THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
OF LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO

LEAGUE LINGO

A glossary of terms used by the League of Women Voters

Annual Meeting: The main business meeting of the year for local leagues. It is held near the end of the League year (April in Los Alamos). At this time, the membership elects new officers and directors and a nominating committee, adopts a program for the coming year, and approves a budget and any proposed bylaw changes. The agenda is mailed to members as a "Call to the Annual Meeting."

Associate Member: A non-voting member. Persons under 18 and non-citizens may be Associate Members. Dues are the same as for regular members.

Concurrence: Agreement with a statement or position when extensive research has already been done by another League, making it unnecessary for further in-depth study.

Consensus: Agreement among a substantial number of members, representative of the whole, reached after thorough study and group discussion. Consensus is not reached by a vote or simple majority.

Convention: State Leagues and the National League hold conventions every two years to accomplish the same duties as the local League Annual Meeting: elect officers and directors, decide program for the next two years, approve a budget for two years and bylaw changes. Conventions usually last two to four days. Voting delegates are based on league size; however, anyone can attend and participate in non-voting activities.

Council: Held in the years between conventions by state leagues and the National League. These are smaller gatherings of local league presidents or state league presidents to conduct interim business and participate in workshops and informal "networking."

Discussion Leader: A league member qualified by virtue of a short training session or experience to lead discussions at meetings.

DPM: Duplicate President's Mailing. An extra mailing sent to members who have requested and paid for this mailing. The League's state and national offices prepare and mail information packets periodically which include information for directors regarding voter service, membership issues, public relations campaigns, etc.

Voters Guide: Nonpartisan information on proposed constitutional amendments and ballot measures published and distributed prior to general elections as part of the league's voter service.

Forum: A League-sponsored public event where issues of community interest are presented and discussed with inclusion of various points of view and input from different sources.

Household Membership: A special membership category for two or more members residing at the same address. The first member pays full dues and subsequent members pay half the dues rate.

MAL: Member at large. A league member who does not live in the area of a local league and is not enrolled in it.

Observers: Representatives of the league who silently monitor public meetings of elected and appointed civic bodies. The observers report to the membership and the board, alerting the board if League action, based on positions, seems appropriate.

PMP: Per member payment. The state and national leagues, funded primarily by local leagues, receive payment that is based upon the number of members in each local League.

Policies and Procedures: These, along with the bylaws, are the primary guide for the board of directors. It contains the policies on nonpartisanship and coalitions, fiscal responsibilities, and pertinent information for certain board members. This document is reviewed annually by the board of directors.

Position: After member understanding and knowledge has been achieved through study and consensus, the League can develop a position based on the results of the study. Leagues can act only within established positions. Local positions are developed by local leagues and apply to local public policy issues. State leagues conduct studies of statewide issues and formulate a state league position based on each local league's study and consensus. National League studies and consensus apply to issues of national concern.

• Vertical Position: A national, state or county position that has been approved by that Board for use at the local levels of League without prior permission.
• Local Position: A position developed after a local league's study and consensus that applies only to that league's area. These positions cannot be used at the state or national level.

Recorder: A league member designated to take notes of what takes place at a meeting. Opinions and ideas, as well as minority opinions, are important to note down so that a complete record of discussion and decisions is obtained.

Study: In-depth research and information-gathering to answer questions regarding an issue or problem. The League cannot advocate or lobby regarding a public policy issue unless it has first conducted a thorough study of the issue and reached member consensus on the study objectives.

Unit Meeting: A meeting of league members to conduct a study or other league business. Only members of the league can participate in consensus or decision making. "Unit" also refers to meetings on one topic that are held in different locations or on different days or times for the convenience of members in a large league.

Who's In Charge: LWV Los Alamos-published directory of public officials representing Los Alamos at national, state and county levels of government; the New Mexico first judicial district and local courts; county staff, boards, commissions, advisory boards and services supported by the county; UNM Los Alamos Advisory Board; the Los Alamos School District administration, school principals, and the school board. Election information is also included.