The Mission of the League
The mission of the League is simple: to empower voters and defend democracy. We do this through voter education and advocacy on public policy issues. Our vision and values reflect our past and present while looking to the future. The League is as relevant today as it was when it was founded more than 100 years ago.
What is the League of Women Voters?
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan civic organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The San Luis Obispo County League is 63 years old this year; we are part of a national network of Leagues that includes a US League, 50 state Leagues, and 700 local Leagues with 500,000 members. The League of Women Voters of the United States was formed on February 14, 1920 – 105 years ago and six months before the formal ratification of the 19th Amendment that affirmed women’s right to vote across the US.
When it was founded, the League’s purpose was to educate newly enfranchised women voters to help them make informed decisions when casting their ballots. The League was part of the larger movement for voting rights for women, the Women’s Suffrage Movement. In the mid-20th century, the League’s work on voting rights was extended to ALL citizens. Today, with an upsurge in voter suppression laws and challenges to election results, the League’s work protecting voting rights is needed more than ever.
The League at the national, state, and local level
As part of a larger network of Leagues, when you join our local League, you automatically become a member of the California League and the League of Women Voters of the United States. Your dues support our League’s local efforts, as well as education and advocacy at the state and national level.
A grassroots organization
We are an all-volunteer, grass-roots organization that relies on our members to carry out our mission. Members are the lifeblood of the League, and serve on our board of directors, as committee chairs and committee members. Members drive our mission, and plan and carry out the activities that support our positions on issues. Members also serve an essential role as League ambassadors in the community, with colleagues, friends, and neighbors.
Non-Profit, Non-Partisan & Political
The League is a NON-PROFIT, NON-PARTISAN, and POLITICAL organization. We are a NON-PROFIT organization with a 501(c)(3) tax status which means all donations and a portion of your dues are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We are NON-PARTISAN because we neither support nor oppose political candidates or parties. At the same time, we are a POLITICAL organization because we study and take positions on public policy issues that affect our communities. For more than 100 years, the League has been both non-partisan and political, and we stand by that legacy. League membership is open to any person 16 years old and older who subscribes to the purpose, principles, and policies of the League.
The League has policies that guide our actions, including a Nonpartisan Policy that instructs board and committee members on what’s permitted and prohibited when we publicly represent the League. Representing the League is an honor, and we uphold the League’s integrity by following common-sense guidelines.
The League speaks with one voice. Only the League President or their designated representative may speak on behalf of the League.
What does the League do?
Voter Service. The League is known primarily and widely respected for its work in Voter Service – defending and expanding voting rights, educating voters on the issues and candidates, and registering voters. The League is in the forefront of campaigns to ensure a government that is representative, accountable, and transparent. That’s why we support the Brown Act, work for campaign finance reform, and have fought for an independent redistricting commission in our county.
Education. We educate voters not only on election processes – how, where, and when to vote – but also on policy issues. As a political organization, we regularly take stands on issues of public policy. The League has been an activist on air and water pollution and combating climate change. The League promotes equal opportunities for all citizens in education, employment, and housing. We educate on the importance of universal health care and criminal justice reform, and other issues that affect our daily lives.
Advocacy. The League of Women Voters is an action and advocacy organization. Once an issue has been extensively studied and members have agreed on a position, the League may advocate and act in support of that position. League advocacy can take several forms:
- We reach out to League members and the public through newsletters, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces.
- We build public opinion in support of a League position through forums and public education events.
- We advocate in support of a League position at public hearings and in letters to government officials and the media. In the past few years, we have been proactive on several key governmental issues, including the county ordinance on election campaign donations, the appointment of the interim County Clerk-Recorder and the redistricting of supervisorial electoral districts.
- We inform League and community members of key developments through our newsletter, The Voter, and mobilize members to submit public comments.
League Positions & Program
You will hear the term “League position”, usually in the context of why we are taking a stand on a public policy matter. So, what is a League position?
A League position is a statement of the League’s point of view on an issue. The League establishes positions on public policy issues based on a study of the issue and the consensus of its members. We have positions at the national, state, and local level. National positions focus on issues that can be addressed at the federal level such as voting rights and international relations. State positions cover matters at the state level and are particularly strong in the areas of environmental protection and climate change, housing and homelessness, and criminal justice reform. We have developed local positions in areas of particular concern to our local communities such as Planning & Land Use, Water, and Workforce Housing. See local League positions here. A position provides the basis for League education and advocacy. It is important to remember that we can use National and State positions as well as our own local positions to educate and advocate.
Another important League term to know is League Program. The League Program is the League’s list of priority issues and activities that we will focus on for a 2-year period. The Program consists of issues chosen by the members for study or for education and advocacy. In January of odd-numbered years, the League conducts a Program Planning Meeting with all members to discuss and reach consensus on what issues the League wants to prioritize. The Board considers the proposals and presents a recommended program to the membership at the Biennial Meeting in June. The membership then votes and adopts the Program for a 2-year period. Recently, our League changed from adopting a one-year program to a 2-year program because most issues are complex and usually take multiple years to address. In addition to priority issues for education and advocacy the League program includes guiding principles that underlay everything we do. They are Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Information Literacy – we strive to integrate these principles into all of our education and advocacy work.
League Meetings
The League holds 4 regular meetings for members during the League’s official year, running from July 1 to June 30: The League Year starts with an Opening Meeting in the fall, then we usually have a holiday “meeting” at the end of the calendar year, which is mostly a social event. In January, we hold a Program Planning meeting, and in the spring, in alternating years we hold either a Biennial meeting to conduct official business, or a general member meeting where we feature guest speakers and League issues. The all-member meetings are a great way to learn about the League and meet other members with similar concerns and passions.
Our Board of Directors meets at least 9 times a year. We hold a board retreat during the summer to reconnect, recharge, and renew our commitment to the League. Board meetings are held via Zoom and are open to all members who would like to attend.