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Program In Action 2005-2007

Introduction
PROGRAM IN ACTION is designed to help League Leaders make effective use of state program. It is a brief summary of studies, consensus and action taken by the League of Women Voters of Washington since the 1920s. League positions are included in their entirety.

One of the purposes of the League of Women Voters is to act on selected governmental issues. At its biennial convention, the LWVWA determines areas of study for the next two years. This process begins with member input. The state board compiles program suggestions and then recommends studies to the membership for approval at convention. After study and discussion, consensus may be reached. This consensus becomes the basis for future action.

Whatever the issue, the League believes that government policy, programs and performance must meet these criteria:

  • competent personnel with clear responsibilities,
  • agency and inter-governmental coordination,
  • adequate financing,
  • effective enforcement, and
  • well-defined channels for citizen input and review.
Local Leagues can act on state positions if a state position applies to the local governmental jurisdiction. Leagues should be cautioned, however, that if there is any question as to whether the contemplated action is authorized under a state program position, clearance and clarification should be sought from the state League.

What it amounts to, really, is a question of courtesy and communication. As issues become more complex, one League's interpretation of an issue can be different from that of the state board or of another nearby League. Seeking a cooperative solution to the problem will benefit everyone. If the action involved affects governmental jurisdictions beyond the local League(s) desiring to take an action, clearance and concurrence must, of course, be obtained from the affected boards as well as the state board.

Principles of the League of Women Voters

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 citizen's right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.

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 every citizen should be protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access to free public education which 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 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 and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems which affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies which 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 organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of world peace.

These principles are concepts of government adopted by the national convention
of the League of Women Voters.

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