Action and Advocacy

League of Women Voters^®
of the Hamptons

A genuinely grassroots organization.

Advocates for action. Action Alert. Priorities. Green Tips.

Action and Advocacy. 2011 Priorities. Green Tips from LWVH Natural Resources Committee. Issues We've Studied.

Action and Advocacy

The 18 LWVH members attending the County League's November 7 post election brunch participated in a review of new NYS paper ballots, privacy sleeves and scanning machines. Left to right are Joy Cordery, Joanne Samborn (hidden from view), Glorian Berk, Naomi Epstein, Julia Kayser, Libby Hummer, Elaine Sorrentino, Barbara Jordan, and Susan Wilson, who made the brunch arrangements for LWVSC. Also attending were Estelle Gellman, Arlene Hinkemeyer, Mireille Lister, Ursula Lynch, Anne Marshall, Carol and Richard Mellor, Ann Sandford and Jerry Korman.
Democracy in purest form: how LWVH decides action priorities
The national and state leagues have many positions. LWVH cannot actively advocate on all of them each year. Instead, we annually choose which issues to make our local league's priorities. Local members' opinions and ideas are considered before voting -- democracy in its purest form. At the same time, we communicate our opinions of which issues we would like state and national Leagues of Women Voters to focus on.
Consensus process determines issues to support
As a grassroots organization, we base our advocacy on positions adopted through a consensus process. Members decide to study an issue, form a committee to explore it and then reach consensus on a position. We adopt positions on the national, state, county and local levels. Topics of recent consensus meetings include immigration, support for the National Popular Vote initiative and the council-manager model of town government.
Consensus reached to support Council/Manager model for Towns' government
A "members only" general meeting was held to form a consensus on the critical issue of improving local government, perhaps by using an alternative to the present Supervisor/Council model. Before that, a subcommittee of the Government Committee extensively researched the pros and cons of a town government based on the council/professional manager model. Their information was shared with the membership through articles published in various issues of The Voter

This chart details the results of the government Committee's Spring 2009 study of expenses under the present form of council government: government committee study
Should We Support the National Popular Vote Compact?
On April 13, 2009, LWVH held a members' meeting to see if consensus could be reached on the issue of the National Popular Vote Compact Initiative. Other Leagues in New York State held similar meetings, all using the same set of questions. The result is that while consensus could not be reached within the Leagues responding, results indicated that 50 percent of participants were in favor, 25 percent were opposed and 25 percent could not reach consensus.
How local priorities are implemented
At our annual Program meeting, areas the LWVH will pursue are presented by and discussed among the members. Members' ideas are considered by the Board, which decides on a strategy for action during the year. For example, after discussion of the impact on local residents of the 2008/2009 economic turndown, we agreed to take steps to educate the public about services available -- especially those for the elderly, children and the needy.
Then the various committees develop plans to put ideas into actions, e.g., by sponsoring a public forum or developing an advocacy plan. Regarding the above example, in June, the Health Committee sponsored a public forum featuring representatives from the Suffolk County Health Department and the Towns' (East Hampton and Southampton) Human Services Departments, who described available resources.
We sponsor community meetings and debates. Once our league reaches consensus on a position,we lobby our politicians to support that position. Here, Carol Mellor (left) and Glorian Berk lobby Assemblyman Fred Thiele in March 2010 regarding his position on LWVNYS-proposed reforms in election law, ethics, campaign finance and redistricting.

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How you can participate
If the civic issues that affect our lives interest you, consider joining the League of Women Voters. Working with other members, you can educate yourself, help develop positions, and gain opportunities to advocate on those issues you think are important. If you are already a member, why not join the committee that works on the issue most of interest to you? And do try to attend our public meetings addressing quality of life issues in our East End communities. Democracy is not a spectator sport.

2011 Priorities

LWV Hamptons Priorities
-- Good Government
-- Affordable & Accessible Health Care
-- Energy & Environment
LWV New York State 2012 Legislative Agenda
Election Reform
Improve election processes to extend, encourage and protect voting, including paperless and Election Day registration, betterballot design, improved polling place management/poll worker training, and measures to ensure the integrity of all ballots.
Campaign Finance Reform
Support lower contribution limits, increased disclosure and public financing. Support stronger and more effective campaign finance enforcement with increased civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Health Care
Support affordable and effective health care for all New Yorkers.
Natural Resources
Support protection and management of New York's natural resources in the public interest.
Other League Positions
The League also has positions on the Judiciary, State Finances and Social Policy under which we can and do take action.

To obtain free multiple copies of the LWV NY Legislative Agenda in brochure format, please contact the New York State League office at 518-465-4162 or e-mail lwvny@lwvny.org
LWV United States 2011 Priorities
Representative Government
Promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.
International Relations
Promote peace in an interdependent world by working cooperatively with other nations and strengthening international organizations.
Natural Resources
Promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest.
Social Policy
Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans.

Green Tips from LWVH Natural Resources Committee

Tips for a greener lifestyle

Issues We've Studied

Issues Put to a Consensus Meeting
Should the Towns Consider Alternative Models of Government?
Before voting at a "members only" general meeting to form a consensus on the issue of improving local government, a subcommittee of the Government Committee extensively researched the pros and cons of a town government based on the professional manager model. Their information was shared with the membership through articles published in various issues of The Voter
This chart details the results of the government Committee's Spring 2009 study of expenses under the present form of council government: government committee study
Should We Support the National Popular Vote Compact?
On April 13, 2009, LWVH held a members' meeting to see if consensus could be reached on the issue of the National Popular Vote Compact Initiative. Other Leagues in New York State held similar meetings, all using the same set of questions. The result is that while consensus could not be reached within the Leagues responding, results indicated that 50 percent of participants were in favor, 25 percent were opposed and 25 percent could not reach consensus.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: February 19, 2012 16:46 PST.