First Call to Convention 2010

From LWVUS President Mary G. Wilson

National Program Planning 2010-2012

1. Review the LWVUS Program Planning Leader's Guide 2009-2010.  Program planning response forms must be submitted electronically by March 1, 2010.
2. The Convention Preparation Discussion List, which includes program planning, is available for members.  (click here to login and subscribe).
3. In March 2010, the LWVUS Board will formulate the 2010-2012 Proposed Program, based on League responses.
4. The Convention 2010 combined Workbook /Program, which will include the 2010-2012 Proposed Program, will be available online and email notices sent to Leagues by April 30, 2010. Printed hard copies will be distributed at Convention.
5. Convention 2010 delegates will adopt the official LWVUS Program for 2010-2012.
   

More Information on Program Planning: Proposed Program for 2010-2012.

Proposed Amendments To The Bylaws

1. Review current LWVUS Bylaws.  LWVUS Bylaws are posted in the “For Members” section of the LWVUS website, www.lwv.org.  Click here to get to “Essential League Resources” page.  The Bylaws section is on the right-hand side of the page.
   
2. Bylaw amendments must be submitted and approved by a state or local League board.  Bylaws amendments must be submitted by the president, co-president or team leader. Individuals may not submit bylaw amendments. 
   

   After your board has reached agreement, submit your proposed amendment(s) to the bylaws with the following information:

   • Your League name and state, and your League file number
   • Your name and title (president, co-president or team leader)
   • Your daytime telephone number and e-mail address
   • Your signature/authorization as local or state president, co-president or team leader
   • Indicate the specific Article and Section being amended
   • Quote current bylaw and your proposed changes
   • Provide a rationale for each amendment
   • Use  [ ] brackets to denote words to be deleted
   • Use  ____  underlining to denote words to be added

   Example of Proper Bylaws Proposal from Convention 2006 (Adopted)
   Article II
   Purposes and Policy
   Section 1. Purposes.  The purposes of the LWVUS are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation [of citizens] in government and to act on selected governmental issues.

   Proposed by LWV of Minneapolis (MN422)

   Rationale (provided by LWV of Minneapolis):  In our community and all across the country, there are thousands of immigrants who are not yet citizens. We, as the LWV, work with them to inform them about democracy and prepare them to be good citizens. Even if a resident is not a citizen he or she has a right to understand the system and to take action to ask questions of their school board members who direct the education of their children. This is true for other local officials who daily impact the lives of residents. 

3. PROPOSALS will be considered ONLY if they are properly worded and received by March 1, 2010. Send proposed amendments
   
   

   By mail:	Kelly McFarland Stratman LWVUS Bylaws Committee 1730 M Street NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20036-4508
   By fax:	202-429-0854
   By email:	KMcFarland@lwv.org

   
   
4. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly McFarland Stratman, Bylaws Committee staff, at 202-263-1311 or by e-mail, KMcFarland@lwv.org.
5. The Convention 2010 combined Workbook/Program, which includes proposed amendments to the bylaws, will be available online and email notice sent to Leagues by April 30, 2010.  Printed hard copies will be distributed at Convention.
6. Convention 2010 delegates will vote on any proposed changes to the LWVUS Bylaws that are submitted by the deadline and are moved during the Plenary.

More Information on Proposing Bylaw Admendments.

Election of Officers and Directors

The Nominating Committee will present its slate of LWVUS officers and directors and members of the Nominating Committee in March 2010, based on recommendations submitted by the September 30, 2009, deadline.  The combined Convention Workbook/Program will include the Nominating Committee report.  The Nominating Committee report will be presented to the convention at the first plenary session on Saturday, June 12th. 

More Information on Election of Officers, Directors and Nominating Committee.

Adoption Of LWVUS/LWVEF Budgets For Fiscal Year 2010-2011

1. The LWVUS/LWVEF Budget Committee will submit draft budgets to the LWVUS and the LWVEF Boards in March 2010.
2.  The proposed LWVUS/LWVEF budgets for fiscal year 2010-2011 will be included in the combined Convention Workbook/Program that will be available online and email notice sent to all Leagues by April 30, 2010.  Printed hard copies will be distributed at Convention.
3. Convention 2010 delegates will adopt the LWVUS budget.  The LWVEF Board of Trustees will adopt the LWVEF budget at its first meeting after convention.

Delegate Representation

LWVUS Bylaws Article IX, Section 2 provides the following:

Official membership counts shall be determined by national office records of voting members as reported to the national office in the membership count in January of the year in which the convention is held. The convention shall consist of:

1. Delegates chosen by the members of local Leagues; each local League shall be entitled to at least one delegate; when local League membership reaches 100 voting members, the local League shall be entitled to one additional delegate; thereafter one additional delegate shall be authorized for each additional 100 voting members;
   
   For Example
   1- 99 members = 1 delegate
   100-199 members = 2 delegates
   200-299 = 3 delegates....
2. Three delegates chosen by the board of each state League; when state member-at-large membership reaches 100 voting members, the state League shall be entitled to one additional delegate; thereafter one additional delegate shall be authorized for each additional 100 voting members-at-large;
3. One delegate chosen by the board of each recognized ILO; and
   
4. The members of the national board..

Delegates’ Qualifications And Voting

The LWVUS Bylaws, Article IX, Section 3, states that:

“All delegates shall be voting members of the League.  Each delegate representing a local or state League shall be entitled to vote only if that League has met its per member payment responsibilities.  The national board may make an exception in the case of proven hardship.  No delegate shall be entitled to more than one vote and absentee or proxy voting shall not be permitted.  Final determination of a delegate’s qualifications or credentials shall be made by the convention.”