Spring1998

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Fall 1998

President's Message (Jean Aoki) State Council / Board Actions May 15-16 1998 Honolulu's Loss - Seattle's Gain (Suzanne Meisenzahl) Guidelines for Maintaining League Nonpartisan Policy League Local News - Hawaii County (Susan Dursin, Helene Hale & Marian Wilkins) League Local News - Honolulu (Grace Furukawa) League Local News - Kauai League (Susan Wilson) Elections and Campaign Finance Reform Bills Making Democracy Work - Campaign Finance Reform HICLEAN (Toni Worst) Hawaii's Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Voter Services Education Committee Projects 1998-99 Action on Motor Voter! Important Dates Web Page Rhoda Miller Peace Memorial On National Issues... Small Schools and Schools-Within-Schools (insert)

Guidelines for Maintaining League Nonpartisan Policy The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization. At the same time, we encourage members to be as active as they wish in political organizations. This can lead to conflicts. In order to maintain the League's nonpartisan stance, it has long been agreed that League officers and board members should not hold leadership positions in their respective political parties. However, there are always questions about the appropriateness of other activities. To address this problem, the following guidelines were reviewed and adopted at the May meeting of the LWVHI: Board eligibility, or eligibility for specific board portfolios is affected by running for office, being an elected official, or filling a visible role in a candidate's campaign. Board eligibility is not affected by working on a candidate's campaign behind the scenes. Presidential board eligibility is affected by circulating nominating petitions and distributing campaign materials, if a family member is active in partisan politics or if the candidate is to be appointed to a non-elective political office or commission or board. No specific period of time needs to elapse after being politically identified by one of the above mentioned activities before being elected or appointed to a board. Eligibility may be affected by having an official position in a party organization or in an organization endorsing candidates for public office. A board member may not organize fundraisers, help stuff envelopes at campaign headquarters, attend strategy meetings, hold official positions in a campaign, work the telephones or hold a position in a political party. A board member may help write platforms and help with the data base. Board members may be allowed to donate money to a campaign in an amount less than which might be reported on a contributors list Board members are allowed to attend political social events when the purpose is to hear candidates' positions on issues but not when they announce their candidacies. Board members, with the exception of the president may attend events that raise money for candidates. Off board members with known political affiliations are permitted to represent the LWV before the public in, including registering voters, being official LWV observers at government meetings, testifying for the LWV before government panels, lobbying in the name of the league, making meeting arrangements for candidate meetings and debates, being moderator, and screening questions. No nominating petitions may be circulated at league meetings.

Spring1998

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Fall 1998