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INFO FROM STATE AND
NATIONAL LEAGUE |
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NON-PARTISAN POLICY League of Women Voters of Medfield Non-partisan Policy Statement (adopted October
10, 1996 and amended September 10, 1997) The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote
political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizen in government. The League of Women Voters
is nonpartisan in that it does not support or oppose any political party
or candidate; it is political in that it takes
positions on selected government issues after member study and agreement. The League recognizes the role of the political parties in
our form of government and believes that participation in the activities of
the political parties is an essential ingredient of its citizen
responsibility. The League urges its members to be politically
active. Certain constraints are necessary,
however, in order to maintain the nonpartisanship of the
organization. The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters
of Medfield has established the following guidelines: Board of Directors The Board has the responsibility of maintaining the fact of
nonpartisanship of the organization. If a Board member plans to engage in any political activity
other than the activities specifically permitted by these guidelines, that
member must seek a Board decision as to whether the activity would affect the community's perception of the League's nonpartisanship. The President and the Voter Service Chairman (whether serving on or off the Board) may not take an active, visible role in a campaign
for a political candidate. No Board member shall chair or
administer fundraising for political campaigns, chair campaign events,
circulate nominating petitions, or work in a significant way in the campaign
of a candidate. If a Board member runs for elective office, the Board
member must formally resign from the Board at the time of filing
papers. If not elected, the former Board member may rejoin the
Board. If elected to office, the former Board member may rejoin at the
discretion of the Board. Public notices released by the League
announcing the resignation of a Board member to run for political office should be carefully
worded to avoid the appearance of endorsing the resigning Board member's
candidacy. Permissible Activities for Board
Members A Board member may serve on any non-elected board,
commission, committee or coalition; however, the Board member does not
represent the League unless officially designated as
a League representative of the League Board. Nominal contributions may be made to political campaigns as
long as the contribution is not recorded on a contributors list. Board members, other than
the President and the Voter Services Chairman, may attend but not host
fundraising events for candidates. Board members may attend candidates' position meetings. Board members may sign nominating petitions. All Members Every League member must take the responsibility for
clearly differentiating between his or her personal opinions and the League
position on issues. Nominating petitions shall not be
circulated at League meetings. General The political activities of a spouse or
relative of a member or Board member are to be considered as separate and distinct from activities of the member
or Board member. This policy will be reviewed annually by the Board and
minutes relating to the discussion of this policy will be attached to the policy for clarity of purpose. |
