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Scheduled Caucuses are listed on the LWVUS convention webpage

Information About Some of the Various Caucuses (provided by the sponsors):

• Election Reforms/Ranked Choice Voting - Fri 8-10pm: topics such as Instant Runoff Voting, Proportional Representation, and Redistricting. Sponsored by LWV Arizona and LWV El Dorado County, Calif. Contact Paula Lee at: Xaula.lee@comcast.net [replace the X with p]

• National Popular Vote - Sat. 8:30-10pm. See the LWVNY webpage for more information. Also see the National Popular Vote webpage. [Click on the link to check on the status of NPV in your state.] Sponsored by LWV Arizona, LWVNYS, and LWV El Dorado County, Calif. Contact Paula Lee at: Xaula.lee@comcast.net [replace the X with p]

• The UN in 2008 - Sun 8:30-10pm: Come and speak with the UN Observers about many of the efforts of the UN. These include efforts on prevention of climate change and prevention of infectious diseases. (Climate change efforts are one of the areas which require worldwide cooperation.) Most of the work of the UN protects us all. The areas of UN involvement and work span a tremendous range. It is not just peacekeeping. (But find out about some of the problems the UN has in establishing peace keeping missions.) Hear about some of the many problems tackled by the UN. Find out also about what your UN Observers do at the UN and how you might participate. Join a discussion on how Local Leagues and League members can be involved. Share your concerns and have you questions answered. Join the discussion.
  Doris R Schapira: Xoris.schapira@worldnet.att.net [replace the X with d]
  UN Observer, League of Women Voters US

• Running Uphill and Winning Monday 9-11 pm (after the banquet), Forum Suite: Participants will discuss biases and stereotyping, their effects on the campaigns of non-traditional candidates, and strategies for countering those biases and stereotypes. National Board and staff cordially invited. Send examples of stereotyping of non-traditional candidates to: Barbara Wardenburg, LWV Los Altos/Mtn. View Area, CA: barbXard@pacbell.net [replace the X with w]

• How Can the National League Become More Responsive to the Grassroots? Fri 8-10pm. We will examine the policies, procedures, communication methods, staffing, proposed bylaw changes, etc. to discern what needs to change in order to increase the national League’s ability to learn from, be guided by and respond to the grassroots. We welcome input and queries in advance of the Convention. Lori Dawson, Board, Saratoga County (NY) LWV: lddaXson@skidmore.edu [replace the X with w]

• Public Campaign Financing Reform Monday 7:30-8:45am. Call it Voter-Owned Elections, Clean Elections, or the Citizens' Election Program, each of these reform systems take big private money out of our campaigns and give typical residents a meaningful role in candidate selection. This effective, proven reform also increases competition, reduces special interest influence, and allows candidates with community support rather than private money donors to run for office. Full public financing reform programs have been changing "politics as usual" since 2000 in Maine and Arizona. In 2005, the Portland city council enacted Voter-Owned Elections and later that year voters in Albuquerque adopted the Open and Ethical Elections act. Also in 2005, the Connecticut legislature adopted its Citizens' Election Program. Similar programs are in place for a range of offices or on a pilot basis in North Carolina, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Vermont. Learn more about how these innovative reforms were enacted, typically with lots of help from the League of Women Voters and how they are working to put people instead of big donors into the political process. Moderators will be from the Portland League of Women Voters, but outreach is underway to enlist League members from all the jurisdictions with full public funding reform to attend as resource people. Carol Cushman, LWV Portland, Oregon: CXCRail@aol.com [replace the X with H]

• Vote by Mail Elections as used in Oregon Monday lunch time - LWV Portland will offer a visit to the Multnomah County Election Office for a Q & A with our Director of Elections during lunch on Monday for those who are interested. Sign-up at the League's “Information” table and meet in the hotel lobby, 6th Avenue entry, right after the plenary session adjourns. There will be a short walk to the bus and a bus ride of less than 10 minutes (bring exact change - adults $1.75, student $1.40, over 65 $.85 and ask for a transfer good for two hours); you can pick up lunch at a cart on the way to the bus (more info on food carts later). Vote by Mail was first approved for testing by local elections in 1981 and was made permanent for use in local and special elections in 1987. The first statewide Vote by Mail election was held in 1993 and a ballot measure passed requiring Vote by Mail for statewide elections in 1998. If you are interested in information now, visit our state elections web site where you will find a brief history and related studies. Carol Cushman, LWV Portland, Oregon: CXCRail@aol.com [replace the X with H]

• Federal Government and Education Fri 8-10pm. Contact Doris Petersen, LWV Palo Alto, CA: petersenXoris@earthlink.net [replace the X with d]

• Health Care Caucuses
  • Part I - Massachusetts Healthcare Reform: Miracle or Mirage? Sat. 9-10:30am. This session, hosted by the Sudbury, MA League, will focus on the realities of the frequently touted "Massachusetts miracle": its achievements, its pitfalls, attempted improvements in process, and whether it is sustainable.
  • Part 2-Healthcare Reform: Strategy for the Future. Sat 10:30 - noon. This session, hosted by the LWV of Tompkins County, NYS, will be devoted to strategizing what League members who want single payer, universal health care achieved in our nation can do to strengthen the efforts of the LWV towards this goal.
  • Sicko Sick Around the World Sat. 8:30-10pm. A Frontline documentary comparing health care coverage in various countries.

• Motherhood Manifesto Caucus Sun. 8:30-10pm. Hosted by MomsRising.org and sponsored by Seattle LWV
  Did you know that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation without some form of paid family leave for new mothers? When a baby or health crisis arrives, women often have to choose between the family they love and the job they need. The League CAN make a difference. Learn how from Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, 2008 LWV of Washington Good in Government award recipient, co-founder and Executive Director of MomsRising and co-author of The Motherhood Manifesto, accompanied by Katie Bethell, Seattle LWV member and MomsRising Campaign Director. *Come back from dinner on Sunday night to join us for dessert, refreshments, and conversation, compliments of MomsRising.

• Redistricting Position Concurrence Caucus Sat. 9-10:30am. Hosted by LWV VA and LWV Fairfax Co.
  The LWV-VA and the LWV of the Fairfax Area will host a discussion and Q&A session on their proposal that the LWV concur with the principles in the LWV-VA reapportionment and redistricting position. The Virginia position is more complete than most other state LWV positions. Concurring with its principles would add to the LWVUS position on apportionment most of the principles and standards adopted by the 2005 Redistricting Reform Conference in which the LWV participated. Leagues would have the opportunity to take action on this hot issue without taking on a two-year, expensive study. The caucus title is "Concurrence x 2" because the Virginia LWVs will also respond to questions about the LWVUS proposal to add a statement to the LWV Principles covering the judicial branch. This proposal was suggested by the Virginia LWVs during program planning. See further information and links under program proposals and at our website. National Board members are invited to attend.

• SMART VOTER Mon.7:30-8:45am. Launch Your Voters Service on the Internet
  Smart Voter excels in delivering local election information in an easy-to-use format. Recipient of the 2006 Voters Service Award and international acclaim, Smart Voter is now showcased in six states. Bring your League into the 21st Century by establishing Smart Voter in your community. FIND OUT: How much effort will it take? Who will do the work? How much will it cost? Increase LWV visibility. Give voters the information they need in the format they expect in today's fast-paced, Internet-connected world.

• Getting Serious About Climate Change: A Priority for the Country, A Priority for the League Sat. 8:30-10pm.
  Join members of the LWVUS Climate Change Task Force to discuss the League's role in addressing the greatest environmental challenge of our time. How has the LWVUS worked on climate change during the 2006-2008 biennium? What will be the League's legislative strategy going forward? What can state and local Leagues do to mobilize individuals and governments at every level to take aggressive action on this urgent and timely issue?

• A Citizen Assembly...An Independent, Non-Partisan, Public Process For Addressing Structural Electoral Problems such as Gerrymandering Sun. 8:30-10pm
  What are the results of “Independent Commissions” drawing district lines and public campaign financing? League leaders who fought hard for these reforms will tell you why having clean $ and an independent commission still does not ensure increased competition or representation. How can districts represent more voters instead of just one party? British Columbia convened a highly successful Citizens’ Assembly process that made recommendations for a modern electoral design that goes beyond winner take all single member districts. Get ideas for state or local studies that go right to the core of our LWV mission.
  Speaker: Rob Dickinson LWV South San Mateo County, CA
  Sponsored by LWV El Dorado County, CA. and LWV Arizona

• The Role of Men in Today's Modern League Mon. 7:30-8:45am
  The caucus will explore how unintentional gender discrimination could discourage men and other minorities from full participation. The workshop will look at how traditional League values may be in conflict with today's working men and women.
  Sponsor: League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County (Tampa, Florida)
  Caucus Leader: Michael McKinney, Past President of the Hillsborough County LWV. Michael (Mike) McKinney is professor emeritus with the University of Florida specializing in Public Policy and Leadership Development. He is the first male ever to be elected president of the Tampa League. During his leadership in Tampa the League expanded it membership by over 30% and was named the Most Innovative League in Florida.

• Bylaws: Better with Chocolate-- Saturday 8:30pm -10 pm
  The caucus will explain two proposed bylaws amendments--one short and sweet; the other a little longer. Chocolate will help. The first proposes the way in which state Leagues may lobby their own Congressional delegation without advance LWVUS approval on issues important to their state. The second, which includes the first, changes the wording in the Powers and Program sections, including handling resolutions. Details: See our Website
  Sponsor: The LWV of Connecticut (Hamden, CT)
  Caucus Leaders: Jara Burnett, President, LWVCT

• Bylaws: Better with Bagels--Sunday 7:30 am-8:45 am
  Have a bagel and discuss two bylaws proposals. The first proposes the way in which state Leagues may lobby their own Congressional delegation without advance LWVUS approval on issues important to their state. The second, which includes the first, changes the wording in the Powers and Program section, including establishing the handling of resolutions in a reasonable way. Details: See our Website
  Sponsor: The LWV of Connecticut (Hamden, CT)
  Caucus Leader: Jara Burnett, President, LWVCT

• Nuclear Arms Control and Disarmament Caucus - Sunday 8:30-10pm
  We will caucus on a resolution being proposed by the WA League to establish a task force on nuclear arms control and disarmament. Speakers will review impending threats, fragile agreements, and new bi-partisan signs of interest in the topic - all of which make this a critical moment for LWVUS to review its positions, educate its membership, and be alert to opportunities to act on this issue. Please join us!

• Creation of a Department of Peace & Nonviolence - Saturday 10-noon
  Proposal: The League of Women Voters of Wheaton, Illinois requests the LWVUS, with the support of the LWVIL, to adopt a Public Policy Position in support of the creation of U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence, as defined in HR 808. Adoption of this legislation would create a cabinet level Secretary of Peace and would elevate the Institute of Peace to be on par with, and sister agency to, West Point and Annapolis. With this structural change in our government the root causes of both domestic and international conflicts would be addressed pro-actively at the earliest stages using demonstrated effective best practices.

Permission granted for LWV members to reprint for LWV purposes with attribution so long as you clearly state that the material is unofficial.

Barbara Wardenburg - barbward@pacbell.net
a member of the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area, CA
2 Apr, 2008, revised 16 May 2008

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