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2013 LWV OhioLeadership Training
The LWV of Ohio, 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.
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Part I: The Cornerstones of LWV
Why, oh why, are we here?
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political
organization…
…that helps make democracy work!
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Nonpartisan– always and forever!
A LWV neither supports nor opposes a
political party or candidate……. Never, not no-how, not nowhere,
no!
But why not?
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“Political” - What does that mean?
Plus… It’s to LWV’s advantage to have politically active members. Why?
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Why is it important that your League’s nonpartisan policy be
current – and be reviewed / approved every year?
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Are there limitations or restrictions that LWVs must
follow when….…informing and encouraging active
participation in government?
…increasing understanding of major public policy issues, or
…influencing public policy?
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“Positions” are the cornerstones of our voter-service, voter-protection and advocacy
work.
What are “positions”? Where the heck do they come from?
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A STUDY: the method used to create and
update policy positions.• All 3 levels of League do this.
• Local League studies are the heart of Leagues and the action they take !
• How else might they benefit a League?
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CONSENSUS: How League decisions are reached.
• Consensus is the overall sense of the group as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions.
• Win-win situation; everyone’s ideas are considered and discussed.
• Consensus does NOT mean unanimity nor is it simply a majority.
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Or by CONCURRENCE: Adopt another League’s
existing position. LWVUS can concur w/ local / state
position. State can concur w/ local / other
state’s. Local can concur w/ other local or
other state’s position.
Note: Use with caution! The “parent” position and supporting research must be fully understood and applicable at the adopting level.
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We operate as a 3-tier organization.
LWVUS Positions & Principles• Can be used for advocacy by what Leagues?
LWVO Positions• Can be used for advocacy by what Leagues?
Local League Positions • Can be used for advocacy by what Leagues?
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Part II: Taking ACTION
The Rules of the Road - # 1• The LWV always speaks with one
voice!• Who is the League’s
spokesperson?Why?
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# 2: “Notty” Issues about ACTION!
• Local League boards may choose not to respond to a particular US or OH call to action. • BUT local boards may not take action in opposition to a LWVUS or LWVO position.
Individual LWV members are free to take whatever action they wish if they do so….
- in their own name;- do not speak for the League; and- are not limited by the nonpartisan
policy.
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Taking ACTION: Rules of the Road # 3
Sometimes preparing to take action requires consultation with other Leagues.
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Consultation with a neighboring LWV(s) is
required if …
…one League’s action would affect another League / affect something in “their” turf.
Example?
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Consultation w/ LWVO is required if…
…a local League plans an action that would involve contact with state government officialswhere the state League has not requested or taken action.
Example? Why?
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Consultation w/ LWVUS is required if…
…a local/state League plans an action that would involve contact with federal government officials
where LWVUS has not requested or taken action.
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But wait – there’s another important thing
to consider: #4 LWV: The incredible two-headed org! Operating Fund: 501 (c) (4) Education Fund: 501 (c) (3)
Who cares? What’s the difference?
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LWV – Operating Fund……is the nonprofit entity known in
IRS lingo as a 501(c)(4) that –• accepts donations that are not tax deductible. • conducts and funds lobbying
activities.
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A LWV’s Education Fund…
…is a 501(c)(3), a charitable organization funded by tax-deductible donations, that
can conduct/fund research on public policy issues,
can undertake educational and voter-service projects, and
can advocate – but not lobby—on issues.Goal: to provide voter services / info to Ohioans – and can be used for some membership activities.
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Okay – we’ve got the organizational basics down. But remember: League Lingo (and acronyms) can be really
confusing….How many ways do we use “position” in
League Land? “Program”?And beware of League acronyms!!
*
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Part III: All this takes leadership – and you’re part of the leadership team!
Uh-oh…? You will be managing: - Information - Time - People
Now what??? Where to begin?
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Tip 1: Learn all you can about your job (whether it’s new to you or a ‘repeat’).
How? What resources
can you tap?
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Including – understanding the board’s function. The
board…• Sets priorities and goals for the organization.• Sets and follows policies.• Carries out overall planning and decision-
making.• Supports membership, development,
advocacy and visibility activities.• Promotes the LWV in the community.• Safeguards LWV’s reputation for
nonpartisanship.• Has overall fiscal responsibility for the LWV.
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It’s the board’s responsibility to promote LWV “Best Practices”
• Have bylaws, the first 3 articles of which = LWVUS’. The rest provide for democratic procedures.
• Establish / maintain a nonpartisan policy. • Hold an annual business meeting of the
membership. • Hold regular board meetings. • Meet financial obligations (per member payment) to
LWVO and LWVUS.• Adopt financial plan for sustainability & carrying out
the League’s mission. • Work to increase membership and promote diversity. • Act in ways that are consistent with League
principles, positions and policies. *
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Key LWV Resources
• Best Practices for Leagues• Nonpartisan Policy• Speaking for the League• Best Practices: Voters’ Guide & Candidates’ Debates / Forums• Joining a Coalition• Conflict of Interest• Diversity Policy
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Tip 2: Herding Cats - Board and Committee
Meetings
What strategies do you recommend?
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Effective Board / Committee Meetings• Written – timed -- agenda sent out ahead of
meeting. • Begin / end on time. • Parliamentary or at least business-like
procedure. • Written reports, motions and background
material sent (and read and understood) in advance.
• Full attendance or prior notification if unable to attend.
• Full discussion / consideration of proposals – all voices heard.
• Policy-making at board mtgs / committee work at committee mtgs.
• Minutes taken for reference and sent out ASAP. • Clear assignment of responsibilities.
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Minimizing Bored Boards / Cmtes
- KNOW each other!- HAVE FUN and HAVE FOOD!!- Avoid wasting each other’s time. - Focus on solutions, not the problem. - HAVE FUN and HAVE FOOD!! Examples?
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Tip 3: Another key to success -
Develop the all-important annual calendar!
Uh?
What’s an annual calendar?
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An annual calendar helps boards:
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Tip 4: A member does not need vast League
experience before s/he can be a League leader.
No – you’re kidding! Why not?
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Tip 5: Respect your own (and others’) limitations!There’s no room for martyrs—or for thosewho bite off more than they can dobut don’t tell anyone. Delegate!
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Tip 6: Steps to Delegation
- Review the assignment.- Organize the task into manageable
pieces.- Recruit (enthusiastically)!- Explain how the assignment fits
into the total program/it’s value.
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Tip 7: Grow, Innovate and Improve• Treat every new – and old -- LWV activity as an opportunity to “do over.”• Question the status quo.• Send all – including yourself – searching for new ideas.• Add adventure and fun to everyone’s work.
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Tip 8: Make it safe for others (and yourself) to
experiment.
• Don’t automatically discard ideas that sound strange.• Honor your risk takers.• Model risk taking.• Debrief every “didn’t work” as well as every success.
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Tip 9: Achieve Small Wins that promote consistent
progress and build commitment.
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Tip 10: Celebrate LWV accomplishments regularly!
• Schedule celebrations – regularly.• Be an enthusiastic supporter of others – and have a support team!
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Bonus Tip: Yourconfidence and genuine enthusiasm for the LWV will bereflected in the
board’sand members’
attitudes.
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-THE END -
Thank you to LWVUS for providing material used in
this presentation.