Location
LOCAL PROGRAM PLANNING
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 29th at 7:00 pm
2022 LOCAL PROGRAM PLANNING
LWV OF HIGHLAND PARK/HIGHWOOD
LOCAL PROGRAM PLANNING PROCESS
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022
VIRTUAL MEETING
Only with input from our members will we have a viable and exciting action oriented program to move us forward in influencing public policy in Highland Park and Highwood.
At this meeting, we’ll go over our local positions in their brief form – asking if we retain/restudy/drop each position by category. The more prepared you are, the faster the process will go, and the fastest way to update yourself is to read over our positions prior to the meeting. We’ll limit discussion as necessary to stay within the time frame. We do not have a formal observer corps, but we do have several members with specific expertise in policy areas that will attend the meeting to share insights on various positions.
WHAT HAPPENS AT PROGRAM PLANNING?
1: REVIEW OUR CURRENT POSITIONS, determining whether:
A. the goals addressed by the position have been met;
B. there is still member interest, understanding, and agreement on the item;
C. the position is still relevant.
2: MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON CURRENT POSITIONS as follows:
A. RETAIN - continue to act upon the current position as is;
B. RESTUDY/UPDATE - modify or change all or part of a current position (A position restudy/update requires a study. The entire position is reviewed and no action on the position can be taken until a new position is approved);
C. DROP - eliminate a position from the League's agenda.
3: MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A NEW STUDY AND/OR A NEW ACTION FOCUS ITEM:
- NEW STUDY: Local Leagues study an issue to educate members on a public policy issue as a prelude to action. A new study is only necessary if there is no League LWVIL or the LWVUS position on the issue;
- AN ACTION FOCUS: An action focus recommendation is appropriate if there is an existing local, national or state position. It can combine citizen education and advocacy. A local action focus implies concerted effort to develop an action plan to influence local public policy.
PLEASE NOTE: When deciding to recommend a new study or action focus we should be guided by the careful consideration of the League’s resources needed to accomplish any item(s), relative to the interest and commitment of its members. All studies or action focus means on-going League involvement and activity on the item. It is therefore particularly important for Leagues to consider new items in the context of its local program and activities and its own willingness or ability to participate. So when evaluating a new study idea of proposed action focus, consider the following key questions.
a. Does our League have a strong and broad member interest in the issue?
b. Is our League willing and able to work on the issue?
c. Is the issue of wide interest?
d. Will timing and political realities permit effective League action?
e. Is League involvement likely to make an impact?
f. Is there an existing state/national position that can be used as a basis for action? If yes, an action focus is needed. If no, a new study is needed.
WHAT RESOURCES WILL HELP YOU COME UP TO SPEED ON HIGHLAND PARK/HIGHWOOD’S POLICY POSITIONS?
Essential to our local Program Planning are the Highland Park/Highwood LWV Local Positions. Our positions, both the long and short forms, can be found on our website – www.LWVHP.ORG. – including the dates of first adoption and updates.
Please feel free to contact Program Co-Chairs Barbara Lippai (BGLippai [at] Gmail.com) or Carole Kohn (CaroleKohn [at] aol.com) to help develop your ideas for a study or action item or if you have any questions.
* In League lingo “program” refers to selected governmental issues chosen by members at the local, state and national levels for study and action.
