|
About The League
Mission and Values
The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan 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.
The League is non-partisan and does not support or oppose candidates. Leagues do support issues and legislation but only after careful member study. League members register and mobilize people to vote. The League encourages citizens to participate in complex decision making processes that result in important public policy.
The League’s National Lobby Corps represents League positions on Capitol Hill, carrying the voice of League members to the corridors of Congress and the Administration. League members serve as official observers and election volunteers, and conduct civic participation training around the world.
League's Trusted Nonpartisan Reputation
The League of Women Voters is the most trusted not for profit organization in the United States. As such, loocal Leagues are often called upon to convene community issue forums as well as host candidate debates.
The League also works at local, state and national levels to generate democratic conversation among members, educate the general public and policy makers on pressing issues, and take concerted action to bring about social change.
The League structure enables all members to be community-based activists whose actions, by association, may well have national impact.
What others say
- Justice at Stake Survey: The League was ranked second, just after the Supreme Court, by participants in a national survey when asked to rate their assessment of people and organizations of impact.
- First Lady & UN Ambassador Eleanor Roosevelt: (about joining the LWV) "I was persuaded that women's suffrage was something that one needed to obtain many of the things I already believed in."
- Senator John McCain: (R-AZ) "On DNet, I was able to continually update my positions on multiple issues enabling voters to read my statements for themselves. I congratulate the LWV for using the Internet to reengage the public in the political process."
- The Honorable Representative Barbara Jordan: "For years the League of Women Voters has been THE institution concerned about informed participation by voters. The League has been engaged in educating us for democracy and because you have been at this for as long as you have, democracy is strengthened by your presence."
The League of Women Voters has stood for good government for over eighty years - no individual can take your place in helping us make democracy work. Join us!
Structure
The League structure parallels the three levels of government in the U.S.: national, state, and local. Following this pattern, we have a national organization in Washington, DC, that concerns itself with the Congress and federal government agencies, 50 state Leagues that focus on state legislatures and state government activities, and over 1000 local Leagues that concentrate especially on city and county affairs. There are also Leagues in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and a local League in Washington, DC. In some areas, local Leagues have formed regional groupings to address regional issues. At all levels the Leagues are governed by a volunteer president and board of directors.
Funding
The League of Women Voters of Polk County is funded through membership dues and contributions from our members and friends in our community. We hold a finance drive during the month of October. Although we are a non-profit organization, donations are not tax-deductible, unless earmarked to the The League of Women Voters Education Fund, which is the 501(c) (3) arm of our organization. All contributors receive our newsletter and are listed in our Membership Directory.
|
|
