PROPOSED PROGRAM: The League's Two Different Modes of Operation

I. VOTERS SERVICE AND CITIZEN INFORMATION

The LWVUV will continue to provide citizens with unbiased, factual information, on either a regional or local unit basis, for reaching their own decisions. It will encourage citizens to be informed, be involved, register, and vote.

II. ADVOCACY: Local Public Policy Positions 2006-2007

A. Current Agenda/Advocacy

Representative Government
Promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive. (See Impact on Issues, LWVUS.)

Quality of Information Consensus: May 5, 2003
Voters need information that is accurate, timely, readable, clear, and reflects differing arguments. Information for voters should be formatted for ease of comprehension and should use maps, charts and graphs to supplement the printed word. Local governing bodies have usually devoted extensive time and resources to studying proposals before they are submitted to voters. Voters should be kept abreast of deliberations and given opportunities for input during the decision-making process. When a local governing body recommends a proposal to voters, it should provide background information to explain:

• Who favors the proposal
• Why they favor it
• How they evaluated various arguments.

International Relations
Keep League members and the community informed on selected international issues that are related to League positions. (See Impact on Issues, LWVUS.)

Natural Resources
Promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest by recognizing the interrelationships of air quality, energy, land-use, waste management and water resources. (See Impact on Issues, LWVUS.)

Social Policy
Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans. (See Impact on Issues, LWVUS.)

B. Continuing Responsibilities

These are local items which have been studied, on which consensus has been reached and which are kept available to us for the purpose of taking action when needed.

Conflict of interest Consensus: April 6, 1988
Support for the adoption by each Upper Valley municipality of a setup guidelines to deal with conflict of interest situations. Included in the Leagues guidelines are: (1) a definition, (2) and informational form for identification of potential conflicts, (3) a method, within a specified time frame, for making challenges to objectivity, and (4) a means to resolve challenges.

Growth Management Consensus: November 21st, 1980; renewed by concurrence, 1988
Support for active citizen participation in planning growth for the Upper Valley, using a variety of growth aids; encouragement of close cooperation between the towns and major institutions; and encouragement of inter-community coordination and regional planning.

Recreation Consensus: May 10th, 1978; renewed by concurrence, 1988
Support for public recreation in the Upper Valley with maximum use of all existing resources; co-operation and coordination between recreation departments, schools, and private organizations; early public input for planning, evaluation, and priority-setting in recreation; special attention to the acquisition of recreational land and/or facilities with consideration of all cost factors.

The Board of Directors, with the regular advice of all the members, is engaged in a continuous effort to evaluate both the program and the structure of the League of Women Voters of the Upper Valley so that we may most effectively serve one another and the public.

Other items on the agenda are a Budget for the coming year and a Slate of officers and directors. Both these were mailed to members in the most recent issue of Voter Highlights. If you need to see a copy, contact: voterinfo@uppervalleyleague.org.