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Date: 5/1/2020
Subject: LWVCO Board Briefings
From: Ruth Stemler



Board Briefings

NOTES FROM THE 4/18/2020 LWVCO BOARD MEETING

  • Plans are underway for a Virtual 2020 Council Meeting on May 30 (register here).The format will include Zoom video conferencing and online polling for motions and resolutions.
  • LWVUS Council will be also be virtual – further information to follow.
  • The Nominating Committee completed a slate of Board Officers and Members to be presented to 2020 Council.
  • The board approved minor changes to the bylaws to be presented at the 2020 Council.
  • The board approved the selection of a facilitator to work with the incoming board and staff to improve communication.
  • Additional Revised Policies and Procedures were approved for:
  • Board of Directors Duties and Responsibilities
  • Non-partisanship
  • Local League, state League Unit, and Member at Large definitions
  • Conflict of Interest and Loyalty
  • IT Usage and Training
  • Independent Audit
  • Financial Review by the Board
  • Financial Responsibility
  • Purchasing
  • Expense reimbursement


COUNCIL REGISTRATION REMINDER

League of Women Voters members and guests are invited to attend LWVCO's video conference Council taking place on Saturday, May 30th. Council is a biennial event usually held in person, but because of the COVID-19 crisis, the format is changing this year and we are using Zoom.us videoconferencing technology. The session will be password-protected for security purposes; the link and password will be sent upon registration.
 
Attendees may register as either a "Delegate" or "Observer," and that role determines how you may participate. Please coordinate with your local League when determining how each person will be attending.
 
Date: May 30th
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Cost: $0
Deadline to Register: May 18th
 
 
Prior to the meeting, all Delegates are asked to review the Council Workbook in detail, as they will be asked to vote on multiple measures.  Attendees may also participate in optional practices sessions on May 28th. See below for registration information:
 
 


Alternative Voting Methods
The Alternative Voting Methods committee has worked long and hard to ensure the position proposed on voting methods up for adoption at national convention by concurrence is accurate. LWVCO adopted a broad and general Voting Methods position in 2017.  We were happy to see a similar position under consideration for adoption at the national convention this year.  However, we had concerns about one statement.  After much discussion, the proponents have agreed to remove the problematic majority requirement from the proposed position.  LWVCO is delighted now to be a partner in the proposed concurrence effort. 
 
Speaking with One Voice: Alternative Voting Methods
Position In Brief - Voting Methods: Support authorizing and implementing alternatives to plurality voting that improve the election experience, encourage honest voting and consider ease of implementation (Positions for Action, p. 11).  For the complete position, see Positions For Action, p. 19.

The League of Women Voters of Colorado supports implementing alternative voting methods but does not support or oppose one alternative voting method over another. Local Leagues are encouraged to use the above position and choose for themselves which form of alternative method to use if there is member understanding and agreement within their League. Local Leagues will need to study the alternatives to determine which is best for their jurisdictions.

If the proposed action of a specific local League does not affect another League, the League is free to choose which alternative voting method or methods are better for their area. However, when the action of one League affects another League jurisdiction, they must either develop a position between the two within the guidelines of the current position or be silent as representatives of the League. 

“Speaking with one voice” is a most important concepts within the League; only the concept of alternative voting methods can be supported as stated in Positions for Action. Local Leagues must align their actions with state League position. Positions were adopted by consensus of League members throughout the state and are the guidelines we are to use. 

League members may work on an alternative voting method when there is no position on which one but cannot identify themselves as representing the League.

At the state level when legislation is introduced on alternative voting methods, using our position cited above, we will decide whether we support the legislation or not. At this point we can only support legislation that provides for alternative methods. We don't want to limit jurisdictions that might wish to try different alternative voting method. If we want to decide on a specific alternative voting method for the state, we will have to do a study.
For this legislative session (2020) this is a moot issue. Due to what will ultimately be a truncated session, legislation on alternative voting methods is highly unlikely to be introduced. We will, however, continue to attend meetings on the topic of alternative methods. We will continue to push for legislation that is permissive and aligns with the LWVCO guidelines and position. 

League Joins Efforts to Support Funding in 4th COVID-19 Stimulus
LWVUS has actively been supporting additional measures for inclusion in the next emergency funding stimulus bills related to the coronavirus. The provisions the League support cover $4 billion in elections funding, economic measures, access to broadband internet, support for the classification of the District of Columbia as a state, and support for families in need of financial or healthcare assistance no matter their immigration or economic status. (You can find more information in The League Update, April 23.)
LWVCO: Since the LWVUS supports these items, in your conversations you are free to talk about what work the League is doing in these areas. 
 
Initiative 271
The League of Women Voters of Colorado supports Initiative 271 - Policy Changes Pertaining to State Income Taxes, a petition drive for the 2020 Ballot. Initiative 271, a measure being powered by the Fair Tax Colorado campaign, will undo decades of unfair tax policy and help put Colorado on the road to recovery by lowering income tax for 95% of Coloradans. It will also make sure schools and other public investments have what they need to provide critical services to our communities by asking the top 5% of Coloradans to pay a little more, Initiative 271 can help families rebound economically, protect Colorado’s communities from even more pain, and finally establish the fair tax code we need. (Colorado Fiscal Institute)
While the petition drive is on hold due to COVID-19, the following are steps you can take now.
 
 
 
Redistricting and Census
 The state budget will need to be cut about $4 billion. What does this have to do with redistricting? A couple of million was proposed to set up the redistricting process; at this point we do not know what will happen to this money when the cuts begin. Redistricting is mandated and needs to be funded but will this be at a level adequate for commissioners and staffs to do their work. Supporters of good redistricting methods see adequate funding as essential. More than $2 million is needed for this effort.
In addition, the US Census Bureau has requested a change in deadlines for the collection of census data. The extension would go beyond the original August final deadline. This means that the data that goes to the governors to be used in redistricting will be delayed by a few months as well. The Colorado redistricting proposals have specific dates in them with some controlled by the Colorado Constitution. How do the commissions and state work with this significant discrepancy? 
The Joint Budget Committee will receive and hear a revised revenue forecast on Tuesday, May 18. We will get a better picture of the outlook for Colorado at that time and for issues of importance to the League.


League Definitions
 
As was communicated through the Board Briefs in March, the Board of Directors of the LWVCO has been updating our Policies & Procedures. One aspect of the P&P for Local League, State League Unit, and Members at Large Definitions we would like to highlight is the requirements of a local League which come directly from LWVUS.  Please take time to review the definitions and assess where your League stands.

In addition to the requirements outlined below, the Secretary of State asks all tax-exempt organizations to have a Conflict of Interest Policy as well.

Local League must (per LWVUS requirements):
Have bylaws, the first three articles of which should be consistent with those of the LWVUS. The remaining articles must provide for democratic procedures.
Establish and maintain a nonpartisan policy
Hold an annual meeting of the membership
Hold regular board meetings
Meet its financial obligations (per member payment) to the state and national levels of the League and adopt a financial plan for sustainability and for carrying out the League’s mission to its community
Have a plan for membership growth and retention that encourages a membership as diverse as the community
Act in ways that are consistent with League principles, positions and policies
If there is an area that your League needs to address, you can access sample governing documents on the LWVCO website. If you need further assistance, please send us an email at info@lwvcolorado.org.


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