The purposes of the League are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected issues.

Nonpartisanship

Key Board members [President(s), First Vice President, and chairs of Voter Service and Lunch with the League] should act "with discretion" as regards political coffees, rallies, petitions, and financial contributions. They should also refrain from public endorsement of political candidates or parties to avoid compromising the nonpartisanship policy of the LWV.

Other members of the Board should decide for themselves what, if any, political activities it is proper for them to engage in. Should a problem arise in which individual members feel uncertain, the matter should be discussed with the Board. The protection of the League's nonpartisanship should be the primary consideration when deciding personal political involvement.

The Nominating Committee and the President(s) should inform a prospective member of the Board very carefully about the League policy.

Board members may run for civic boards and commissions that do not require running under a political party label. However, the League Board should review cases in which decisions of the board or commission are perceived to be in conflict with League positions.

Meetings

Study committee meetings and Board meetings are open to anyone.

Briefing meetings called for the purpose of preparing for general meeting programs are usually limited to study committee members and discussion leaders and to those directly concerned with the program.

Annual Meetings are open meetings, but only members in good standing may vote. An agenda will be available at the Annual Meeting.

The outgoing Board is responsible for all meetings at the end of the League year, giving the new Board time for training and organizing.

The LWVOR does not patronize establishments that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, or disability.

Consensus (ref. In League, page 10-7)

Consensus (member agreement) is a process whereby members participate in a group discussion of an issue. It is not a simple majority, nor is it unanimity; rather it is the overall "sense of the group" as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions.

Since Consensus is attempted only after a sustained in-depth study and group discussion among a substantial number of members, it should be the practice to take Consensus only after there have been two (2) meetings for the purpose of giving background information to the membership. The Board shall ensure that the League method of taking Consensus shall be explained at meetings where it is being attempted.

The Board shall ensure that at least one of its members attends each Consensus meeting, and a recorder shall be provided. The recorder, appropriate study committee members, and the President(s) shall prepare a statement of Consensus to be presented to the Board. If a strong minority opinion is expressed, it shall be included in the report.

The local League Consensus on a state or national Consensus shall not be published in the local newsletter or be distributed to the local membership. It will be combined with other consensuses at the state or national level and will be reported as a state or national Consensus. The local position may not necessarily agree with the adopted official position.

Board members should not actively work against issues on which the LWVOR, LWVTN, and LWVUS have arrived at a Consensus and have a stated position.

Concurrence (ref. In League, page 10-8)

Concurrence is the act of agreeing with--or concurring with--a statement or position. Concurrence can work in several ways. Groups of League members or League Boards can concur with (1) recommendations of a study 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. In area Leagues an issue relating to one jurisdiction is often studied by members living in that jurisdiction and, after those members have reached member agreement, the other members are asked to concur with the results.

Public Relations and Publicity

The President(s) is the official spokesperson for the LWVOR. Official statements shall be made for the League only by the President(s) or by someone authorized to do so by the President(s), the Board, or the Executive Committee. Individual League members may not speak for the LWV when making public statements. All requests for statements or spokespersons should be referred to the President(s). League members shall make no prior commitment of people or materials. The President(s) shall receive and approve a copy of all written material that goes to the public in the name of the League (with the exception of thank-you notes and routing correspondence).

Board

The President(s) shall be limited to four (4) consecutive years' service in that position.

If possible, the President(s) shall attend National Convention, the State Convention, and State Council meetings. If unable to attend, the President(s) shall designate a head of the delegation. It is recommended that, if possible, a briefing meeting shall be held prior to these meetings.

It is recommended that the Board members and Off-Board Committee chairs be limited to four (4) consecutive years' service in the same portfolio.

Travel

Registration fees, transportation, and lodging will be paid for members representing the local league at all League-sponsored functions. Additional costs, for example per diem, will be decided in each instance by the Board. Mileage shall be paid in accordance with the current IRS rate.

Membership

A membership directory should be published annually with appropriate updates. Changes shall be published in The Voter. Expiration dates of officers will be included in the membership list.

The LWVOR membership list is not to be used for purposes other than League business. A statement to this effect is to be included on the membership list.

Publications

All League communications and publications shall bear the League name, a mailing address, the date, and the names of major underwriters, if any.

Complimentary copies of League publications shall be distributed at the discretion of the Board.

Equipment

All League equipment shall be used for League-connected activities and under the direction of those persons designated by the President(s). If equipment is used for non-League activities, an appropriate charge should be levied.

Local League files shall be turned over to the new President(s) within two (2) weeks after the Annual Meeting at which he/she is elected.

Job descriptions for all Board members (including the positions currently held by Off-Board chairs) shall be available to the incoming Nominating Committee chair.

Bills, receipts, and bank statements may be destroyed after 7 years.

A copy of every League communication concerning policy or program to be sent to the National Office shall have the prior approval of the local President(s). A copy shall be sent to the State Office.

Each board member and Off-Board committee chair shall keep the local President(s) informed of his/her League activities.

A Board member shall be designated to check the Post Office mailbox at weekly intervals. Anyone who has mail should be notified as soon as practicable.

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