May 30, 2003 Dear League leader: This disc is a compilation of LWVUS resources. It is meant to be a tool for new, as well as more experienced, League leaders. While you may be familiar with many of the documents contained on the disc, we thought that it was important to compile this information in one place for two reasons: 1. To create a comprehensive resource for you which is easy to access and use; and 2. To provide this information in a format that is easy to share with Board members and other League leaders. Because not every leader will need or use all of information contained on this disc during his/her term, we have sorted the materials into six general categories: * League Operations, which contains information about internal League matters such as bylaws and strategic planning; * Issues & Advocacy, which has information pertaining to League positions and on LWV’s current priority item, the implementation of the Help America Vote Act; * Visibility & the Media, which has tips on working with the media and information to help you promote your League; * Treasurer’s Tools, which contains resources about setting up and using an Education Fund account; * Membership & Outreach, which has tips on recruiting members, working with local Leagues, and using the new membership database; and * Fundraising & Development, which contains resources about appeals, planned giving, and more. Each category has its own folder within the LWV folder that appears when you pull up information from this disc. There is a complete table of contents – with the name of each specific document – at the end of this “read me” file. In using this disc, there are a few minor technical details to keep in mind. All of the documents contained on this disc appear in one of three formats: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or PDF. In order to view the files on this disc, you have the option of accessing them directly from the disc or copying them to your hard drive in order to access them locally on your computer. Depending upon your hardware setup, you may find browsing from your hard drive to be quicker and/or smoother. If you do choose to copy the files to your hard drive, please note that you will not be able to EDIT the files without first switching off the "Read-Only" file attribute of any file you wish to edit. In order to turn off the "Read-Only" attribute of a file that you have copied to your hard drive, using your mouse right-click on the file name and in the drop down list that appears, chose “Properties” and uncheck the box labeled "Read Only". To simply view files, this step is not necessary. You only need to change the "Read-Only" status of files that you intend to edit (by adding or deleting text, for instance, or changing the formatting for easier printing). Please also note that to open PDF files, you must have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer. This is a free program and can be downloaded from the LWVUS web site at www.lwv.org. Many of the documents on this disc are currently available on the LWVUS web site (www.lwv.org). Documents that mainly pertain to “internal” League matters, such In League and the LWVUS bylaws, are in the MEMBERS SECTION of the web site. (The user name to enter this area is lwv, and the password is carriecatt.) Other documents, such as Face to Face or Impact on Issues, are available in the Barbara Stuhler E-library, which can be accessed from the homepage. All of the departments of LWVUS worked together to compile the information contained on this disc. If you have any questions or concerns about a specific document, please use the following chart to direct your inquiry – Document appears in this category… Contact email… League Operations membership@lwv.org Issues & Advocacy lobbying@lwv.org Visibility & the Media media@lwv.org Membership & Outreach membership@lwv.org Fundraising & Development development@lwv.org Thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of LWV. We hope that this disc is a useful tool for you and your Board. We would welcome any feedback about this resource. Sincerely, LWVUS Staff [Note: This is the LWV Council 2003 Resource Disc which contains LWVUS resource information - tools, tips, and guides for League Leaders] TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT: Read Me First League Operations Presidents’ Packet 2002 In League Leadership job descriptions Starting Point True Colors exercise LWVUS Bylaws 2002 What is Strategic Planning? I Wish Someone Had Told Me… How to Build the League – 3 Key Points Face to Face: A Guide to Candidate Debates Issues & Advocacy Impact on Issues 2002 Criteria for Approving Requests for Action (LWV policy) Approving Requests from State/Local Leagues (LWV policy) HAVA - Help America Vote Act (4 documents) Visibility & the Media The Sixty Second Guide to Working with the Media Tips on PSAs Media Training 101 Now Hear This! Newsletter Hints and Suggestions Treasurer’s Tools How to Set Up an Education Fund Account Guidelines for Using an Education Fund Account Where does PMP go? Membership & Outreach SOAR-ing Together Campaign Presentation Database Membership Database Training Materials Membership Database Presentation Member Outreach Toolkit Local League Membership Brochure Text of Membership Brochure 100 Great Ideas for Recruiting Members Local League Assessment Tool Excerpts from Diversity Toolkit The Untapped Activist Reservoir Fundraising & Development Development Resource File information Appeals and Acknowledgement Appeal Letters Sample Acknowledgement Board Responsibilities Board Fundraising How Board Members Can Ensure the Financial Viability of League Help Your Board Understand Fundraising Responsibilities Endowment Endowment Policy Report to the Board Foundations & Grants Proposal to Denver Foundation Developing Relationships with foundations Miscellaneous Gift Acceptance Policy Education Fund Donor Recognition Tips Quick Fundraising Web Links Survey Responses Summary of Responses to LWVUS Development Survey Phone-a-thon Board Expectations for a phone-a-thon All phone-a-thon materials Planned Giving General Planned Giving Policies Leave a Legacy Special Events State of the Community