The League, in both its values and practices, affirms its belief in and commitment to diversity and pluralism, which means there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the League on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, national origin or disability.

The League recognizes that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision-making. The League subscribes to the belief that diversity and pluralism are fundamental to the values it upholds and that this inclusiveness enhances the organization's ability to respond more effectively to changing conditions and needs.

The League affirms its commitment to reflecting the diversity of Moscow in its board and programs.

Position Statements and Local Studies

The League is strictly non partisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political--working to influence public policy through education and advocacy.

The goal of the LWV is to empower citizens to shape better communities world-wide. The LWV is a nonpartisan political membership organization which:
 

• acts after study and member agreement (consensus) to achieve solutions in the public interest on key community issues at all government levels.
• builds citizen participation in the democratic process.
• engages communities in promoting positive solutions to public policy issues through education and advocacy.


League of Women Voters of Moscow holds positions on the following areas of continuing responsibility:  

• Activities for youth and intervention for troubled youth
• Stewardship of Moscow Mountain, Section 16
• School-Age Child Care
  

---

League Studies

Each year, members of each league are invited to propose a study of a problem in the local community that would benefit from League’s attention and support. Members propose these studies to the Board in March of each year. The Board then votes to either recommend acceptance of the proposal for the study or recommends denial. At annual meeting each year in May, the Board then asks the members who have proposed the study to lead a discussion on the pros and cons of undertaking the study, describe the resources that would be needed, and suggest an approach to carrying out the study. Generally the person who proposes the study, also should expect to chair the committee that is formed. A vote is then taken of the membership on either to accept or deny the proposed study. During the next year, the committee will bring speakers before the league members; sometime hold a public forum on the issue; and will document the problem.

Consensus Process

After the study has been completed, the committee will then present the information to the members of the League, explain its conclusions, propose a position on the problem, and ask for consensus on that position. A majority of the membership must agree in order for league to be able to adopt the position. If the study is not finished in one year’s time, a continuance of the study is asked for at the annual meeting in May.

Concurrence Process

When another League at a state or local level, has done a study, gotten consensus on a position within their own group, and then wishes other Leagues to support that position, they will request a concurrence with their position on the study. They will supply the other leagues with their documentation and other supporting materials such as video presentations or slide shows, and sometimes will come speak to other Leagues about their study. The Leagues will then review the information given to them and if they agree with the conclusions and the position, will give concurrence to that position. Those Leagues who have concurred, can then use those positions to address problems in their local communities.

Taking a Position

The League takes a position only on issues which we have studied. No position is taken on a study unless it is evident that there is a wide area of agreement among the membership. At each annual meeting, the study and the position on it, are brought before the membership for review. If the position still speaks to the issue effectively, then it is voted to be retained as a “continuing responsibility.” If the issue for which the position was taken, no longer exists or if the study is no longer applicable to it, then the position can either be retired, or it can be voted on for re-study in order to bring it up to date.

Programs

At each annual meeting, there is a discussion of the programs which the Moscow league will adopt for action or special attention during the coming year. Local Leagues automatically adopt programs which have been selected by the LWV of the United States and by the LWV of Idaho for action. But local leagues can also select programs for action at their local level. Generally this means that League will write letters to local officials, testify at hearings, invite speakers to address the problem in a public forum, develop coalitions with other groups working on the same issue, and generally try to resolve the problem through active and informed advocacy. Each of the programs are either basic functions of League or League has position statements to support action on them.

League of Women Voters Priority Programs for 2004-2005

Voter Education and Registration. With the recent passage of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), there are new laws of which voters should be aware. At every opportunity League will be educating our citizens on these new laws. Through our Student/Parent Mock Election in the Fall, we will help our young people learn the skills needed to vote responsibly and knowledgeably when they become adults. League will continue its efforts to register people to vote by setting up voter registration booths at a variety of locations and events.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). League will be following the ordinances being proposed for the Latah County Comprehensive Plan to regulate CAFOs. Based on League positions on Natural Resources and on Land Use Planning, we will be writing a statement regarding CAFOs to the Latah County Planning Commission.

The Security and Freedom Ensured Act (SAFE Act) of 2003. The SAFE Act, US Senate Bill 1709 proposed by Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), is being supported by the LWV of Idaho (LWVID). The proposed SAFE Act addresses some of the most problematic provisions of the US Patriot Act.

Idaho Open Government Coalition (IDOG). This coalition, which includes LWV of Idaho, is a new, non-profit, broad-based coalition for open government in Idaho. It will partner with Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and the Idaho Association of Counties to better educate local government officials about Idaho’s open meetings and public records laws. Beginning in the summer of 2004, seminars are planned throughout the state, and League will be active in arranging for those seminars.

Day-Care Licensing. As part of a cooperative effort with Kootenai County LWV and American Association of University Woman (AAUW), the Moscow League will explore the possibility of proposing legislation in 2005 for the licensing of day care by the State of Idaho.

Judicial Independence. LWVID has prepared video tape programs and written material to educate the electorate about problems with the current process of electing judges—what are the principles of judicial independence and what might be some possible alternative methods for judicial selection.

Education Position, LWVID. LWV of Moscow will be undertaking a review of the LWVID position on Education to determine its relevancy to modern-day realities of education, including charter schools, virtual academies, and home-schooling.



---

Last Revised 07 June 2009

Return to LWV of Moscow, Idaho, Home Page