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49TH NATIONAL CONVENTION: 90 YEARS OF MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK The LWVUS came into its 90th Anniversary meeting with real momentum in advocacy, visibility, member recruitment, fundraising and dedication to making a difference on issues we care about at local, state and national levels.
On opening day of the five-day meeting in Atlanta there were 826
Leagues from 45 states and the District of Columbia, 551 voting delegates, and
over 200 members from Leagues who were observers. The agenda was ambitious and
the days were packed with plenary sessions, workshops, caucuses and
opportunities to network on topical issues. Saturday evening was the fundraiser
for the local league – a delightful and educational one-woman show. Programs adopted for the 2010-2011 Biennium FEDERAL ROLE IN EDUCATION: This study will focus on the role of the federal government in public education policy-making, with possible consideration of funding, common standards and/or governance relationships among all levels of government. PRIVATIZATION: This policy
agenda to transfer government functions, services and assets to the private
sector. Concurrences Adopted POSITION ON ARMS CONTROL: The position will amend and update the Arms Control position. MARRIAGE EQUALITY: LWVUS supports equal rights for all under state and federal law; supports legislation to equalize the legal rights, obligations, and benefits available to same-gender couples with those available to heterosexual couples; and supports legislation to permit same-gender couples under civil law. NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE COMPACT (NPVC): Words to be added to LWVUS position on selection of the president: “We support the use of the National Popular Vote Compact as one acceptable way to achieve the goal of the direct popular vote for election of the president until the abolition of the Electoral College is accomplished”. RETAIN ALL CURRENT LWVUS
POSITIONS: LWVUS will retain all other current LWVUS Positions in the areas of
Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources, and
Social Policy. Resolutions Approved - to support travel restrictions for Americans going to Cuba; - to support safe drilling and mining for energy; calls on Board to communicate with the President and Congress putting them on notice that Leagues across the country are deeply concerned about this issue; - to call on Senate to change its rules and limit the filibuster; - for Board to advocate for bills that legislate improved Medicare for all; - to highlight the need for Oil Spill action and responsibility for mitigation. In addition to other action, the Board has approved a slight increase in the PMP (Per Member Payment) to $29.60 for 2010 and $30.00 for 2011-2012, the budget for LWVUS and its Education Fund was approved, and the Nominating Committee presented and approved its slate by unanimous consent. Ventura County was singled out in the workshop on Redistricting as being “a League that knew what it was doing and did it right”. You can imagine how proud we delegates were to have name badges with LWV VENTURA COUNTY in big letters! In addition, LWVCalifornia won The Strengthen Democracy Through Reform Award. Please consider being a
delegate to the next Convention in 2012 in Washington, D.C. It is a grand
opportunity to learn, be inspired, and interact with incredible women and men
from all over the country.
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