Rebuilding Citizen Confidence in Government:
A Challenge Unique to the League of Women Voters
Since our reaction to this proposal is due to National by March 8,
we will need to discuss this at our Dec. 9th membership meeting!
"What is the greatest challenge now facing our nation and our community? What role will the League play in addressing this challenge?"
These are among the questions that we will be discussing at our upcoming program planning meeting as we decide what we think should be the focus for the League nationwide during the 1996-98 biennium.
Lending urgency to our discussion is the growing evidence that our democratic system is in crisis. Frustration with government is mounting, and many citizens seem to have lost sight of their role in the governing process. Excessive partisanship dominates public policy debate, and extremist rhetoric endangers our search for the common good - no matter which party is in power.
A Proposal for Our Consideration
In response to this challenge, the LWVUS board is taking the unprecedented step of proposing that an Initiative to Renew Democracy be the sole focus for the League's national program for the next two years.
The board believes that the League is uniquely qualified and trusted to help rebuild our political and civic infrastructure. And only by restoring citizens' faith in government can we make real progress on issues addressed by League positions on the environment, social policy and international relations.
The Initiative to Renew Democracy would include both legislative work aimed at restoring confidence in the political process and educational projects designed to engage more citizens in civic life.
Possible activities might be:
- Advocacy campaigns for legislation to strengthen democracy and the voice of citizens in shaping public policy, such as campaign finance reform.
- Public journalism projects that would link Leagues with media partners interested in providing citizen-oriented news coverage to stimulate increased civic participation.
- Civic education ventures that would create opportunities for citizens to come together in new ways to explore public problems and develop effective problem-solving skills.
What Will Be Our Recommendation? The LWVUS board is looking for our input.
- What do we think our community and our country need from the League right now?
- Do we believe that a campaign to renew democracy is the best way for the League to pursue its mission in the coming two years?
- If we agree that such a campaign should be the League's nationwide focus, what kinds of activities do we think would be most effective at strengthening democracy in our community and in the nation>
We hope you will join us for this important discussion. Your ideas are needed!
PROGRAM PLANNING AT A GLANCE
November 1995 - February 1996
- Leagues interview community leaders and hold program planning meetings.
March 8, 1996
- Program planning report forms are due. March 28-30, 1996
- Based on Leagues' recommendations, the LWVUS board formulates a proposed program to be sent to all Leagues in late April.
June 8 -11, 1996
- Delegates to Convention '96 debate and adopt a national program for 1996-98.
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October 1995
December 1995
President's Message (Suzanne Meisenzahl)