LWV ID Coalition Policy

www.lwv-id.org * email info@lwv-id.org

Voted for adoption at Council 2008 – April 26

The League of Women Voters of Idaho is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose candidates for public office but does encourage its members, as individuals, to participate actively in the political process.  The League acts on those issues the membership chooses for study and action.

The League of Women Voters of Idaho Board of Directors has approved the following “Guidelines for Coalitions” as a policy for joining statewide coalitions.  Local Leagues are frequently invited by other groups/organizations to join coalitions.  Combining forces forward a limited and well-defined objective can increase the League’s impact.

Before a League board decides to join a coalition, it should fully understand the commitment involved (time, money, and resources) and should plan to play a leadership role (on a steering committee, if possible) in order to influence the activities of the coalition.

These “Guidelines for Coalitions” can be used by local Leagues as their guidelines or as a framework for a local League policy on coalitions.

• The coalition’s major issues should mesh with League positions and be nonpartisan, though there need not be a League position on every issue with which the coalition is concerned.  The aims of the coalition must not conflict with the League positions.
• The major goals of the coalition should be in accord with the state program and adopted action priorities or the goals should be the ones the League expects to achieve in the future.
• The coalition’s activities should bring added effectiveness to the overall efforts to achieve the League’s organization, advocacy, or educational goals.
• The members of the coalition should be organizations with which the League can work effectively.  The League should have the confidence in the leadership of the coalition and may serve in a leadership capacity.
• Expenditures for work with the coalition (including staff and volunteer time, as well as cash and in-kind expenses) should be worth the investment.
• Joining or resigning from the coalition should be a state board decision.
• The League representative to a coalition shall be appointed by the state board annually.
• The League representative to a coalition must have the prior approval of the state League president or designee, before making any formal or public statement of League position on a specific issue.