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Page 2010 Directory of Public Officials Program
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Orientation Meeting for new Board members. Saturday July 19, 2008 Present: Natalie Fox, Tulia Lamarzi, Lois B. Morris, Phyllis Gates, Yvonne Loinig, Kathryn A. Cunningham, Mary Ita Dwyer, Mimi Brennan, Stephanie Lebowitz, Cathy Kenny Absent: Georgiana Ketcham Minutes: Stephanie Lebowitz Cathy introduced members and guest speaker Jacqui Lofaro of the Hampton LWV. Jacqui is a filmmaker and co-wrote/produced a film on the death penalty called “The Empty Chair”. She has been president of the Hampton League, State league, Southampton League and Suffolk League. There are 3 Interleague organizations in the state: Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester. The Suffolk League (meets in Riverhead) offers networking opportunities for members. Jacqui explained the functioning of the board. History: The LWV began as an outgrowth of the Suffrage movement in 1919. Its function was to help women become intelligent voters. In 1920 Cary Chapman Catt became the first president of the LWV. The items for attention grew from 3 to 33 and included social policies ie: child labor laws. The backbone of the organization is its non-partisan policy. It is a political organization but there is NEVER direct support for individual parties. Lobbying officials is an important function of the League, but must maintain a non-partisan approach and remain unaffiliated. The League holds candidate meetings for all candidates. Phyllis noted that the League on Shelter Island had been known as being a liberal organization and a discussion followed about how to change that especially considering the fact that we have many members from different political parties. We are the organization to belong to in terms of looking at many issues that affect us locally and nationally. The League has a strong natural resources position and all educational forums must present both sides. A discussion followed on how to bring forums to town (ie: water usage) in a non-partisan manner. Structure of the League: The two mandates of the League are educational and lobbying. The League has a position on clean water, but we must educate under League positions. Broad positions sometimes need mini- consensus from membership. We are able to lobby and advocate for anything the National/ State League has a position on. The League positions are all in a booklet called IMPACT ON ISSUES. Cathy will try and get copies for board members. We need to review our non-partisan policy and bylaws. How do we advocate for local positions? Idea is brought to Board. What are the issues? Trace back to larger issue. Someone is assigned to spearhead project. Sub-committee is formed to look at the issues. Get speakers for both sides. Have a members meeting to present the issues. We need a consensus meeting to either to either adapt or not adapt position. Only members can attend a meeting for consensus. This is not recommended for on-line voting. Meeting must be recorded then position is written. Then it can be lobbied for. We cannot lobby for any position that is anti-state or anti-county. Regarding environmental issues the Nature Conservancy and The Group for the East End are two groups we can coordinate with. When collaborating with outside groups we have to be careful of other positions that are not compatible to LWV positions. Structure of the Board: Can have off Board members for those members who are involved in specific political parties. Development for Special Events can be off board. There is a White Paper on Non-Partisanship. Everyone on the Board is responsible for membership and fundraising. 501 (C) (3) for Education Fund is tax deductible. The key jobs are: President Executive Vice-President Secretary/ Treasurer Specialty Jobs: VP for voter Services VP for membership Nominating chair
Prepared by Adam Gaus
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