LWV Minnesota and LWVPRA is nonpartisan in both our education and our advocacy.
We never support political parties or candidates for public office.
Mission Statement
The mission of LWV Minnesota is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. We take action on selected governmental issues after study and consensus by our membership. We encourage our members to be informed participants in political activity, but as a nonpartisan organization, we neither oppose nor support a political party or candidate even when the office is unaffiliated with a party. That does not preclude us from taking positions on issues and we have taken many positions over the past many decades. Our platform is nonpartisan so that there is no question of our interest in anything other than the general welfare of our democracy and its citizens.
Education
We provide nonpartisan information to others with the understanding that they will use it to make their own decisions. We actively encourage our community to register to vote, to cast their votes and to communicate policy priorities to those holding public office. We provide information and training on voting procedures, candidates, issues, moderator and event training, effective lobbying, and running for office. Candidate forums are a highly visible example of our education initiatives.
Advocacy
We are nonpartisan in our advocacy, though we are active in in seeking particular outcomes in policy or legislation. LWV Minnesota's positions are based on study and consensus of our members. When we work with public officials on legislation or policies that address our concerns on an issue, it is because of their position on the issue, not because of their party affiliation.
Transparency and Integrity
To avoid any possible perception of partisanship, we ask our most visible leaders at the local and state level to refrain from political activity or active partisan support during their terms of office. LWV Minnesota board members and its local board members are asked to resign or take a leave of absence if they run for public office or wish to be directly involved in a candidate race. While we encourage women and minorities to run for office, we are careful not to imply support for them over other candidates when they do so.
While we cherish the right to disagree as individuals, when we speak for LWV Minnesota in public, we speak only from LWV Minnesota positions.
Diversity
The League of Women Voters of Park Rapids affirms its commitment to reflecting the diversity of Minnesota in its membership. LWVPRA strives to overcome barriers of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability in the activities of the organization. LWVPRA recognizes that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision making.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Securing appointments: The board may encourage and assist League members to secure appointments to government boards, commissions, and committees. Unless clearly designated, appointees are not official representatives of the League.
Serving on Boards: Board members may serve on other boards. However, if a serious conflict arises between the two entities, it should be brought to the attention of the League board for direction.
Lobbying: The presidents and chairs of sensitive program portfolios shall not lobby for a position in opposition to or in conflict with a LWVUS, LWVMN, and LWVPRA.
Employment: If a conflict of interest problem arises from employment, it should be brought to the attention of the board.
Stipends: Board members may not accept personal stipends or grants for League projects while sitting on the policy-making board that is responsible for administering a grant.
Honoraria: Board members may accept honoraria.
(copied from https://www.lwvmn.org/about/our-nonpartisan-policy)
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