From left: Eleanor Goodge, Joni O'Connor, Elaine Blodgett, Linda Kaiser, Rachel Brekhus in front of Rachel's iMac
Issues and Committees
Monthly Unit Meetings and other League Events & Meetings: An Introduction
The League neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political, working in the public interest to influence public policy through education and advocacy. It is the original grassroots citizen network, directed by the consensus of its members across the country.
As League Members, we register voters and publish voter guides. we serve as poll watchers, deputy registrars, and moderators of political debates and discussions. Through the League, our members are encouraged to learn to testify before governing bodies, use the media to express political opinions, hold town meetings, take part in visible community activities. We talk politics to friends, write letters and emails, lobby, circulate petitions, take polls, conduct interviews. We prepare ourselves to deal with controversy, get to know elected and appointed officials, work through coalitions, observe, monitor, and litigate.
A more detailed look at the local issues that form the focus of LWV-Columbia Boone County's discussion, study and action may be found on the Local Program page.
The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.
The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizens' right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.
The League of Women Voters believes that every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.
The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing and cooperation among the different agencies and levels of government.
The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation aned development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies that facilitate the solution of international problems.
The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems, and that the development of international organizations and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.
Local Board Officers, 2007
From left: Eleanor Goodge, Joni O'Connor, Elaine Blodgett, Linda Kaiser, Rachel Brekhus in front of Rachel's iMac
Local Board, 2002
From left: Jo Sapp,
Liz Schmidt, Elaine Blodgett, Marci Lower, Win Colwill, Joni O'Connor,
Eleanor
Goodge, Eleanore Wickersham, Lael Von Holt. (Photo taken November
19, 2002
at the Fall State League Conference in Sedalia, MO)
The League is working on issues such as:
VOTER SERVICE - Through candidate and issues forums provides the public with accurate, non-partisan information.
HEALTH CARE - Every U.S. resident should have access to a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost.
REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE - The League supports the right to privacy in reproductive choice.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM - To build citizen participation and confidence in government.
COLUMBIA'S POWER SUPPLY - Support energy conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy sources. Please see the League's Statement in Support of Renewable Electricity for Columbia from April 2004.
EDUCATION - Study education innovations such as charter schools, and visit local schools and colleges.
CHILDREN AT RISK - Support efforts to support the health, education and positive life choices for local children and teens.
COUNTY LAND USE PLANNING - Support comprehensive planning for Columbia and Boone County.
As we work on various issues, we often form committees of interested members. Right now our committees are beginning to post their own information on the new LWV Committees website. The first committees to post substantial informtion there is the Energy Matters Committee and the Civil Liberties Committee.
Opportunities For Personal Growth:
Opportunities For Community Involvement:
Because, just as "freedom isn't free," Democracy isn't free.
Eligibility
Male OR female, if you are eligible to vote, you are eligible to join the League of Women Voters of Columbia, Boone County. (Wasn't that easy?) If you don't live in Boone County and want to find a League that is closer to you, look for a local league at the National League's State and Local Leagues Page.
QUESTIONS?
See our Membership Information Page. More questions? call LWV at 256-2803 or email LWVCBC@gmail.com
WANT TO JOIN?
Contact our Membership Chair, Linda Brown (email: katfishkaty@tranquility.net).
For more information on LWV, please see the National and State League Websites.
The National
League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters of Missouri
The monthly "Unit Meetings" form the heart of League participation for members. This is where we learn what committee members are learning and doing, where we reach consensus on issues the League has been studying, and sometimes even the occasion for a "field trip" to tour a local school or other place in the community. Members and visitors may attend any of the three monthly meetings. Each Unit Meeting has a different regular meeting time. Choose any that suits your schedule.
For the exact date and venue of this month's Unit Meetings, please check the Calendar. Note that we do not normally hold Unit Meetings during the summer or during the month of December, and in some months, we combine both unit meetings.
If you plan to attend a meeting at a member's home, please let the hostess know you are planning to attend. Check your LWV directory or the phone book for numbers. Questions about monthly unit meetings, or want to attend but not sure who's hosting? Call Unit Chair Midge Pinkerton, 445-2052.
Other
League Events
The League of Women
Voters maintains a community presence by attending local events, sends
members
to League meetings across the state of Missouri and the nation in order to learn what is being studied and what is being pursued at the state and national levels, and to give input. The League may enter coalitions and
work with
groups promoting political goals the League supports. See our
LWV-Columbia-Boone County Calendar for future monthly
unit meetings, general meetings and other events.
The League of Women Voters of Missouri Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity whose primary purpose is community education. Donations to the LWVMO Education Fund are tax-deductible. This fund supports things like advertising of League Voter Service and Issue Forums in which League positions are not presented; get-out-the-vote publications, posters, banners, etc.; and distribution of educational materials to schools and libraries. Money donated to the Ed Fund is not used for lobbying or presenting League positions on issues.
The League of Women Voters is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization whose primary purpose is community education. Donations to the LWV of Columbia Boone County are not tax-deductible. Money donated to LWV-Columbia Boone may be used for lobbying or presenting League positions on issues, including public forums and/or publications in which the League's positions on issues are presented.
Donations may be made by cash or check at League events, or mailed to the Treasurer.
Contact: Joni O'Connor, joni@h2oc.com
Bequests
Over the years bequests large and small have played a critical role in providing for League's immediate needs and inspiring Leagues to undertake new projects and challenges.
A gift to the League of Women Voters of Missouri Education Fund (LWVMOEF) qualifies for a federal estate tax deduction and will support the League's citizen education and research efforts. A bequest can be an ideal way to honor a loved one or to support particular League activities in perpetuity.
Including the League in your will can be as simple as adding a codicil or amendment to your current will. The following is suggested language for your lawyer to use to draft a bequest to the LWVMOEF.
| "I bequeath to the League of Women Voters of Missouri Education Fund, a charitable trust formed in the State of Missouri, with offices at 8706 Manchester Road, Suite 104, St. Louis, MO 63144, (specify gift amount or property)." |
If you would like to specifically remember the Columbia-Boone County League in your will, you can make your bequest to the LWVMOEF and further specify that the gift is to be used for the citizen education and research activities of your the League of Women Voters of Columbia-Boone County. The gift will be transferred to your League's LWVMOEF account to be used for appropriate educational purposes.
Contact: Joni O'Connor, joni@h2oc.com
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