............................................................. Page 96

Convention Sponsors ................................................................................ Page 104

Resolution to Express the Will of Convention ......................................... Page 106

Schedule at a Glance ................................................................................. Page 108

Table of Contents

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and

active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy

issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Vision, Beliefs, and Intentions

The goal of the League of Women Voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities

worldwide.

The League of Women Voters of California is a nonpartisan political membership organization,

which:

acts after study and member agreement to achieve solutions in the public interest on key

community issues at all government levels.

builds citizen participation in the democratic process.

engages communities in promoting positive solutions to public policy issues through

education and advocacy.

The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund conducts our voter service and civic

education activities. It is a 501(c)(3) corporation, a nonpartisan, non-profit educational

organization, which:

builds participation in the democratic process.

studies key community issues at all government levels in an unbiased manner.

enables people to seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and

conflict management.

We believe in:

respect for individuals.

the value of diversity.

the empowerment of the grassroots, both within the League and in communities.

the power of collective decision making for the common good.

We will:

act with trust, integrity, and professionalism.

operate in an open and effective manner to meet the needs of those we serve, both

members and the public.

take the initiative in seeking diversity in membership.

acknowledge our heritage as we seek our path to the future.

Mission Statement

LWVC Convention 2019 Page 1

Thursday, May 30, 2019

9:30am – 10:30am Convention Registration & Check-In

Location: Plaza Room Foyer

10:30am – 4:30pm Pre-Convention Workshop, “Let’s Talk About Power: Exploring Race,

Identity Formation, and Organizing”

Location: Plaza Room

Presenter: PaKou Her, Principal of Tseng Development Group

(Advance reservation required)

4:30pm – 5:30pm Convention Registration & Check-In

Location: Plaza Room Foyer

Friday, May 31, 2019

8:30am – 6:00pm Convention Registration & Check-In

Location: Ballroom Foyer

8:30am – 6:00pm Marketplace


8:30am – 9:30am Parliamentary Briefing and Caucuses (p. 17 for location and details)

10:00am Plenary Session

Location: Ballroom

Call to Order

Parliamentary Briefing: Mary Bergan

Report of the Credentials Committee

Adoption of the Rules of Convention (pp. 96-103)

Adoption of the Order of Business (pp. 2-8)

Proposed Order of Business


Appointment of Committees:

Budget Adjustment Committee, Committee to Read Convention

Minutes, Resolutions Committee, Elections Committee

LWVC President’s Opening Remarks: Helen Hutchison

SPEAKER: Veronica Carrizales, California Calls Policy and

Campaign Director

Presentation of Proposed Program for 2019-2021 (pp 32-47): Joanne

Leavitt, 2nd Vice President

Motions to Adopt the Recommended Program

Motions to Adopt Proposed Program Reaffirm Positions (pp. 35-

40)

Adopt Recommended Issues for Emphasis (pp. 40-42)

Motions to Adopt Positions via Concurrence (pp. 42-47)

Remarks by the LWVC Advancement Committee

Announcements: Caroline de Llamas, Secretary

12:00pm Recess

12:00pm – 2:00pm Break

12:15pm – 1:45pm President’s Luncheon

Current and incoming presidents are invited to bring their lunches, and join

LWVC President Helen Hutchison and President-elect Carol Moon

Goldberg to talk about:

- How the LWVC can support you in your role as a local League

president

- Where and how to get your questions answered

- How to create opportunities for sharing with other local League

presidents

- Anything else you’d like to talk about

Location: San Marino Room


2:00pm Plenary Session

Location: Ballroom

Call to Order


SPEAKER: PaKou Her, Principal of Tseng Development Group and

former Executive Director of 18MillionRising.org

Report of the Nominating Committee (pp. 66-74): Lianne Campodonico,

Nominating Committee Chair

Nominations From the Floor: Helen Hutchison

Motions to Consider Not-Recommended Program Items (pp. 49-51)

(proposals must in in workbook)


3:30pm Recess

4:00pm – 5:30pm Workshops (pp. 13-14 for location and details)

6:00pm – 7:00pm Reception


7:00pm – 9:00pm Friday Night Dinner

Location: Ballroom

Speaker: Chris Hoene, Executive Director, California Budget & Policy

Center

(Advance reservation required)

9:00pm – 10:00pm Caucuses and Q&A sessions (pp. 18-19 for location and details)


Saturday, June 1, 2019

7:30am – 8:30am Caucuses and Q&A sessions (pp. 19-20 for location and details)

8:00am – 6:00pm Convention Registration & Check-In




8:00am – 8:30am Parliamentarian Available for Consultation

9:00am Plenary

Location: Ballroom

Call to Order


SPEAKER: Manuel Pastor, Professor of Sociology and American

Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California

Financial Report (pp. 27-31): Jacquie Canfield, LWVC Treasurer

Presentation of Proposed Budget (pp. 75-81): Jacquie Canfield, LWVC

Treasurer

Budget Discussion and Debate

Presentation of Proposed Bylaws Amendments (pp. 82-84): Caroline de

Llamas, LWVC Secretary

Motion to Adopt Proposed Bylaws Amendments

Just the Beginning: a sneak peek at a feature-length documentary film

exploring the past, present and future of women’s political power

Motions to Consider Not-Recommended Program Items (pp. 49-51)

(proposals must be in workbook)


Vote to Grant Consideration of Not-Recommended Program Items, if any

Debate on Proposed Program for 2019-2021, including any Not-

Recommended Items granted consideration


12:00pm Recess

12:00pm – 2:00pm Break

12:45pm – 1:45pm Slate of Nominees “Meet & Greet”

Come meet the slate of nominees for the 2019-2021 term, presented by the

Nominating Committee


2:00 pm Plenary

Location: Ballroom

Call to Order


SPEAKER: Virginia Kase, CEO of the League of Women Voters of

the United States

Presentation by Mony Flores Bauer, member of the LWVUS Nominating

Committee

Budget Discussion and Debate

Bylaws Amendment Discussion and Debate

Program Discussion and Debate



3:30pm Recess

3:30pm Deadline for Submitting Resolutions Expressing the Will of the

Convention to the LWVC Secretary (p. 106, forms also available at

Registration Table)

4:00pm – 5:30pm Workshops (pp. 15-16 for location and details)

6:00pm – 7:00pm Reception


7:00pm – 9:00pm Saturday Banquet

Location: Ballroom

Special Show with Comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh

(Inclusive registration or advance reservation required)

9:00pm – 10:00pm Caucuses, Q&A Sessions, Resolutions Committee, and Budget

Adjustment Committee (pp. 21-22 for location and details)

Sunday, June 2, 2019

7:30am – 8:30am Caucuses and Q&A Session (pp. 22-23 for location and details)

8:00am – 9:30am Convention Registration & Check-In




9:00am Plenary

Location: Ballroom

Call to Order


Remarks by Melissa Breach, LWVC Executive Director

Bylaws Debate and Adoption


Program Debate and Adoption

Budget Debate and Adoption

Presentation of the Will of the Convention Resolutions

Debate and Vote on the Will of Convention Resolutions

Election of Officers and Directors

Remarks from Incoming LWVC President

Invitation to Convention 2021


12:00pm Adjourn


Veronica Carrizales Friday, May 31, Plenary California Calls Location: Ballroom

Veronica oversees the internal operations of California Calls,

leads expansion into new regions of the state, shapes policy

analysis, and maintains partnerships with key statewide allies.

Prior to joining California Calls, she worked as a labor specialist

with the UC Berkeley Labor Center. She created and facilitated

a number of the Center’s visionary programs including the

Latino Leadership Training School, held in the Central Valley,

and the California Lead Organizers Institute. In addition, her

training skills were enhanced as program director with

ENLACE (U.S. – Mexico), where she led capacity-building

training and a workers’ rights program for Mexican maquiladora workers and U.S. worker

centers.

Veronica got her start as an organizer working on advocacy campaigns for good jobs with the

Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) on the Los Angeles Living Wage campaign

and the Santa Monica Living Wage campaign.

Veronica is a first generation Chicana who was raised in the Coachella Valley with nine siblings

in a farmworker family. She is passionate about advancing the cause of social and economic

justice. She graduated from UCLA in 1997.

PaKou Her Friday, May 31, Plenary Tseng Development Group Location: Ballroom

PaKou Her is Principal of Tseng Development Group, LLC, a

consulting firm that provides lectures, workshops, trainings,

organizational development, transformative leadership coaching,

and grassroots strategy development designed to build racial

equity, create systems change, and shift culture.

She has 22 years of anti-racism organizing experience, a decade

of which was as the Director of a national racial justice training

program with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training.

She spent three years at 18MillionRising.org (18MR) in the roles

of Campaign Director and Executive Director. At 18MR, she leveraged civic technology and

Speakers


new media to build power and community among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,

growing the member list from 5,000 to nearly 50,000 and elevating the cultural, political, and

media power of AAPIs nationwide. PaKou also has digital campaign experience as a Field

Organizer with MoveOn.org and as Senior Campaign Director of Reproductive Rights and

Culture at UltraViolet. Currently, she is Digital Advocacy, Growth, and Innovation Campaigner

with ParentsTogether. Born and raised in the Midwest, she takes great pride representing AAPIs

living in the nation’s midsection, and believes there are invaluable stories to be told by People of

Color living in the most rural areas of the United States.

Chris Hoene Friday, May 31, Dinner

California Budget and Policy Center Location: Ballroom

Chris Hoene has been the executive director of the California

Budget & Policy Center since 2012. He has 20 years of

leadership in state and local policy research and analysis,

particularly on fiscal policy issues. Prior to joining the Budget

Center, Chris was director of the Center for Research and

Innovation at the National League of Cities in Washington,

D.C., leading efforts to analyze trends in local and state

government and promote constructive policy action on issues

including public finance, economic development, housing,

poverty reduction, infrastructure, and governance.

Chris also previously worked for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C.

and the Public Policy Institute of California in San Francisco. In 2011, in recognition of his

service to the state and local community, Chris was elected as a Fellow to the National Academy

of Public Administration (NAPA). He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the

Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Chris is married to

Darrene Hackler and, in their free time they can be found cooking, playing tennis, and traveling.


Virginia Case Saturday, June 1, Plenary League of Women Voters of the United States Location: Ballroom

Virginia Kase is the CEO of the League of Women Voters of the

United States. Prior to joining the League, she served as COO of

CASA, an organization at the forefront of the immigrant rights

movement representing nearly 100,000 members. In that

leadership role, Virginia managed the strategic growth, direction,

and operations of the organization and served as a key thought

leader on its politics and policy team.

Prior to CASA, Virginia spent eight years serving as the National

Technical Assistance and Training Manager at the Center for

Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) in Washington, DC. While at CNE she developed a grant

making and capacity building program for grassroots non-profits addressing issues of urban

violence, economic, racial and social inequality. During that time, she also studied what made

them effective, using that information to assist groups in deepening their impact by replicating

best practices and identifying opportunities for cross-sector movement building.

Virginia has more than 20 years’ experience working in the non-profit sector and is a passionate

activist and advocate for social justice. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a

Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is the mother of two awesome sons and lives in

Maryland with her fiancé and her rescue dog Boss.

Zahra Noorbakhsh Saturday, June 1, Banquet Comedian Location: Ballroom

Zahra Noorbakhsh is a comedian and cohost of the award-

winning podcast, #GoodMuslimBadMuslim. The podcast was

listed as a “must listen,” by Oprah Magazine and was invited to

the Obama Whitehouse to record an episode. She is a Sr. Fellow

on comedy for social change with the Pop Culture Collaborative.

Her solo performance, “All Atheists are Muslim: A Romantic

Comedy,” was originally directed by W. Kamau Bell and dubbed

a highlight of the Int’l New York City Fringe Theater Festival by

the New Yorker Magazine.

Kamau Bell says, "Zahra's voice is an asset in the polarizing and

often violent political turmoil we live in." Reza Aslan says

"always insightful, always subversive...Zahra's comedic romps disrupt an outdated narrative."

Her writing is featured in the NY Times and on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. This June, in

San Francisco, her debut comedy album, “On Behalf of All Muslims: A Comedy Special,”


http://www.goodmuslimbadmuslim.com/

presented by Golden Thread Productions and directed by Lisa Marie Rollins is slated for world

premiere performance at the historic Brava Theatre. Don't miss it! For more info, go to:

ZahraComedy.com

Manuel Pastor Saturday, June 1, Plenary University of Southern California Location: Ballroom

Dr. Manuel Pastor is Professor of Sociology and American

Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. He

currently directs the Program for Environmental and Regional

Equity (PERE) at USC and USC’s Center for the Study of

Immigrant Integration (CSII). Pastor holds an economics Ph.D.

from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is the

inaugural holder of the Turpanjian Chair in Civil Society and

Social Change at USC.

Pastor’s research has generally focused on issues of the

economic, environmental and social conditions facing low-

income urban communities – and the social movements seeking to change those realities. His

current research culminates in the release of his forthcoming book, State of Resistance: What

California’s Dizzying Descent and Remarkable Resurgence Means for America’s Future, in

April 2018.


Thursday Pre-Convention Workshop

May 30, 10:30am – 4:30pm

Let’s Talk About Power: Exploring Race, Identity Formation, and Organizing

Location: Plaza Room

This all-day workshop will explore our individual cultural assumptions and implicit bias,

and apply it to our work in the League. Facilitated by PaKou Her, Principal of Tseng

Development Group and former Executive Director of 18MillionRising.org. Attendees

will be on their own for lunch, and we encourage you to take advantage of the many

nearby eateries.

This workshop requires an additional ticket fee.

Friday Workshops

May 31, 4:00 – 5:30pm

Listening Across our Differences and Building Bridges of Respect in a Polarized America


Cheryl Graeve, National Community Organizer for the National Institute for Civil

Discourse, will share examples of bridging divides through civil discourse and offer

interactive activities and tips to strengthen your own capacity to reach outside your

comfort zone to others. From young high school students to local elected officials,

communities are shaping their futures, reclaiming a space of respect and building new

inclusive bridges for a diversity of voices in our public life.

Presenters: Cheryl Graeve, National Community Organizer for the National Institute for

Civil Discourse

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Our Journey to Greater Mission Impact

Location: San Rafael Room

Join the Journey! Meet the LWVC DEI Task Force and learn about our commitment to

Equity--inside our organization and throughout our Democracy. Connect with like-

minded members, and hear what is working (and not) in communities across California.

This is an interactive discussion and together we'll explore how DEI goals and strategies

can be embedded in our existing mission.

Presenters: Pat Coulter, LWV Pasadena Area, and the LWVC Equity Task Force

Workshops


Friday Workshops (continued)

May 31, 4:00 – 5:30pm

Great League Ideas!

Location: Los Feliz Room

Brief description: The best of the best! Local Leagues shared their best projects with all

of us. Come hear more details about a few of them, and get more information about many

others. Friday’s focus will be Voter Service.

Presenters: Local Leagues from around CA

Crafting A Presentation That Inspires

Location: Altadena Room

Do you dread giving or receiving a Powerpoint presentation? Learn what you have been

doing wrong all these years and how you can make a more effective and powerful

presentation.

Presenter: Christina Dragonetti, LWVC Director

Organizing for Dollars: How to Ask for What You Want

Location: Leishman Room

This is a hands-on training that takes you from feeling intimidated about doing a

fundraising ask to feeling confident and ready to make the ask! You'll learn when to

make the ask and how to do it. What you learn in this workshop will translate to other

areas of your League work: lobbying, volunteer recruitment, and inviting coalition

partners to join you.

Presenter: Amy Hjerstedt, LWV Fundraising Trainer

Unlocking League Secrets

Location: San Pascual Room

New to the League? Or just mystified by The League Way? We’ll help clarify why and

how the League does its work.

Presenters: Melissa Breach, Carol Moon Goldberg, and Helen Hutchison

Help Is On The Way!

Location: San Gabriel Room

One on one consulting on MyLO, social media, and treasurers.

Sign up for an appointment ahead of time here: http://bit.ly/HelpSignUps


http://bit.ly/HelpSignUps

Saturday Workshops

June 1, 4:00 – 5:30pm

Who has the power? Using local organizing to make big change


The issues facing our world are so overwhelming – what can I do where I am? Just about

every successful social movement started with local action and grew from the ground up.

How do we identify who has the power in our local communities to move our issues, and

how do we get to those power-brokers? By focusing on power dynamics and playing

with power-mapping, we'll look at who’s who in our communities, and how to use our

local relationships and connections to build big change.

Presenter: Nancy Berlin, Policy Director at California Association of Nonprofits

Framing Your Message To Advocate And Educate


Brief description: Learn techniques to develop a strong and persuasive message - framed

for your audience - to motivate your community and move them to action.

Presenter: Christina Dragonetti, LWVC Director

Organizing for Dollars: How to Ask for What You Want


This is a hands-on training that takes you from feeling intimidated about doing a

fundraising ask to feeling confident and ready to make the ask! You'll learn when to

make the ask and how to do it. What you learn in this workshop will translate to other

areas of your League work: lobbying, volunteer recruitment, and inviting coalition

partners to join you.

Presenter: Amy Hjerstedt, LWV Fundraising Trainer

LWV Climate Change Action Across California


Learn about the wide reach of climate change activities engaging Leagues across the

state, how your League can join the effort, and how the LWVC Climate Change Task

Force can help.

Presenters: Members from LWV Mendocino County, LWV Berkeley/Albany/Emeryville,

LWV San Jose/Santa Clara, and LWV Pasadena Area


Saturday Workshops (continued)

June 1, 4:00 – 5:30pm

Growing the League of the Future


This panel workshop will showcase several new League members as they share stories

about why they joined LWV. Listen in and learn which membership techniques are

effective and what really engages new members.

Presenters: League leaders from around the state

Great League Ideas!


The best of the best! Local Leagues shared their best projects with all of us. Come hear

more details about a few of them, and get more information about many others.

Saturday’s focus will be advocacy and community education.

Presenters: Local Leagues from around CA

Help Is On The Way!


One on one consulting on MyLO, social media, and treasurers.

Sign up for an appointment ahead of time here: http://bit.ly/HelpSignUps


http://bit.ly/HelpSignUps

Friday Morning

May 31, 8:30 – 9:30am

Parliamentary Briefing


Convention Parliamentarian Mary Bergan will give a brief overview of parliamentary

procedures and answer your questions.

Host: Mary Bergan, Parliamentarian

CAUCUS – One Byte at a Time: Our Story in Data


Are you passionate about civic tech? Do you wish you had access to better data about

your work and the League’s collective impact? Tired of filling out surveys and reports

without knowing why that information matters and how it is being used?

Join us for a sneak peek into LWVC’s newest project--Civic Intelligence via Field

Reporting (CIVFR). In partnership with local Leagues, community partners, and funders,

we are exploring options for an easy to use, real-time, field-reporting tool that will gather

and aggregate civic engagement activities and experience. The goal is actionable

intelligence that will drive greater impact. Come and learn about the project and share

your experience with data collection and reporting.

Host: Melissa Breach, LWVC Executive Director

Friday Afternoon

May 31, 12:15 – 1:45pm

President’s Lunch


Current and incoming presidents are invited to bring their lunches, and join LWVC President

Helen Hutchison and President-elect Carol Moon Goldberg to talk about:

- How the LWVC can support you in your role as a local League president

- Where and how to get your questions answered

- How to create opportunities for sharing with other local League presidents

- Anything else you’d like to talk about

Host: Helen Hutchison and Carol Moon Goldberg

Caucuses and Other Meetings


Friday Evening

May 31, 9:00 – 10:00pm

CAUCUS – Free the Vote: the Case for Felony Enfranchisement


Mass incarceration disproportionately impacts Black and Brown Californians -- resulting

in a less representative electorate. LWVC has long advocated restoring voting rights to

those impacted by felony disenfranchisement; a legacy of Jim Crow. Come join the

conversation about the new face of suffrage. Learn about our work to Free the Vote and

bring the 50,000 Californians on parole, living and working in our communities, back

into our democracy.

Hosts: Dora Rose, LWVC Deputy Director and Taina Vargas-Edmond, Co-Founder and

Executive Director of Initiate Justice

CAUCUS – Schools & Communities First Campaign


Question and answers on the Schools & Communities First campaign, and ways your

local League can be involved in ensuring that this important ballot measure passes in

November 2020.

Host: Helen Hutchison, LWVC Board

CAUCUS – Everyone Counts! How your League can support the Census 2020


Census participation is aligned with the League's core values of every voice is heard.

Come to this interactive session to share ways local Leagues can support Census 2020.

Host: Julie Cates, LWV Los Altos/Mountain View Area

CAUCUS – Electoral Process Concurrence


An overview and Q & A on the Electoral Process Concurrence position recommended for

adoption by the LWVC Board. Learn all about it with Paula Lee, LWV Sacramento and

Michael Latner, LWV San Luis Obispo and Kendall Voting Rights Fellow at the Union

of Concerned Scientists and Political Science Professor at Cal Poly, SLO.

Hosts: LWV Sacramento County and LWV San Luis Obispo County


Friday Evening (continued)

May 31, 9:00 – 10:00pm

CAUCUS – Consensus on Charter School Position


An opportunity for League members to get additional background on the Fresno League’s

study/research and position completed on other League existing positions on charter

schools.

Host: Marianne Kast, LWV Fresno

CAUCUS – How to be Beneficiaries, not Victims, of Social Media in a Democracy


Via audience input, the caucus will address issues centering on government, tech

company, institutional, and self-regulation of the use of social media.

Host: Ruby MacDonald, LWV Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville

Saturday Morning

June 1, 7:30 – 8:30am

Consultations with Parliamentarian

Location: Ballroom

Convention Parliamentarian Mary Bergan will be available to answer your questions

about parliamentary procedures.


CAUCUS – Voter’s Choice Act 2020: Engaging Voters and Driving Turnout Across

Diverse Communities


The Voter’s Choice Act is expanding to more counties in 2020—is your county one of

them? If so, join us at this caucus to learn the strategies and tools your League can use to

help your community navigate the new voting model.

Host: Andrew Muse-Fisher, LWVC Program Associate


Saturday Morning (continued)

June 1, 7:30 – 8:30am

CAUCUS – Criminal Justice: Balancing Safety and Equity for All


Criminal justice reform is a phrase that has come to dominate the news. A state position

on this issue would allow LWVC, as well as local Leagues, to work with their

government agencies to encourage reform and engender public trust. The caucus

Balancing Safety and Equity is an interactive session that demonstrates the need for a

criminal justice position, its chief components, and the ways in which a position would

allow the LWVC and local Leagues to play a critical role in building safe and respectful

communities.

Hosts: Members of the LWV Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform

CAUCUS – California's Homelessness Crisis


Learn about the impact of homelessness and the ways to address this issue throughout the

state. It is our hope that homelessness will become a stand-alone position when a task

force is created by the 2019-21 LWVC Board after the Convention.

Hosts: LWV North County San Diego and LWV San Diego

CAUCUS – LWV Los Angeles Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Voter Education

and Empowerment Program


A briefing on this LWV LA program, and an opportunity to connect League members

around the state with Trans/GNC leadership.

Host: Michelle Dennis, LWV Los Angeles

CAUCUS – Water, Water, Water—Tell Us Your Concerns


An informal discussion with members of the LWVC Water Committee about water in

California.

Hosts: Anne Omsted, LWVC Water Committee member

CAUCUS – Takeaways from the United Nations CSW 63


Learn about the role the League of Women Voters plays at the United Nations and the

experience of two of the delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of

Women.

Hosts: LWV San Francisco and LWV San Diego


Saturday Afternoon

June 1, 12:45 – 1:45pm

Meet the Slate of Nominees


Come meet the slate of nominees for the 2019-2021 term, presented by the Nominating

Committee.

Hosts: Lianne Campodonico, LWVC Nominating Committee Chair, and the LWVC


Saturday Evening

June 1, 9:00 – 10:00pm

CAUCUS – Candidate Forums: Keeping the Discussion Civil


Join us to share your successful and not so successful techniques used when incivility and

agreement breaking disrupts a candidate forum. Help us to develop recommendations and

procedures to be circulated to all Leagues.

Host: Carol Moon Goldberg, LWVCEF VP for Voter Service

CAUCUS – Parkland Voter Movement Youth Leading the Way toward Civic Participation


Empowering teen leaders and community members to register and pre-register to vote

and then go vote. Sharing tools and lessons learned while registering over 3,000 through

a strong partnership between LWV/community members, schools, students, and

civic/community organizations (churches, etc.).

Host: LWV Fremont/Newark/Union City

CAUCUS – The Idea of America: Our Values, Our Legacy, and Our Future


In January and February 2019, Dr. John Oliver Wilson led a six-week discussion group

based on his book "The Idea of America: Our Values, Our Legacy, and Our Future." The

book’s key topics are our founding values, how these values have been expanded

throughout our history as a nation, and how they are shaping our future. Dr. Wilson will

talk about how this seminar might be spread among other state Leagues.

Host: Dr. John Oliver Wilson, LWV Napa County


Saturday Evening (continued)

June 1, 9:00 – 10:00pm

CAUCUS – General Plans: How are you Holding Local Officials Accountable?


This will be a gathering of Leagues that are struggling with General Plan compliance

issues. What has worked for your League? Is stronger statewide legislation needed to

compel compliance?

Host: Marianne Kast, LWV Fresno

Resolutions Committee


Hosts: Resolutions Committee Members

Budget Q&A


The LWVC treasurer and members of the board will be available to answer your

questions regarding the proposed FY 2019-2021 budget. It is important that our members

understand the budget, which reflects the operating plan of the LWVC.

Hosts: Jacquie Canfield, LWVC Treasurer and members of the LWVC Board

My League Online Help Session


New to MyLO? Getting ready to migrate to MyLO? Expert at MyLO?

Come join the My League Online (MyLO) Team for one-on-one help with your website!

How do you sign up to attend? Pick your time slot and bring your laptop and log-ins for a

live help session with one of our team members.

Host: LWVC MyLO team

Sunday Morning

June 2, 7:30 – 8:30am

Consultations with Parliamentarian

Location: Ballroom

Convention Parliamentarian Mary Bergan will be available to answer your questions

about parliamentary procedures.



Sunday Morning (continued)

June 2, 7:30 – 8:30am

Local League Services & Feedback


How is the LWVC doing on providing the services that local Leagues need and want?

What could we do better? Give us some feedback!

Host: Jacquie Canfield, LWVC Board

CAUCUS – Wildfire Prevention, Emergency Communication and Evacuation Procedures


Wildfire response takes complicated coordination between government agencies. Our

LWVDV has raised this issue with the Bay Area League and forwarded a request to the

state League to stress the urgent need of our communities for planning measures to be

implemented and communicated to everyone within our state. Together we can work to

prevent another catastrophic wildfire result like the one in Paradise. Join in our caucus to

learn of our intended advocacy approach with our local government officials, consider

joining us and/or provide your input to help strengthen the effectiveness of our approach.

Host: Suzan Requa, LWV Diablo Valley

CAUCUS – A Guide to Supportive Housing


We will discuss the booklet the LWV Los Angeles wrote, “Yes, in My LA!”, and talk

about why supportive housing is needed and the services offered to their tenants.

Host: Sandra Trutt, LWV Los Angeles

CAUCUS – Equity for Women


In 2018, the LWVUS convention overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting

continued emphasis on passing the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.

Come hear a presentation, followed by discussion, about why the ERA is important and

how League members can become engaged in the grassroots effort to pass the ERA.

Host: Robyn Orsini, LWV Napa County

CAUCUS – Finding Local Stories about the Women’s Suffrage Campaign


In preparation for the 2020 commemoration, the host has found some useful sources for

finding local stories about women’s suffrage in Monterey County. These could help

researchers in other counties.

Host: Dennis Mar, LWV Monterey County


Two years ago, this report addressed profound challenges that we faced to the League’s values

and legacy and our very democracy. Today, that theme continues to resonate, if anything more

strongly than in 2017.

How have we responded to the challenges before us? By embracing the courage, resilience,

and vision that characterized our founders and generations of movement builders.

Our core work continues with a focus on expanding our leadership ranks. We continue to

analyze, organize, and advocate for public policies that make California a better place to live,

while creating more opportunities for member engagement and leadership. We are limited only

by the resources available to us.

We continue to engage and educate voters, encourage civic participation, and improve our

elections. By ramping up services for traditionally underrepresented communities, we strive to

close the participation gap in our electorate, making our democracy truly representative.

What do we expect to change? The only change we foresee in our work is an expectation that

we will become even more resolute in our work – to become more tenacious.

Direction

Since 2008, our board has been working to ensure that the League in California is well

positioned to impact and inform California’s future. We have focused on strategic priorities,

growing our community of leaders, and separating the board’s leadership roles—the stewardship

of our statewide organization—from non-fiduciary volunteer roles. These changes continue to

pay big dividends and help us make a greater impact on California’s future.

Making the Hard Choices. The board is making strategic choices about where to invest the

League’s limited time, energy, and capital to do the most good for California.

Engaging Leaders. As a result of the board’s strategic lens, we are seeing a greater

involvement of people across the state in a variety of projects.

Sustainability. The League’s power comes from the impact made by individuals—members,

volunteers, and staff. Supporting human effort comes at a cost. Our growing team of staff and

volunteers requires more funding every year. Over the past four years we’ve seen revenue

from individuals and foundations increase. We’re now facing the end to our largest grant. In

the coming year, we will continue our efforts to expand our funding base, while

simultaneously seeking to expand earned income revenue.

Biennial Report


How Are We Doing?

We are ambitious—and it shows. Our influence with state policy makers has grown, and we have

taken on new leadership roles in high profile coalitions. We are committed to a strong, modern

League at every level, prioritizing efforts that advance our mission while embracing

opportunities to evolve.

The program platform you will vote on at this Convention balances the grassroots input of our

members with the strategic judgment of our board. We are generating stable and sufficient

resources to support both advocacy and education.

Throughout the coming biennium, we will continue to encourage the combination of passion and

expertise that makes the League a special organization, growing the infrastructure required for

greater impact at the state and local levels.

Highlights of the LWVC/LWVCEF from 2017-2019

Voter and community education:

Harnessed the power of the internet to help over 2.9 million Californians vote this past

election cycle, through cavotes.org, lwvc.org, easyvoterguide.org, and votersedge.org/ca.

Expanded resources for those who experience barriers to voting including:

o Voter’s Edge California, produced in partnership with MapLight, the state’s most

comprehensive election information website, included a Spanish-language pilot site.

o Easy Voter Guide distributed 366,000 plain-language; 121,000 of which were in

languages other than English.

o Pros & Cons in English and Spanish, and In Depths explaining state ballot measures.

Maximized a partnership with California Channel’s Free Air Time Project to:

o produce 2-minute videos on the ballot measures, based on the Easy Voter Guide, that

were embedded in cavotes.org, Voter’s Edge, and repeatedly broadcast on cable

stations.

o produce interviews with candidates for statewide office that were repeatedly

broadcast on cable stations and embedded on cavotes.org and Voter’s Edge.

Advocacy:

Successfully organized for the passage of November 2016 ballot initiatives that improve

transparency in government, provide better schools, create safe communities, and ensure

environmental protections.

Helped effectively lobby the state legislature to pass bills to broaden and streamline

California’s registration and voting process, reducing barriers to eligible voters.

Advocated for and passed significant bills in money in politics, voting rights, and

redistricting, including:


o Removing the ban on public financing and ensuring all California communities have

that right in California

o modernizing Cal-Access, the state’s online database of campaign finance and

lobbying information, ensuring that it will be user-friendly and easy to access

Cosponsored and passed legislation to clarify that people with low-level felonies who are

sentenced to county jails or local supervision can register and vote. Clarified that in

California only felons in state prison or on state parole are barred.

Modernization of the state’s voting process is underway through expanded vote by mail and

vote centers to making voting more accessible and convenient. This is starting with a few

counties in 2018, and the LWVC is providing advice and leadership to election officials,

local Leagues, and community organizations. We currently sit on the Secretary of State’s

Task Force and the Future of California Elections Voters Choice Act Steering Committee.

League Infrastructure:

My League Online (MyLO): We built and beta tested a new updated version of League

Easy Web (LEW) in 2016. After addressing some sustainability issues and incorporating beta

tester recommendations, we were excited to roll out MyLO in August 2017. MyLO is already

providing subscribing Leagues with a more integrated site that performs stronger in organic

search and on mobile – and it was in time for the 2018 elections. Our historic LEW product

will be available for some time.

Leadership Training and Development: The LWVC is committed to training and

development of leaders throughout California. LWVC leaders have presented training in a

variety of formats and locations, including webinars, regional workshops, and in-person

training for local Leagues.


League of Women Voters of California and Education Fund

Statement of Financial Position February 28, 2019

(in thousands)

Assets June-18 Feb-19 June-18 Feb-19 June-18 Feb-19

Cash/Investments 51$ 122$ 537$ 472$ 588$ 594$

Accounts Receivable

Due from Local Leagues 11 26 0 15 11 41

Due from Others 0 0 39 39 -

Interfund 99 111 (99) (111) - -

Other Current Assets 18 3 87 0 105 3

Other Assets 3 29 0 13 3 42

Total Assets 182$ 291$ 564$ 389$ 746$ 680$

Liabilities

Accounts Payable 6$ 7$ 4$ 1$ 10$ 8$

Payroll Liabilities 13 13 15 16 28 29

Other Accured Liabilities 7 - - 7 -

Deferred Rent/Income 9 9 - - 9 9

Deposits from Local Leagues - - 158 157 158 157

Total Liabilities 35$ 29$ 177$ 174$ 212$ 203$

Reserves

Voters Edge -$ -$ 68$ 96$ 68$ 96$

Operating Reserves 105 106 7 7 112 113

Trudy Schafer Fellowship 19 43 43

Make It Fair 13 10 10

Board Designated - 39 39 39 39

Other Restricted 10 10 237 40 247 50

Unrestricted Net Income/Loss 93 36 33 36 126

Total Reserves 147$ 262$ 387$ 215$ 502$ 477$

Total Liabilities & Reserves 182$ 291$ 564$ 389$ 714$ 680$

LWVC LWVCEF Combined

Financial Report


Summary

The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) and the League of Women Voters of

California Education Fund (LWVCEF) use the accrual accounting method. This means revenues

and expenses are recorded when the events incur regardless of when the income is received and

regardless of when bills are paid.

The Statement of Financial Position report includes the year-end actuals as of June 30, 2018 and

the actuals as of February 28, 2019.

Cash is one of the important items to watch, since it is needed to continue normal business and to

be prepared for an unforeseen event. The State board adopted an operating reserve policy

understanding the importance of having enough cash on hand.

Expenses involving both organizations are paid with the LWVC account and appropriate

expenses for the LWVCEF are transferred when the books are closed on a monthly basis and are

captured in the Interfund asset line.

The LWVCEF is the custodian for all local Leagues that chose to have their education funds held

with the State. As of June 30, 2018, the funds totaled $158,000. The State League does not

charge for this service.


League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Statement of Activities February 28, 2019

Year-End

Actuals

2017/18

Budget

2017/18$ Diff

Feb 2019

Actuals

2018/19

Budget

2018/19$ Diff

Membership Dues 8,772$ 9,400$ (628)$ 7,825$ 9,400$ (1,575)$

Contributions 311,555 247,800 63,755 130,054 216,270 (86,216)$

Earned Revenues 75,318 55,000 20,318 41,171 55,000 (13,829)$

Misc. Inc. 1,730 5,417 (3,687) (5,500) 2,450 (7,950)$

Operational Income 397,375$ 317,617$ 79,758 173,550$ 283,120$ (109,570)$

Build Reserves 2,400 78,000 (75,600) 100 78,000 (77,900)$

Total Income 399,775$ 395,617$ 4,158$ 173,650$ 361,120$ (187,470)$

Personnel 272,712$ 274,155$ 1,443$ 182,058$ 251,089$ 69,031$

Accounting Fees 14,914 16,250 1,336$ 9,949 16,250 6,301

Bank Charge Fees 3,124 2,000 (1,124)$ 3,174 2,000 (1,174)

Promotion 64 2,000 1,936$ 7,325 2,000 (5,325)

Supplies 4,887 1,659 (3,228)$ 1,268 2,458 1,190

Legal - - -$ 425 - -

Telecommunications 7,532 8,643 1,111$ 4,625 5,578 953

Postage/Shipping 8,654 3,759 (4,895)$ 14,119 3,759 (10,360)

Occupany 17,395 23,453 6,058$ 10,666 14,981 4,315

Equipment Rental & Maint. 3,299 3,458 159$ 1,997 2,932 935

Printing & Publications 11,514 31,414 19,900$ 22,725 28,242 5,517

Travel/Food/Lodging 24,161 18,620 (5,541)$ 10,095 16,621 6,526

Insurance 8,267 8,116 (151)$ 5,541 8,239 2,698

Fees & Subscriptions 20,347 8,083 (12,264)$ 8,803 14,966 6,163

Ind. Contractors 71,825 78,185 6,360$ 61,883 83,157 21,274

Professional Development - 1,500 1,500$ - 1,500 1,500

Total Expenses 468,695$ 481,295$ 12,600$ 344,653$ 453,772$ 109,119$

Net Ordinary Income (68,920)$ (85,678)$ 16,758$ (171,003)$ (92,652)$ 78,351$

The LWVCEF Statement of Activities report includes the year-end actuals as of June 30, 2018

and the actuals as of February 28, 2019. For 2017/18, the LWVCEF out-performed the operating

budget by approximately $16,000. The main reason is an increase in earned revenues for the

newspaper partnership and one-time Voters Choice Grant. For 2018/19, the activity through

February 2019 is shown. At this time, year-end projections are showing a net operating budget

increase of $4,000. The main reason is an increase in revenue over the budget.


League of Women Voters of California

Statement of Activities February 28, 2019

Year-End

Actuals

2017/18

Budget

2017/18$ Diff

Feb 2019

Actuals

2018/19

Budget

2018/19$ Diff

Membership Dues 176,848$ 165,597$ 11,251$ 141,400$ 165,597$ (24,197)$

Contributions 144,234 67,250 76,984 116,626 62,250 54,376$

Earned Revenues 90,491 85,700 4,791 87,789 197,700 (109,911)$

Misc. Inc. 2,035 4,420 2,385 1,259 3,900 (2,641)$

Operational Income 413,608$ 322,967$ 90,641$ 347,074$ 429,447$ (82,373)$

Building Reserves 1,000 40,000 (39,000) 1,000 40,000 (39,000)$

Total Income 414,608$ 362,967$ 51,641$ 695,148$ 898,894$ (203,746)$

Personnel 204,960$ 198,270$ (6,690)$ 123,854$ 184,821$ 60,967$

Accounting Fees 15,938 16,250 312$ 11,329 16,250 4,921$

Bank Charge Fees 4,987 3,000 (1,987)$ 3,112 3,000 (112)$

Supplies 4,678 1,941 (2,737)$ 1,329 1,781 452$

Legal 3,046 - (3,046)$ 1,972 - (1,972)$

Telecommunications 6,367 8,136 1,769$ 3,814 7,795 3,981$

Postage/Shipping 1,733 2,150 417$ 3,245 2,150 (1,095)$

Occupany 15,643 20,848 5,205$ 8,630 12,910 4,280$

Equipment Rental & Maint. 2,475 2,793 318$ 1,706 2,460 754$

Printing & Publications 2,115 8,229 6,114$ 5,821 8,229 2,408$

Travel/Food/Lodging 28,315 23,030 (5,285)$ 15,749 20,530 4,781$

Promoton 64 1,258 1,194$ - 6,258 6,258$

Councils/Convention - - -$ - 100,000 100,000$

Insurance 9,990 8,672 (1,318)$ 8,824 8,509 (315)$

LWVUS Mal Dues 1,632 2,112 480$ 2,656 2,112 (544)$

Fees & Subscriptions 39,277 12,384 (26,893)$ 6,735 11,609 4,874$

Ind. Contractors 29,581 10,912 (18,669)$ 21,827 27,826 5,999$

Mini-Grants - - -$ 9,750 - (9,750)$

Scholarship 1,500 - (1,500)$ - - -$

Total Expenses 372,301$ 319,985$ (52,316)$ 230,353$ 416,240$ 185,887$

Net Ordinary Income 42,307$ 42,982$ (675)$ 464,795$ 482,654$ (17,859)$

The LWVC Statement of Activities report includes the year-end actuals as of June 30, 2018 and

the actuals as of February 28, 2019. For 2017/18, the LWVC experienced a net increase of

approximately $42,000. While there were overages and savings in many areas, the main reason

for the difference is due to the fundraising and expenses related to Make It Fair campaign and the

establishment of the Trudy Schafer Fellowship. For 2018/19, the activity through February 2019

is shown. At this time year-end projections are showing a net operating budget increase of


approximately $91,000. The main reason is an increase in contributions for the League and

designated donations for the Trudy Schafer Fellowship.

Operating Reserve Campaign Update

In June 2017, the LWVC Board and LWVCEF Board started the Operating Reserve Fundraising

campaign to raise funds over three years and to create a reserve level large enough to cover six

month operating expenses. For the LWVC the goal was to build a reserve of $208K by June 30,

2020. For LWVCEF, the goal was to build a reserve of $234K by June 30, 2020. Below is a

chart showing the current projected reserve levels as of June 30, 2019.

LWVC 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Sub-Total 2019/20 Total

Planned $88 $40 $40 $166 $40 $206

Actual/Projected $104 $1 $40 $145

Projected Operating Reserve Level Percentage 87%

Numbers represented in thousands

LWVCEF 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Sub-Total 2019/20 Total

Planned $0 $78 $78 $156 $78 $234

Actual/Projected $5 $1 $32 $39

Projected Operating Reserve Level Percentage 25%

Numbers represented in thousands

The LWVC and LWVCEF Board are committed to this effort. Both boards learned that in order

to increase the operating reserves, fundraising efforts must be projected based on a goal to

outperform the budget, rather than on a strategy of raising funds specifically for reserves. In

addition, the boards learned that it will take more time to achieve the goal of having a six month

operating reserve as outlined in the LWVC/LWVCEF Policies and Procedures. At each fiscal

year end, the LWVC and LWVCEF Boards will determine how much of the undesignated funds

will be transferred to the operating reserve.


Summary

Delegates to LWVC Convention 2019 will adopt the LWVC Program for 2019-2021 as the final

step in the program planning process that started last November. The proposed program includes

the LWVC Program Positions and the LWVC Issues for Emphasis. A full list of the program

ideas submitted by the local Leagues is included on pages 48-51.

LWVC Program Positions. The LWVC board recommends all but one of the current LWVC

positions for retention. Position summaries are listed on pages 35-40.

LWVC Studies and Position Updates; New Position and Action Policy. No new study or

update study is recommended. All not-recommended items are listed on pages 49-51.

The adoption of two new positions by concurrence is recommended. Four items for concurrence

were suggested, with varying levels of support for each from local Leagues.

LWVC Issues for Emphasis. In addition to Making Democracy Work, four issues for emphasis

are proposed on pages 40-42 for concerted local and state-level action and community education.

As always, the LWVC board’s recommendation reflects League financial and volunteer

resources as well as the issues that received the strongest input from local Leagues in program

planning activities, the League’s current ongoing activities, and League strength and

opportunities to make an impact on issues related to democracy and civic engagement. These

issues are broad and reflect our current, rapidly changing environment.

The method used to evaluate the strength of the various local League proposals can be found on

pages 49-51.

Process

Members of 47 Leagues participated in the program planning process for 2019-2021. The results

were presented to the LWVC board for its consideration and recommendation.

At the convention, the presentation of the proposed program will occur on Friday, and a motion

to adopt each recommended item will be made by a member of the LWVC board. No second is

necessary. Questions for clarification will be allowed at that time, but there will be no votes or

debate.

Program 2019-2021 Overview


Motions to consider not-recommended items may be made on Friday following the presentation

and motions concerning the proposed program, or on Saturday. These require a second. Only

motions pertaining to items proposed in program planning by local Leagues, as indicated in the

list on pages 40-47, are appropriate. Motions to consider occur without debate except for a

statement by the maker of the motion. Questions for clarification will be allowed.

The votes to allow consideration of not-recommended items will be taken on Saturday after all

motions have been made, in the order in which the motions were presented. A majority vote is

required to consider a not-recommended item.

Discussion and debate will take place on Saturday on both the LWVC board-recommended

program and on all not-recommended program items that have been voted consideration. Final

program debate and adoption will occur on Sunday.

A majority vote is required to adopt recommended program items, while a three-fifths vote is

required to adopt program items that are not recommended by the board. Adoption of program

priorities implies a commitment of time and resources of staff, the LWVC board of directors, and

local Leagues.

If you have questions regarding the procedures outlined above, please consult the Convention

Rules on pages 96-103 of this workbook or contact Joanne Leavitt, Second Vice President for

Advocacy and Program ([email protected]).


Program Adoption at a Glance

PROPOSED PROGRAM

(RECOMMENDED ITEMS)

NOT-RECOMMENDED ITEMS

Friday, May 31

Proposed program presented. Board members

move adoption of the proposed program (see

pages 35-40)

Questions for clarification are allowed. No

debate or amendments.

Delegates may move consideration of not-

recommended items. (Items must be listed on

pages 49-51 to be considered.)

Explanatory statement by maker of motion.



Saturday, June 1

Delegates may move consideration of not-

recommended items. (Items must be listed on

pages 49-51 to be considered.)

Explanatory statement by maker of motion.



Vote for consideration of not-recommended

items.

Votes are taken in the order items were moved;

majority vote required to grant consideration.

Discussion and debate on program proposals. Discussion and debate on program proposals

granted consideration.

Sunday, June 2

Debate and vote on proposed program.

Majority vote required to adopt.

Debate and vote on items granted consideration

on Saturday.

Vote in the order granted consideration. Three-

fifths (60%) vote required to adopt.


Summary

The recommended program for 2019-2021 is:

Retain all existing positions (see Proposed Program Positions in Brief, below)

No new study or update study for 2019-2021

Adopt as Issues for Emphasis for 2019-2021: (see pages 40-42)

1. Making Democracy Work in California, with a focus on election reform, voting rights,

expanding the electorate, redistricting, and money in politics

2. Schools & Communities First Campaign (Prop 13 reform), a campaign to pass a

commercial property tax reform measure on the November 2020 ballot.

3. Climate Change

4. Housing and Homelessness

5. Criminal Justice Reform, expanding our education and advocacy on policing and

criminal justice reform.

Adopt a new position on Criminal Justice via concurrence (see pages 42-46)

Replace the current Election Systems position with a new position on Electoral Process

via concurrence (see pages 46-47)

Proposed Program Positions in Brief

Government

CAMPAIGN FINANCING: adopted 1973; updated 1976

Support state campaign finance practices for candidates and advocates of ballot measure

positions that will ensure full disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures and enable

candidates to compete more equitably for public office.

CONSTITUTION: adopted 1957; updated 1965-67

Support measures to secure an orderly and simplified State Constitution; provisions that enable

the legislature to deal with state problems efficiently, flexibly, and with responsibility clearly

fixed; and constitutional guarantee of equal representation of all citizens in both houses of the

state legislature.

ELECTION SYSTEMS: adopted 2001; amended in 2003 and 2011

Support election systems for executive and other single seat offices, both at the state and local

levels, that require the winner to receive a majority of the votes, as long as the majority is

Proposed Program 2019-2021


achieved using a voting method such as Instant Runoff Voting, rather than a second, separate

runoff election.

INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PROCESS: adopted 1984; updated 1999 and 2013

Support citizens' right of direct legislation through the initiative and referendum process.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS: adopted 1981

Support an efficient, effective, and equitable balance of responsibility and authority among the

levels of government with accountability to the public.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES: adopted 1998

Support a public library system as a basic community service with a long-term, assured, stable

and adequate funding source.

Support access by all persons to public library services as a major source of knowledge and

information necessary for informed, active participation in a democratic society.

REDISTRICTING: adopted 1988; amended 2007

Support a state redistricting process and standards that promote fair and effective representation

in the state legislature and in the House of Representatives with maximum opportunity for public

scrutiny.

Support an independent commission as the preferred redistricting body.

STATE AND LOCAL FINANCES: adopted 1969; updated 1975; new positions 1976, 1977,

1981, 1995

Support measures to ensure revenues both sufficient and flexible enough to meet changing needs

for state and local government services; that contribute to a system of public finance that

emphasizes equity and fair sharing of the tax burden as well as adequacy; that include long range

finance methods that meet current and future needs while taking into account the cumulative

impact of public debt.

Support a process that maintains statutory authority over tax sources, rates and tax expenditures;

that makes limited use of direct voting by the public on revenue measures; and that allows

adoption of revenue and finance measures by a simple majority vote.

Support the distribution of revenue sources between state and local governments in a manner to

ensure adequate, equitable and flexible funding of public programs based on the responsibilities

and requirements of each and that emphasizes accountability.

Support an equitable, broad-based local property tax, easy and economical to administer,

producing adequate revenue, with limitations on the types of services it funds.

Support assessment practices and policies that are equitable, accurate, easy to understand and

well publicized, with like properties treated uniformly.


VOTING RIGHTS: adopted 1972; reviewed 1986

Support measures that will protect every citizen's right to vote and ensure government's

responsibility to protect this right through regulations and procedures that encourage an informed

and active electorate.

Natural Resources

AGRICULTURE: adopted 1983; amended 2015

Support policies that recognize agricultural land as a limited resource that must be preserved for

the economic and physical well-being of California and the nation. Appropriate agricultural land

should be identified and its long-term protection should be based on regulatory and incentive

programs that include comprehensive planning, zoning measures, and other preservation

techniques. State policy that affects agriculture should ensure the conservation of soil and water

resources through incentives coupled with penalties for noncompliance.

AIR QUALITY: adopted 1971; updated 1973

Support measures to establish air quality standards that will protect the public health and welfare,

and the development of effective enforcement and implementation procedures at each level of

government to attain these standards.

ENERGY: adopted 1978; updated 1980 and 2006, amended 2007

Support development of a state energy policy that will ensure reliability of energy resources and

protection of the environment and public health and safety, at reasonable customer rates, giving

primary consideration to conservation and energy efficiency. State government should provide

an efficient, coordinated energy administrative structure with open transparent procedures.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: adopted 1986 and 1987

Support comprehensive measures to provide maximum protection to human health and the

environment from the adverse effects of hazardous materials, including pesticides. An integrated

approach should be taken to prevent harmful exposures through soil, surface and groundwater

contamination, bio-accumulation, air pollution and direct contact. Hazardous materials planning

should promote pollution prevention. All levels of government share responsibility for

preventing exposures.

LAND USE: adopted 1975

Support state land use planning that recognizes land as a resource as well as a commodity. The

state should establish guidelines and standards for land areas of more than local concern.

Decisions for these areas should be made at the lowest level of government feasible, but should

be subject to state review. Citizens must have a meaningful participation in land use planning

and regulation.

SOLID WASTE: adopted 1973

Support measures to assure environmentally sound and efficient solid waste management, to

reduce the generations of wastes, to encourage resource recovery, and to increase the demand for

secondary materials.


TRANSPORTATION: adopted 1981; revised 1985; new position 1991

Support a transportation system to move people and goods that: includes a variety of

transportation modes, with emphasis on increased public transportation services and other viable

alternatives to reduce vehicle miles traveled; is efficient, convenient, and cost-effective; is safe

and secure; serves all segments of the population and diverse geographic needs; minimizes

harmful effects on the environment; is integrated with land use; and is supported by extensive

public education.

WATER: adopted 1959; updated 1961, 1967, 1971, 1979

Support measures that promote the management and development of water resources in ways

that are beneficial to the environment with emphasis on conservation and high standards of water

quality that are appropriate for the intended use.

Social Policy

CHILDREN AND FAMILY ISSUES: adopted 1995

Support for the principles that all children are entitled to safe, nurturing care and that caring for

children is a societal as well as a family responsibility.

Support programs and policies that would effectively coordinate and integrate services that meet

basic human needs, prevent or reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency for individuals and

families.

CHILD CARE: adopted 1989

Support state and local policies, legislation and programs that meet the need for accessible,

affordable, and quality childcare.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM: adopted 2003

Support a statewide community college system with sufficient resources to fulfill its overall goal:

to offer all Californians access to a quality higher education.

Resources should be stable, accommodate all enrolling students, be fairly distributed among the

college districts, and provide opportunities for long-range planning.

Governance should allow greater authority within the system itself with local districts making

key decisions about mission priorities to meet community needs.

EDUCATION: PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12: adopted 1973; updated 1985 and 2005

Support a comprehensive pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade public education system that

meets the needs of each individual student; challenges all students to reach their highest

potential; and develops patterns of lifelong learning and responsible citizenship.

Support improvements in public education, based on access with both equitable and sufficient

opportunities to learn for all students.


Support a system of public education funding that is adequate, flexible, equitable, reliable and

sustainable; derived from a combination of revenue sources; and distributed fairly to support

access and equitable opportunities for all students.

Support formulating broad general guidelines at the state level, with flexibility at the local level

for developing and implementing program.

HOUSING: adopted 1970; updated 1973, 1993

Support equal opportunity in housing.

Support measures to provide state programs to increase the supply of safe, decent, and adequate

housing for all Californians.

Support action at all levels of government for the provision of affordable housing for all

Californians.

JUVENILE JUSTICE/DEPENDENCY: adopted 1997 and 1999; amended 2011

Support a juvenile justice/dependency system that works to prevent child abuse and neglect and

juvenile delinquency, that serves foster children and their families and status offenders, and that

rehabilitates juvenile offenders, by promoting the safety and well-being of children and helping

to prepare them for productive participation in society.

Support early identification of at-risk children and families followed by appropriate referrals to

services that work with children, youth, families and schools.

Support community efforts to provide safe supportive environments for children and their

families and institutions that respect them and promote non-violent solutions to problems.

Support the rights and best interests of the child in preference to those of any other individual.

LEGAL AID: adopted 1971; revised 1983

Support measures that will enable the judicial system of the state to provide for all citizens

adequate access to legal services. Support adequately funded, government supported legal

assistance programs that provide legal aid to those unable to pay.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE: adopted 1998

Support an adequately funded mental health care system that provides comprehensive services to

the acutely, chronically and seriously mentally ill of all ages; maintains optimal mental health

services for all clients; places emphasis on meeting the needs of children; offers mental health

services for the homeless; seeks additional funds for preventive services; implements a master

plan to integrate services; raises awareness of critical unmet needs; and emphasizes case

management.

PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION: adopted 2016

Support a comprehensive system of public higher education that serves the personal,

professional, and occupational goals of all adult Californians and advances the social, economic,


and civic needs of the state. To achieve these objectives, public higher education must prioritize

access, affordability, equity, and excellence. These priorities require state funding, including

student financial aid, that is stable, predictable, sustainable, and timely.

Proposed Issues for Emphasis 2019-2021

In each of the three issues recommended for education and advocacy in the 2019-2021 biennium,

we have opportunities in three areas. We may:

Advocate: Each of these items is based on positions adopted after League study and

member agreement. Unlike single-issue organizations, we can bring to the table a

balanced view, not that of a special constituency, but one based on the overall public

good. Advocacy can be at the local and regional levels as well as at the legislature and

state agencies.

Educate: One of the League’s strengths is providing nonpartisan information and helping

people understand the decisions that need to be made and the consequences of these

decisions. We can help our fellow Californians understand their options and weigh them

in civil discourse.

Empower Community Leadership: Along with educating community members about

decisions we are making as communities and as a society at large, we can give them the

tools for making their voices heard, understanding how the decisions being made will

affect them, and where the venues for speaking out are. How do we come together to

make the best decisions for all of us?

Making Democracy Work in California This is a broad area that aligns with national priorities and includes core issues for the League at

all levels. It includes League priorities such as election reform, voting rights, expanding the

electorate, money in politics, and redistricting. For this biennium, we are adding the 2020 census.

Election Reform: Major changes in elections continue to be made in California, and Leagues

will have many opportunities for community outreach and education as well as for monitoring

the implementation of new systems. Election-day registration, and changes in the voter

registration process at the DMV promise to greatly expand the voter rolls. The LWVC and

Leagues in affected counties will be working to implement the new Voters Choice Act which

uses a combination of vote-by-mail balloting, ballot drop-off locations, and vote centers. Finding

ways to provide increased, stable funding for elections is another area for work at the state level.

We benefit from our active membership in the Future of California Elections (FOCE), a

collaboration among election administrators, civil rights organizations, and election reform

advocates. FOCE constitutes a powerful force for improving the election process in California.

Voting Rights and Expanding the Electorate: While Californians are not threatened by the

various voter suppression tactics seen in other states, we must remain vigilant. We realize there

is always room for improvement and outreach to underserved persons in our communities,

including those who have disabilities or do not speak English as a primary language. In addition


to supporting measures to restore voting rights to those on parole, there is a continuing need for

grassroots efforts to inform and assist those serving time in county jails or on probation, who

often believe they are disenfranchised. We will support legislation to improve voting services

and seize opportunities to extend voting rights protections that have been curtailed by U.S.

Supreme Court decisions.

As we examine voter turnout rates across the state, we can see many opportunities to make the

electorate in California more representative of the population as a whole. Voter service work to

prepare materials in plain language and address the language needs of our newer voters is a

primary effort in this area, as is an expanded Voter’s Edge. Expanding awareness of the ease of

online registration, preregistration for youth 16 and older, and ease of voting by mail are just

some ways we can help inform our communities.

Money in Politics: This continues to be a high priority for League members. A bill allowing

local government bodies to establish public campaign funding systems is still in limbo, awaiting

the outcome of a court challenge. We will continue to work for state legislation to establish

default limits on the size of campaign contributions to local candidates, and Leagues can push

their cities, counties, and districts that do not have contribution limits to establish limits

appropriate to their communities. At the state level, we have been, and will continue to, monitor

the implementation of the Cal-Access replacement system (CARS) for online disclosure system.

We continue to support legislation requiring campaign finance transparency.

Redistricting: We will soon be immersed in redistricting all over the state. We can educate our

communities and encourage full participation in the 2020 census, and then ensure that the

redistricting, whether at the state, county, regional, or local level, is accomplished with the

maximum public input. The LWVC will work to ensure adequate funding for the statewide

Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Schools & Communities First Campaign The League of Women Voters of California is one of the proponents of the first commercial

property tax reform measure to qualify for the ballot since the passage of Prop 13 in 1978. We

are now part of a powerful and growing statewide coalition of over 280 organizations working to

ensure that this measure wins in November 2020. League members were indefatigable in

gathering signatures leading to the measure’s qualification. We expect to be equally energetic in

campaigning for the measure’s passage.

Since the passage of Prop 13, California has lost hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue from

commercial property, leading to chronic underfunding of schools and local communities.

Schools and Communities First will restore over $11 billion every year for schools, community

colleges, health clines, and other vital local services, while maintaining Prop 13 protection for all

residential property.

Climate Change Climate change affects nearly everything – threatening forests, agriculture, infrastructure, public

health, and indeed, our democracy. Climate change is a key focus for Leagues across our state.

More than half of California local Leagues have, or are building, local League climate action

teams in both urban and rural areas. In 2017-2018 we saw legislation in California that


extended cap and trade, a requirement to reach 100% zero carbon sources of electricity by 2045,

and many other measures to limit or adapt to climate change. And our California League was

there to support these advances.

The LWVC Climate Change Task Force was formed in the past two years and is helping link

Leagues across the state working on similar climate efforts, holding regional forums to combine

League efforts, advocating for legislation, and providing resources and ideas to local Leagues.

Check out the Task Force website by entering “LWVC climate change” in your browser or

connect by emailing [email protected].

Housing and Homelessness The need for housing, of different types and to meet different needs, was included in the largest

number of Program Planning responses. From Meeting Basic Human Needs (everyone should

have a safe place to live) to land use and transportation to climate change, this is an issue that

affects all parts of the state and a large number of our positions. Needs are different in different

areas. Some have a greater need for permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless

while others need homelessness prevention -- family housing or senior housing or…, but all

areas need state (and federal) support to meet unmet needs. This is recommended as an area for

education as well as advocacy during the next biennium.

Criminal Justice Reform For almost 100 years the League has remained vital and relevant by striving for an equitable

society, studying its profound injustices and advocating for effective remedies. One of the most

compelling issues of our time is criminal justice reform.

Policing, sentencing, and incarceration are too often failing to serve justice or improve public

safety. We currently spend billions of dollars at a state, county, and local level on a system that

sustains significant inequalities – a system which disproportionally incarcerates and victimizes

the poor and people of color.

At the 2017 LWVC Convention, a small group gathered to discuss potential work on policing

and criminal justice reform. The group continued to meet, growing to include League members

from all over the state. The result of their work is the proposed Criminal Justice position,

recommended to be adopted via concurrence.

Using the new Criminal Justice position, the LWVC will be able to act on an expanded number

of bills and ballot measures. Local Leagues are encouraged to use the position to engage in

education and advocacy in their communities on issues related to policing, pre-trial diversion,

sentencing, incarceration, and re-entry to make our criminal justice system more equitable.

Adopt a new position on Criminal Justice via Concurrence The role of the criminal justice system is to prevent crime and promote public safety. Current

research indicates successful systems focus on rehabilitation and support to prevent recidivism.

However, some communities experience excessive force and surveillance by the police; other

individuals waste away in prisons serving sentences far out of proportion to their offenses. The


mailto:[email protected]

LWVC has already established a Juvenile Justice position based on these principles. (see pp. 42-

45).

A growing national bipartisan consensus exists that the current criminal justice system needs

reform to ensure its constitutionality and cost effectiveness. A League of Women Voters of

California task force reviewed criminal justice positions from state and local Leagues across the

country. Based on that research, they drafted this Criminal Justice position so that local Leagues

can educate their communities on best practices that will ensure safety and justice for all, and so

that LWVC can advocate for/against proposed criminal justice legislation at the state level.

The position is annotated to show the source of the recommended language.

Position on Criminal Justice

POSITION IN BRIEF:

The LWV California supports:

● a criminal justice system that is just, effective, equitable, transparent, and that fosters public

trust at all stages, including policing practices, pre-trial procedures, sentencing, incarceration,

and re-entry;

● the elimination of systemic bias, including the disproportionate policing and incarceration of

marginalized communities;

● policing practices that promote safety for both law enforcement officers and the communities

they serve;

● collaboration between government and community throughout every stage of the criminal

justice system;

● a focus on humane treatment and rehabilitation with the goal of promoting the successful re-

entry into communities of those who have been incarcerated; and

● reliance on evidence-based research in decision-making about law-enforcement programs

and policies (including scheduled, periodic audits of program and policy effectiveness).

POSITIONS - Support for the following measures and principles:

Policing Practices - constitutional policies and procedures established by law enforcement with

input from the communities they serve

● Ensure that crime prevention and promotion of public safety are the primary roles of state

and local law enforcement agencies. [LWVs of Los Angeles City and San Francisco]

● Build public trust and positive community relationships through police engagement with

community members. [LWVs of Los Angeles City, San Francisco, and Seattle/King County

WA]

● Encourage community participation in the development of policing policy. [California SB

1421 Peace Officers: Release of Records; LWV-US Citizen’s Right to Know/Citizen

Participation position; LWV-CA Intergovernmental Relationships position; LWVs of Los

Angeles City, San Francisco, Roseville Area MN, and Seattle/King Co. WA]


● Provide police accountability via independent citizen oversight of law enforcement and

publicly available data on officer conduct. [California SB 1421 Peace Officers: Release of

Records; LWV-US Citizen’s Right to Know/Citizen Participation position; LWV-CA

Intergovernmental Relationships position; LWVs of Los Angeles City, San Francisco,

Roseville Area MN, and Seattle/King Co. WA]

● Disseminate information to the public about policing policies, recruitment, procedures for

complaint/commendation, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens and officers in

interactions with each other. [LWVs of Long Beach CA and Seattle/King County WA]

● Provide sufficient psychological services and counseling to meet stress-related needs of

police personnel. [LWV-Long Beach]

● Staff police departments to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and establish

recruitment efforts that reflect this principle. [LWV- Long Beach, LWV-US Policy on

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Governing the States and Localities, “Diversity on the

Force”]

● Train police to identify individuals with mental health conditions, disabilities, or substance

abuse/addiction, so that officers will request support from appropriate medical and mental

health professionals, with the goal of diverting those individuals into treatment instead of jail.

[Brennan Center for Justice; Disability Rights and Criminal Justice]

● Require all officers to render first aid to people who have been injured as a result of police

action. [LAPD Inspector General’s Review of Best Practices; Police Executive Research

Forum “Guiding Principles on Use of Force”; PoliceOne.com “Why all cops need first aid

training and CPR”]

● Conduct comprehensive background checks, to include such history as PTSD, domestic

violence, sex offenses and affiliations with domestic terrorist groups, for all applicants to law

enforcement positions. [LWV-Long Beach]

● Establish de-escalation (the use of time, distance, communications and available resources

whenever it is safe to do so) and anti-bias training, and ensure that all staff are provided with

this training. [LWVs of San Francisco, Los Angeles City, Roseville MN, and Seattle/King

Co. WA; Peel’s Principles of Policing 1829; LAPD Office of Inspector General Reports on

Use of Force; President’s Task Force on 21st Century]

● Authorize minimal use of force during police encounters with the public, and consider deadly

force only when necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury. [LWVC Letter

of Support for AB 931; California DOJ, “Sacramento Police Department Report &

Recommendations 2019”; San Francisco Police Department Use of Force Policy; Peel’s

Principles of Policing 1829]

Pre-trial Procedures - actions taken after an individual has been arrested, which embody the

constitutional presumption of innocence

● Ensure no person suffers discrimination before the law due to their economic status nor

should they be subject to risk assessment tools which can produce biased outcomes. [LWVs

of DC, DE, IN and MA]

● Provide adequate numbers of public defenders to defend indigent accused. [LWV of PA]


● Provide prosecutors, defense attorneys, court counselors and judges with regular training on

alternatives to incarceration, including pre-trial diversion and restorative justice practices.

[LWVs of IA, PA, and VA]

● Recognize that mental health conditions and substance abuse/addictions are public health

issues, not crimes. [LWVs of AR, ID, IA, IL, KS, LA, MA, OR, NY, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT,

VA, WA, WI, and DC]

● Implement the use of specialty courts, e.g. drug treatment courts and restorative justice

programs. [LWVs of AR, ID, IA, IL, KS, LA, MA, OR, NY, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, WA,

WI, and DC]

● Consider community-based treatment programs and other alternatives to incarceration when

appropriate. [LWVs of AR, ID, IA, IL, KS, LA, MA, OR, NY, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA,

WA, WI, and DC]

Sentencing - judgment made after an individual has been declared to be guilty

● Consider the individual circumstances of the person charged and nature of the crime, rather

than mandatory minimum sentences. [LWV-IL and LWV-US Sentencing position]

● Consider split sentencing and/or alternatives to incarceration when appropriate. [LWVs of

CO, DE, LA, MA, MT, NE, WA, and Los Angeles County]

Incarceration - policies and procedures that apply to employees of and incarcerated individuals

in local jails and state prisons

● Ensure that all correctional systems provide humane, dignified, non-discriminatory treatment

of inmates and personnel, including appropriate healthcare and access to community-based

rehabilitation programs. [LWVs of AR, DE, ID, IL, MA, MT, NY, PA, VA, RI, WI, Los

Angeles County, and No/Central San Mateo County]

● Eliminate the practice of solitary confinement. [LWVs of PA and Long Beach CA and

Scientific American, “A Case Against Solitary Confinement”]

● Ensure that inmates and corrections officers have clear, safe and accessible ways to report

abuse. [LWV-PA; National Commission on Correctional Healthcare; Prison Rape

Elimination Act]

● Address recidivism by instituting programs that focus on rehabilitation, education, mental

health treatment, substance abuse recovery, and transitional programs. [LWVs of ID, PA,

and WI]

● Adapt case management services to match education, behavior, job training, work, and

mental health programs with the needs of incarcerated individuals. [LWVs of DE, IA, IL,

KS, LA, MA, NY, PA, RI, TX, VA, WA, WI, DC, and Los Angeles County]

● Provide sufficient psychological services, including training and evaluation, to meet the

needs of corrections officers. [LWV-PA]

● Encourage family and community visitations and ways to maintain contact. [LWVs of FL,

MI, and NH]

● Eliminate private prisons. Until space in public prisons is available, ensure that private

prisons comply with all of the standards for state-run jails and prisons. [LWV-US

Privatization position]


Re-entry - programs in place during and after incarceration to help individuals become

successful members of their communities

● Collaborate with community-based organizations to facilitate reintegration of people released

from prison. [LWVs of AR, DE, IL, LA, MA, MT, PA, TX, VA, SC, WI, and Los Angeles

County; California AB 1008 Ban the Box]

● Provide pre- and post-release programs, inclusive of probation services, to prepare as well as

assess and address the needs of people re-entering the community. [LWV-MI]

● Remove technical violations of parole as a reason to return an individual to prison. [LWV-

PA]

General - statements which apply to some or all of the above categories

● Standardize data and setting up systems so that information can be easily shared among

criminal justice agencies. [LWV-ID, Measures for Justice]

● Rely on evidence-based research in decision making about criminal justice programs and

policies. [LWVs of DC, ID, FL, IL, LA, and MN]

Replace the current Election Systems position with a new position

on Electoral Process via concurrence League studies of electoral systems generally find that all systems have flaws; no system is

perfect. However, the League does have certain requirements of any system – verifiable,

auditable, and encouraging greater voter participation. This recommended position provides a

clear and flexible set of principles by which the LWVC and local Leagues in California can

evaluate reforms to the electoral process.

The proposed concurrence is a compilation of positions from Leagues in Arizona, California,

Colorado, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon,

Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington, as well as the LWVUS Principles.

The position is annotated to show the source of the recommended language.


https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-parole-board-proposition-57-20170727-htmlstory.html

Position on Electoral Process

Position in Brief:

Support electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation, are verifiable

and auditable and enhance representation for all voters.

Position in Full:

LWVC promotes an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and

responsive. (LWVUS)* We encourage electoral methods that provide the broadest voter

representation possible. Whether for single or multiple winner contests, the League supports

electoral methods that:

• Encourage voter participation and voter engagement

• Encourage those with minority opinions to participate, including under-represented

communities

• Are verifiable and auditable

• Promote access to voting

• Maximize effective votes/minimize “wasted” votes

• Promote sincere voting over strategic voting

• Require the winner to receive a majority of the votes for executive and single seat offices

• Are compatible with acceptable ballot-casting methods, including vote-by-mail

(LWVUS, ME, OR, CA, MN, MA, FL, NC, OK, SC, VT, WA, Santa Monica) *

The LWVC believes in representative government. The League supports electoral

systems that elect policy-making bodies–-legislatures, councils, commissions, and

boards—that proportionally reflect the people they represent. We support systems that

inhibit political manipulation (e.g. gerrymandering).

The LWVC supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore

alternative electoral methods, as well as supporting state election laws allowing for more

options at both the state and local levels. With the adoption of any electoral system, the

League believes that education of the voting public is important and funding for startup

and voter education should be available. We encourage a concerted voter education

process.

(LWVUS, AZ, CA, OR, SC, WA) *

End of Statement

* All language from LWVUS Principles and multiple State positions


Participating Leagues

47 local Leagues participated in program planning:

Alameda

Beach Cities

Berkeley, Albany,

Emeryville

Butte County

Central Orange County Area

Cupertino/Sunnyvale

Diablo Valley

East San Gabriel Valley

Eden Area

Fremont, Newark, Union

City

Fresno

Glendale/Burbank

Humboldt County

Long Beach Area

Los Altos/Mountain View

Area

Los Angeles

Marin County

Mendocino County

Merced County

Monterey County

Mt. Baldy Area

Napa County

North and Central San

Mateo County

North County San Diego

Oakland

Orange Coast

Palo Alto

Pasadena Area

Piedmont

Placer County

Redding Area

Riverside

Sacramento County

San Diego

San Francisco

San Joaquin County

San Jose/Santa Clara

San Luis Obispo County

Santa Barbara

Santa Cruz County

Santa Monica

Sonoma County

South San Mateo County

Southwest Santa Clara

Valley

Stanislaus County

Tulare County

Ventura County

Retention of Current LWVC Positions

We made changes to the Program Planning process in 2017, and continued that in 2019. Many

people had commented that asking local Leagues to review every current LWVC position

distracted from their ability to have a serious conversation about the future direction of the

League. Thus, we did not ask them to provide specific input on retaining or dropping LWVC

positions; instead, that task has been assigned to the program area specialists (although

suggestions from Leagues are always welcome).

As indicated on page 35, the board-recommended program includes retention of all current

LWVC positions.

Program Planning Report


Issues for Emphasis for 2019-2021

In the Program Planning Kit, the LWVC board noted that the League at both the state and local

level will be involved in implementing the national Making Democracy Work (MDW) program

first adopted at the June 2016 LWVUS convention, and re-adopted at the June 2018 convention.

We asked local Leagues to indicate up to three Issues for Emphasis—areas to focus on in 2019-

2021—in addition to Making Democracy Work. An Issue for Emphasis could be one or any

combination of:

a study of a new issue or a new position to be adopted by concurrence

an update study of an issue on which the LWVC already has a position

community education on an issue

advocacy on an issue.

Only items proposed by local Leagues in program planning are eligible for consideration as not-

recommended items.

Compilation of Local League Recommendations for Issues for Emphasis

The recommendations from local Leagues were compiled using a weighted system. First choice

items received three points, second choices two points, and third choices one point. Items are

grouped as seemed logical.

Issue Weighted

points Topics included in this area

Housing/homelessness 42

Living wage; housing assistance; senior housing; lower

income housing; homelessness & mental health care;

housing affordability; housing for homeless veterans;

promote housing near transit; CASA compact

Making Democracy

Work 39

Reforming voter registration, money in politics, voting

rights, redistricting; voter protection & mobilization; 2020

census; abolition of the electoral college; electoral process;

expanding the electorate

Climate Change 34

Climate change/sustainability; CEQA, air quality, &

climate change; renewable/alternative energy/air quality;

emphasis on fracking, water, and scientists’ freedom to

speak and do research; sea level rise, flooding, drought,

water usage and availability, housing &


transportation/transit; local land use; preventing coastal oil

drilling

Schools &

Communities First /

Prop 13 reform

20

Criminal Justice

Reform 16

Removing mental illness from the criminal justice system;

bail reform

Health Care 14

Health care; mental health care; universal health care;

preventative mental health care and intervention;

community education to spur advocacy; Medicare-for-All;

care for underserved communities; women’s health

services

Water 12

Water and forest management; conservation; wastewater

reclamation; minimize reliance on water exported through

and around the Delta

Civil discourse 9

Civil discourse; civic engagement, citizens right to know,

support free press, public education as media consumers;

how-to guides on participation in government;

transparency in government; civic savvy

Education Pre K - 12 8

Update study to include charter schools, increase funding

for public education, consider endorsing the governor’s

budget priority on early education

Gun Safety 5 Increase public safety

Civics education 4 Education on how government works at all levels; how to

find common ground and effect constructive change

Immigration 3

Legislation protecting & advancing rights of all

immigrants and refugees in California; education to

combat distortion

Economic inequality 3 Fair taxation

Universal pre-K 2


Remedial education

for community

colleges

1

Review services to address needs of those who require

additional academic preparation to be successful

Wildfire prevention 1

Public and private response to wildfire, coordination

between state and local agencies and emergency response

services.

Green New Deal 1 Request the LWVUS do an in-depth analysis, and report

the results

Oversight of local

government 1

Support and oversight of efforts to provide facilities &

treatment programs for behavioral health care

Recommendations That Included a New State Study, a Study to Update an Existing

Position, or a Position Adoption by Concurrence

The table above includes approximately one recommendation for a new or update study:

- an update to the LWVC PreK-12 Education position focused on charter schools

There were four concurrence proposals circulating among local Leagues. The recommendations

for approving these were:

Position Number of Leagues

supporting

Criminal Justice 26

Electoral Process 22

Civil Discourse 16

Homelessness 10


California Legislative Priorities 2019

Making Democracy Work

Voting rights

Voter protection and service

Election reform

Money in politics

Redistricting

2020 Census

Climate Change

Housing

Housing supply – availability and affordability

Homelessness

Other Legislative Issues, As Time and Resources Permit

Support requests from local Leagues and inter-League organizations (ILOs) for advocacy

on bills of specific interest to their jurisdictions

Take action as appropriate on other core issues: Redistricting, Initiative and Referendum

Process, and Reproductive Choices

Consider Program Director recommendations for action on the highest priority bills in

their program areas.

Legislative Priorities 2019


Program Glossary

Use of the following League terms will help to avoid confusion and misunderstanding during

discussion and debate of program.

CONCURRENCE Members are asked to agree with a statement or position held by another

League or recommended by a League board or committee. The

statement must be approved or rejected as written.

CONSENSUS Substantial member agreement; the sense of the group rather than a

majority opinion.

ISSUE FOR

EMPHASIS

An issue/topic adopted by convention delegates as a program item on

which state and local Leagues will mutually focus their efforts. May

include concerted action using existing state or national positions,

and/or community education on selected issues. (Also called Issue for

Education and Advocacy.)

LIMITED STUDY A new study with a narrow scope and usually of short duration.

NOT-

RECOMMENDED

PROGRAM

Issues of interest to a number of members but not receiving enough

support to appear on the proposed program.

POSITION The stand of the League on a public policy issue and the basis for

action.

POSITION UPDATE A study of limited scope to reevaluate an existing League position in

light of new information, changed circumstance, and/or conflict with

another position. The goal is consideration of a change in position. Any

new position resulting from an update is adopted by the appropriate

board and affirmed by the convention or annual meeting.

PROGRAM Governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.

RECOMMENDED

PROGRAM

Subjects that reflect the thinking of most of the members in the state and

are recommended by the appropriate board committee for adoption.

Program 2019-2021 Resources


REVIEW Members ask the board for evaluation of a current position for clarity,

relevance, effectiveness. No change is made in the position statement.

SCOPE Definition of the limits of a study and possible areas of exploration,

developed by the study committee and approved by the appropriate

board.

STUDY The process of gathering information for discussion by members with

the aim of reaching consensus and establishing a position.

VERTICAL

POSITION

LWVUS, LWVC or ILO (Inter-League Organization) positions are

designated as vertical if they may be used as the basis of action at other

levels of League without prior permission.


Study Process

In September 2006, the LWVC Education Fund board adopted new policies for adopting and

conducting state League studies. The policies address the need for effective planning, securing of

funding, and preparation of the study committee, as well as the need to fit the calendar for a

study into the ongoing work of local Leagues. These new procedures, as revised in October

2014, were included in the Program Planning Kit and are below. Timelines have been updated

for a June 2019 study adoption.

LWVCEF STUDY PROCESS: Study Committee Responsibilities

[Note: Throughout this document, the word "study" may be taken to indicate either a full study to

create a new position or an update of an existing position.]

1. Normally, only one state study should be adopted at any convention.

2. Ideally, a state study will be a three-year process to avoid education and consensus activity

interference with local Leagues' work during the federal election cycle. Any request for a

shorter or longer timeline must be reviewed and approved by the LWVCEF board. The time

frame may not be changed once the study is in process without express permission of the

LWVCEF board.

3. An exploratory study committee that wishes to have its topic considered for recommendation

by the LWVCEF board at convention must submit the following items as part of the program

planning process. These should be distributed to all local Leagues, along with any other

background material helpful to promoting the study, in time for each local League to

consider the study as part of its own program planning meeting.

Rationale for the study

Outline of the study's proposed scope

Names of local Leagues that back the study and pledge to participate in the consensus.

4. When a study is adopted at a convention (either a recommended or a not-recommended

item), with a completed study rationale and preliminary scope, the LWVCEF board will

conduct a process to appoint the study committee members, including appointing the

committee chair.

5. Once a study committee has been appointed, the following items must be completed within

six months and approved by the LWVCEF board. If these items are not completed on time,

it will be up to the discretion of the LWVCEF board whether to allow the study to proceed.


Attendance by the official study committee at a training session conducted by the

LWVCEF board and/or staff detailing the fiscal and organizational responsibilities of all

parties involved in the study. Consensus question framing will also be covered.

Development by the study committee of a more detailed scope of the study

Development by the study committee of the proposed schedule for the study, including

deliverables.

6. Development by the study committee of the proposed budget and funding sources for the

study. [Study budget and fundraising strategies must be developed with the executive

director and follow LWVCEF policies.]

7. Acquisition of funds for a not-recommended study. [Recognizing that a not-recommended

study is not included in the budget as proposed at a convention, a nominal amount of “seed

money” will be provided in the LWVCEF budget to allow for startup costs for a not-

recommended item. Study fundraising strategies must be developed with the executive

director and follow LWVCEF policies.]

8. The study committee should send regular updates to each local League beginning early in the

study process—even while the study kit is still under development. These updates can

include suggested readings, short articles, and ideas for meetings. Study committee members

are encouraged to meet with local Leagues to help promote the study and to be available to

answer questions from local League members.

9. The study kit must go out to local Leagues a minimum of nine months prior to the consensus

due date to allow for local League scheduling.


LWVCEF STUDY PROCESS: Sample Timeline for a

Three-Year State Study Adopted June 2019

[This schedule is intended to be very rough and allows a lot of leeway. It tries to take into

account the “down” time that most local Leagues experience over the summer and around the

holidays. Most importantly, it avoids the ongoing conflict between the study's education and

consensus process and local League responsibilities relating to the Federal election cycle.]

June 2019: Study is adopted at convention

June–October 2019: Study committee is selected and trained; study scope, schedule, and budget

are developed, board approves funding source and application, and funding is obtained

November 2019: The LWVCEF board gives go-ahead for study to begin

November 2019–June 2020: Study committee conducts research and develops consensus

questions and study kit; sends out a reading list to local Leagues, along with suggested resources

and/or activities; local Leagues form their own study committees

July 2020: The LWVCEF board approves study kit and consensus questions

August 2020–February 2021: Study committee distributes study kit to local Leagues and begins

the process of educating local Leagues through other means—e.g., LWVC Web site articles;

local Leagues form their own study committees

March–May and October–November 2021: Local Leagues educate their members and conduct

consensus meetings

January–February 2022: Study committee crafts draft position based on local League

Consensus Reports

March 2022: Study committee presents draft position to the LWVC board for review/editing

March–April 2022: Study committee revises position based on the LWVC board input

May 2022: Position is adopted at LWVC board meeting so that action may begin

May 2023: Position is formally ratified by members at convention along with the rest of the rest

of the LWVC program


LWVCEF STUDY PROCESS: Sample Timeline for a

Two-Year State Study Adopted June 2019

[A two-year study is one that is either a very limited study, or else a limited update study of an

existing position. This schedule is intended to be rough and allows some leeway. It tries to take

into account the “down” time that most local Leagues experience over the summer and around

the holidays. Most importantly, it avoids the ongoing conflict between the study's education and

consensus process and local League responsibilities relating to the Federal election cycle.]

June 2019: Study is adopted at convention

June–September 2019: Study committee is selected and trained; study scope, schedule, and

budget are developed, board approves funding source and application, and funding is obtained

September 2019: The LWVCEF board gives go-ahead for study to begin

September 2019–July 2020: Study committee conducts research and develops consensus

questions and study kit; sends out a reading list to local Leagues, along with suggested resources

and/or activities; local Leagues form their own study committees

March 2020: The LWVCEF board has a first discussion of the proposed consensus questions

May 2020: The LWVCEF board approves consensus questions

Summer 2020: Study committee distributes study kit and leader’s guide to local Leagues. Local

Leagues form their own study committees.

Fall 2020: Break for General Election

November 2020–March 2021: Local Leagues educate their members and conduct consensus

meetings

April–May 2021: Study committee crafts draft position based on local League Consensus

Reports

May 2021: Position is adopted at LWVC board meeting so that action may begin

May 2023: Position is formally ratified by members at convention along with the rest of the

LWVC program


LWVCEF STUDY PROCESS: Board/Staff Responsibilities

1. Create a budget that includes the necessary board-approved funding sources for a board-

recommended study or, alternatively, seed money for a possible not-recommended study, for

the fiscal year following each convention. The process must follow LWVCEF policies.

2. Create and moderate a program planning list-serve for use by local League members.

3. Create an application form and "vetting" process for the members of any study committee—

especially the chair. Qualifications will include:

League experience

Expertise in the area of the study

Project management experience, including writing skills

Time availability over the life of the study

Lack of bias toward a desired outcome.

4. Exercise final approval over the creation of the study committee, which ideally would consist

of at least nine qualified members plus its chair.

5. Provide historical data to the study committee to allow for realistic budgetary and scheduling

activity.

6. Present recommendations for hiring of part-time, temporary staff to support the study

committee so that ongoing LWVC operations will not be jeopardized. [These

recommendations will assist the study committee in budgeting and in planning their

fundraising strategy, which must follow LWVCEF policies.]

7. Develop and conduct a training session for study committee members that covers, in great

detail, the roles and responsibilities of all participants in the study process. Also, ensure that

the study committee has copies of and has reviewed relevant League publications such as

Writing for League.

8. Commit the necessary LWVC Program Committee time and effort to provide ongoing

supervision of, documentation of, and punctual reporting on the study committee and its

work, especially:

Completion of “deliverables” by the scheduled dates

Adherence to budget and to financial reporting procedures

Issues of attrition or non-participation by study committee members.

Emphasis should be on early detection and resolution of problems.

9. Resolve to be willing to “pull the plug” on a study if ongoing problems are not addressed—

e.g., schedules are not met, quality of research and analysis are not acceptable, study


committee is nonfunctional, or too much staff time is being used to the detriment of the

LWVC ongoing work.

10. Provide continual, repeated education of local Leagues about these procedures.


Concurrence Process

Procedures for adopting a position by concurrence, as originally adopted by the LWVC board in

1995 and last updated in October 2014, were published in the Program Planning Kit and are

below. If a League does intend to propose adoption of a position by concurrence, notice must be

sent to all local Leagues 30 days prior to the start of convention with the required information. A

copy of the notice and information must be given to all delegates at the convention.

If needed, Leagues may request assistance from the LWVC program director in whose portfolio

the concurrence position would fall.

LWVC/LWVCEF Concurrence Policy

The definition of concurrence in In League is:

Concurrence is the act of agreeing with—or concurring with—a statement of position. A

decision-making technique used by the League for some time, concurrence can work several

ways. Groups of League members or League boards can concur with 1) recommendations of

a resource committee or a unit group; 2) decision statements formulated by League boards;

or, 3) positions reached by another League or Leagues.

As a general rule, background materials presenting the pros and cons on the issue being

considered are provided to Leagues and members in the concurrence process.

To ensure that all delegates to LWVC conventions are given adequate notice that they will be

asked to consider adoption of a position by concurrence and that they will feel they are casting

an informed vote, the following procedure will be followed:

Local League(s) must submit as one of their recommended issues for state program planning

the adoption of a new position by concurrence. It could be something such as “adopt a new

state position on xxxx by concurring with another League existing position.” This is the

method by which the issue will be on the list of non-recommended items, and at the time of

the convention will be eligible to be moved for consideration.

The local League or individual members who plan to move for adoption of a new position by

concurring with a current position of another League or ILO must notify all local League

presidents of this not later than 30 days prior to the start of the convention. If requested in

time, the LWVC office will provide mailing labels or email addresses for the presidents, but

it is the responsibility of the individuals or local Leagues to send the notice recommending

concurrence.


The notice to local League presidents will contain the following information:

- the position the delegates will be asked to adopt

- the name of the League or Leagues whose position it is; when the study was done; a

succinct but complete description of the extent of the study; and instances of application

of the position. If the position is not from a League, then this should be a description of

the process used to develop the position

- any other local Leagues or ILOs that have a similar position, in order to indicate the

present extent of member understanding of the issue.

The League or members who plan to move consideration of the concurrence should come to

convention prepared to give a copy of the notice with the above information to all delegates.

The Convention Workbook should be consulted for instructions on moving a not-

recommended item for consideration. Passage of a not-recommended item requires an

affirmative vote by three-fifths of the delegates.

Any needed assistance may be requested from the LWVC expert in whose portfolio the

concurrence position would fall.


2017-2019 LWVC Board

OFFICERS

Helen Hutchison

President

LWV Oakland

Gloria Chun Hoo

First Vice President

LWV San Jose/Santa

Clara

Joanne Leavitt

2nd Vice President

Program/Advocacy

LWV Santa Monica

Caroline de Llamas

Secretary

LWV East San

Gabriel Valley

Jacquie Canfield

Treasurer

LWV Fresno

DIRECTORS

Amanda Berg

Director

LWV San Diego

Jeanne Brown

Director

LWV San Diego

Martha Cox

Director

LWV San Diego

Sarah Diefendorf

Director

LWV Oakland

Christina

Dragonetti

Director

LWV San Francisco

Carol Moon

Goldberg

Director

LWV Sacramento

County

Karen

Vanderwerken

Director

LWV North County

San Diego

State Leaders


LWVC Staff

Melissa Breach

Executive Director

Dora Rose

Deputy Director

Elizabeth Leslie

Communications

Manager

Sharon Stone

Membership &

Technology Manager

Amaris LeBron

Administrative

Assistant

Andrew Muse-Fisher

Program Associate

We would like to thank all the volunteers who have put their time

and efforts into this year’s Convention!


LWVC Presidents 1920 - Present

1921-22 Mrs. Frank G. Law 1922-25 Miss Marion Delaney 1925-27 Mrs. H. H. Koons 1927-29 Alice Burr 1929-31 Mrs. J. C. Whitman 1931-33 Mrs. O.S. Barnum 1933-37 Mrs. Paul Eliel 1937-38 Mrs. Carl Voss 1938-41 Mrs. Warner Clark 1941-43 Mrs. Charles A. MacLean 1943-45 Mrs. James Scarborough 1945-47 Mrs. George Scheer 1947-49 Mrs. Samuel May 1949-51 Mrs. Pauline Ploesner 1951-53 Mrs. Winston Crouch 1953-55 Mrs. Harry Williams 1955-57 Mrs. Paul Holmer 1957-59 Mrs. Robert Zurbach 1959-61 Mrs. Lawrence Spear 1961-63 Margaret Hayes Parsons 1963-65 Mrs. William Irvine 1965-67 Mrs. Russel L. Stockwell 1967-69 Anne Rudin (Mrs. Edward) 1971-73 Mrs. Walter Schuiling 1973-75 Mrs. Kenneth Kaplan 1975-77 Dorothy Kellner (Mrs. Martin) 1977-79 Joan Rich (Mrs. Dan) 1979-81 Susan Rice 1981-83 Kenni Friedman 1983-85 Mary Jane Merrill 1985-87 Linda Herman 1987-89 Carol Federighi 1989-91 Carole Wagner Vallianos 1991-93 Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer 1993-95 Marlys Robertson 1995-97 Fran Packard 1997-99 Karyn Gill 1999-01 Gail Dryden 2001-03 Barbara Inatsugu 2003-07 Jacqueline Jacobberger

2007-11 Janis R. Hirohama

2011-14 Jennifer A. Waggoner

2014-present Helen L. Hutchison

Mrs. Frank G. Law

First LWVC President

Helen L. Hutchison

Current LWVC President


President

Carol Moon Goldberg

LWV Sacramento

A member of the League for 25 years, Carol has served at both the local

and state levels. For the past four years she served as Voter Service

Director for LWVC. In addition to overseeing production of LWVC’s

standard voter service materials, she curated and wrote content for

Voter’s Edge, coordinated League’s part in the televised U.S. Senatorial

candidate forum and coordinated League’s involvement in the California Channel Free Airtime

Project in 2018. Carol served as program director for LWVC in the reproductive choices

portfolio for three years prior to joining the state board. During that time she represented the

League in a coalition of organizations working on related issues, analyzed and followed

legislation on the issue.

In the Sacramento County League, Carol spent many years serving in various positions on the

board, including terms as co-president of the League. During that time she worked on voter

service projects including heading high school voter registration drives and involvement with

mock elections, coordinating League’s Election Day work with a local TV channel, served as

discussion leader/liaison on consensus questions of state studies, and writing Every Member

Tools (remember those?) for her local Voter.

Carol made a career of volunteering after practicing law for a time; retiring in favor of raising

her two children. She served on the Sacramento County Grand Jury and remains involved with

the system. She served on parent advisory committees to her local school board. Carol learned

about nonprofit operations by serving her family’s religious institution as steering committee

member on a capital campaign, strategic planning committees, and personnel search committees.

Of course, Carol supported the various sports and arts related activities of her children with

organizing, fundraising, and chauffeuring. She has been married for 34 years to a supportive

spouse who practices law in Sacramento and also volunteers for several non-profit organizations.

State Leaders – Nominees


First Vice President

Jacquie Canfield

LWV Fresno

Jacquie has been a member of the League for over 26 years and has held

several positions at the both the state and local level with more emphasis

in voter service projects and League studies. At the state level, she

served a total of four terms on the State Board. The past two terms she

served as Treasurer and Voter Service Director for two terms years ago.

She also served on the state League Education Study Update committee.

Locally, she has served as president, voter service vice president, Voter’s Edge California and

Voters Edge/Smart Voter coordinator for Fresno County since 1998, webmaster for Fresno

League since 2002, and leader/facilitator for several studies. She is a proud member of the

Fresno Education Committee who recently completed a study on charter schools.

Jacquie recently retired after 36 years from Fresno Unified serving as the Executive Officer of

Fiscal Services. Fresno Unified is the fourth largest school district in the State and largest

employer in the Central Valley. She was responsible for the fiscal operations including a budget

that is over $1 billion dollars, accounting, and payroll. She has a passion to ensure fiscal

resources are wisely spent, so that all students have the maximum opportunity to succeed.

Jacquie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Quantitative Analysis and Decision

Sciences from California State University, Fresno. She has been married over 36 years and has

two grown children. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and especially loves visiting nature’s

wonders.

Second Vice President for Advocacy/Program

Gloria Chun Hoo

LWV San Jose/Santa Clara

Gloria currently serves as First Vice President on the state board of the

League of Women Voters of California, and chairs the Diversity and

Equity Task Force. She is a member of the board’s Legislative

Committee and the LWVC Climate Change Task Force.

Prior to joining the state board, Gloria served a two-year term as the chair of the LWV Santa

Clara County Council, and was a director on the LWV Bay Area ILO board of directors, and was

president of LWV San Jose/Santa Clara for three years.


A resident of San Jose, Gloria worked in marketing and communications/public relations in the

science/history/culture museum industry working at The Tech Museum of Innovation, the

Campbell Historical Museum and the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Hawaii.

Before moving to California, she worked in the Boston area in PR, marketing and training in the

corporate sector. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the YWCA of the

USA Board of Directors (1985-1997). She was past chair and a member of the City of San Jose

Planning Commission (2001-2008). Currently she is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Open

Space Authority’s Citizen Advisory Committee.

Gloria was born and raised in Honolulu, HI, attended the University of Hawaii, and is a graduate

of Boston University with a degree in journalism and minor in East Asian history. She was the

founding editor of a bilingual community newspaper, The Sampan, and was host of a public

affairs program, “Asian Focus,” on the CBS-affiliate in Boston.

Secretary

Caroline de Llamas

LWV East San Gabriel Valley

Caroline has enjoyed continuous LWV membership in various

California Leagues since initially joining the LWV of Tulare County in

1968. She has held most portfolios at the local League level, and is

President of the LWV East San Gabriel Valley.

At the state level, Caroline currently serves as Secretary, and is a

member of the Executive and Personnel Committees. She is also the Southern Coordinator of the

LWVC Management Training Advisor Program (MTAs), and the MTA for several local

Leagues. She chaired the 2013-2015 LWVC Nominating Committee, and served on the Board

of Directors from 2009-2013.

At the national level, Caroline joined the LWVUS Shur Fellow Program, and served from 2015

through 2018. She previously participated in the LWVUS MRI Program (known as MGIK in

CA) as a coach to five California local Leagues.

A retired Professional City Clerk/Treasurer, she is a past president of the City Clerks Association

of California and holds membership in various professional organizations, including the National

Association of Parliamentarians.

Caroline resides in Covina with her husband Lloyd de Llamas. They have two daughters and a

grand dog.


Director

Maxine Anderson

LWV San Francisco

Maxine came to the San Francisco League through her political activity

during the 2004 election. Her political involvement began in anger,

which led to partisan activism, and then to the League where she was

recruited to Voter Service work. She has served on the San Francisco

League board and as chair of their Advocacy and Action Committee.

She also currently serves on the state Criminal Justice Reform Committee.

Maxine was born and raised in Chicago and attended public schools there. She has worked in

both the private and public sectors: first as a private industry insurance adjuster and then as a

claims adjuster in San Francisco’s City Attorney’s Office. The San Francisco Human Rights

Commission gave her the HERO award for her outstanding contributions to voting rights. She

also serves on the Older Women’s League board. For fun, she enjoys traveling and reading.

Director

Amanda Berg

LWV San Diego

Amanda Berg is the Director of Voter Service for the League of Women

Voters San Diego and has been working with LWVSD since October

2014. She became Director of Voter Service for LWVSD in January

2015 and then transitioned to serve as the Director of Marketing and

Outreach in July 2018.

Amanda spearheaded a series of local League events titled “Sips & Civility.” These quarterly

events are targeted towards a young professional audience and offer free drinks and civil political

discussion. Amanda presented the Sips & Civility model at the 2015 LWVC Convention

workshop “Democracy in Dialogue” alongside LWVSD members Jeanne Brown and Nancy

Phung. Since then, the event has spread to other local leagues around the county and remains a

regular event in the San Diego community.

In 2015-2016 Amanda also co-chaired a committee for a local League study on “Campus Justice

& Sexual Assault.” This study led to LWVSD adopting a new position regarding how local

campuses should handle sexual assault claims, education, and reporting.


Having joined the LWVC board in 2017, Amanda has now served 2 years with the California

League, and is excited to continue the work of moving our League into its second hundred years

of education and advocacy.

Amanda was born in Wisconsin and moved to Southern California when she was 11 years old.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and an M.A. in Political Science from UCSD.

In her professional life, Amanda manages a team of Implementation Analysts at a medical

software company. Amanda lives in San Diego with her boyfriend, Alex, who is also an active

League member. In her free time outside of LWV, Amanda enjoys running half marathons and

just completed her first full marathon in March 2019.

Director

Christina Dragonetti

LWV San Francisco

Christina Dragonetti, a member of the San Francisco League, currently

serves as Membership and Marketing Manager for the California

Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). She has worked for ten years

in nonprofit organizations providing support, training, and information

to other nonprofits. She earned a Master’s degree in Nonprofit

Management from the Monterey Institute for International Studies and a BA in Politics from

Whitman College. Christina lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and spends her free time

fostering kittens for the East Bay SPCA, reading mystery novels, and learning to be an activist.

Director

Tracey Edwards

LWV Cupertino/Sunnyvale

Tracey joined the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale in

1998 but didn’t become active until she joined the board in 2016

following her retirement.

She currently serves as Vice President and County Council representative for her local League.

Tracey works on affordable housing, pre-registration of high school students, and local

development issues. She has also been appointed to two Santa Clara County Commissions; one

on affordable housing and one on Women’s leadership.


Tracey also serves as Chair of HealthRight Intl., and is Treasurer at both Tenderloin

Neighborhood Development Corp. and Golden Gate University.

Prior to retirement, Tracey was a senior leader at Deloitte. Over her 30+ year career at Deloitte

she created, grew, and/or reinvented many different businesses. This included managing complex

international business units, creation of new products and services, and leading business

turnarounds.

Tracey earned her B.A. in Biological Sciences from UC Santa Barbara and J.D. and LL.M. from

Golden Gate University. She is admitted to practice law in California.

In their free time Tracey and her husband, Morgan, like to travel.

Director

Debbie Fagen

LWV Pasadena Area

Debbie joined the League in January 2017 and serves as the co-Chair of

the Advocacy Committee for the League of Women Voters Pasadena

Area. She championed her chapter’s efforts for the Schools and

Communities First campaign, gathering signatures to help qualify the

measure for the November 2020 ballot, and has been influential in elevating the LWVPA’s

presence at political rallies and marches.

A native Californian, Debbie is a graduate of the University of Redlands in Business

Administration and has spent the majority of her professional career in computing. Her career

has included working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the J. Paul Getty Trust before

retiring. Debbie is married with two daughters and proudly describes herself as a mother, wife

and friend. When asked about her interests she says she is an animal lover, admits to having an

insatiable sweet tooth, enjoys acquiring new knowledge, and Taiko drumming.


Director

Helen Hutchison

LWV Oakland

Helen Hutchison is President of the League of Women Voters of

California, having joined the board first as the Government Director and

then as the Second Vice President for Advocacy and Program in 2008.

While serving the state League, she has been active in strategic

planning, initiative and referendum reform, human resources, training,

legislation, ballot measures, and redistricting.

She has been a member of the League of Women Voters since 1969. She and her family have

moved around the country, providing many opportunities to join Leagues in different cities:

Claremont, California; Newton, Massachusetts; Los Angeles; Claremont (again); Clackamas

County, Oregon; DeKalb County, Georgia; and she was the president of the LWV Oakland from

2003 to 2007. She served on the Boards of the Claremont, Clackamas County and Oakland

Leagues in a variety of roles. Each League has provided new areas to learn about and get active

in.

Professionally, Helen is a retired computer systems analyst. She is an active member of

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland and a foster care volunteer with the East Bay SPCA.

Director

Aisha Piracha-Zakariya

LWV Palo Alto

Aisha is currently President of the Palo Alto League. She joined their

board as First Vice President in 2016 and continues to serve on the

communications, advocacy and board development teams. Through her

leadership, and her board's support, she focused on increasing outreach,

community engagement and visibility of the League, as well as streamlining onboarding and

internal efficiencies for new board members. She has also promoted innovative voter service

programs to register youth, and developed creative GOTV strategies using Voter’s Edge media

materials which were also shared with California Leagues. Her efforts to increase outreach to

new communities included expanding locations for election events and collaborating with new

interest groups on common policy issues. More recently, her local League and colleagues from

the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County successfully advocated for the adoption of

the Voter’s Choice Act, and is now slated for implementation in the county's the 2020 elections!


Professionally, Aisha has over two decades of experience in both the private and nonprofit

sectors and is currently a digital marketing and communications strategy consultant. Previously,

Aisha worked in New York City’s financial sector at JP Morgan as well as Donaldson, Lufkin &

Jenrette, before founding her startup, Allergy Exchange.

Through her nonprofit advisory involvement, she has also worked to level the playing field for

under-served communities. She has worked to promote women’s empowerment with Behbud, a

women’s advocacy organization in her country of origin, Pakistan. Locally, Aisha served as

Trustee and Board Chair at the Gunn High School Scholarship Foundation in Palo Alto, which

provides needs-based college scholarships to students in her community.

Aisha holds a BA from Smith College in Development Economics & Government. She grew up

in Laos, Thailand and the Philippines, as her father’s work at UNICEF took her around the

world, before attending high school in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is a polyglot and speaks

Thai, French and Urdu. Aisha has been living in Palo Alto with her husband, daughter and son

since 2005.

Aisha's work with the League has instilled in her an immense sense of duty and commitment to

ensure that the League’s mission to educate and advocate voters continues into the next 100

years.

Director

Lori Thiel

LWV San Diego

Lori discovered the League about five years ago after she moved to San

Diego and wanted to get involved in her new community. She was quite

impressed by the League. At a San Diego League luncheon on higher

education, Jeanne Brown gave her a membership card and she was

hooked.

Lori is currently president of the San Diego League and with the support of her board has

focused on updating internal systems for efficiency and increasing community outreach,

collaboration and participation. LWV San Diego now has nearly 500 members.

Lori also serves on the boards of the Ackerman Foundation, which provides grants for K-12

education projects, and the St. James Health Ministry Outreach, which funds health services to

San Diego’s underserved communities. She has curated and hosted several women-owned

business panel events, and has also owned and operated a Southern California publishing


company. Prior to that, she was communications manager for the international steel consortium

WorldSteel.


Pat Coulter

LWV Pasadena Area

Pat is a relative newcomer to California and to the League of Women

Voters. She is currently president-elect of the Pasadena Area League.

She also chairs their Immigration Committee, and serves on the

Development Committee. Pat retired from the Urban League of

Philadelphia as president and CEO in 2014. Her 50-year work history

spans roles in education, and in corporate and nonprofit sectors.

As a civic leader, community and policy advocate, she has served on numerous governing boards

and associations, as well as on various education economic opportunity and private sector

partnerships, mayoral commissions, and taskforces. She has been recognized with numerous

awards, including The American Red Cross Outstanding Humanitarian Award.


Carolina Goodman

LWV Los Angeles

Carolina is a retired educator, who joined the Los Angeles League in the

fall of 2013 and has been active on their Youth Outreach and Human

Trafficking Committees. She is currently Co-Chair of the LWVC

Criminal Justice Reform Committee and represents LWVLA in a coalition for Los Angeles

Campaign Finance Reform.

Her father was an immigrant from the Philippines in the 1920s. He met her mother in the

Philippines during World War II while she was working for an Armed Forces Auxiliary. Her

mother was devoted to community service and certainly was a model for Carolina. Carolina’s

teaching career was varied: she taught math and technology, was a coordinator for multicultural

education and mentored new teachers.


Introduction. The proposed biennial 2019-2021 budget for the League of Women Voters of

California (LWVC) is submitted to delegates for their consideration in accordance with the

bylaws (Article XIII Financial Administration, Section 2 Budget).

Although the delegates only consider and vote on a budget for the LWVC, the Budget

Committee is also presenting the budget for the League of Women Voters of California

Education Fund (LWVCEF) for informational purposes. We hope this will help delegates

understand our overall budgetary priorities and projected sources and uses of funds for all

League activities in California. The LWVCEF Board of Directors adopts the LWVCEF budget

after Convention.

The Budget Committee. This budget was prepared by a committee, appointed by the LWVC

Board of Directors. The members as of print date were:

Jacquie Canfield, Treasurer (Chair), LWVC

Helen Hutchison, President, LWVC (ex-officio)

Melissa Breach, LWVC Executive Director

Mary Beth Armstrong, LWV San Luis Obispo County

Kristin Chu, LWV San Francisco

Katherine Gavzy, LWV Pasadena Area

Karen Vanderwerken, State Board Director

Comments and Questions. Comments and questions should be addressed to Jacquie Canfield at

[email protected]. A webinar on the budget is planned for May 18, 2019 at 11:00AM for

interested members. Please see LWVC convention website for more information. Delegates will

also have the opportunity to meet with the Budget Committee during the convention. There will

be two Budget Q&A meetings during Convention. All are invited.

The Budget Process. The Budget Committee began working on proposed budgets in November

2018, consulting with members of the board, off-board volunteers, contractors, and staff to

identify organizational priorities as well as anticipated costs and revenues. This biennial budget

was approved by the LWVC Board for recommendation to the delegates on March 18, 2019.

Context. The LWVC Board is committed to presenting a budget which reflects our ongoing

commitment to being a flexible, sustainable, and ambitious organization. This budget conveys to

our funders, donors, and—most of all—our members, where we are headed over the next two

years. We believe the budget as presented is attainable. At the same time, we will continue to

closely monitor key indicators and are prepared to adjust the budget as needed.

Proposed Budget 2019-2021


The following pages outline the proposed major programs and items for the LWVC and

LWVCEF. As shown on the next page almost 70% of the funds are planned to be spent on

program. Our plan to accomplish this does not include a PMP increase but it does include added

efficiencies and corresponding reductions in operating expense at the State office.

Significant Items in the FY 2019/2021 Budget

• No PMP Increase: This budget maintains the PMP (Per Member Payment) of $28.

• Member Services: The LWVC will continue the work of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion committee, explore additional ways to assist supporting local Leagues, support an in-person convening for MTA’s, support the MTA program, provide expanded Program and Voter Service resources and toolkits for local Leagues, as well as trainings for local Leagues.


Convention: Every two years the State League holds a convention for our members. The

budget assumes most direct costs will be supported by registration fees. Administrative

expenses of $30,000 will be covered by LWVC unrestricted funds.

MyLO: The LWVC launched MyLO in August 2017. The LWVC budget assumes

additional Leagues converting to MyLO in 2019/20 and 2020/21; as well as discontinuing the

LEW platform at the start of 2020/21.

Advocacy: The Legislative Committee’s work including their meeting time, any resources

to assist such activities as CaptialTrack (bill tracking system), any work advocating for

League positions, as well as necessary lobbying firms costs are captured here. This includes

advocacy emails and our Action Alert tool which makes it easy for League members and

supporters to lobby their lawmakers directly. The League takes action on bills on a variety of

issue areas from election reform to climate change to housing.

Community Education: These funds will be used for projects like the Guide to California

Government, support and consultation with election officials, and efforts to ensure effective

compliance with California’s New Motor Voter Program. Recently the Silicon Valley

Community Foundation awarded the LWVCEF a new grant. The grant will help support

creating a real-time reporting tool to capture and aggregate civic engagement activities and

experience allowing residents to more fully participate in local government and to assist local

governments to operate in a more transparent and accessible manner.

Voters Engagement & Education: We run many different projects as part of our work to

engage and educate voters. They include:

o Voter’s Edge California: Serving over 2.9 million California Voters last election

cycle, Voter’s Edge California is the leading online Voter Guide in California

providing the complete and unbiased information voters need to act with confidence

on election day.

o Easy Voter Guide Project: is a plain language, community reviewed, election

resource for new and busy voters. Available in five languages, it provides backbone

ballot measure content for Voter’s Edge California and over 366,000 print copies are

distributed across the state.

o Voter’s Choice Act Implementation (SB540 – Vote by Mail): The VCA is a new law

that could make it easier for Californians to vote, thus creating increased voter

participation. It allows certain California counties to move from offering traditional

precinct-site voting to an election system using a combination of vote-by-mail

balloting, ballot drop-off locations, and “Vote Centers.” LWVC sits on both the

Secretary of State’s Task Force and Future of California Elections Steering

Committee to insure effective implementation.

o Voter Service: LWVCEF will continue to develop statewide Pros and Cons (in

English and Spanish), Forums, PowerPoint presentations and video resources.


The following pages provide a summary view of the proposed two-year budget with a

comparison to the prior year’s budget. This is followed by the same information showing the

expenses by major function.


League of Women Voters

of California

Projected

2017/19

Proposed

Budget

2019/21

Diff

2019/21 vs

2017/19 % Diff Notes

Membership Dues 352,426$ 377,788$ 25,362$ 7%

PMP /membership remain at Jan 2019

for both years

Contributions 284,043$ 271,400 (12,643)$ -4%

17/18 had Make It Fair donations. Budget

yrs increasing over 18/19 by $30K 19/20

and $45K in 20/21

Earned Revenues 310,272$ 443,700 133,428$ 43%

Addtl League conversions to

MyLO/Phase out of LEW in 20/21

Misc. Inc. 1,917$ 4,200 2,283$ 119% CD Investment Income

Total Income 948,658$ 1,097,088$ 148,430$ 16%

Salaries and Benefits 385,584$ 614,831$ 229,247$ 59%

Addtl hours for Fundraising/Program

Support, COLA/Merit

Travel 149,686 163,544$ 13,858$ 9%

MTA Support/Assumed higher Board

Travel Reimbursement

Services/Professional Fees 214,163 214,472$ 309$ 0%

Office and Occupancy 65,694 68,322$ 2,628$ 4%

Total Expenses 815,127$ 1,061,169$ 246,042$ 30%

Net Ordinary Income 133,531$ 35,919$ (97,612)$

Beginning Balance 104,260$ 237,791$ 133,531$

Ending Balance 237,791$ 273,710$ 35,919$

Ending Balance Components

Operational Reserve 145,000$ 229,027$ 84,027$ 58%

Continue to increase reserve by

meeting/exceeding budget

Undesignated Funds 30,904$ -$ (30,904)$ -100%

Continue designating funds to reserve until

6 month reserve is attained

Trudy Schafer Fellowship 50,683$ 44,683$ (6,000)$ -12%

Continue to raise funds and utilize the

following year

Schools and Communities First 11,204$ -$ (11,204)$ -100%

Utilize for personnel time towards this

measure


League of Women Voters

of California Education

Fund

Projected

2017/19

Proposed

Budget

2019/21

Diff

2019/21 vs

2017/19 % Diff Notes

Membership Dues 18,172$ 18,800$ 628$ 3% In Lieu of PMP payments

Contributions 303,246 471,100 167,854 55%

Increase in donations both budget

years Unrestricted and Voters Edge

Restricted Contributions/Grants 250,000 579,400 329,400 132%

Irvine grant of $400,000 in 2016/17,

$339K 19/20, $240K 20/21

Earned Revenues 129,079 145,000 15,921 12%

Increase participation of County

Registrars

Miscellaneous Income 1,449 10,570 9,121 629% CD Investment Income

Total Income 701,946$ 1,224,870$ 522,924 74%

Salaries and Benefits 538,982$ 578,942$ 39,960$ 7%

Addtl hours for

Fundraising/Program Support,

COLA/Merit

Travel 38,924 63,508 24,584 63%

Higher Board travel reimbursement

% & New Grant implementation

Services/Professional Fees 250,045 430,071 180,026 72% Includes funds for TBD grants

Office and Occupancy 109,196 125,166 15,970 15% Implementation of new grants

Total Expenses 937,147$ 1,197,687$ 260,540$ 28%

Net Ordinary Income (235,201)$ 27,183$ 262,384$

Beginning Balance 455,948$ 220,747$ 39,727$

Ending Balance 220,747$ 247,930$ (148,484)$

Ending Balance Components

Temporarily Restricted 117,329 80,479$ (36,850)$ -31%

Planned used of grants received in

prior years

Board Designated Funds 39,047 39,047$ -$ 0% Reserve for strategic one time needs

Operational Reserves 39,371 128,404$ 89,033$ 226%

Continue to increase reserve by

meeting/exceeding budget

Undesignated Funds 25,000 -$ (25,000)$ -100% Utilize funds for Voters Edge


League of Women Voters of California and League of Women Voters of California

Education Fund Proposed Functional Expense Budget

Combined

LWVC/LWVCEF 2019-21

Proposed Expense Budget Board Management Fundraising

Supporting

Subtotal

Salaries and Benefits 41,726$ 82,211$ 258,872$ 382,809$

Travel 60,030 4,124 2,172 66,326

Services/Professional Fees 9,520 135,394 55,421 200,335

Office and Occupancy 2,486 10,395 46,951 59,832

Total Expense Budget 113,762$ 232,124$ 363,416$ 709,302$

Supporting Activities

Proposed Expense Budget

Member

Services Convention MyLO/LEW Advocacy

Salaries and Benefits 34,227 22,148 90,248 305,360

Travel 11,028 106,023 1,105 10,267

Services/Professional Fees 3,084 5,869 65,125 36,630

Office and Occupancy 4,198 3,230 7,933 19,073

Total Expense Budget 52,537$ 137,270$ 164,411$ 371,330$

Program Activities

Proposed Expense Budget

Community

Education

Voters

Education

Program

Subtotal

Total

Expenses

Salaries and Benefits 102,560 256,421 810,964 1,193,773$

Travel 27,082 5,221 160,726 227,052$

Services/Professional Fees 100,650 232,850 444,208 644,543$

Office and Occupancy 23,347 75,875 133,656 193,488$

Total Expense Budget 253,639$ 570,367$ 1,549,554$ 2,258,856$

Program Activities (continued)


General Background

The procedure for amending the bylaws is set forth in Article XII. Amendments may be

proposed by any local League or ILO board of directors, or by the LWVC board, for

consideration at any convention. To pass, the proposed amendments must receive a two-thirds

vote of the delegates present and voting at the convention. Amendments are effective upon

adoption.

To facilitate your deliberation, the proposed amendments are set forth below along with the

board’s recommendations for action on these amendments. Language to be deleted is indicated

by a strikethrough effect (e.g. strikethrough effect). New language is indicated by underlining

(e.g. underlining).

Delegates are asked to consider the following two proposals to amend the bylaws submitted by

the LWVC board of directors. No proposed bylaws amendments were submitted by any local

League or ILO board of directors.

Proposal No. 1: Amendment to Article VII – Section 2(a) - The Nominating Committee

Proposed by: LWVC Board

LWVC Recommendation: Approve

Reason for Proposed Amendment: The board is proposing the deletion of the requirement that

the two nominating committee members appointed by the board must be board members. The

proposed amendment will provide the board flexibility in finalizing the committee membership.

At times, board members are not available to serve on the committee and to appoint outside the

board is not consistent with the bylaws. Additionally, in keeping with the emphasis on Diversity,

Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and if needed, the board could choose to appoint from the

membership to achieve greater diversity on the committee.

Article VII Committees, Section 2. Other Committees (a) The Nominating Committee.

The nominating committee shall consist of five members, two of whom shall be directors. The

Chair and two members who shall not be directors shall be elected by the convention.

Nominations for these offices shall be made by the current nominating committee. Further

nominations may be made from the floor of the convention. Nominating committee members

shall hold office for a term of two years beginning July 1 after the convention or until their

Proposed Bylaw Amendments


successors are elected and qualified. Two members of the committee shall be appointed by the

board and their term of office shall run concurrently with the term of office of the elected

members. The president is not eligible to serve on the committee.

###

Proposal No. 2: Amendment to Article VII – Section 2(a) – The Nominating Committee

Proposed by: LWVC Board

LWVC Recommendation: Approve

Reason for Proposed Amendment: At Convention 2017, the delegates adopted a total revision

of the bylaws. An important element was inadvertently omitted from the new bylaws – the

ability of any LWVC member to suggest nominees to the nominating committee. The proposed

amendment offered by the LWVC board will add the provision to the current bylaws.

Article VII Committees, Section 2. Other Committees (a) The Nominating Committee.

The nominating committee shall consist of five members, two of whom shall be directors. The

Chair and two members who shall not be directors shall be elected by the convention.

Nominations for these offices shall be made by the current nominating committee. Further

nominations may be made from the floor of the convention. Nominating committee members

shall hold office for a term of two years beginning July 1 after the convention or until their

successors are elected and qualified. Two members of the committee shall be appointed by the

board and their term of office shall run concurrently with the term of office of the elected

members. The president is not eligible to serve on the committee.

(1) Any vacancy occurring in the nominating committee shall be filled by the board.

(2) The names and contact information of the nominating committee shall be sent to the local

League and ILO presidents. The nominating committee shall solicit from each local

League and ILO, through its president, suggestions for nominations for the offices to be

filled.

(3) Any LWVC member may send suggestions to the nominating committee for

nominations for the offices to be filled.

(3 4) The report of the nominating committee of its nominations for officers, directors, and the

chair and two members of the succeeding nominating committee shall be sent to local

Leagues and ILOs one month before the convention. The report of the nominating

committee shall be presented to the convention on the first day of the convention.


Immediately following the presentation of this report, nominations may be made from the

floor by any member of the convention, provided that the consent of the nominee shall

have been secured.

###


BYLAWS OF

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA

A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION

921 11th Street, Suite 700, Sacramento, 95814

ARTICLE I NAME AND OFFICE

Section 1. Name. The name of this corporation shall be the League of Women Voters of

California (hereinafter referred to as the “LWVC”). The LWVC is an integral part of the League

of Women Voters of the United States (hereinafter referred to as the “LWVUS”).

Section 2. Form. The LWVC shall be a nonprofit public benefit corporation incorporated under

the laws of the State of California.

Section 3. Principal Office. The principal office of the LWVC shall be maintained at such

location in the State of California as may be determined by the board of directors (hereinafter

referred to as the “board”). The board is granted full power and authority to change said principal

office from one location to another.

ARTICLE II PURPOSES AND POLICY

Section 1. Purposes. The purposes of the LWVC are to promote political responsibility through

informed and active participation in government, and to act on selected governmental issues.

Section 2. Political Policy. The LWVC shall not support or oppose any political party or any

candidate.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility. Any person who subscribes to the purposes and policy of the League shall

be eligible for membership.

Section 2. Types of Membership.

(a) Voting Members. Persons at least 16 years of age, who join the League in California

shall be voting members. Such persons include:

(1) An individual who joins the LWVC or a local League.

(2) Student Member. A member of a local League who is enrolled either full- or part-time

in an accredited institution and is making progress toward a degree.

Bylaws


(3) Life Member. An individual who has been a member of the League for 50 years. A

life member is exempt from paying dues to the LWVC.

(4) Member-at-Large. An individual who resides outside the area of a local League or is

not enrolled in a local League, but who pays annual dues to the LWVC in an amount

determined by the board of the LWVC.

(b) Associate Local League Members. All other persons enrolled in a local League shall be

associate (nonvoting) members.

Section 3. Termination of Membership.

(a) A member may at any time voluntarily resign by delivering a written notice to the

secretary. Resignation will be effective on the date and time of the receipt of such notice.

(b) League membership automatically terminates upon the death of a member.

(c) The board may terminate or suspend a membership, or expel or suspend such a member,

for nonpayment of dues or for conduct that the board shall deem inimical to the best

interests of the LWVC, including, without limitation, flagrant violation of any provision

of these bylaws or failure to satisfy such membership qualifications.

ARTICLE IV RECOGNITION OF LOCAL LEAGUES, MEMBER-AT-LARGE UNITS

AND INTER-LEAGUE ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1. Local Leagues. Local Leagues are those Leagues within the State of California that

have been recognized by the LWVUS.

Section 2. Recognition of Local Leagues by the LWVUS. The board shall recommend to the

LWVUS that it recognize as a local League any group of members of the LWVC in any

community within California provided the group meets qualifying standards for local Leagues as

adopted by the LWVUS.

Section 3. Recognition of Member-at-Large (MAL) Units by the LWVC. The board has the

responsibility for the establishment of new Leagues. The board may authorize the establishment

of MAL units in communities in which a group wants to establish a local League or in which the

establishment of a recognized local League is not feasible. The MAL units shall operate within

the limitations established by the LWVUS and with guidelines adopted by the LWVC board.

Section 4. Recognition of Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) by the LWVC. Members

enrolled in local Leagues may organize an ILO to promote the purposes of the League and to

take action on governmental matters within its jurisdiction. ILOs must meet the qualifying

standards of the LWVUS and guidelines adopted by the LWVC board.


Section 5. Withdrawal of Recognition. In the event of recurring failure of a local League, MAL

unit or ILO to meet these qualifying standards, the board may recommend to the LWVUS that it

withdraw recognition. All funds held by a local League or MAL unit from which recognition has

been withdrawn shall be paid to the LWVC. All funds held by an inter-League organization from

which recognition has been withdrawn shall be prorated among member Leagues by size of

membership.

ARTICLE V BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number of Directors. The authorized number of directors, including the officers

designated in Article VI Section 1, shall not be less than five and no more than 21. The exact

number of authorized directors shall be fixed by a resolution adopted by the board.

Section 2. Selection of Directors.

a) Of the authorized number of directors established by the board, at least two-thirds shall

be elected by a majority of those eligible to vote and voting at the convention.

b) Up to one-third of the authorized number of directors may be elected by the current

directors.

Section 3. Term of Office. All directors shall take office on July 1 following the convention and

serve for two years or until their successors have been elected and qualified.

Section 4. Qualifications. All directors must be voting members of the LWVUS and of the

LWVC.

Section 5. Vacancies. Vacancies (including those caused by removal of a director) may be filled

by a majority vote of the remaining directors. Each director so selected shall hold office until the

expiration of the term of the replaced director and until a successor has been selected and

qualified. A vacancy in the board shall be deemed to exist in case of the death, resignation or

removal of any director.

Section 6. Powers and Duties. Subject to the limitations of the law, articles of incorporation of

this corporation, and these bylaws, the activities and affairs of the LWVC shall be conducted and

all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the control of the board. The board shall plan

and direct the work necessary to carry out programs on selected governmental issues as adopted

by the convention.

Section 7. Regular Meetings. There shall be at least five regular meetings of the board annually

at such time and place as the board may determine.

Section 8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board for any purpose may be called at any

time by the president or any five directors. Members of the board shall be notified in writing of

the time and place of special meetings at least three days prior to such meeting.


Section 9. Quorum. A majority of the directors currently in office shall constitute a quorum; and

a majority of the members in attendance at any board meeting shall, in the presence of a quorum,

decide its action.

Section 10. Meetings by Other Means. Any communications equipment may be used if all of

the following apply:

a) Each director participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other directors

concurrently or serially;

b) Each director is provided the means of participating in all matters before the board; and

c) The LWVC has means of verifying (1) that all persons participating in the meeting are

directors of the LWVC or are otherwise entitled to participate in the meeting, and (2) that

all actions of, or votes by, the board are taken and cast only by directors and not by

persons who are not directors.

Section 11. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board

may be taken without a meeting if all directors shall individually or collectively consent to such

action. Such written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board.

Such written consents shall have the same force and effect as the unanimous vote of such

directors.

Section 12. Notice. Notice of the time and place of regular meetings of the board shall be

provided to all directors not less than one week before the date of the meeting.

Section 13. Waiver of Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who signs a

waiver of notice or a written consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes

thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior

thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director. All such waivers, consents

and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the

meeting.

Section 14. Rights of Inspection. Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable

time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the

physical properties of the LWVC of which such person is a director.

Section 15. Fees and Compensation. Directors and members of the committees may receive

such compensation, if any, for their services, and such reimbursement for expenses, as may be

fixed or determined by the board.

Section 16. Removal and Resignation. Except as provided herein, any director may resign by

giving written notice to the president or the secretary. The resignation shall be effective when the

notice is given unless it specifies a later effective date (the board may elect a successor director

before such time, to take office as of the date when the resignation becomes effective.) Except on

notice to the California Attorney General, no director may resign if, by doing so, this corporation

would be left without a duly elected director or directors. Any director may be removed, with or


without cause, by approval of the members.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS

Section 1. Enumeration and Term of Officers. The officers of the LWVC shall be a president,

a first vice president, a second vice president, a secretary and a treasurer. Such officers shall be

elected at the convention by a majority vote of those eligible to vote and voting at the

convention.

They shall take office on July 1 after being elected at the convention and hold office for two

years, or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The office of president may be

held concurrently by more than one director. If there are co-presidents, all references to the

“president” in these bylaws shall be interpreted in the plural. Co-presidents may act

independently with the full authority of the office, but they must agree to this collectively in

advance.

Section 2. Removal and Resignation of Officers. Any officer may resign at any time by giving

written notice to the board, president or secretary of this corporation, but without prejudice to the

rights, if any, of this corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party. Any such

resignation shall take effect on the date such notice is received or at any later time specified

therein. Unless specified otherwise in the notice, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be

necessary to make it effective.

Section 3. Vacancies of Officers. Vacancies (including those caused by removal of an officer)

may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors. Each director so selected shall hold

office until the expiration of the term of the replaced officer and until a successor has been

selected and qualified.

ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES

Section 1. Board Committees. The board may by a majority vote of the directors then in office,

establish committees comprised of two or more directors (and no one who is not a director) as

required to carry out the activities of the LWVC with the authority of the board except those

responsibilities prohibited by law. The members of the committee shall be appointed and may be

removed, with or without cause, by the board.

Section 2. Other Committees. The board may create committees that are not board committees

as deemed appropriate, consisting of directors or persons who are not directors, which shall not

exercise powers of the board. Other committees may be delegated with implementation of certain

specified tasks under the direction and control of the board. Notice of, and procedures for,

meetings of such committees shall be as prescribed by the chair of each such committee, and

meetings may be called by the board, the president, or the chair of the committee.

a) The Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall consist of five members,

two of whom shall be directors. The chair and two members who shall not be directors

shall be elected by the convention. Nominations for these offices shall be made by the

current nominating committee. Further nominations may be made from the floor of the


convention. Nominating committee members shall hold office for a term of two years

beginning July 1 after the convention or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Two members of the committee shall be appointed by the board and their term of office

shall run concurrently with the term of office of the elected members. The president is not

eligible to serve on the committee.

(1) Any vacancy occurring in the nominating committee shall be filled by the board.

(2) The names and contact information of the nominating committee shall be sent to

the local League and ILO presidents. The nominating committee shall solicit from

each local League and ILO, through its president, suggestions for nominations for

the offices to be filled.

(3) The report of the nominating committee of its nominations for officers, directors,

and the chair and two members of the succeeding nominating committee shall be

sent to local Leagues and ILOs one month before the convention. The report of

the nominating committee shall be presented to the convention on the first day of

the convention. Immediately following the presentation of this report,

nominations may be made from the floor by any member of the convention,

provided that the consent of the nominee shall have been secured.

b) Audit Committee. The board shall appoint an audit committee to oversee the LWVC’s

financial controls and procedures on behalf of the board. The audit committee shall

consist of three members, one of whom shall be a person who is not on the board. The

president, treasurer and staff members are not eligible to serve on the committee. No

more than one member of the finance committee may serve on the audit committee. The

chair of the audit committee shall not be a member of the finance committee and shall be

selected by majority vote of the committee members.

ARTICLE VIII FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the LWVC shall be from July 1 to June 30 of each

year.

Section 2. Budget. The board shall submit a biennial budget to the convention for adoption. The

budget shall provide for the support of the LWVC. A copy of the budget shall be sent to each

local League and ILO president at least one month in advance of the convention.

Section 3. Fiscal Report. The board shall publish an annual financial report not later than 120

days following the end of the LWVC's fiscal year.

Section 4. Transactions with Interested Persons. Within 120 days of the end of the LWVC's

fiscal year, the board shall publish a report of any transaction in which the LWVC, its parent or

subsidiary was a party and in which any officer or director of the LWVC had a direct or indirect

material financial interest and any indemnifications that were paid.


Section 5. Financial Support. a) Local League members and associate local League members shall pay annual dues to the

local League. Each local League shall pay to the LWVC a uniform amount (per member

payment, or PMP) for each such member. The PMP shall be reduced by one-half for each

additional member residing in the same household and for each student member. The

amount of PMP is to be determined according to the amount necessary to fund the

LWVC as provided for in the budget adopted by the convention.

b) The LWVC may authorize the payment of a designated part of each PMP to the League

of Women Voters of California Education Fund.

Section 6. Indemnification. The LWVC is empowered to indemnify its officers, directors and

agents to the extent provided, and within the limitations imposed by law.

Section 7. Endorsement of Documents, Contracts. Subject to the provisions of applicable law

and unless authorized by the board, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power to bind

the LWVC by any contract, engagement or pledge to its credit or to render it liable for any

purpose or amount.

ARTICLE IX CONVENTION AND VOTING RIGHTS

Section 1. Place and Date. The LWVC shall hold a biennial meeting of all members by

representation through elected delegates. The meeting shall be called a convention and shall be

held in April, May or June in odd-numbered years. The time and place of the convention shall be

determined by the board.

Section 2. Composition. Voting Body. The voting body shall consist of:

a) the delegates chosen by the local Leagues in the number provided in Section 4 of this

article;

b) the local League and ILO presidents or alternate; and

c) the directors of the LWVC.

Section 3. Voting. Each delegate, local League and ILO president, and director shall be entitled

to one vote only at the convention. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted. Each local

League president and delegate shall be entitled to vote only if that League has met its per

member payment (PMP) responsibilities. The board may make an exception in the case of

proven hardship. All elections for officers and directors must be by ballot upon the written

demand of a delegate, local League or ILO president, or director at the convention and before the

voting begins. If the election is by written ballot, the candidates receiving the highest number of

votes of those persons voting are elected. Voting shall in all cases be subject to the provisions of

the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law. Cumulative voting shall not be

allowed.


Section 4. Representation. The local Leagues shall be entitled to delegates in proportion to their

membership as of the record date of the year of the convention in accordance with Article IX,

Section 9. Each local League shall be entitled to at least one delegate in addition to the local

League president as provided in Article IX, Section 2(b). When local League membership

reaches 51 voting members, the local League shall be entitled to one additional delegate.

Thereafter, one additional delegate shall be authorized for each additional 50 members.

Section 5. Authorization for Action. The convention shall consider and authorize for action a

program, shall elect directors and officers and three members of the nominating committee, shall

adopt a budget for the next two fiscal years, and shall transact such other business as shall be

presented.

Section 6. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting body currently registered

at the convention, provided that not less than a majority of local Leagues are represented.

Section 7. Election Committee. The election committee appointed by the president on the first

day of the convention shall be in charge of the election. The election shall be by ballot, except

that if there is but one nominee for each office, it shall be by voice vote. A majority vote of those

present and qualified to vote and voting shall constitute an election.

Section 8. Notice of Convention. The first call to the convention shall be sent to local League

and ILO presidents, and directors not less than 90 days prior to the opening date of the

convention to fix the place, date and hour of the convention. A final call to the convention shall

be sent to local League and ILO presidents, and directors not less than 30 or more than 90 days

before the convention. The final call shall include matters that the board intends to present for

action, and shall include the names of all those who are nominees for director. Subject to the

provisions of applicable law, any proper matter may be presented at the convention for such

action.

Section 9. Record Date. The official membership count shall be determined by record of voting

members as reported to the LWVUS in January of the year in which the LWVC convention is

held.

Section 10. Inspection of Corporate Records. Subject to California Nonprofit Public Benefit

Corporation Law, delegate members, local League and ILO presidents, and directors may

demand inspection of corporate records.

ARTICLE X COUNCIL AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN EVEN YEARS

Section 1. Composition. A meeting of members in even-numbered years, called a council, may

be held through representation in accordance with the procedures and for the purposes set forth

in the bylaws. A council may be held each even-numbered year in the interim between

conventions. The council shall be composed of the local League and ILO presidents, or an

alternate, as the delegate of the members of such local League and ILO, and directors of the

LWVC.


Section 2. Place, Date, Call and Notification. The council may be held approximately 12

months after the preceding convention. The time and place of the meeting shall be determined by

the directors. The president shall send a notice to the local League and ILO presidents, and

directors not less than 30 days or more than 90 days before a council meeting. Special meetings

may be called in case of extreme emergency.

Section 3. Voting. Each delegate member and director shall be entitled to only one vote at

council. Absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.

Section 4. Powers. The council may give guidance to the board on program and methods of

operation. The council shall transact such other business as may properly come before it. In an

emergency, the council may change the program of the LWVC, as defined in these bylaws, upon

the recommendation of the board of directors, a local League or ILO, using the following

procedure:

a) At least 60 days prior to the council meeting, any local League proposing a change shall

submit it to the board which shall decide whether to recommend it;

b) No more than 60 or less than 20 days prior to the council meeting, the board shall send all

proposed changes to the presidents of local Leagues and ILOs;

c) Any change proposed by a local League or ILO and not recommended by the board shall

require a majority vote of the council for consideration; and

d) A three-fifths vote shall be required to adopt any change.

Section 5. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of not less than 50 percent of the number of local

League and ILO presidents plus a majority of the board of directors.

ARTICLE XI PROGRAM

Section 1. Principles. The governmental Principles as adopted by the LWVUS convention, and

supported by the League as a whole, constitute the authorization for the adoption of program.

Section 2. Program. The program of the LWVC shall consist of:

a) action to implement the Principles; and

b) those governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action.

Section 3. Convention Action. The convention shall act upon the program using the following

procedures:

a) Local League and ILO boards may make recommendations to the board by a date, set by

the board, that falls within four months prior to convention.


b) The board shall consider the recommendations and shall formulate a proposed program

that shall be submitted to the local League and ILO boards of directors at least one month

prior to the convention, together with a list of not-recommended items.

c) A majority of those present and voting shall be required for the adoption of the program

proposed by the board; and

d) Any recommendations for the program submitted to the board by the deadline set by the

board prior to the convention, but not proposed by the board, may be adopted by the

convention, provided consideration is ordered by a majority vote and, on a following day,

the proposal for adoption receives a three-fifths vote.

Section 4. Council Action. The council may change the program as provided in the bylaws.

Section 5. Member Action. Members may act in the name of the LWVC only when authorized

to do so by the board.

Section 6. Local League and Inter-League Organization Action. Local Leagues and ILOs

may take action on state governmental matters only when authorized by the LWVC board. Local

Leagues and ILOs may act only in conformity with, and not contrary to, the position taken by the

LWVC.

ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any convention by a two-thirds vote using the

following procedure:

a) Proposals for bylaw amendments shall be submitted by any local League or ILO board of

directors to the board no later than December 15 prior to a convention;

b) All such proposed amendments with the recommendations of the board shall be published

not less than 30 days prior to the convention; and

c) The presidents of the local Leagues shall notify the members of their respective Leagues

of the proposed amendments. The failure of a local League president to give such notice

or failure of any member to receive such notice shall not invalidate the amendments to

the bylaws.

Section 2. When required by law or amendments of the LWVUS bylaws, these bylaws may be

amended by the board of directors.


Adopted by the April 1981 Convention

Amended: April 1983; April 1985; May 1987; April 1989; April 1991; April 1993; May 1995;

April 1997; May 2001; May 2003; May 2005; May 2007; May 2009; May 2011; May 2013;

May 2015; July 2016

Adopted Complete Revision by June 2017 Convention


2019 Proposed Convention Rules

Convention rules work with the LWVC bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order to ensure a well-run

meeting.

1. ADMISSION

Only persons wearing authorized badges are admitted to the convention.

Badges must be worn at all meetings, including plenary sessions, workshops and

caucuses.

2. SEATING

Only delegates may sit in the delegate area.

Official observers, other nonvoting members, and visitors sit in designated areas.

3. VOTING

Only accredited local League delegates, local League and ILO presidents or their alternates,

and members of the LWVC board may vote.

4. ALTERNATES

If a delegate leaves the convention before final adjournment, an alternate delegate may

be designated for the duration of the convention.

The alternate delegate must be registered with the Credentials (or Registration)

Committee.

A delegate who temporarily leaves the plenary session may not give his/her badge to

an alternate delegate to cast a vote.

5. OFFICIAL OBSERVERS

Each authorized Member-Around-the-State/Member-at-Large (MAS/MAL) unit may be

represented at convention by official observers who shall be extended the privilege of the

floor. They may participate in discussion and debate, but may NOT vote.

6. VISITORS

League members or nonmembers may attend as visitors and may observe all convention

meetings and other events where space permits. They may not participate in discussion or

vote.

Convention Rules and

Procedures


7. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

Past state presidents, national board members, state board nominees, nominating committee

chair, official observers, consultants, and committee members shall be extended the privilege

of the floor. They may participate in discussion and debate, but may NOT vote.

8. DEBATE AND DISCUSSION

Participants in floor debate and discussion must use the provided microphones to

speak to the convention.

During debate, microphones are designated Pro and Con; during free discussion, the

microphones are numbered.

Speakers must state their names and Leagues before saying anything else.

During debate on a motion, the speaker has two minutes to offer remarks. The chair is

authorized to shorten or extend the time.

During debate on a motion, no person may speak more than once until all others

who wish to speak have done so. No person may speak more than twice on the same

motion.

During free discussion, each speaker has two minutes to speak.

During free discussion, no motions are allowed.

9. MOTIONS

Main motions, or amendments of more than a few words, must be in writing. Forms for

motions are provided at convention and are available from the Doorkeepers/Runners.

Copies of the motion must be given to the chair, the secretary, and the person

controlling the convention projector.

10. MOTIONS OR REQUESTS THAT INTERRUPT THE SPEAKER (RED CARD)

Some motions or requests need immediate attention. These are “red card” motions.

(See Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance for more information on motions that may

interrupt).

These are motions or requests that may use a red card:

o point of order;

o parliamentary inquiry;

o personal privilege; or

o requests for information.

Consult the parliamentary aide or the microphone monitor for red cards and to

determine whether the speaker’s intended use of the red card is appropriate.

Once the red card is issued, the speaker may go directly to a microphone. There is no

need to wait in line.

A red card cannot be used for discussion or debate or to make any other motion.


11. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF PROGRAM

The procedure shall be as follows:

a. Procedure for the Recommended Program:

The proposed 2019-2021 LWVC Program will be moved for adoption by a member of

the LWVC Board. Debate and action on the Proposed Program will take place at a

time designated by the Chair.

During the times specified in the agenda for Program consideration and Program debate,

the Chair will divide the time among the Program items to ensure fair and equitable

debate on all items.

b. Procedure for Considering Not-Recommended Program Items:

Any delegate may move for consideration of a not-recommended Program item. Items

are listed in the Convention Workbook and the wording must conform to that

contained in the workbook list.

The delegate making the motion may speak on behalf of the motion for up to three

minutes. No debate or additional motions are in order at this time.

If a not-recommended item is moved for consideration, any delegate may request a

statement from the LWVC Board, limited to three minutes, providing the Board's

reasons for not recommending the item.

After all the not-recommended items have been moved for consideration, a vote

for consideration of each shall take place in the order in which the items were

moved.

A majority vote is required to consider a not-recommended item as part of the

proposed program.

Debate and voting on not-recommended Program items occurs during debate and action

on the proposed Program

A three-fifths (60%) vote is required to adopt not-recommended Program items.

c. Procedure for CONCURRENCE:

Program items may be moved for concurrence if they meet the requirements in the

Concurrence Policy printed in this Convention Workbook and have been submitted

by the program planning deadline.

Items moved for concurrence will be considered during debate and action on the

proposed Program.

d. Amending Program Items

Wording of all proposed program items (recommended and not-recommended) may be

amended during program discussion and debate at the time specified in the order of

business.


A recommended item may not be expanded in scope by amendment.

Any proposal that expands the scope of a recommended item must be

presented as a not- recommended item following the rules of (11b) above.

12. BUDGET ADOPTION

A balanced or surplus LWVC budget must be adopted by the convention delegates.

Any motion to amend the proposed budget contained in the Convention Workbook

must be presented to the Budget Adjustment Committee before introduction to the

plenary session.

o The delegate making the motion to amend may speak on behalf of the motion for

three minutes.

o If a motion to amend is made, any delegate may request a statement from the

LWVC Board, limited to three minutes, providing the Board's reasons for not

recommending the item.

o Debate on any motion to amend the proposed budget follows the procedures

for Debate and Discussion in Rule 8 above.

13. RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions to Express the Will of the Convention may be offered by any local League or

ILO. Resolutions cannot be used to expand or modify the procedure described in Rule 11 for

adoption of positions or Issues for Emphasis.

Procedure for adopting resolutions:

Motions expressing the Will of the Convention must be submitted to the secretary no

later than the end of the plenary session on Saturday, June 1.

The Resolutions Committee will use the following criteria to judge the appropriateness

of proposed resolutions. The resolution:

o has complied with procedural requirements of this rule;

o is consistent with LWVC Bylaws, League Principles and League Positions;

o does not circumvent the Program Planning process;

o addresses a single, topical issue;

o has a minimal LWVC budgetary impact; and

o is pertinent to California.

The Resolutions Committee will report its findings on all submitted resolutions.

Any resolution reported by the Resolutions Committee as complying with the criteria

may be moved for consideration of the convention.

Resolutions to Express the Will of the Convention are main motions and follow Rules 8

and 9.

Adoption of a resolution requires a majority vote.

If the Resolutions Committee reports a resolution as not complying with the criteria, the

convention delegates may override the decision by a two-thirds (66%) vote. The

resolution may then be moved for consideration of the convention.


14. ELECTION OF LWVC OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, & NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The slate of Officers, the Board of Directors, or the Nominating Committee

proposed by the LWVC Nominating Committee may be approved by a voice vote

if there are no nominations from the floor.

If nominations for Officer, the Board of Directors, and/or the Nominating

Committee are made from the floor, creating a contested race, the vote will be

by paper ballot.

The Elections Committee is responsible for providing and counting the ballots.

All candidates for office will comply with the LWVC Campaign Policy and

sign the LWVC Fair Campaign Practices Principles as indicated below.

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES PRINCIPLES

As a candidate for LWVC office, I pledge the following:

I will conduct my campaign for the LWVC Board of Directors or Nominating Committee

openly and fairly. I will discuss the issues and participate in fair public debate with

respect to my views and qualifications.

I will neither engage in nor be involved with unfair or misleading attacks upon the

character of an opponent, nor will I engage in invasion of personal privacy unrelated to

fitness for office.

I will not be part of any appeal to prejudice.

I will neither use nor be involved with the use of any campaign material or advertisement

that misrepresents, distorts or otherwise falsifies the facts regarding an opponent. I will

clearly identify (by name and address) the source of all advertisements and campaign

literature published or distributed.

I will publicly repudiate support deriving from an individual or group whose activities

would violate the Fair Campaign Practices Principles.

In signing this pledge, I assume personal control over and responsibility for the conduct

of my campaign.

15. ANNOUNCEMENTS

All announcements will be made by the LWVC secretary.

Forms for announcements will be available inside the Plenary room during Convention.


Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance (Adapted from Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th edition)

The motions below are listed in established order of preference.

To Do This You Say This Can

interrupt

Requires

second

Debatable Amendable Vote

required

Can be

reconsidered

Adjourn I move to adjourn. No Yes No No Majority No

Call for an

intermission

I move to recess for ...

minutes.

No Yes No Yes Majority No

Complain about noise,

etc.

I rise to a question of

privilege (state

problem).

Yes No No No Chair

decides

No

Make sure that orders

of the day are being

followed

I call for the orders of

the day.

Yes No No No Chair

decides

No

Temporarily suspend

consideration of a

question

I move to lay ... on

the table.

No Yes No No Majority No

Close debate I move the previous

question.

No Yes No No 2/3 Yes (1)

Limit or extend limits

of debate

I move to limit

(extend limits of)

debate to...

No Yes No Yes 2/3 Yes

Postpone discussion to

a specific time

I move to postpone

the question until...

No Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes

Have motion studied

further

I move to refer the

matter to a

committee.


Amend a motion I move to amend the

motion by... (adding,

deleting, inserting,

striking out).

No Yes Yes (2) Yes, but

only once

Majority Yes

To prevent discussion

or suppress a motion

without letting it come

to a vote

I move to postpone

the motion

indefinitely.

No Yes Yes No Majority Yes

(Affirmative

only)

Introduce business I move to..., or I

move that....



The motions below have no established order of precedence. Any of them may be introduced

when pertinent.


interrupt

Requires

second


required

Can be

reconsidered

Challenge ruling of

the chair

I appeal from the

decision of the

chair.

Yes Yes Yes (3) No Majority to

sustain

decision

Yes

Ask for standing

vote

I call for a division.

Or call out

“Division.”

Yes No No No None No

Divide a pending

question of two or

more parts

I move to divide

the motion so as to

consider

separately…

No Yes No Yes Majority No

Request

information about

meaning or effect of

pending motion

I have a request for

information.

Yes No No No None (4) No

Request

information about

procedure

I rise to a

parliamentary

inquiry

Yes No No No None (5) No

To avoid discussion

on unnecessary or

embarrassing item

I object to

consideration of the

question.

Yes, but

before

debate has

started

No No No 2/3 negative

to sustain

objection

Yes, negative

vote only

Object to

procedures

I rise to a point of

order.

Yes No No No Chair

decides

No

Withdraw a motion

not yet stated by

chair

I withdraw the

motion.

Yes No No No Chair

decides

No

Withdraw a motion

after stated by chair

I ask permission to

withdraw the

motion.

No (6) No No Majority No

To suspend the

rules temporarily

I move to suspend

the rules on ...

No Yes No No 2/3 No

Reconsider a vote

(7)

I move to

reconsider the vote

on ...

(8) Yes Yes (9) No Majority No



interrupt

Requires

second


required

Can be

reconsidered

Rescind something

previously adopted

I move to rescind

the motion...

No Yes Yes Yes 2/3 Affirmative

no

Take up a matter

postponed

temporarily (laid on

the table)

I move to take from

the table the motion

relating to...

No Yes No No Majority No

Notes

1. Vote to close debate may be reconsidered only before the vote on the question being debated is taken.

2. When applied to a debatable motion.

3. Not debatable if it relates to a transgression of the rules of speaking (indecorum), to the priority of

business, or if made while the immediate pending question is undebatable.

4. Maker of motion or other person with information responds to question.

5. Chair responds to question.

6. Yes, if made by maker of motion; no, if made by another delegate.

7. May only be made by a delegate who voted on the prevailing side and must be made on the same day

or succeeding day.

8. When another has been recognized, but not after she/he has begun to speak.

9. If original motion is debatable.


Engaging Partners

League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville

League of Women Voters of Marin

League of Women Voters of Oakland

League of Women Voters of Pasadena Area

League of Women Voters of San Diego

Anonymous

Friends

League of Women Voters of Alameda

League of Women Voters of Bay Area ILO

League of Women Voters of Beach Cities

League of Women Voters of Cupertino/Sunnyvale

League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

League of Women Voters of East San Gabriel Valley

League of Women Voters of Fremont/Newark/Union City

League of Women Voters of Humboldt County

League of Women Voters of Long Beach Area

League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mountain View Area

League of Women Voters of Los Angeles

League of Women Voters of Merced County

League of Women Voters of Monterey County

League of Women Voters of Mt. Baldy Area

League of Women Voters of North County San Diego

League of Women Voters of Orange Coast

League of Women Voters of Orange County ILO

League of Women Voters of Palo Alto

League of Women Voters of Piedmont

LWVC Thanks Our Generous

Convention Sponsors!


League of Women Voters of Sacramento County

League of Women Voters of San Bernardino Area

League of Women Voters of San Francisco

League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara

League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara

League of Women Voters of Santa Monica

League of Women Voters of Sonoma County

League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County

League of Women Voters of Stanislaus County

League of Women Voters of Ventura County

Additional Sponsors

League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County

League of Women Voters of Southwest Santa Clara Valley

The silent auction was a success because of the following

in-kind sponsors:

Barbara Barker

Donna Chipps

Martha Cox

Embassy Suites Hotel, Sacramento

Fairmont Miramar Hotel

LWV Butte County

LWV Mt. Baldy Area

Margaret Fox-Kump

Mary Muse

Sacramento Rivercats Baseball

SF Museum of Modern Art

Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sacramento

Marieann Shovlin

Alexandra Starr

A big “thank you!” to the Leagues whose members donated wine:

LWV Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville

LWV Cupertino/Sunnyvale

LWV Los Altos/Mountain View Area

LWV Napa County

LWV Oakland

LWV Orange Coast

LWV Palo Alto

LWV Piedmont

LWV Sonoma County


In preparing your resolution, remember that the “whereas” clauses are the preamble, and there

should not be more of them than are strictly necessary. The “resolved” clauses are the resolution

and each clause should state a distinct and separate action to be taken. If there is only one action

to be taken, only one “resolved” clause is needed.

Write your proposed resolution on this form (a second is needed) or staple it to this sheet.

Remember to make two additional copies and to keep a copy for yourself.

Deliver in triplicate to the LWVC secretary as early as possible, and no later than Saturday, June

1, at 3:30 p.m., following the close of the afternoon plenary session.

The resolutions committee will meet after the banquet on Saturday. Please check the workbook

for location. SPONSORS AND INTERESTED DELEGATES MAY ATTEND.

Resolutions, along with findings of the resolutions committee, will be available for pickup at the

podium 15 minutes prior to the start of the morning session on Sunday, June 2. The resolutions

committee chair will deliver your resolution to the viewgraph table.

You will present your motion from any microphone. You will be given two minutes. If there are

many resolutions, then each presenter’s time may be limited to one minute.

NAME___________________________ LEAGUE________________ HOTEL ROOM#______

SECOND_________________________ LEAGUE________________ HOTEL ROOM#_____

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

Format:

Whereas,…..;

Whereas,…..; (as many whereas clauses as needed)

Whereas,…..; therefore, be it

Resolved, That…..;

Resolved, That…..; and

Resolved, That……

Resolution to Express

the Will of Convention


THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY

LEFT BLANK


Thursday, May 30 9:30am-10:30am Registration/Information 10:30am-4:30pm Pre-convention workshop: Let’s Talk About Power: Exploring

Race, Identity Formation, and Organizing 4:30pm-5:30pm Registration/Information

Friday, May 31 8:30am-6:00pm Registration/Information

8:30am-6:00pm Marketplace

8:30am-9:30am Parliamentary Briefing and Caucuses

10:00am-12:00pm PLENARY SESSION

12:00pm-2:00pm Break

2:00pm-3:30pm PLENARY SESSION

4:00pm-5:30pm Workshops

6:00pm-7:00pm Reception

7:00pm-9:00pm Friday Night Dinner, featuring Chris Hoene, Executive Director of

the California Budget & Policy Center

9:00pm-10:00pm Caucuses and Other Meetings

Saturday, June 1 7:30am-8:30am Caucuses and Other Meetings

8:00am-8:30am Parliamentarian Available for Consultation

8:00am-6:00pm Registration/Information



12:00pm-2:00pm Break

2:00pm-3:30pm PLENARY SESSION

3:30pm Deadline for Submitting Resolutions Expressing the Will of

Convention

4:00pm-5:30pm Workshops

6:00pm-7:00pm Reception

7:00pm-9:00pm Banquet with special guest comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh

9:00pm-10:00pm Caucuses and Other Meetings

Sunday, June 2 7:30am-8:30am Caucuses and Other Meetings

8:00am-9:30am Registration/Information



12:00pm Adjourn

Schedule at a Glance
