Convention Business

Program Recommendation
The LWVAL Board recommends that the 2005 LWVAL Convention readopt existing program, including the legislative study, for the 2005 – 2007 biennial, Rationale: The 2001-03 Program Review Committee conducted a comprehensive review of LWVAL program and reported on the review to the 2003 Convention. The Legislative Study adopted in 2003 is ongoing and is expected to result in a new position in 2006.

Program Items from LWV Greater Birmingham Received After the Deadline:

• Restudy Alabama Election Law Relative to HAVA
• Study Effect of Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Drug Offenses on Alabama’s Prison Overcrowding

Discussion of these items will take place at convention.

Proposed Bylaws Changes (Underlined text is the proposed new language)

Article IV. Officers. § 1. Elections, Qualifications and Terms.
Currently:
(Line 3) ... The term of office shall be two years, from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the year of the next biennial convention. In the event new officers have not been elected and qualified as of July 1, current officers shall remain in office until the election and qualification of new officers.

Proposed Change:
... The term of office shall be two years, from June 1 following the convention at which they are elected through May 31 of the year of the next biennial convention. In the event new officers have not been elected and qualified as of June 1, current officers shall remain in office until the election and qualification of new officers.

Reason for Change: To have officers’ terms begin closer to biennial convention, and for consistency with terms of state board members.

Article V, Board of Directors. § 1. Number, Manner of Selection & Term of Office.
Currently:
(Line 3) ... The elected directors shall be elected by the convention and shall serve until their successors have been elected and qualified. The terms of office of appointed directors shall expire concurrently with the terms of office of the elected directors.

Proposed Change:
... The elected directors shall be elected by the convention and their term of office shall be two years, from June 1 following the convention at which they are elected through May 31 of the year of the next biennial convention. In the event new directors have not been elected and qualified as of June 1, current directors shall remain in office until the election and qualification of new directors. The terms of office of appointed directors shall expire concurrently with the terms of office of the elected directors.

Reason for Change: Clarification of when the board of directors’ terms begin, and for consistency with terms of state board members.

Article VII, Financial Administration. § 1, Fiscal Year.
Currently:
The fiscal year of the LWVAL shall coincide with that of the LWVUS.

Proposed Change:
The LWVAL fiscal year shall run from June 1 through May 31.

Reason for Change: To have the LWVAL fiscal year coincide with the terms of office of officers and directors. (Note: LWVUS fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30).

Nominating Committee Report:
Thanks to the Nominating Committee (Chair Anne Permaloff, Sarah McDonald, Jan Widell, Charlotte Ward and Scarlett Gaddy) for its work to find board members for the 2005-07. Sarah McDonald is Acting Chair of the Committee since Anne Permaloff had to resign. Sarah sent the following report to the board:

President 1st VP 2nd VP Treasurer Secretary Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director

Unfilled Scarlett Gaddy (Tuscaloosa) Unfilled Ginnie Bennett (Auburn) Sandy Robinson (Auburn) Barbara Caddell (Mobile) Nancy Ekberg (Birmingham) Beth Kellum (Montgomery) Barbara Nichols (Mobile) Charlotte Ward (Auburn) Ruth Wright (Auburn) Mary Lynn Bates (Birmingham) Jeanne Lacey (Baldwin County)

Proposed Budgets