LWVAA MISSION

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

 

LWVAA is Non-Partisan

As a part of a tri-level organization (encompassing national, state, and local groups), LWVAA does not support nor oppose political parties or candidates.

 

LWVAA is Political

After carefully studying a governmental issue, LWVAA members reach consensus and a position is formed on the issue.  Positions are used as the basis for actively supporting or opposing a governmental policy.

 

LWVAA is Committed

The League is dedicated to encouraging informed citizen participation in the political process.

 

LWVAA is Grassroots

Each January at an annual planning meeting, LWVAA members review their local  (Akron, Summit County), state (odd years) and national (even years) positions. Members discuss and make suggestions whether we should keep, update, or drop current positions and present new issues they believe the League should study. In May at the LWVAA annual meeting, members vote to decide which of these issues should be kept, updated and/or researched and studied.

 

LWVAA Focuses on Citizen Action

The League is a volunteer, member-directed organization. Any citizen over 18 may become a member of the LWVAA. Joining the LWVAA automatically confers membership to the state (LWVO) and national (LWV) Leagues. This membership provides the information and the opportunity to work on local, regional, state, and national issues.

 

LWVAA Studies Issues

The League arrives at its positions just like the LWVO and LWV - through research, study and a process of member agreement. As soon as an Akron or Summit County new issue is chosen, interested members form a committee and begin research and study. The committee assembles a variety of pro-con materials, develops their own resources, turns to experts and public officials for information, directly observes facilities and institutions and draws the community into the decision-making process through public meetings.  Study materials are produced and mailed to each member and posted on this website.  Members then may take part in a discussion of the issue and questions about the study are answered.  Members’ comments are recorded and sent to the LWVAA Board of Directors.  Results of the unit meeting are compiled and discussed at a LWVAA Board meeting.  Consensus is reached and becomes the LWVAA position for action.  All LWVAA  positions are reviewed yearly and presented for adoption at the Annual Meeting in May.

 

LWVAA, LWVO and LWV Principles

• The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States.

• The League of Women Voters believes that good democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens.

• The League of Women Voters believes that the right to vote must be protected for every citizen; that every person should have access to free public education which provides equal opportunity for all; and that no person or group should suffer legal, economic, or administrative discrimination.

• The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, clear assignment of responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the different agencies and levels of government.

• The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people; that government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the conservation and development of natural resources in the public interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems which affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic policies which facilitate the solution of international problems.

• The League of Women voters believes that cooperation with other nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems and that the development of international organization and international law is imperative in the promotion of peace.

 

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