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Report on the Business of the Annual Meeting, May 23, 2011
Bylaws Changes
The Bylaws proposal to change the name from the “League of Women Voters of Louisville and Jefferson County” to the “League of Women Voters of Louisville” prompted a lively discussion. Members suggested other names, including a motion to change it to the “League of Women Voters of Louisville Metro,” which passed. Then, because of misunderstandings about the motion, the members voted to reconsider. With the arrival of Mayor Greg Fischer, the meeting was temporarily suspended for his keynote talk. During the Q & A, the mayor was asked what he called the city when he was in other cities. He said that he called it “Louisville,” that “Louisville Metro” would be confusing. Afterward, the members voted against the amendment to “Louisville Metro,” and all the bylaws changes were adopted as proposed. See Bylaws.
The members voted to have three local studies this year:
- Alternative Schools Study: A Local Study Addition to the National League Study of the Role of the Federal Government in Education regarding core academic standards for accountability in schools
- A study of the use of the Louisville Metro Council Members’ discretionary funds
- A Study of the Issues Connected With the Merged Government of Louisville
These studies are in addition to National League studies of the 1) privatization of government and 2) The Federal Role in Education. In addition, the Louisville League will be participating in two state studies (1) Funding of Juvenile Drug Court and 2) Civic Education in KY Schools.
Please volunteer to help organize one of the studies.
Board Members elected for 2011-2012 and their current portfolios are as follows:
Pat Murrell, Fundraising Finance
Nicole George, Membership
Paula McCraney, Local Government
Ameerah Grainger, Voter Services
Joan Lindop, Environment and Energy
Frances Cotton, Education Chair
Gary Drehmel, Campaign Finance (Money in Elections)
Deborah Kent was reelected to be Second Vice President. Beverly Moore and Vicky Markell are continuing as President and Vice President for the second year of the two-year term. The position of secretary remains open.
The off-board members of the Nominating Committee were elected for two year terms. They are Heather Hurley, Chair; Thelma Dunlevy, and Fran Wagner.
Important votes also include electing Officers and Board Members, adopting a budget, and approving bylaws changes.
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Louisville League of Women Voters Annual dues were due on May 31 this year. Click for membership form.
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LOUISVILLE LWV PROGRAM: STUDY AND ACTION
Studies adopted by LWVKY and National LWV
FYI
LWVUS Studies:
- The Role of the Federal Government in Education
- Privatization: the policy agenda to transfer government functions, services and assets to the private sector
LWVKY Studies:
- Civics Education in Kentucky Schools
- Funding for Juvenile Drug Courts.
Local studies
At the Annual Meeting, members voted to adopt the following studies tp work on during the coming year:
1. Alternative Schools Study: A Local Study Addition to the National League Study of the Role of the Federal Government in Education regarding core academic standards for accountability in schools
Focus: Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Alternative School student graduation rates and performance compared to their peers in regular Jefferson County Public School settings. A description of JCPS student body and a description/ list of Alternative Schools will be included.
Scope: The study will evaluate how students attending the JCPS alternative schools are performing on KY assessments (KCCT, ACT, etc) compared to their peers in regular JCPS schools, and how well they are prepared upon graduation for college and careers. The study will also examine how are the alternative schools are informing the students and their families about the new KY Common Core Standards and accountability system.
2. A study of the use of the Louisville Metro Council Members’ discretionary funds, the Neighborhood Development Fund (NDF) of $175,000 and Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) of $100,000, that are allocated to each of the 26 Metro Council members.
Focus: The focus is to determine the advantages and disadvantages of placing such sums in the control of individual Council Members.
Scope: The Neighborhood Development Fund is intended for general purposes, including operating expenses for non-profits. The Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) is intended for capital construction in the district. The study will evaluate the use of the funds and compare with how discretionary funds are allocated and used in other cities.
3. A Study of the Issues Connected With the Merged Government of Louisville Metro focusing on equity in services and funding including the impact of changes proposed by the Merger 2.0 Task Force.
Focus: (1) Monitor Merger 2.0 Task Force meetings; (2) work/partner with other groups (e.g., U of L Urban Study Center) and (3) inform and report to our members and the public through meetings and electronic media.
Time Line: Preparatory information is being gathered by attending Merger 2.0 Task Force meetings and collection of information beginning in April. Study should be completed by the end of 2011.
Action Priorities
The National Priorities were adopted by the Board of the LWVUS.
LWVUS National Priorities:
Clean Air Defense
Health Care Defense
Money in Elections (Campaign Finance)
Voter Registration and Election Administration
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