© 1999 - 2002 League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and
League of Women Voters of the United States

The Voter

March, 2002

A Publication of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham.
Re-formatted here for web publication with index and links added. Web Editor's navigational notes added in [bracketed italics].

• LWVGB Business Meeting Scheduled for Saturday, April 20th
• Nominating Committee Report
• LWVGB Losing Office Space
• Program Proposals for 2002-03
• State Council to Meet in Montgomery
• LWVUS Business Meeting Convenes in June
• Proposed Budget for LWVGB Year 2002-2003
• Calendar
• Volunteers Needed for DNet 2002!

LWVGB Business Meeting Scheduled for Saturday, April 20th

Greater Birmingham Area Leaguers will gather in the Members Room of the Birmingham Museum of Art at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 to decide program, adopt a budget, and elect officers and directors for League year 2002-03. The meeting is expected to end by 1 P.M. after which, members interested in having lunch will meet in the Terrace Cafe. No lunch reservations are needed. Bring this Voter to the meeting.

11:00	Call to Order- Welcome	Gayle England, President
11:05	Report of the Reading Committee for 2001 Annual Meeting Minutes
11:15	Presentation of the Budget, pg. 3 Debate and Adoption	Colette Scott, Committee Chair
11:45	Bylaws Committee Report	Judith Hand Committee Chair
11:50	Presentation of Program, pg 2 Debate and Adoption	Sarah McDonald, 1, VP
12:15	Presentation of Nominating Committee Recommended Slate, Floor Nominations; Election of Officers and Directors	Jean Johnson, Committee Chair
12:30	Call for Direction to the Board	Gayle England
12:55	Closing Comments	Gayle England
1:00	Adjournment

Nominating Committee Report

Report: The Nominating
Committee of 2002 is pleased to
recommend for election the
officers, directors, and 2003
nominating committee below.
Unless otherwise noted, the
term of office is two years.

Officers and Directors
Secretary (I yr.)	Jo Dobbins
Treasurer	Yvonne Knowles
2nd V P	Ruth Wright
3rd VP	No Candidate
Director	Nancy Ekberg
Director	Kathryn Kerchof
Director (I yr.)	Rose Packer
Nominating Committee (1-yr)
Chair	Leonette Slay
Member	Becky Sylvester
Member	Marian Webber

We encourage members to help find a 3rd Vice President.If you have a qualified candidate for the job, get her permission to be nominated at the Business Meeting when the Chair calls for nominations from the floor.

Respectfully submitted by Jean Johnson (Chair), E.J. Stephens, and Becky Sylvester.

Respectfully submitted by Jean Johnson (Chair), E.J. Stephens, and Becky Sylvester.

See you on April 20th.

LWVGB Losing Office Space

The Commerce Center Building is up to be nominated at the Business for sale and will probably be converted to loft apartments. Affordable rental Meeting when the Chair calls mates are scarce, so LWVGB will close its office by June 1. The new board for nominations from the floor. will consider options for LWVGB's headquarters. Board members are reviewing office files to decide which should go to the archives and which Respectfully submitted by Jean should remain active files. Much of the memorabilia will be offered in a silent Johnson (Chair), E.J. Stephens, auction at the Annual Meeting; proceeds will go to the local Ed Fund. If you and Becky Sylvester. cannot attend the April 20 meeting and want a piece of the memorabilia collection? please call me at 979-7102.
-- Gayle England

Program Proposals for 2002-03

I. The Board recommends that the existing program positions as printed in the LWVGB Yearbook be retained.


Il. The Board presents, without comment, the following program items for member consideration:


A. A Study on Education with Greater Birmingham Ministries' Economic Justice
Committee. A GBM/LWV coalition would follow League guidelines and be strictly focused on fact gathering; it would not support or oppose candidates. League participation in the study could take one of two forms:

1. a joint study of K - 12 public education in the Birmingham school system, or,

2. participation in the GBM Committee study. A comprehensive study has been designed by a GBM committee of community leaders. In return for participation on the committee, the data collected could be made available to the League for independent development of its position statement on education. This project will require at least two League volunteers to attend committee meetings (probably twice per month) and assist in data collection, if possible.

B. Two Issues for Emphasis Proposals

1. Member education on LWVGB's position supporting a county manager form of government for Jefferson County; and member education on the effect of the current structure of Jefferson County Government on accountable, efficient, cost-effective and responsive government. Inform members through Voter articles and a general meeting. Estimate of Person Power Needed: A Board member to chair the member education project and an Observer to cover the Jefferson County Commission.

2. Informational updates on transportation and natural resources issues in the metro area, review of League transportation and natural resources positions to determine if they cover the issues, identification of opportunities for action. Inform members through Voter articles and a general meeting. Estimate of Person Power Needed: a Board member to Chair the update project and two off-Board members, one to focus on each of the two topics.

The State League's business meeting will be held Saturday, May 4, 2002 in Montgomery at the Ramada Inn East. State Council alternates with State Convention. The purpose of Council is to adjust the two-year budget and provide workshops for the benefit of local Leagues.

This year the workshops will focus on the background of our Constitutional Reform position and how to lobby for it, the requirements for archiving League records, and the orderly management of files. Other workshops may also be offered.

The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and end by 3 p.m. The cost is $35 which includes a luncheon and meeting materials. Each local League may send three delegates, but all members are encouraged to attend.

LWVUS Business Meeting Convenes in June

Check your March/April, 2002 National Voter for issues League delegates will address at the June 14 - 18 National Convention in Miami, Florida.

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR LWVGB YEAR 2002-03

Budget Committee: Chair, Colette Scott, Diane Holmes, Leslie O'Neil,

*NOTES:

1. Actual 2001-02 income and expenses are not yet available since LWVGB's fiscal year ends June 30.


2. The 2002 Budget Committee made three recommendations to the Board:

A. Put the money where the mission is instead of operations.

B. Conduct a capital campaign for Ed Fund contributions.

C. Work with a business class at one of the area universities to develop a business and marketing plan.