Guidelines
for Public Action
 Selection
of an issue for public action
Formulating and seeking
approval of a position statement
Taking action under an existing
position statement
Taking action without
a position statement
How to Write to Your Representatives
Selection
of an issue for Public Action
The following guidelines shall be used in the selection of an issue
for public action by The Junior League of Cleveland, Inc.:
-
Issues selected shall be germane to the purpose of The Junior
League of Cleveland, Inc. including but not limited to, its community
program or to a priority concern.
- While
action may be taken on many issues, priority will be given to
those issues related to areas in which the League has developed
expertise or to topics on which the League, SPAC or AJLI have
developed a position paper.
- A
study of a topic should be made before taking a position or public
stand on an issue. Such study shall include: review of relevant
legislation and government regulations pertaining to the topic
and a presentation of the pro and con arguments relating to the
issue.
- The
Junior League of Cleveland, Inc. must not support or oppose candidates
for public office. A committee may present a position paper to
its membership for approval to allow for present and future action
to be taken on a particular topic. A position statement gives
a committee or the Board of Trustees the right to make a public
statement in the name of the committee, to the Board or the membership,
on matters consistent with the goals and objectives of the League
and has the following characteristics:
It is a policy statement of the League's opinion on a public issue.
It can become
the basis for future action such as testifying, lobbying, monitoring
or forming coalitions.
(up
to top)
Formulating and Seeking Approval of a Position Statement
The following guidelines shall be used for formulating and seeking
approval of a position statement:
- The
topic shall be researched and approved by two-thirds of the initiating
interest group or committee.
- The
position statement shall be approved by legal counsel.
- The
position statement shall be approved by two-thirds of the Board
of Trustees for presentation to the membership.
- The
position statement shall be approved by two-thirds of the League
membership present for voting.
(up
to top)
Taking action under an approved position statement
The following guidelines shall apply for taking action under an
approved position statement:
- The
following persons may speak and take action on behalf of The Junior
League of Cleveland, Inc. after receiving authorization of the
President, as long as action is consistent with the position statement:
President-Elect
Community
Vice President
Advocacy
Council Coordinator
Chair of
the committee formulating position paper
Designated
Junior League Representative
- All
pre-arranged public statements, press releases, correspondence
or testimony must be approved by appropriate committee chairman,
President of the League, Communications Vice President and the
Administrative Director.
- Significant
action taken on statements made by the committee shall require
informing the Board and membership as soon as possible.
- Junior
League members shall state clearly that they are spokeswomen for
The Junior League of Cleveland, Inc. and be conscious that all
comments may be viewed as such.
- Position
statements will remain in effect for a period of two years following
passage, when they must be re-affirmed by two-thirds of the League
membership present for voting.
(up
to top)
Taking Action without a Position Paper
A committee may take action without a position paper by following
one of the next two procedures:
- Membership
vote.
The recommendations
of the Public Affairs Committee or other committee initiating
action shall be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval.
The initiating
committee shall be responsible for educating the membership with
regard to the issue and with regard to the recommendations for
action.
A two-thirds
vote of approval by the Active membership present and voting shall
be obtained before action is taken in the name of The Junior League
of Cleveland, Inc.
- Quick
Endorsement: The procedure which grants a committee, a Board or
SPAC permission to take action without returning to the membership
for approval. The requirements for notification after public action
are:
Local
or State issue: send Public Affairs information sheet to SPAC
chairman and the Area II director.
National
issue: send Public Affairs information sheet to Association office,
SPAC and Area II director.
(up
to top)
How to Write to Your Representatives
When writing your representative about specific legislation, try
to include the name, number and sponsor of the bill, and present
clearly your reasons for supporting or opposing the legislation.
Keep to a single issue per letter. You may request copies of particular
bills by writing the sponsor of the legislation.
You
can check on the status of a particular bill by telephoning the
bill status offices:
United States Congress (202) 225-1772
Ohio State
Legislature (800) 282-0253
STATE
LEGISLATURE:
To write or call your state legislators:
Representative
or Senator
State House
Columbus, Ohio 43215
State
House Toll-Free Message Number: (800) 282-0253
Call this number to leave a message for your legislator or to return
your call or for information on a bill's status.
Most
legislators have email addresses as well.
UNITED
STATES SENATORS:
George Voinovich
1240 E. 9th St., Rm 2955
Cleveland, Ohio 44199
(216) 522-7095
Mike
DeWine
1240 E. 9th St., Rm. 2915
Cleveland, Ohio 44199
(216) 522-7272
U.S.
REPRESENTATIVES:
10th District:
Dennis J. Kucinich
14400 Detroit Avenue
Fairview Park, OH 44126
(440) 228-8850
11th District:
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
3645 Warrensville Center Rd., Rm 204
Shaker Heights, OH 44122
(216) 522-4900
13th District:
Sherrod Brown
5201 Abbey Road
Elyria, OH 44035
(440 ) 934-5100
19th District:
Steve LaTourette
One Victoria Place, Rm 320
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 352-3939
(up
to top)
|
