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| LWV Purpose and Policy Officers Calendar Unit Officers LWVDC Programs and Activities On-going League Activities What’s What in the League Publications |
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LWV Purpose and PolicyMISSION
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. VISION, BELIEFS AND INTENTIONSThe goal of the League of Women Voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide. Democracy is a promise, not a guarantee. It is a promise that each of us, as citizens, makes to one another. To participate. To debate. To vote. We in the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia are determined to engage in this struggle, and we are determined to strengthen the democratic process in our city. CONTINUING NATIONAL GOALS:
LWVDC OFFICERS 2000–2001BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERSPresident, Elizabeth M. Martin (4/01), 3601 Connecticut Ave. NW, #518, DC 20008;
537-3043; 966-0642 fax elizmmartin@worldnet.att.net
ELECTED DIRECTORS (2 years)Sheila Keeny (4/01) (IR Co-Chair & Unit Director), 3600 Albemarle Street NW, DC
20008; 966-1692; 966-1692 fax, SSKeeny@aol.com APPOINTED DIRECTORS (1 year)Sheila Willet (Office Manager + DNet), 2034 B 17th Street NW, DC 20009; 588-1734, SAWillet@aol.com NOMINATING COMMITTEEJoan Domike, (Chair), 4200 Mass. Ave. NW #304, DC 20016; 966-3865, adomike@pressroom.com NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA LVW (LVWNCA)President: Naomi Glass (202) 686-0124, 5533 33rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES (LWVUS)1730 M Street NW, DC 20036 (202) 429-1965 President: Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins LWVDC CALENDAR 2000 - 2001Note: Watch your DC VOTER for additions and changes
UNIT OFFICERS 2000 - 2001League Units are groups of members who meet regularly to discuss and reach consensus on government issues that make up League programs. The determining Unit feature may be geography (neighborhood, broadly defined) or time of meeting. All Units welcome League members and guests from any neighborhood, either as occasional visitors or as regular members of that Unit. UNIT DIRECTOR Sheila Keeny 966-1692
LWVDC PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIESRESOURCE COMMITTEESResource committees are made up of interested League members who study selected areas of League program and report their findings to the members for discussion and consensus. Once consensus is reached and a position taken, LWVDC informs voters and takes action to influence legislation and its administrative implementation. The work of a resource committee does not end with consensus. Some meet regularly as a group to study new developments and recommend action as appropriate; in other instances, a single member monitors an element of League program. Committees welcome new members, whether making a continuing commitment or to help occasionally. If you have interests or skills to contribute in any of the program areas listed, call the Committee Chair, a Board member or the office. DC GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS (LOCAL PROGRAM)Chair: Anna Marsh 554-7719, 1253 Delaware Avenue, SW DC 20024 EDUCATIONCo-Chairs: Gladys Weaver 554-3055, 1362 Fourth Street SW, DC 20024 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (NATIONAL PROGRAM)Co-Chairs: Sheila Keeny 966-1692, 3600 Albemarle Street, NW DC 20008 ON-GOING LEAGUE ACTIVITIESVOTERS SERVICECo-Chairs: Guy E. Coriden 232-0759, 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Apt. 1301, DC 20008 MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT (MOVC)Co-chairs: Elaine Melmed 363-8764, 4727 30th Street NW, DC 20009 DNET (DEMOCRACY NETWORK)Administrator: Sheila Willet 588-1734, 2034 B 17th Street NW, DC 20009 DC VOTEREditor: Sheila Willet 588-1734 BROWN BAG SEMINARSPatricia Hallman 829-8852, 1312 Geranium St. NW DC 20012-1706 Held over the noon hour the fourth Monday of the month, these seminars explore a variety of issues such as the status of criminal justice system, health care and voter participation with experts in the fields. MEMBERSHIPChair: Vacant HEALTH ISSUES LIAISONSue Whitman 966-8754, 3973 Harrison St. NW, DC 20008 CHILDREN'S ACTION COMMITTEEJoan Domike 966-3865, 4200 Mass. Ave. NW #304 20016 KNOW THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAChair: Jeanette Miller 362-1203, 2841 Tilden Street, NW DC 20008 FUND RAISING/DEVELOPMENT/FINANCE DRIVEChair: Carol Ragsdale 265-6758, 1954 Columbia Road, NW #203, DC 20009 PRIVATE ELECTIONSChair: Elizabeth Yancey 726-1929, 1762 Redwood Terrace NW; DC 20012 BED & BREAKFASTChair: Christine Matthews 269-3890, 1218 Kearney Street NE, DC 20017 PUBLIC RELATIONSChair: Elizabeth M. Martin 537.3043, 3601 Connecticut Ave., NW #518, DC 20008 OFFICEManager: Sheila Willet 588-1734 BUDGETChair: Susan Rao 636-1688, 1620 Hamlin Street NE, DC 20018 ARRANGEMENTSChair: Elaine Melmed 363-8764, 4727 30th Street NW, DC 20008-2110 LWVDC EDUCATION FUNDThe LWVDC Education Fund may finance projects which provide the public with information about governmental issues and concerns without promoting a particular point of view. It may also support service to voters and sponsor candidates' debates. It never intervenes in any political campaign. Among the publications it may finance are: Know the District of Columbia, the informational series Facts & Issues, Voters Guide produced at election time, the ABCs of the DCFRMAA, and ABC's ....XYZ's A Tour Through D.C.'s "Revitalization" Legislation of 1997. The LWVDC Education Fund has been granted 501(c)3 status by the Internal Revenue Service; contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible. What’s What in the LeagueACTION: The League acts to develop public support for League goals and to influence governmental decisions by supporting policies, budgets, comprehensive plans, etc. that implement League positions. Action is based on decisions made by informed members. This is what sets the League apart from other organizations. The fact that we are members of the LWVUS and LWVNCA as well as of the LWVDC makes us a powerful constituency. ANNUAL MEETING: Annual meetings of the membership are held in the spring for the purpose of electing officers and directors, adopting the LWVDC budget and program, and updating by-laws. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The elected officers and the elected and appointed directors make up the "Board" of the local League. The authority for the League operation rests with the Board. Members usually assume specific duties; they also share in the overall responsibility of the Board for the operations and financial integrity of the LWVDC. CONCURRENCE: When appropriate, a League may concur with a position reached by other League entities without duplicating the complete study and consensus process. CONSENSUS: This is the technique most often used for reaching member agreement. Neither unanimity nor a simple majority, it is the overall "sense of the group" as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions. Consensus is always based upon study and leads to action. CONVENTION: Delegates from local and state Leagues meet in even-numbered years in National Convention to decide on program, budget, officers and by-laws. Convention 2000 was held in Washington, D.C. COUNCIL: LWVUS Council meetings are held in odd-numbered years in Washington to adopt a budget, review progress, give direction to the Board and take care of emergency business. DUES: LWVDC dues, $45 for individuals, $60 for households and $20 for students, are set by members at the Annual Meeting. LWV OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA PROGRAM 2000 -2001: The May Convention adopted a two-year study on Transportation/Land Use and decided to continue its focus on Water Resources and D.C. Revitalization. The National Capital Area (NCA) is an organization of Leagues in the metropolitan area who work jointly on regional issues. MEMBER: Any U.S. citizen of voting age who accepts the purpose of the League may become a member of a local League by paying the dues set by that League. Membership in LWVDC automatically confers membership in the LWVUS and the LWVNCA. POSITION: Statement of governmental policy supported by the League on the basis of member consensus following careful study. Positions form the basis for League action. Local and regional positions are printed in Where We Stand; national positions are published in Impact on Issues, regional positions are also published in LWVNCA Annual Meeting Workbook. PRINCIPLES: League principles provide the authorization for adoption of national, state and local program. PROGRAM: Those governmental issues that League members choose for concerted study and action comprise League program. It includes both adopted positions upon which action is taken and issues for study that will lead to a position and action. UNIT COUNCIL: The monthly meeting of Unit Chairs or their representatives with the Unit Director to learn of Board action, exchange information and prepare for Unit meetings. Unit Council provides a conduit between the Board and Units. LWVUS PROGRAM 2000-2002 The LWVUS Convention 2000 continues its programs under the general rubric, "Making Democracy Work." The League pursues both education and advocacy. In this biennium League positions in the International Relations area will be reviewed, including updating of the positions on trade and the United Nations. Additionally, there will be a two-year study of national drug policy and, subject to outside funding, a study of systems to elect legislative bodies and executive officers. The Convention directed that the League's position on the District of Columbia be amended to support "the restoration of an annual, predictable federal payment to the District to compensate for revenues denied and expenses incurred because of the federal presence." Further, support for DC voting representation in Congress remains in the basic program. LWVUS lobbying of Congress on selective legislative issues will continue to be pursued. PublicationsPublications of the League of Women Voters of the District of ColumbiaThe DC VOTER: Monthly newsletter of the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia. Published 11 times per year. $2.50 per issue or $25.00 for non-members. Published 11 times per year. KNOW THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Rev.ed.1986, 130 pp. Illustrated) Out of Print. Is available through the CAPACCESS program, an online computer retrieval service at the public library. Consult the Washingtonians Division, Martin Luther King library. Being updated. LWVDC HANDBOOK 8 DIRECTORY, 2000-2001. September 2000, 8 pp. WHERE WE STAND. DC League positions on Governmental Issues. Rev. ed. 1996, 19 pp. $1.00 to members; others $2.00 plus mailing costs. INTERNATIONAL ISSUESTHE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION: ANTECEDENTS AND PROSPECTS, Summarized by Janet Burmester. March, 2000, 6 pp BEYOND PEACEKEEPING: THE U. N. AND THE USE OF FORCE. Published by the DC/LWV Education Fund. Excerpts from presentations made at the second in a series of panel discussion on the United Nations, November 22, 1993, 4 pp. UNITED NATIONS TREATIES IN TROUBLE: UNITED NATIONS UPDATE. Spring 1999, 4 pp. DC GOVERNMENT ISSUESTHE ABCs of DCFRMAA (DC Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority.) September 1995, 6 pp. ABC's .....XYZ's A TOUR THROUGH D.C.'s "REVITALIZATION" LEGISLATION OF 1997. March 1998, 27 pp. FACT SHEET: FULL VOTING REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. April 1999, 4 pp. TWENTY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: VOTING REPRESENTATION FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVING IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL. April 1999, 6 pp. CHRONOLOGY, GOVERNANCE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. April 1999, 4 pp. *THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S FINANCIAL CRISIS: BACKGROUND PAPER. LWVNCA, February, 1998, 4 pp. *D.C. REVITALIZATION. LWVNCA, April 1999, 6 pp. OTHER LOCAL ISSUESSHORT HISTORY OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT, March 2000, 2 pp STATUS OF THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, September 1999, 4 pp. *DRINKING WATER SUPPLY IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA: PROSPECTS AND OPTIONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. Water Supply Task Force, LVWNCA, February 1999, 33 pp. $2.00 plus mailing costs. *Publications of the League of Women Voters/National Capital Area (LWVNCA) League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia Design and Production: Sheila Willet and June Dukes (September 2000) |
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