LWVCT Proposed Amendment to Proposed Rule 10.1—Procedure for Resolutions

Additions are underlined; removals are [in brackets].

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A.  Resolutions may be presented for consideration.  

B.  In order to present a resolution:

1. The language of the resolution shall have been sent to all leagues by the maker of the resolution at least four weeks prior to convention.
2. The maker of the resolution shall be a registered Convention delegate at the time that notice of the resolution is sent.
3. The notice of the resolution shall include:

a)     Background information including the pros and cons of the issue presented by the resolution.

b)     Explanation of the rationale for using this form of member understanding and agreement.

 
C.  Four weeks prior to Convention, the President of the LWVUS Board of Directors shall appoint a resolutions committee consisting of two members of the LWVUS Board of Directors and three registered convention delegates who [have either served on the LWVUS Board] are currently serving on either [or] a state League board or a local League board. The parliamentarian shall serve as an ad hoc member of the committee.

 
D.  The Resolutions Committee shall meet on Saturday to consider whether resolutions [meeting] meet the conditions described above in Section B. [also meet the following criteria:

1. The resolution is consistent with existing League Principles and positions;
2. The resolution does not circumvent the Program Planning process,
3. The resolution involves specific, single, short-term action,
4. The resolution addresses a topical issue,
5. The resolution is likely to have a measurable impact on the outcome of the matter which is the subject of the resolution,
6. The maker of the resolution has secured permission of any League whose member of Congress is the target of the resolution, and
7. The resolution can be implemented within existing resources of the League.
   The maker of the resolution may make a presentation to the committee.]

E.  The Resolutions Committee shall make a written report of its findings. The chair of the Resolutions Committee shall announce the committee’s findings to the Convention at the outset of the Sunday plenary and the written report shall be posted and distributed for consideration of the delegates.   All resolutions meeting the criteria described in B shall be presented to the delegates.

F. Motions to adopt resolutions must be made at the Sunday plenary. The President may rule a motion out of order. The delegates may override, by a two-thirds vote, the decision of the President regarding the motions.

G.  Debate and action on resolutions shall take place immediately after action and debate on proposed program. A majority vote is required to adopt a resolution.

Rationale

This amendment offers a light touch in providing guidance to Leagues in the process for proposing resolutions--guidance which has not been available in past conventions.  It  offers a way for the League to respond to concerns that may have arisen after the program planning deadline,  to remain nimble in addressing emerging concerns related to our League positions, and  to help ensure that our organization remain a relevant, energetic force in the future. It also suggests a way to inform convention delegates about proposed resolutions before arriving at Convention.  Some of the most stimulating discussions at past conventions have been elicited by resolutions. This proposal has grown out of numerous discussions with League leaders around the country, at Council 2007 and through additional correspondence.

The resolutions committee members should be selected from those currently serving on League boards in order to benefit from their active involvement in current League issues and from experience in League leadership. Local League board members should be eligible for selection because many local Leagues provide the same opportunities for development of leadership skills as state Leagues.

The charge to the resolutions committee should be limited to an administrative function, as outlined in Sections B and E (as amended) and should not preempt the role of the delegates in considering and debating resolutions, nor seek to limit the content of resolutions. The crafting and processing of resolutions that meet the requirements of 10.1 B demonstrate commitment and forethought. The delegate body should be allowed to consider all qualified resolutions.

Because resolutions committee members are, by definition, delegates to the LWVUS Convention, they have the same opportunity as any other delegate to address resolutions during the debate session.

Items 1-7 of Section D should be eliminated because the criteria would restrict, rather than promote, delegate debate. Some criteria are too restrictive, some too ambiguous, and others too arbitrary.   

PRO:  increases grassroots participation, provides a process that promotes member understanding, allows grassroots to identify emerging issues; allows more flexibility in the scope and content of proposed resolutions than current proposed rule.

CON: places a burden on the maker by requiring advance notice; may make convention planning more complex.
 

LWVCT

May 2008

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