THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
"In the League of Women Voters we have an anomaly: we are going to be a semi-political body. We want political things; we want legislation; we are going to educate for citizenship. In that body we have got to be non-partisan and all-partisan. Democrats from Alabama and Republicans from New Hampshire must work for the same things."
These words of Carrie Chapman Catt at the League's founding in Chicago in 1920 are still our guiding principle. And herein lies the contradiction for some people. By taking stands on issues, based on our study and consensus, we are seen as partisan by many. Partly that's because there are those who feel that taking a stand on issues is partisan, not just political. And partly that's because, as one Board member put it recently, many of the actions we take are based on positions arrived at in a different time, a time when our positions were more mainstream than some of them are now.
Does that mean we should reexamine those positions? We should always be looking at our positions and asking if they are still relevant. That's the purpose of program planning, which we did on January 18th. (I hope you were able to be there.) And that's why at our annual meeting we look at all our positions and determine whether we should keep them, discard them, or look at them again.
The Board reviews the LWVMP Nonpartisan Policy at the first meeting of each new Board. Article II, Section 2, of the LWVUS Bylaws states that "the League may take action on governmental measures and policies in the public interest. It shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate." Our Nonpartisan Policy Statement, which is in Section III of your Handbook, begins with that quote and goes on to say, "The reputation and credibility of the League are dependent upon the clear understanding of the community, the League members, and the Board members of our Nonpartisan Policy." The Policy then expresses in some detail what that means for us.
Why am I talking about all this? Our nonpartisanship always comes up at election times, and we've been discussing it a bit at our Board meetings. So I've been reviewing the documents we have on the subject as I try to learn and grow as your president. And since I have to come up with a message for you each month, it seems appropriate to share with you what I'm learning. But beware! A study of the Bylaws is next on my list.
See you at "Lunch and Learn with the League" on February 8th as we learn how we can improve health care for all Californians.
Marilyn Maxner, President
