REPORT FROM THE 51st CONVENTION
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REPORT FROM THE 51st CONVENTION OF THE LWVCT, JUNE 16, 2007 Jara Burnett
The 51st Convention, the first one-day event for the LWVCT, was held at the University of New Haven. President Jara Burnett called the Convention to order at 8:50AM. The required quorum was easily achieved as 72 local league members and board members were present. We had one visitor. The attendance was higher than in previous years.
The purpose of the Convention is to adopt a program and legislative priorities for the next biennium, amend by-laws, approve the budget, and elect a new slate of officers and directors. All relevant material was distributed electronically to the local league boards and delegates. Although activity reports from all portfolios were listed in the Convention Workbook, an up-to-the-minute update was presented by the Public Issues Team regarding legislative activity.
The delegates approved a bare-bones budget that retains the current $16.50 PMP, continues our relationship with the Blei Team as lobbyists and legislative monitors and sets aside $1,000 for grants to local leagues for membership recruitment drives. The LWVCT by-laws have been updated with the help of an outside attorney volunteering her services through the ProBono Partnership, an organization dedicated to providing legal services to non profits.
The delegates approved the proposed change in the Election Laws position to enable advocacy on expanded use of absentee ballots. This change was recommended by the Government Director. An update of the Water Resources position is conditioned upon the formation of an update committee by December 1, 2007. If a committee is not in place at that time, the position will be retained as it currently exists. All other positions were retained. Election Laws and Transportation remain our legislative priorities for 2007-09.
The delegates approved two new studies. A Study of Emerging Media and Internet-Related Issues was proposed by the LWVCT board. After the LWVCT successfully spearheaded a resolution supporting “Net Neutrality” at the 2006 LWVUS Convention, the board became aware of several media and Internet-related issues that are moving to the state legislative arena, such as access to the Internet, the availability of public access television and public affairs programming, and the ways in which Connecticut residents receive their news-who owns what media in the state. The committee is in place (if you are interested to join, please contact the LWVCT office), chaired by Carole Young-Kleinfeld and Pua Ford; it expects to provide local leagues with study materials and concurrence statement in October or November 2007.
A Study of Early Voting for Connecticut was proposed by the Hamden/North Haven League. A one-year study for concurrence will examine the advantages and drawbacks to early voting using, in part, existing research by the Office of Legislative Research and other materials from various states permitting early voting. Janice Bruce of Hamden/North Haven will chair the study. A committee is needed; interested members should contact the LWVCT office.
The Nominating Committee was unable to fill two critical positions: Vice President for Voter Service and Vice President for Administration. The search continues; we hope that our local leagues might be able to identify a member who might be ready to deepen his or her league experience to include service on the state board.
This Fall, the board proposes to provide additional and early training for Presidents and Voter Service Chairs: a two-tiered Moderator Training will take place in September and the Presidents Dinner will include an orientation session. A Speakers Bureau composed of current and past LWVCT board members is available to provide assistance to local leagues in the area of program, advocacy, administration and development. Members are also available as speakers at league functions.
The Evaluation Forms unanimously approved the one-day Convention format. As you requested, your board will look for ways to provide more workshops and more time for networking at the next Convention. We will also work hard to bring you interesting speakers.
We know how hard our local leagues are working and enjoyed reading about their efforts in the “Accomplishments” section of the Workbook. We hope you will keep us posted about your programs and successes, and ask for help if problems arise. Increased local league/board communication is one of our principal goals for the next biennium. As a start, all local league board members are receiving the Post Board Meeting Summary (electronically), reporting on the proceedings and decisions made at the board meeting. We hope this will provide you with an insight into the LWVCT board function. We look forward to your calls or emails…
June 26, 2007 |
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