Part I – Chapter 6
We are part of a national, statewide and local structure
In 1920, our founders formed an organization that corresponds to the three main levels of our government; thus, we have the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS), League of Women Voters Minnesota (LWV Minnesota) and local League of Women Voters (Local LWVs). We are all guided by the same mission which is implemented by each LWV with sensitivity to the unique characteristics of the area it serves. No two Leagues are identical.
At each level, LWV has officers and a board of directors elected by the members at the annual meeting or convention. The board provides direction and leadership for carrying out member decisions and ultimately is responsible for all LWV plans, activities and follow-through in three areas: organization and management; program (study and action); voter service/citizen education.
The LWVUS board consists of officers and directors. There is an executive committee (officers and one director) which meets between board meetings. Other committees are established for specific purposes such as convention planning, budget and program planning.
For LWV Minnesota and local LWVs, the bylaws outline the duties of the president and secretary/treasurer, but do not spell out specific tasks of other board members. This gives each board the flexibility to make assignments to best use the talents of every board member. While many LWV boards assign their members specific responsibilities (e.g., membership, finance, public relations, voter service, etc.), an increasing number have established three or four committees organized around their priorities. However your local League decides to structure its board, it should reflect the priorities and members’ needs.
Being a member of a local League, then, means you are part of a local League, a State League and a National League, all working together to fulfill our mission to empower voters and defend democracy!
How can you become a League member in Minnesota?
Refer to our bylaws under Section 1 (Eligibility) and Section 2 (Types of Membership). There are annual member dues, which are set at each local League level. These funds help to support the local, state and national League work.
Here’s how you can find your local League in Minnesota:
https://www.lwvmn.org/find-a-local-lwv
Here are additional inter-league organizations that work together on critical issues:
https://www.lwvmn.org/inter-league-organizations
Here are the services that LWVUS and LWVMN provide to local Leagues:
https://www.lwvmn.org/services-for-local-leagues
League Lingo
Here are terms that have special meaning to League Members:
ACTION: Promoting the League's positions on local, state, and national public policy to government officials, the media, and the public.
ACTION ALERT: A request to members, often by email or social media, from LWVUS or the state League to take action in support for a League position.
ANNUAL MEETING: Year-end business meeting of some mature local Leagues to elect officers and directors, vote on bylaws changes, and adopt a budget and program of work for the coming year. In Minnesota, our Leagues' fiscal years end in June.
CONSENSUS: The collective opinion of a substantial number of League members, representing the membership as a whole, after study and discussion of an issue. This is not the same as a vote of the majority, nor does it need to be a unanimously held opinion.
CONCURRENCE: Adoption of a position by one League with the position on an issue reached by another League. Concurrence is achieved by the consensus of members in a local, state or national League chapter agreeing to concur with a sister League.
CONVENTION: A state or national League meeting held in alternate years at which delegates elect officers and directors, adopt program, make bylaws changes, and adopt a budget. Local Leagues send delegates to state convention; local and state Leagues send delegates to national convention.
EDUCATION FUND: The affiliate of the national, state, or local Leagues that receives tax-deductible contributions to be used only for educational purposes, not for action on issues.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBER: A person who has been a member of the League for 50 years or more, who is granted lifetime membership without dues obligation.
MAL: Member-At-Large, a member who is not enrolled in a local League, but who is a member of the state and national Leagues.
PMP: Per Member Payment, the amount of money paid by local Leagues to our state and national affiliate on behalf of each member.
POSITION: A statement of the League's stance on an issue, arrived at through member study and agreement (consensus or concurrence), approved by the board and used as a basis for action.
PRINCIPLES: Governmental standards and policies supported by the League as a whole. Membership in the League is open to all who endorse the Principles, and the Principles constitute the authority for adoption of program at all levels.
PROGRAM: Selected governmental issues chosen by members at each level (local, state, and national) for study and action.
PROGRAMS: Plans for speakers, discussions, or other activities at League meetings.
SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE: Only the League president or her designee is authorized to speak for the League. Members are encouraged to take action on League topics as individuals without reference to their League affiliation. Action of federal issues is directed by our national affiliate. Action on state issues is directed by our state League. Action on local issues is directed by local chapters.
VOTER GUIDE: Nonpartisan publication giving candidate qualifications and positions on selected issues, as well as explanations of ballot questions.
VOTER SERVICE: Year-round activity to help people be politically effective and to encourage their participation in the political process. Registering voters and presenting factual, nonpartisan information on candidates and election issues are basic voter service activities.
VOTING MEMBERS: All League members who are residents of the U.S. and at least 16 years old.