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MEMBERRESOURCES

TheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty

MemberNotebook

2016-2017

TableofContents

MissionStatementofLWV

Membership

CoreValues

LWVVision,BeliefsandIntentions

LWVPrinciples:ConceptsofGovernmenttoWhichLWVSubscribes

LWV:Political…YetNonpartisan

LeagueContacts

LeagueResources/Publications

ProgramPrioritiesfor2015-16

LeaguePositions

LWVLarimerCountyStructureandTeams

LWVLarimerCountyLeadership

LWVLCNonpartisanPolicy

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PoliciesandProcedures

Bylaws:LeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.

MISSIONSTATEMENTOFLEAGUEOFWOMENVOTERS

TheLeagueofWomenVoters(LWV),anonpartisanpoliticalorganization,encouragestheinformedandactiveparticipationofcitizensingovernment,workstoincreaseunderstandingofmajorpublicpolicyissues,andinfluencespublicpolicythrougheducationandadvocacy.

Membership:Anypersonwhoisage16oroldermaybecomeamemberwithfullvotingrightsintheLeague.

CoreValues

• Weareanonpartisanpoliticalmembershiporganizationthatneverendorses,supportsoropposesanypoliticalcandidateorpoliticalparty.

• Webelievegrassrootsinitiativesandconsensusbuildingarethestrengthsofourorganization.

• Webelievethatourorganizationmodelstheprinciplesofgoodgovernance.• Weconsiderwellbeforetakingactionandpreparewellbeforebeginningtoact.• Webelievethatcitizenshiprequiresknowledge,aswellastheabilityandwilltoact.• Webelievethattheresponsibilityofgoodgovernmentrestsontheshouldersofitscitizens.• Webelievethattherightsofcitizensathomeandabroadareinterdependent.

LWVVision,BeliefsandIntentions

ThegoaloftheLeagueofWomenVotersistoempowercitizenstoshapebettercommunitiesworldwide.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersoftheUnitedStatesisa501c-4non-profit,nonpartisanpoliticalmembershiporganizationwhich:

• Doesnotsupportoropposeanycandidateorpoliticalparty• Buildscitizenparticipationinthedemocraticprocessbyregisteringvotersandprovidingthem

withunbiasedvotereducationonballotissues

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• Actsafterstudyandmemberagreementtoachievesolutionsinthepublicinterestonkeycommunityissuesatallgovernmentlevels

• Engagescommunitiesinpromotingpositivesolutionstopublicpolicyissuesthrougheducationandadvocacy.

TheEducationFundoftheLeagueofWomenVotersisa501c-3nonprofitnon-partisanpublicpolicyeducationalorganizationwhich:

• buildscitizenparticipationinthedemocraticprocess.• studieskeycommunityissuesatallgovernmentlevelsinanunbiasedmanner.• enablespeopletoseekpositivesolutionstopublicpolicyissuesthrougheducationand

conflictmanagement.

TheLeaguebelievesin:

• respectforindividuals• thevalueofdiversity• theempowermentofthegrassroots,bothwithintheLeagueandinthecommunities,and• thepowertoengageincollectivedecisionmakingforthecommongood.

Wewill:

• actwithtrust,integrity,andprofessionalism.• operateinanopenandeffectivemannertomeettheneedsofmembersandthepublic.• taketheinitiativeinseekingdiversityinmembership.• acknowledgeourheritageasweseekourpathtothefuture.

LWVPrinciples:ConceptsofGovernmenttoWhichLWVSubscribes

TheLeagueofWomenVotersbelievesinrepresentativegovernmentandintheindividuallibertiesestablishedintheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersbelievesthatdemocraticgovernmentdependsuponinformedandactiveparticipationingovernmentandrequiresthatgovernmentalbodiesprotectthecitizen’srighttoknowbygivingadequatenoticeofproposedactions,holdingopenmeetings,andmakingpublicrecordsaccessible.

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TheLeagueofWomenVotersbelievesthateverycitizenshouldbeprotectedintherighttovote;thateverypersonshouldhaveaccesstofreepubliceducationthatprovidesequalopportunityforall;andthatnopersonorgroupshouldsufferlegal,economic,oradministrativediscrimination.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersbelievesthatefficientandeconomicalgovernmentrequirescompetentpersonnel,theclearassignmentofresponsibility,adequatefinancing,andcoordinationamongthedifferentagenciesandlevelsofgovernment.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersbelievesthatresponsiblegovernmentshouldberesponsivetothewillofthepeopleandthatgovernmentshouldmaintainanequitableandflexiblesystemoftaxation,promotetheconservationanddevelopmentofnaturalresourcesinthepublicinterest,shareinthesolutionofeconomicandsocialproblemsthataffectthegeneralwelfare,promoteasoundeconomy,andadoptdomesticpoliciesthatfacilitatethesolutionofinternationalproblems.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersbelievesthatcooperationwithothernationsisessentialinthesearchforsolutionstoworldproblemsandthatdevelopmentofinternationalorganizationandinternationallawisimperativeinthepromotionofworldpeace.

ColoradoLWVConceptsofGovernment:

TheLeagueofWomenVotersofColoradobelievesthatsustainabilityisawayoflifewhichseeksabalanceinmeetingcurrentenvironmental,economic,andhumanneedswithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeetthesamegoal.

TheLeagueofWomenVotersofColoradobelievesthattheconceptofsustainabilityisimplicitintheprinciplesoftheLeagueofWomenVoters.Leaguepositionsareincompliancewiththefundamentalprincipleofsustainability,recognizingtheinterdependencyamongissuesofpublicpolicyandtheimpactofcurrentdecisionsontheglobalwelfareoffuturegenerations.

LWV:Political…YetNonpartisan*

*AdaptedfromtheVoterServiceHandbook,May2006,publishedbytheLWVCOEducationFund.

“IntheLeagueofWomenVoterswehaveananomaly;wearegoingtobeasemi-politicalbody.Wewantpoliticalthings;wewantlegislation;we’regoingtoeducateforcitizenship.Inthatbodywehavegottobenon-partisanandall-partisan.DemocratsfromAlabamaandRepublicansfromNewHampshiremustworkforthesamethings.”CarrieChapmanCattattheLeague’sfoundinginChicago,1920.

Thechoice,madein1920,tobenonpartisanpolitically--meaningwedonotendorse,supportoropposeanypoliticalpartyorcandidateforpublicoffice--continuestodaytoensurethattheLeague’s

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voiceisheardabovethetumultofpartypolitics.ThisnonpartisanpolicyhasaddedstrengthtotheLeague’spositiononissues.IthasmadepossiblewideacceptanceofLeaguevoterserviceandothereducationalactivities.

Atthesametime,theLeagueisapoliticalorganizationandencouragesmemberstoparticipatefullyinthepartyoftheirchoice.ItisanadvantagetotheLeaguetohavepoliticallyactivemembers,andequallyimportant,itcanbeapersonallysatisfyingexperience.Thesameistrueformembers’paidemployment,whichcangiverisetoconflictsofinterest.

EachLeague’sboardofdirectorsisresponsiblefordraftingandcarryingouttheLeague’snonpartisanpolicyinitscommunity,keepinginmindthateverythingtheLeaguedoesshouldbemeasuredagainsttheyardstickofnonpartisanship.Thegoal,ofcourse,istoensurethecredibilityoftheLeagueasanonpartisanorganization.EstablishingandmaintaininganonpartisanpolicyisoneofthesixbasicrequirementsforLeaguerecognition.

LEAGUECONTACTS

LeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty

305W.MagnoliaSt.#106,Ft.Collins,CO80521

E-mail:info@lwv-larimercounty.org

Website:www.lwv-larimercounty.org

Facebookpage:https://www.facebook.com/LWVlarimercounty

LeagueofWomenVotersofColorado

1410Grant,B-204,Denver,CO80203

Telephone:303-863-0437

E-mail:info@lwvcolorado.org

Website:www.lwvcolorado.org

https://www.facebook.com/League-of-Women-Voters-of-Colorado-538525989655817/

LeagueofWomenVotersUS

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1730MStNWSuite1000,Washington,DC20036-4508

Telephone:202-429-1965

E-mail:LWV@lwv.org

Website:www.lwv.org

PUBLICATIONSANDRESOURCES

LWVUSPublicationsandResources

• LWVUSImpactonIssues(Pub.No.386)includestheofficialstatementsofpositionforeachprogramarea,brieflytracessignificantpastactionsandachievements,andindicateslinksamongpositions.ThecurrentImpactonIssuesreflectsthe2016-2018programadoptedbythe2016conventionoftheLWVUS;the"positionsinbrief"listedtheresummarizetheofficialstatementsofpositionsincludedinthisguide.Updatedfollowingbiennialconvention.FreePDFversion:http://www.lwv.org/content/impact-Issues

• LWVUSBasics

ThisistheLeaguesiteofresourceswithacompletedescriptionoftheLeagueofWomenVotersandhowitworks.http://www.lwv.org/member-resources/basics

LWVCOPublications

• ProgramforStudyandAction2015-2017.ThisisthecompleteexplanationoftheStateLWVpositionsandrelatedaction.FreePDFversionhttp://lwvcolorado.org/lwv/lwvco-positions-on-issues/

2016-17PROGRAMPRIORITIES

Areasofemphasisreflecttheprogramprioritiesadoptedatthestate,nationalandlocalLWVconventions.Stateconventionsareheldinoddnumberedyears;nationalconventionsinevennumberedyears.Localconventionsareheldeveryyearinthespring.Atconventions,membersdesignateprogramandlegislativeprioritiesfortheyear.Eachoftheseprioritiesmayresultinformationofteamatthelocallevel.

LWV-USPriorities

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● ProtectingandEngagingVoters● RegisteringVotersandGettingOuttheVote● ReformingMoneyinPolitics● DefendingtheEnvironment● ReformingImmigration● AdvancingHealthCareandpromotingbehavioralhealth● AdvocatingforlegislativeredistrictingguidelinesadoptedbytheLeague.

LWV-COLORADOPriorities

● AdvocateforColoradoCares(amendment69)ballotissueandsuchotherballotissuesastheLWVCOBoarddecides

● Advocateforbehavioralhealth● Preserveandprotectvotingrights

LWV-LARIMERCOUNTYPriorities

• SameasLWVUSandLWVCO• LarimerCountyballotissuetoauthorizeDetoxandBehavioralHealthtreatmentfacility• Studyandadvocateonenvironmentalissuesofwater,airquality,climatechange,renewable

energy,oil&gas• Studyandadvocateonlocalaffordablehousing

POSITIONSTATEMENTS

NATIONALPOSITIONS

ForacompletelistingofLWVUSpositions,clickonthefollowinglinktoviewLWVUSImpactonIssues:AGuidetoPublicPolicyPositionshttp://www.lwv.org/content/impact-issues-online-edition

STATEPOSITIONS

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ForacompletelistingofLWVCOpositions,clickonthefollowinglinktodownloadthecurrentissueofLWVCOProgramforStudyandAction:PositionsforActionhttp://www.lwvcolorado.org/program-positions.html

LWV-LARIMERCOUNTYPOSITIONS

LocalPlanning

A. SupportformaintainingandstrengtheningasenseofplaceandcommunityidentityinLarimerCountycommunitiesbyencouragingtheuseofdowntownareasastheprimaryculturalandgovernmentalcentersandbyusingavarietyofmeasurestoinsuretheeconomicvitalityofdowntownareas.Encouragetheinclusionofamixofgoodsandservicesandofhousingtypestoattractadiversegroupofpeople,includingfamilies.

B. Supportofadequatefundingforcomprehensiveplanninganditsimplementation,includingperiodicreviewandmonitoring,byLarimerCountyanditscitiesandtowns.Thisshouldincludeintergovernmentalandregionalplanning.

C. Supportfortheprinciplethatthecostsofcapitalimprovementsresultingfromgrowthshouldbebornebythosewhobenefitfromthembutthatspecialallowancesshouldbemadeforaffordablehousingandfornaturalareas.

D. Continuedsupportforacquisitionofopenspace.

NumberofLarimerCountyCommissioners

SupportsincreasingthenumberofLarimerCountyCommissionersfromthreetofiveandexclusivelysupportsthefollowingtwoelectionoptionsfortheballot:

• Fivecommissioners,eachelectedbyvotersintheirrepresentativedistricts.• Threecommissionerselectedbyvotersintheirrepresentativedistrictsandtwo

countywidecommissionerselectedat-large.

InstantRunoffVoting(IRV)

TheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCountysupportsanalternativetopluralityvotingthatwouldaccomplishthefollowingobjectives:

• Everyperson’svoteshouldcount.• Awinnershouldhavemajoritysupport.

Furthermore,wealsosupportalternativesthatcanbeexpectedto:

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• maximizevoterparticipation;• beopentoavarietyofcandidatesandideas;• encouragepositive,issue-basedcampaigning.

Webelievethatinsingle-seatelections,IRV(InstantRunoffvoting)hasthebestchanceofmeetingtheseobjectives.

LibraryFunding

TheLWV-LCsupportsfundingofpubliclibrariesinLarimerCountyeitherthroughvoter-approvedpropertytaxoracombinationofdedicatedpropertytaxandpublicgeneralfundrevenue.Dedicatedpropertytaxprovidesamorestableandpredictablesourceoffundingforpubliclibrariesthanonethatdependssolelyongeneralfundrevenues.

LARIMERCOUNTYLEAGUEOFWOMENVOTERS(LWVLC)ORGANIZATIONALSTRUCTURE:LWVLCisaColoradononprofitcorporationregisteredwiththeIRSundersection501c-4.AtLWVLC’sannualspringconvention,memberselectadministrativeteammembers,approveanannualbudget,adopttheprogramfortheyear,andconductsuchotherLWVLCbusinessasisnecessary.OperationofLWVLCistheresponsibilityoftheAdministrativeTeam.ProgramsandotheractivitiesofLWVLCarecarriedoutbyavarietyofteamsandcommitteeswhichreflectmemberinterestsandprogrampriorities.

LWVLCTEAMS

ORGANIZATIONALTEAMSADMINISTRATIVETEAMTheAdministrativeTeamiscomposedofninemembers,electedforstaggeredtwoyearterms.Theteammeetsonceamonthtoreviewandcoordinateevents,reviewfinancials,setandapplypolicydecisions,andhandledetailsimportanttotheoverallfunctioningoftheLeague.Membersofthe

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AdministrativeTeamcoordinatetheoverallcalendarandareresponsibleforBack-to-LeagueNightmeetinginthefall,ProgramPlanningmeetinginJanuary,andthelocalannualconventioninMay.TheAdministrativeTeammembersoverseefundraisingandmanagementofLeaguefunds,publicrelations,membercommunications(LeagueLinesand“Mid-MonthUpdate,”)andcommunicationwithLWVCOandLWVUS.EachAdministrativeTeammemberalsoservesasaliaisontoanotherteam. TheAdministrativeTeamappointsadhoccommitteesasneededforspecialstudiesandotherpurposes.FINANCIALDEVELOPMENT TheFinancialDevelopmentTeampromotesthefinancialwell-beingoftheLeague.Itorchestratessolicitationcampaignsinthecommunityandcoordinatesotherfundraisingprojects,suchasasummersoiree.ItseffortshelpunderwriteLWVLC’sinfrastructureanditsworkinthecommunity.MEMBERSHIPTheMembershipTeamcoordinatestherecruitment,orientationandmentoringofnewmembersandencourageseverymember'sactiveparticipationintheLeague.Itisresponsiblefortheannualmembershiprenewaleffort,conductsthemembersurvey,andmaintainsanelectronicrosterofcurrentandpotentialnewmembers.TheteamalsoisresponsiblefortheLWVUSMembershipandLeadershipDevelopmentprogram(MLD)incollaborationwiththeAdministrativeTeam.PUBLICRELATIONSThePublicRelationsTeamprovidesbothinternalandexternalcommunicationsaboutactivitiesofLWVLC.Theseincludethemonthlynewsletter,LeagueLines,andMid-MonthUpdates.Theteamroutespressreleasestolocalmedia,theLWVLCwebsiteandFacebookpages,andtosocialmediaoutlets.Itassistsmembersindraftingeffectivepersonalletterstotheeditorandtolegislators.ItalsocreatedtheInformedVoterBookClub(heldatOldFirehouseBookstoreinFt.Collins)tostimulatestudyanddiscussionofcurrentinteresttovoters.

VOTEREDUCATIONTEAMSCROSSCURRENTS(CableTVprogram) ForovertwentyyearsCrossCurrentshasfulfilleditsmission“toprovideapublicforumforabalancedandfairdiscussionofcontroversialissuesfacingthecommunity.”CrossCurrentsbringstogetherpanelistswithdifferingpointsofviewtodiscusscriticalissuesfacingthecommunity,county,region,stateorcountry.CrossCurrentsprogramsaredevelopedandmoderatedbyTeammembersandproducedincooperationwiththeCityofFortCollins.TheTeampresentsbetweensixandeighttelevisedprogramsayear.VideosofCrossCurrentsprogramsarearchivedontheLWVLCwebsite.OBSERVERCORPS ObserverCorpsTeammembersvolunteertoobserveandreportbacktoLWVLCAdministrativeTeamonthemeetingsofvariousboardsandcommissionsofLarimerCounty,thecitiesofFt.Collins,LovelandandBerthoud,andNorthernColoradoWaterConservancyDistrict.ObserverslearnhowthesevariousboardsandcommissionsoperateandidentifyissuesthatareitemsofparticularinteresttoLWVLCstudyandaction.

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VOTERSERVICE TheVoterServiceTeamisoftenthemostvisiblefaceofLWVLCtothepublic.ItsworkisthebedrockoftheLeaguewithitsvoterregistrationactivities,votereducationandcampaignstogetoutthevote.Someoftheteam’sactivitiesinclude:candidateandballotissueforums;identifyissuesoflocalimportanceandsendingpertinentquestionstopoliticalcandidatesfortheirresponsesforinclusionontheLeagues’VOTE411website;research,writeanddistributeunbiasedpro-conballotissuepamphletsforlocalvoters;distributestateLeagueballotissuepamphlets;trainmembersinmoderatingcandidateandballotissueforums;interactcooperativelywithlocalclerk’soffices;andencouragescitizenparticipationingovernment.

ISSUESandACTIONTEAMSAFFORDABLEHOUSING TheAffordableHousingTeam’sgoalistoeducateandadvocateforpublicandprivatesolutionstotheaffordablehousingproblemsinLarimerCounty.Teammembersareactiveinmonitoringthesupplyandneedforaffordablehousing,presentingpubliceducationforums,stayingintouchwithcommunityleadersandthepublicaboutchangingaffordablehousingconditionsinLarimerCounty.CIVILLIBERTIES TheCivilLibertiesTeammonitorsgovernmentactivitiesatthelocal,stateandnationallevelsforpossibleerosionsofindividuallibertiesasgrantedbytheUSandColoradoConstitutions.TheteamstrivestoeducateLWVLCmembersandthepublicaboutissuesthatithasidentifiedandencouragesactionbasedonLeaguepositions.Theteamhasorganizedforumsontransparencyandwhyitisessentialtoademocracy;immigration;deportationandtheimpactonfamilies;andxenophobia.ENVIRONMENTALACTIONThisTeamhascreatedthreesub-groups:waterissues;renewableenergy;andfracking.Thesub-groupsworkindependentlyandcollaborativelyontheseandotherkeyissues.TheTeamhasabroadfocusofstudytowardstakingadvocacyaction(basedonLWV,LWVCOandLWVLCpositionstatements)onlocalandregionalclimatechange,water,fracking,airquality,landuse,transportation,agricultureandbiospherematters.HEALTHCARE TheHealthCareTeamisdevotedtotheeducationandadvocacyoftheLeague'spositionforcomprehensive,quality,affordablehealthcareforall.Itmonitorsstateandnationallegislation,studieshealthreformproposals,andprovidesmembersandthecommunitywitheducationalandadvocacyprograms.Theteamcollaborateswithothercommunityorganizations,LeaguesinColoradoandthecountryonresources,speakersandprogramsofinterestontheissue.

INTERNATIONALRELATIONS

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TheInternationalRelationsTeamsponsorsamonthly,publicGreatDecisionsdiscussiononinternationalissuesandtheirimpactonourworld.Whenappropriate,theteampresentseducationalprogramstoLWVLCmembersandthepubliconmattersofinternationalconcern.TheteamalsopresentsaregularGreatDecisionsclasswiththeOsherLifelongLearningInstitute,adivisionofCSU’sContinuingEducationProgram.LEGISLATIVEACTION ThemembersoftheLegislativeActionTeammonitorcurrentlegislationandorganizeLWVLCmemberstotakeactionvialetters,telephonecalls,e-mails,andfaxestoelectedofficials.TheTeamalsomaycoordinatetestimonyonlocal,state,andnationalissuesonwhichtheLeaguehasstatedpositions.TheycommunicateActionAlertstoLeaguemembersviaemailandencouragetheirparticipation;encourageparticipationintheStateLeagueLegislativeDayandvisitstothestatecapitol,andorganizeaprogramwhereourLeaguelobbyistgivesasummationofLeagueactionandLegislativeactionaftertheStateLegislatureadjourns.MONEYINPOLITICSThisteamconductedtwostudiesin2015-16:oneontheeffectsandpotentialreformsofexistingcampaignfinancingatnational,stateandlocallevelsandanotherstudyonalistoffactorsLeagueshouldconsiderwhendecidingwhetheraproposedamendmenttotheUSConstitutionisappropriateandviable.Uponinvitation,teammemberspresentpublictalksonthecurrentstateofmoneyinpoliticsandadvocateforchangesbaseduponnationalLWV’sPositionStatement,asrevisedin2016.

ADMINISTRATIVETEAM2016-2017

SandyBrooks sraebrooks@gmail.comFacilitator Liaison:HealthCareCarolCarnahan carolcarnahan@gmail.comSecretary Liaison:CivilLibertiesMaryDietrich mkgdietrich@gmail.comLeagueLineseditor Liaison:CrossCurrentsJaneEverham jeverham@frii.comPublicRelations Liaison:PublicRelationsRuthLong relong46@comcast.netMLDleader Liaison:Membership/LeadershipDevelopment

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SusanMathre smath3@hotmail.comCalendar/Events Liaison:AffordableHousingSarahPitts sarjpts@yahoo.comSpokesperson Liaison:VoterService,EnvironmentalAction, MoneyinPoliticsJodieRankin jodierankin@gmail.comTreasurer Liaison:InternationalRelationsNancyTellez ntellez2010@gmail.comFinancialDevelopmentleader Liaison:FinancialDevelopment,LegislativeAction

TEAMSandTEAMLEADERS2016-2017

AdministrativeTeam SandyBrooks,FacilitatorAffordableHousing MarilynHeller

CivilLiberties LindaGrey-Wilson

CrossCurrents MereteCunningham

EnvironmentalAction VickyMcLane

FinancialDevelopment NancyTellez

HealthCare JoyceDeVaney&SandyBrooks

InternationalRelations KayEasley

LegislativeAction NancyTellez

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Membership LindaMahan

MoneyinPoliticsBarbaraHansen

ObserverCorps Open

PublicRelations MarnaShillman

VoterServices SallyBroste

AdministrativeSupport/StandingCommittees

Webmasters: LWVLCwebsite:MarthaAmes,CarrieBennett

Facebookpage:MarnaShillman

Bookkeeper:BethDaughertyStabler

2016-17Readingcommittee:BarbIrelan,LindaHutchinson

2016-17AuditCommittee:BarbaraDunn,JuanitaReynolds

2016-17BudgetCommittee:BarbaraDunn,JuanitaReynolds

2016-17NominatingCommittee:LorettaHogg,BarbaraHansen

ByLawsCommittee:JodieRankin

NONPARTISANPOLICY:LARIMERCOUNTYLWV

(Rev’dandadopted2015;confirmedbyAdminTeamJune2016)

ALLMEMBERS

TheLeagueofWomenVotersisanonpartisanpoliticalorganization.

NonpartisanmeansthattheLeagueneverendorses,supportsoropposespoliticalpartiesorpoliticalcandidates.

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AllLeaguemembersneedtorememberthattheLeague’sreputationfornonpartisanshipandfairnessislong-standingandhard-wonandneedstobeguarded.

IndividualLeaguemembersareencouragedtobepoliticallyactive.However,whentheyparticipateinpartisanactivities,theymaynotidentifythemselvesasLeaguemembers.

LEAGUESTATEMENTS

Nomember(includingofficers)mayspeakfororcommittheLeagueunlesstheyhavefirstobtainedreviewandapprovaloftheproposedstatementorcommitmentbyamajorityoftheAdministrativeTeam.

KEYMEMBERRESTRICTIONS

CertainindividualswhohavehighpublicvisibilityasofficersorleadersoftheLeague(KeyMembers)arerestrictedfrompartisanactivity.IndividualsholdingthefollowingpositionsareKeyMembers:

a. Spokespersonb. PublicRelationsTeamLeaderc. LegislativeActionTeamLeaderd. VoterServiceTeamLeader.Inaddition,theVSTTeamLeadermaynotmakepublic

statementsaboutLeaguepositions.e. ModeratorsforCrossCurrentsandforforumsonballotissuesandcandidates.

(Moderatorsfallunderthenonpartisanpolicyfortheissueorofficesunderdiscussionandonlyforthepertinentelectioncycle.ModeratorsshouldbeLeaguememberswhoarepubliclyperceivedasneutralpersons.IfinanemergencysituationnoLeaguemembercanbefound,anon-LeaguemembermustbeapprovedbytheAdministrativeTeam.)

KeyOfficersincategoriesa-dalsomaynot:

● Runforoffice;● Contributeanamountlargeenoughtobepubliclyidentifiedorvisiblycampaignforany

ballotissuethathasnotreceivedLeaguesupport; ● Holdanofficeinanypoliticalpartyorcampaigncommittee;● Writepubliclettersinsupportoforoppositiontoanycandidatesorparties;● Writeletterstonewspapersasanindividualunlessauthorizedtodosobythe

AdministrativeTeam.Issuesthatfirstappeartobenonpartisanmaybeidentifiedaspartisanatasubsequenttime.

● Havelawnsignsorbumperstickersforcandidatesorparties;

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● Havelawnsigns,eitherproorconforaballotissue,unlessthesignreflectstheLeague’spositionontheissue.

AnyquestionsaboutthisNonpartisanPolicyshouldbesenttotheSpokesperson.

PoliciesandProcedures2016-2017

Meetings

GeneralMeetingsareintendedprimarilyforourmembersandprospectivemembers,toconductLWVLCbusinessandtoprovideseducationandupdatesonteamstudyandaction.GeneralmeetingstypicallyheldintheeveningsonthesecondMondayofthemonthatavarietyoflocations.NoticeofgeneralmeetingsispublishedinthemonthlyLeagueLinesnewsletterandontheLWVLCwebsitewww.lwv-larimercounty.org

PublicMeetingsareintendedprimarilytopresenteducationoradvocacyontopicsoflocalconcern.Themeetingsalsoareintendedtoattractnewmembers.Locationsandtimesvary.NoticeofpublicmeetingsispublishedinLeagueLinesandontheLWVLCwebsite.

TeamMeetingsareintendedforteammembersandanyotherLWVLCmemberswhowishtoattend.Teammeetingsareheldatatimeandlocationconvenientformembersoftheteam,oftenatthehomeofoneofthemembers.NoticeofteammeetingsispublishedinLeagueLines.

TeamsandTeamActivities

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LWV’sMissionStatementisputintoeffectbyLWVLC’smanyteams,actingunderthesupervisionoftheAdministrativeTeam.InformationabouteachteamanditsleadersaresetoutearlierinthisHandbook.

Membersareencouragedtoparticipateononeormoreteamsbasedupontheirpersonalinterestsandgoals.

Teamspursuedifferentactivitiesbasedontheirteammission.Examplesinclude:

1. Educatingthemselvesaboutanissuetheyselect.2. Monitoringlocal,stateandnationallegislation.3. HostinganinformationalGeneralMeetingorPublicMeeting.4. PublishingmonthlyupdatesonteamactivitiesinLeagueLines.5. Observinggovernmentboardsandcommissions.6. ReviewingnationalandColoradopositionstatementspertainingtotheteams’focusto

determinewhethertorecommendmodifications,deletionsornewstudies.7. Carryingoutthestudy-consensusprocessasadoptedanddirectedbyLWVUS,LWVCOor

LWVLC.8. ConductingadvocacyortakingactionafterreceivingpriorapprovalfromtheAdministrative

Team.

TeamMeetings

TheAdministrativeTeammeetsmonthlyyearround.Manyotherteamstakeasummerhiatus.Teammeetinglocationsmaybeinmembers’homesorapubliclocation.Eachteamsetsthetimeandlocationofmeetingsbasedonconsensusofteammembers.

AdministrativeTeam:CoordinationandApproval

TeamsareresponsibleforcoordinatingtheiractivitieswiththeAdministrativeTeam.TheymustobtainpriorwrittenapprovalfromtheAdministrativeTeaminorderto

• MakeoralorwrittenpublicstatementsusingthenameoftheLWVorpurportingtoexpressviewsoftheLeague.

• AlllettersandwrittenstatementsonbehalfoftheLeaguemustbesignedbytheLWVLCSpokespersonunlesstheAdministrativeTeamspecifiesanotherleaderormemberassigner.

• SubmitconsensusquestionsorotherreportstonationalorstateLWV.• CommitLWVLCtoanymeetingsorcollaborationwithnon-LWVentities.• Receiverequestsfromnon-LWVentitiestopublicizetheireventstoLWVLCmembers.

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Calendar

TheAdminTeamestablishesandmaintainsLWVLC’scalendarofmeetingsandevents.AcurrentcalendarisincludedinLeagueLinesandfoundontheLWVLCwebsite.

FinancialMatters

• MembersvoteonthebudgetattheAnnualMeeting.• Teamshavelineitemsinthebudgetforresourcesandmeetingexpenses.Thoseexpensescan

bereimbursedbysubmittingareimbursementrequestform(foundontheLWVLCwebsite)totheTreasurer.

• Ifanticipatedexpensesexceed$50,priorauthorizationfromtheAdministrativeTeamisrequired.

• Inadditiontoitsgeneralfund/operatingaccount,LWVLChasaseparateEducationFundthatisavailableexclusivelyforqualifyingvoterservicesandeducationprojects.TeamsmustsubmitwrittenEducationFundrequestformstotheTreasurerinadvanceoftheproposedexpenditure.

• TeamsmaysubmitawrittenrequestforaLWVgranttotheAdministrativeTeamforreviewandaction.

• Teamsarerequiredtokeepaccuratefinancialrecordsofexpenditures/incomerelatedtotheiractivities.

Bylaws:LeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.(Colorado)

(RevisedJuly2016atdirectionofLeagueofWomenVoters(US)revisionstoArticleIII,Section2.)

ARTICLEI

Name

Sec.1. Name.ThenameofthisorganizationshallbetheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.ThislocalLeagueisanintegralpartoftheLeagueofWomenVotersoftheUnitedStatesandoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofColorado,Inc.

ARTICLEII

PurposesandPolicy

Sec.1. Purposes.ThepurposesoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.shallbetopromotepoliticalresponsibilitythroughinformedandactiveparticipationofcitizensingovernmentandtoactonselectedgovernmentalissues.

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Sec.2. PoliticalPolicy.TheLeagueshallnotendorse,supportoropposeanypoliticalpartyoranycandidateforoffice.

ARTICLEIII

Membership

Sec.1. Eligibility.AnypersonwhosubscribestothepurposesandpolicyoftheLeagueshallbeeligibleformembership.

Sec.2. TypesofMembership

a.VotingMembers.Personswhoareatleast16yearsofagewhojointheLeagueshallbevotingmembersoflocalLeagues,stateLeaguesandoftheLWVUS;

(1) individualswholivewithinanareaofalocalLeaguemayjointhatLeagueoranyotherlocalLeague;

(2) thosewhoresideoutsidetheareaofanylocalLeaguemayjoinalocalLeagueorshallbestatemembers-at-large;

(3) thosewhohavebeenmembersoftheLeaguefor50yearsormoreshallbelifemembersexcusedfromthepaymentofdues.

b.AssociateMembers.Personswhoareunder16yearsofageoranyotherpersonmayjointheLeagueasassociatemembers,payingregularmembershipdues.TheyshallnotbeeligibletovoteorbecountedaspartofaquorumatanyLWVUS,LWV-COorLWVLCconventionsormeetings.AssociateMembersmayparticipatefullyinallotherLeagueactivities.

ARTICLEIV

AdministrativeTeam(BoardofDirectors)

Sec.1. Number,MannerofSelectionandTermofOffice.TheAdministrativeTeamshallconsistofnine(9)electedmembers.Five(5)membersshallbeelectedbythegeneralmembershipattheannualLocalConventioninodd-numberedyearsandfour(4)ineven-numberedyears.Thetermofofficeshallbetwoyearsoruntilasuccessorhasbeenelectedandqualified.

Sec.2. Qualifications.NopersonshallbeelectedorappointedorshallcontinuetoserveasamemberoftheAdministrativeTeamunlessshe/heisavotingmemberoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.

Sec.3. Vacancies.AnyvacancyoccurringintheAdministrativeTeambyreasonofresignation,death,ordisqualificationofanelectedmembermaybefilled,untilthenextannualLocalConvention,byamajorityvoteoftheremainingmembersoftheAdministrativeTeam.ThreeconsecutiveabsencesofanymemberfromanAdministrativeTeammeetingwithoutavalidreasonshallbedeemedaresignation.

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Sec.4. PowersandDuties.TheAdministrativeTeam(BoardofDirectors)shallhavefullchargeofthepropertyandbusinessoftheorganization,withfullpowerandauthoritytomanageandconductsame,subjecttotheinstructionsofthegeneralmembership.

(A)TheAdministrativeTeamshallshareresponsibilitywithintheTeamandcollectivelyprovideaspokesperson,acontactpersonforStateandNationalLeagues,afinancialofficer,afinancialdevelopmentcoordinator,ameetingcoordinator,aLeagueLineseditor,apublicrelationscoordinator,andasecretary/archivist.Ateammembermayassumemorethanoneoftheseroles,andthepublicrelationscoordinator,LeagueLineseditor,andthefinancialdevelopmentcoordinatormaybeappointedfromamongthegeneralmembership.Forthepurposesofofficialdocuments,theAdministrativeTeamshallappointthree(3)memberstosignasPresident,SecretaryandTreasurerwhensuchsignaturesarerequired.

(B)Thefinancialofficershallcollectandreceiveallmoniesdue,andshalldisbursethesameasdirectedbytheadoptedbudgetoruponorderoftheAdministrativeTeam.TheTreasurershallpresentstatementstotheAdministrativeTeamattheirregularmeetings,presentanannualreporttotheLocalConvention,notifytheAuditCommitteeeachyearwhenthebooksarereadyforauditandpresentafinalannualreportafterthecloseofthefiscalyear.

Sec.5. Meetings.Thereshallbeatleastnine(9)regularmeetingsoftheAdministrativeTeamannually.IfanofficialactionisneededbetweenmeetingsoftheAdministrativeTeam,amajorityofthemembersmayactonbehalfoftheTeam,providedanattempthasbeenmadetocontactallmembers.SuchactionshallbesubjecttoanymodificationsdeemednecessaryatthenextregularTeammeeting.AnymemberoftheAdministrativeTeammaycallaspecialmeetingoftheteamifsuchactionissupportedbyamajorityoftheTeam.

Sec.6.Quorum.AmajorityofthemembersoftheAdministrativeTeamshallconstituteaquorum.

ARTICLEV

FinancialAdministration

Sec.1. FiscalYear.ThefiscalyearoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,shallcommenceonthefirstdayofJulyeachyear.

Sec.2. Dues.DuesshallbedueinSeptemberofeachyear.One-halfannualduesmaybechargedtonewmemberswhojoinonorafterFebruary1.FulldueswouldthenbepayableinSeptember.FailuretopayduesbyOctober31wouldresultinthemembershipbeingdropped.Membersshallbeinformedinadvanceoftheirmembershipbeingdropped.

Sec.3. Budget.AbudgetfortheensuingyearshallbesubmittedbytheAdministrativeTeamtotheannualLocalConventionforadoption.ThebudgetshallincludesupportfortheworkoftheLeagueasawhole.

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Sec.4. BudgetCommittee.ABudgetCommitteeofatleastthreepeopleshallbeappointedbytheAdministrativeTeamatleastfivemonthspriortotheannualLocalConventiontopreparethebudgetfortheensuingyear.Thefinancialofficershallserveonlytotransmitfinancialinformationtothecommittee.TheAdministrativeTeamshallapprovetheproposedbudgetbeforeitissenttothemembershipforadoptionatthelocalconvention.Thefinancialofficershallensurethattheproposedbudgetissenttoallmembers30daysbeforetheLocalConvention.

Sec.5.AuditCommittee.AnAuditCommitteeofatleasttwopersonsshallbeappointedbytheAdministrativeTeamtoperformtheannualauditofthebooks.Afterthecloseofthefiscalyear(June30)thefinancialofficershallhavethebooksreadyforauditbyAugust1.Thefinancialofficerservessolelytotransmitfinancialinformationandisnotactivelyinvolvedintheaudit.ThecommitteeshallsubmitastatementtotheAdministrativeTeamoftheresultsoftheauditbyOctober1.

Sec.6. DistributionofFundsonDissolution.IntheeventofthedissolutionoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,allmoniesandsecuritieswhichmayatthetimebeownedbyorunderthecontroloftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,shallbepaidtotheLeagueofWomenVotersofColorado,Inc.afterthestateandnationalpermemberpaymentsandotherobligationshavebeenmet.Allotherpropertyofwhatsoevernature,whetherreal,personal,ormixedwhichmayatthetimebeownedorunderthecontroloftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.shallbedisposedoftosuchpersons,organizations,orcorporationsforsuchpublic,charitableoreducationaluseandpurposesastheAdministrativeTeamatitsdiscretionmaydesignate.

ARTICLEVI

GeneralMeetings

Sec.1. MembershipMeetings.Thereshallbeatleasttwo(2)meetingsofthemembershipeachyear,inadditiontotheLocalConvention.TimeandplaceshallbedeterminedbytheAdministrativeTeam.

Sec.2.LocalConvention.AnannualLocalConventionshallbeheldbetweenApril1andJune1,theexactdatetobedeterminedbytheAdministrativeTeam.TheLocalConventionshall:

a. adoptalocalProgramfortheensuingyear,b. electmembersoftheAdministrativeTeamandmembersoftheNominating

Committee,c. adoptanadequatebudget,andd. transactsuchotherbusinessasmayproperlycomebeforeit.

Sec.3. Quorum.Twentypercent(20%)ofthemembersasofJanuarymembershipcountofthesameyearshallconstituteaquorumatallbusinessmeetingsoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.

ARTICLEVII

NominationsandElections

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Sec.1. NominatingCommittee.TheNominatingCommitteeshallconsistofthreemembers,oneofwhomshallbeamemberoftheAdministrativeTeam.TheChairmanandonemember,whoshallnotbemembersoftheAdministrativeTeam,shallbeelectedattheLocalConvention.NominationsfortheseofficesshallbemadebythecurrentNominatingCommittee.TheothermembershallbeappointedbytheAdministrativeTeamimmediatelyfollowingtheLocalConvention.TheAdministrativeTeamshallberesponsibleforappointingpersonstofillanyvacanciesontheNominatingCommittee.SuggestionsfornominationsforAdministrativeTeammembersmaybesenttothecommitteebyanyvotingmemberoftheLeague.

Sec.2. ReportofNominatingCommitteeandNominationsfromtheFloor.ThereportoftheNominatingCommitteeofitsnominationsforAdministrativeTeammembers,andthemembersofthesucceedingNominatingCommittee,shallbesenttoallmembers30daysbeforethedateoftheLocalConvention.ThereportoftheNominatingCommitteeshallbepresentedtotheLocalConvention.Immediatelyfollowingthepresentationofthisreport,nominationsmaybemadefromthefloorbyanyvotingmemberprovidedtheconsentofthenomineeshallhavebeensecured.

Sec.3. Elections.Theelectionsshallbebyballot,providedthatwhenthereisbutonenomineeforeachoffice,theSecretarymaybeinstructedtocasttheballotforeverynominee.Amajorityvoteofthosequalifiedtovoteandvotingshallconstituteanelection.Absentee,orproxyvoting,shallnotbepermitted.

ARTICLEVIII

ProgramandAction

Sec.1. Authorization.ThegovernmentalPrinciplesadoptedbytheNationalConventionconstitutetheauthorizationfortheadoptionofProgram.

Sec.2. Program.TheProgramoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.shallconsistof:

a.actiontoimplementthePrinciplesoftheLeagueofWomenVotersoftheUnitedStates,and

b.thosegovernmentalissueschosenforconcertedstudyandaction.

Sec.3. ActionbytheLocalConvention.TheLocalConventionshallactupontheProgramusingthefollowingprocedures:

a.ProposalsforprogramssubmittedbythemembershipandreviewedbytheAdministrativeTeamshallbesenttoallmembers30daysbeforetheLocalConvention.

b.AmajorityvoteofthevotingmemberspresentandvotingattheLocalConventionshallberequiredforadoptionofsubjectsintheproposedprogramaspresentedtotheLocalConventionbytheAdministrativeTeam.

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Sec.4. ChangesinProgram.ChangesintheProgram,inthecaseofalteredconditions,maybemadeprovidedthatinformationconcerningtheproposedchangehasbeensenttoallmembersatleasttwoweekspriortoaspecialgeneralmembershipmeetingatwhichthechangeistobedecided.

Sec.5. ProgramAction.MembersmayactinthenameoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.onlywhenauthorizedtodosobytheAdministrativeteamandonlyinconformitywith,andnotcontraryto,apositiontakenbytheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,theLeagueofWomenVotersofColorado,Inc.ortheLeagueofWomenVotersoftheUnitedStates.

ARTICLEIX

NationalConvention,StateConventionandCouncil

Sec.1. NationalConvention.ThemembershiportheAdministrativeTeam,atameetingbeforethedateonwhichthenamesofdelegatesmustbesenttotheNationalOffice,shallselectdelegatestothatconventioninthenumberallottedtotheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,undertheprovisionsoftheBylawsoftheLeagueofWomenVotersoftheUnitedStates.

Sec.2. StateConvention.ThemembershiportheAdministrativeTeam,atameetingbeforethedateonwhichthenamesofdelegatesmustbesenttotheStateOffice,shallselectdelegatestothatconventioninthenumberallottedtotheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,undertheprovisionsoftheBylawsoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofColorado,Inc.

Sec.3. StateCouncil.ThemembershiportheAdministrativeTeam,atameetingbeforethedateonwhichthenamesofdelegatesmustbesenttotheStateOffice,shallselectdelegatestothatcouncilinthenumberallottedtotheLeagueofWomenVotersofLarimerCounty,Inc.,undertheprovisionsoftheBylawsoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofColorado,Inc.

ARTICLEX

ParliamentaryAuthority

Sec.1. ParliamentaryAuthority.TherulescontainedinRobert’sRulesofOrder,NewlyRevisedshallgoverntheorganizationinallcasestowhichtheyareapplicableandinwhichtheyarenotinconsistentwiththeseBylaws.

ARTICLEXI

Bylaws

Sec.1. AnnualReviewofBylaws.TheAdministrativeTeamshallappointaBylawsCommitteeeachyeartoreviewtheBylawsandrecommendanychanges.TheCommitteeshallconsistofatleastthreemembers,includingonememberfromtheAdministrativeTeam.

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Sec.2. Amendments.TheseBylawsmaybeamendedbyatwo-thirdsvoteofthevotingmemberspresentandvotingattheLocalConvention,providedtheamendmentsweresenttothemembership30daysbeforethemeeting.