Proposed Bylaws Changes   


Underlined:  Proposed new language
Bracketed:  Proposed deletions

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSES & POLICY.
Sec. 1.  Purposes.
The purposes of the LWVAL are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation [of citizens] in government and to act on selected governmental issues.

Reason for Change:  To conform to a change in LWVUS Bylaws.  The first three articles of State League Bylaws are required to conform to the first three articles of LWVUS Bylaws.


ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP
Sec. 2. Types of Membership
[The membership of the League shall be composed of voting members and associate members;]
(a)     Voting Members. Citizens at least 18 years of age who join the LWVAL shall be voting members of local Leagues, [&] state Leagues [of the place of joining] and of the LWVUS; (1) individuals who live within an area of a local League may join that League or any other local League; (2) those who reside outside the area of any local League may join a local League or shall be state members-at-large; hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as MALs; (3) [those who make a lump-sum life membership payment to the LWVUS shall be paid life members and] those who have been members of the League for 50 years or more shall be honorary life members excused from the payment of dues.

(b)  Associate members.  All others who join the League shall be associate members.

Reason for Change:  To conform to LWVUS Bylaws.  The first three articles of State League Bylaws are required to conform to the first three articles of LWVUS Bylaws.  Substantive changes to LWVAL bylaws in this Section (1) eliminate the reference to lump-sum life membership payments which are no longer accepted by LWVUS and (2) provide that individuals who live within the area of a local League may join that or any other local League.

ARTICLE XIV.  AMENDMENTS.

Sec. 1. Amendments.
The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any convention of the LWVAL, using the following procedure:
a.    Proposals for changes shall be submitted by any local League board in Alabama to the board of directors of the LWVAL, at least three months prior to the opening date of the convention.
b.    All such proposed amendments together with the recommendations from [for] the board of directors of the LWVAL shall be sent to the local League presidents at least two months prior to the opening of convention and published in the state Voter prior to the opening of the convention.

Reason for Change: To correct a previous typographical error.


Submitted by LWVAL Board Bylaws Committee composed of Mary Lynn Bates and Jeanne Lacey.  Approved for recommendation to the Convention by the LWVAL Board on March 3, 2007.