We are truly a grassroots organization...
The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause. 
Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.
Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.
It is the consensus statement -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.
LWV is a Multi-Issue Organization
The League of Women Voters is a multi-issue organization with positions on public policies that range from voters' rights to the environment, to healthcare, to housing and criminal justice, and many more! To learn more, check out our LWVUS Impact On Issues booklet. It includes the official statements of position for each program area, briefly traces significant past actions and achievements, and indicates links among positions. The LWVUS public policy positions reflect the 2016-2018 program adopted by the 2016 convention of the League of Women Voters of the United States; the "positions in brief" listed there summarize the official statements of position included in this guide. Updated following biennial convention.
Read the online version. Printed copies are also available for purchase on Amazon.
Streamlining that Works!
For a printer friendly-version of the League's Streamlining Local League Advocacy form,
click here. To learn the answers to some common myths about action in the League, check out this form.
