Remember to click your browser's "refresh" button on each of these convention pages so you get the latest revision.
Bookmark this page now because the URL is not easy to remember.
A First Time Delegate's Guide to Convention
CONVENTION WORKBOOK ONLINE
Every delegate must have a Workbook at Convention. Your League will be mailed the number of Workbooks equal to the number of delegates to which you are entitled. The Workbooks will be mailed to the address on file with LWVUS for your League. If you are up-to-date, that will be your League's office, P. O. Box, or President's home. I prefer to download and print a copy of the Workbook. I separate the sections and put them in a 3-hole binder according to subject along with other information I have gathered on that subject. At Convention you will receive a Convention Program booklet at the time you get your delegate badge. The Workbook and Program Book are essential items.
CONVENTION DISCUSSION LIST is now open. Go to the Convention section of the LWVUS webpage and sign up.
DEADLINES:
MAY 22 - register before this date to get the special hotel room rate.
MAY 23 - deadline for early convention registration - after May 23 add $50
MAY 30 - convention registration will be handled only at the door
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM
Click on the link above to read what LWVUS is recommending that the delegates adopt as Program for 2008-10.
RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR RESOLUTIONS
[Click on the link above to see the entire text of proposed Rules 10 and 10.1]
At Convention the delegates adopt the "Convention Rules and Procedures." "...proposed Rule 10 governing adoption of program has been clarified and a proposed rule 10.1 has been added, providing an opportunity for Leagues to present resolutions at Convention. In response to the requests we received from delegates to Convention 2006 about receiving advance notice of resolutions coming to Convention, the proposed rule provides that any potential resolutions (along with background information) be sent to Leagues [by a registered Convention delegate] four weeks in advance of Convention."
If you are going to propose a Resolution I will post it here with your explanation. However, posting it here will not satisfy the "sent to all Leagues" requirement. Any League may request, once a year, a list of contact information for every League. A list sent by email is free; mailing labels cost $10. My understanding is that there are no more than 10 Leagues in the U. S. without an email address. Great news, eh? Makes 1994 seem like ancient history. Contact LWVUS Field Service for the list: 202-429-1965. Think of a way to send your email to Leagues so that you have some proof of sending. (I am a super cautious person.)
SLATE OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
There will be a "Meet the Candidates" Mon. 7:30-8:10am (for the slate) and 8:10-8:45 (for "from the floor" candidates, if any)
CONVENTION AWARDS (see LWVUS webpage for details)
CONVENTION SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
DELEGATES TO CONVENTION
See "Convention Preview" in the Convention section of the LWVUS webpage
WARES MART TABLES (your "office")
There are a limited number of tables available, on a first come, first served basis and the cost will be $100 to reserve a table. For more information on reserving a table in the wares market, please contact Lauren Frank (202-263-1355.) Remember, if your League pays the $100 you can share a table with another League (and share the cost and table minding). Ask Lauren if you will have wall space on which to hang posters. You may sell things at the Wares Mart, have a display, or use the table as your office if you need a place for your "committee" to meet, pick up messages, and hang out. Go to the last page of the Convention Preview to see the hours that the Wares Mart will be open.
For a reservation form contact Lauren Frank at lfrank@lwv.org . Or ask your president for the form which was included in the Preview packet she/he received. Check the Program page to see if volunteers are needed to staff tables. This is a great way to meet people.
CAUCUS ROOMS and Information about Scheduled Caucuses
Caucuses are meetings organized by convention delegates. I will publicize your caucus on this webpage after you have reserved a room.
If you would like to have national Board and staff members attend your caucus you must invite them. Their policy is to not attend caucuses unless specifically invited. That doesn't mean a written invitation to each, but it does mean that your caucus description should indicate that Board and staff are invited - unless you don't really want them at your caucus. It's your call. (And even if you invite them they may not be able to attend because they have many more meetings than do the delegates.} My own feeling is that you shouldn't ask a national Board or staff member to speak at your caucus unless you ask them in advance to speak. And that includes asking them to explain or defend something. Please don't put people on the spot.
PROGRAM PLANNING and PROGRAM PROPOSALS
AMENDMENTS TO LEAGUE PRINCIPLES
CONTACTS
FUN IN PORTLAND
Sign up for tours. See the LWVUS Convention webpage for a tour registration form.
OFFICERS
President – Mary G. Wilson, New Mexico (continuing member)
1st VP – Elisabeth MacNamara, Georgia (continuing member)
2nd VP – Judy Duffy, Minnesota (continuing member)
Secretary/Treasurer – Elaine Wiant, Texas (continuing member)
DIRECTORS
Judy Davis, Tennessee (continuing member)
Nancy Eitreim, Washington
Stephanie Johnson, Arkansas
Mary Klenz, North Carolina
Janis McMillen, Kansas
Marcia Merrins, New York
Norman Turrill, Oregon
Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti, Florida
Nominating Committee [2008-10]
Robbie Davis, California, Chair
Pamela Goodman, Florida
Carolie Mullan, Texas
Sandra Powell, Nebraska
The Budget Committee proposea an increase of $1.20 in the 2008-9 PMP and another $1.20 in the 2009-10 PMP. If you do not want to see an increase in the PMP be prepared to say in what area of the budget you would make cuts. $1.20 x 67,726 (# of members) = $81,271. The Budget Committee will have done its homework and the delegates will expect that you, too, have done your homework. If your League is going to propose to increase or decrease (or add) a budget line item I will post that on this webpage. You must include contact information so other members can discuss your proposal with you.
Remember that there are two budgets, LWVUS and LWVUSEF. The LWVUSEF (Ed Fund) budget is given to us for information only. We are not members of LWVUSEF and we (delegates) do not vote on the LWVUSEF budget. But you need to look at both budgets to get a true picture of expenses since LWVUS and LWVUSEF share office space and some staff.
National Board members on the Budget Committee are listed on the LWVUS webpage. The Budget Committee will submit a draft to the national Board at its March, 2008 board meeting.
If you are submitting a program proposal please think about the funding necessary for your program item and request that funds be included in the proposed budget.
Please contact me if you have material about Convention that you would like me to add to this page.
Please do not link to this page without permission
Permission granted to League members to reprint for League 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
October 4, 2007, revised 11 May 2008