[LWV] League of Women Voters®
of Schenectady County

President's Report

President's Column: January 2012STRENGTH MEANS ALLIANCES.


President's Column: January 2012

President's Column

Happy New Year to all!

This is the time of the year when we typically talk about new beginnings after looking at where we have been. Our December holiday luncheon in which we honored nine women who have been in the League for 50 years or more reminds us of the contributions and legacy of those who have been in the league years before us. In those days, meetings were in the day and League members brought their children to meetings where there was a hired babysitter to care for the children. Members talked about the need for stimulation and involvement in the issues of the day. That is something we share today.

Today we need to look at different ways of doing things, while we honor our traditions. Sharing board jobs, using electronic communication and trying collaborations with other leagues are ways we can reshape the League for todayʼs needs.

The Bulletin is carrying a summary of State League positions as a way of refreshing our memories of where the League stands. All of us get questions from the community about our positions. The long version and the detail can be found on the League of Women Voters of the U.S. and the League of Women Voters of New York State web sites.

Do you know what the Leagueʼs position is on hydrofracking? Under LWVUSʼ Natural Resources positions, state leagues can act to support appropriate state regulation of hydrofracking which is what the State League has done in New York. (See the advocacy section of the State Leagueʼs website.) The resolution adopted by the National Convention in 2010 stated in part that it called on the national board to use the resources of the League to support and lobby for significant strengthening of appropriate regulation, oversight, inspection, and penalties associated with the development of fossil fuel resources. This strengthening should include additional legislation requiring federal agencies to regulate drilling and mining in a manner consistent with the preservation of a healthy environment."

The Leagueʼs position currently does not support banning of hydrofracking. The Saratoga League would like to advocate for a stronger LWVUS/LWVNY position on hydrofracking so we need to be informed on a changing issue.

Joan Elliott President

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For more information, contact Joan Elliott at president@lwvschenectady.org.
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STRENGTH MEANS ALLIANCES

Have you ever wondered whether the League of Women Voters participates with other organizations to advocate at the state level for particular issues? It does. The Leagueʼs oldest ally is the Committee for Modern Courts which it joined in 1985 to pursue judicial issues of joint concern. In 2009, the The League joined the Water Management Advisory Committee and the Empire State Future in 2009.

Other coalitions joined include:

Campaign for an Independent Public Defense

Coalition for a Healthy New York (tobacco)

Campaign for the Community Preservation Act

Friends of New York Environment

Gideon Coalition

Healing Our Waters Coalition

Health Care for All New York (HFANY) Temporary Coalition until last year (2010)

Integrity in Government (Coalition that includes NYPIRG, Common Cause, Citizenʼs Union, Brennan Center).

NY Coalition to End Lead Poisoning (CELP),

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV)

New York State Coalition for School Based Primary Care

New York State Citizens Coalition for Voter

Participation and Fair Elections (formally NYS Citizens Coalition on Help Americans Vote Act (HAVA) Implementation).

NYS Pay Equity Coalition (NYSPEC)

Reform New York Coalition with Common Cause, NYPIRG,

Citizens union, Brennan Center for Justice, Free NewYork/ Mark Bitz, etc.)

Smart Growth Working Group (SGWG)

NYS Public Defenders Association

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 19, 2012 20:14 PST.

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