Saturday-June 30, 2018
The morning kicked off with an update from the Credentials Committee by Jill Althage who reported the total number of voting delegates 865. The report was accepted by unanimous consent.
After LWVUS Secretary Toni Zimmer delivered the previous day’s activities we heard from Deborah Turner LWVUS board member about the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plan. Deborah moderated a panel on DEI with Dr. Alfreda Brown, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Kent State University; Sarah Bury, Interim Vice President, LWV Lake Michigan; and Cecile Scoon, First Vice President, LWV Florida.
Dr. Brown spoke about the need to find ways to come together for the needs of the whole organization. Sarah and Cecile shared their experiences and encouraged all League leaders to do more listening and outreach to people of different backgrounds.
Following the DEI panel, Convention delegates proceeded to vote on the National Program for 2018-2020. Delegates debated and voted on amendments (see below for full list of motions). Delegates voted to add advocating for the National Popular Vote Compact to the Campaign for Making Democracy Work® under Improving Elections. Delegates also voted for LWVUS to prioritize advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to be added to the U. S. Constitution.
Before recessing the plenary session, Convention attendees heard from Rosie Rios, the 43rd Treasurer of the United States. Rosie spoke about the upcoming 2020 anniversary of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote – as well as her effort to get a woman’s face on the $10 bill.
After hearing from Brenda Rogers, chair of the bylaws committee, Convention attendees voted on a bylaws amendment (see below). The motion failed and the rest of the bylaws proposals will be voted on Sunday.
Following the plenary session, many League leaders participated in the Families Belong Together march in Chicago. Later in the afternoon Convention attendees took part in an important training about using Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lens to Strengthen Social Impact and Collaboration.
Saturday evening, Convention attendees attended the Convention banquet and heard from our guest speaker Elaine Weiss, whose new book The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote chronicles the fight to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote.
Also at the Convention banquet, the LWVUS 2018 Convention Awards were presented. Congratulations to the following Leagues for their great work:
- Strengthening Democracy – State: LWV of Ohio
- Strengthening Democracy – Local: LWV of Anchorage (Alaska)
- Community Connection – LWV of Naperville (Illinois)
- Effective Member Engagement – LWV of Miami-Dade County (Florida)
BELOW ARE THE LIST OF MOTIONS AND VOTES FROM SATURDAY, JUNE 30:
Motion 2018-115: I move to amend the Proposed Program, the Campaign for Making Democracy Work, by having LWVUS make its existing position supporting a popular vote for President and the abolition of the electoral college a program focus beginning in the 2018-2020 biennium.
The motion failed.
Motion 2018-119: I move to add “Advocacy for the National Popular Vote Compact” as an amendment to the 2018-2020 LWVUS Program, Making Democracy Work ® / Improving Elections.
The motion passed.
Motion 2018- 113: I move that, when the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is duly ratified by the 38th state, the League of Women Voters of the United States takes the required steps to see the Amendment through whatever judicial or other challenges may occur until we see the ERA added to the U. S. Constitution in clear, bold, black and white.
The motion passed.
Motion 2018-12: I move to adopt the PROPOSED LWVUS PROGRAM FOR 2018-20: CAMPAIGN FOR MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK® AS AMENDED. The Campaign for Making Democracy Work® – includes ensuring a free, fair and accessible electoral system for all eligible voters by focusing on Voting Rights, Improving Elections and advocacy for the National Popular Vote Compact, Campaign Finance/Money in Politics and Redistricting.
The motion passed.
Motion 2018-79: I move to retain all current LWVUS positions in the areas of Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources and Social Policy
The motion passed.
Motion 2018-99: I move BYLAWS PROPOSAL NUMBER 1 ON PAGE 64 OF THE CONVENTION WORKBOOK.
The motion passed.
Motion 2018-55: I move BYLAWS PROPOSAL NUMBER 2 ON PAGE 64 OF THE CONVENTION WORKBOOK.
Plenary recessed before this vote.
Motion 2018-116: I move to amend motion #2018-55 in Article VI, Withdrawal of Recognition, Sec. 1, Procedure, after the word PRINCIPLES, to strike the words “OR POLICIES”
The motion failed.
