The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a 3-tier membership organization of National (LWVUS), State (LWVMA), and Local (e.g. LWV-Needham) Leagues.
Each League conducts its educational and political actions based on positions derived from a consensus of its membership following formal studies of issues. The steps for developing Needham League positions include:
- The study or restudy of an issue usually is proposed by interested members at the program planning meeting in January.
- The membership must approve the study at the annual meeting in June.
- The study committee (a) researches its issue, (b) produces a report and/or presentation for the membership, and (c) develops consensus questions if it wishes to affect its League’s positions.
- The Board of Directors must approve the consensus questions.
- The study committee presents its findings and consensus questions to the membership at a consensus meeting.
- League members discuss the consensus questions and reach consensus on each question (agree, disagree, no consensus).
- The Board of Directors translates the consensus findings into new or revised positions which it presents at the annual meeting for approval.
A Local League may not hold positions that contradict the National or its State League positions; however, it may take action based on the National or its State League positions rather than going through the process of developing its own.