League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
Member Handbook and Directory, 2002-2003

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES
1730 M Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036
202 429-1965 · fax 202 429-0854
web sites: www.lwv.org  & www.dnet.org

Table of Contents

LWV Purpose and Policy

MISSION:

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

VISION, BELIEFS AND INTENTIONS:

To participate. To debate. To vote.

We in the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia are determined to engage in this struggle, and we are determined to strengthen the democratic process in our city.

CONTINUING NATIONAL GOALS:

• DC VOTING REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS

Leagues across the country are committed to achieving, for the citizens of the District of Columbia, the same rights of selfgovernment and representation in Congress as are enjoyed by all other citizens of the United States.

• FEDERAL PAYMENT

Leagues also support the restoration of an annual, predictable federal payment to the District to compensate for the revenue denied and expenses incurred because of the federal presence.

FOCUS ON ACTION

• AFFORDABLE HOUSING
• CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION
• EDUCATION
• HEALTH CARE
• TRANSPORTATION
• VOTING

FOCUS ON STUDY

• ELECTION OF THE U.S. PRESIDENT

Back to table of contents

LWVDC OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2002 - 2003

ELECTED OFFICERS

Back to table of contents

LWVDC CALENDAR 2002 - 2003

Note: Watch your DC VOTER for additions and changes

Note: In some months, General Meetings may be held in lieu of Unit Meetings.
*Meets at LWVUS, 1730 M St., NW 1st floor Board Room.
**Meets at LWVDC, 733 15th St., NW, #432.

Back to table of contents

UNIT OFFICERS 2002 - 2003

CHEVY CHASE/INGLESIDE UNIT
Will meet Thursdays at 9:45 AM

Co-Chairs Ruth Allen (#566) 362-8953
Leslie Dunbar (#540) 364-6457
Joan Wilson (#438) 237-6264
3050 Military Road, NW, DC 20015

Membership: Dorothy Armstrong 244-7566
3050 Military Rd. NW, # 414
Mary Rodgers 244-1933
4601 31st St., NW, DC 20008-2150

This Unit will usually meet in the Lounge of the Ingleside Community, 3050 Military Road, NW (Metrobus: E-2, E-3, E-4, M-4; call Chairs for parking directions. The Unit may also meet in members' homes.

IN TOWN EVENING UNIT
Will meet Tuesdays at 6:30 PM

Interim Chair Sheila Willet 588-1734
20348 17th St., NW, DC 20009-2663
This Unit is just forming and will be meeting in the downtown area. Watch for information in the DC Voter.

NORTHWEST DAY UNIT
Will meet Tuesdays at 12:45 PM

Co-Chairs June Bashkin 337-0949
2358 King Place, NW, DC 20007
Barbara Kemp 332-4529
3200 Porter St., NW, DC 20008

This Unit will usually meet at IONA Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St., NW (Metro Red Line: Tenleytown station)

SOUTHWEST UNIT
Will meet Tuesdays at 9:45 AM

Co-Chairs Leona Rumsey 863-7484
550 N St., #S-202, SW, DC 20024
Gladys Weaver 554-3055
1362 Fourth St., SW, DC 20024

This Unit will meet in members' homes.

UPPER SIXTEENTH UNIT
Will meet Wednesdays at 9:45 AM

Co-Chairs Paula McKann 829-0656
4706 16th St., NW, DC 20011
Constance Tate 882-0387
609 Delafield Place, NW, DC 20011

This Unit will meet in members' homes.

THE EVENING UNIT
Will meet Thursdays at 7:30 PM

Co-Chairs Joan Domike 966-3865
4200 Mass. Ave., #304, NW, DC 20016
Jean Hall 362-4526
4545 Connecticut Ave., NW, DC 20008

This Unit will meet in members' homes.

Back to table of contents

LWVDC PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

RESOURCE COMMITTEES: Resource committees are made up of interested League members who study selected areas of League program and report their findings to the members for discussion and consensus. Once consensus is reached and a position taken, LWVDC informs voters and takes action to influence legislation and its administrative implementation.

The work of a resource committee does not end with consensus. Some meet regularly as a group to study new developments and recommend action as appropriate; in other instances, a single member monitors an element of League program. Committees welcome new members, whether making a continuing commitment or to help occasionally.

If you have interests or skills to contribute in any of the program areas listed, call the Committee Chair, a Board member, or the office.

DC GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS (LOCAL PROGRAM)

Chair: Naomi Glass 686-0124
5533 33rd St., NW, DC 20015

The committee, which includes the chairs and interested members of local program committees, will continue to study and inform our members about fiscal matters and other critical issues in the District, advocate responsible fiscal policies, and encourage citizens to exercise their right to have representation in these matters.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Chair: Vacant
Convener: Naomi Glass 686-0124
5533 33rd St., NW, DC 20015

CHILDREN AT RISK

Co-chairs: Nancy Buchanan 364-7087
3050 Military Rd., NW #634 DC 20015
Joan Wilson 237-6264
3050 Military Rd., NW #438 DC 20015

This committee will research and review programs serving District children to report best practices and gaps. Readiness for school, access to mental health treatment, detention alternatives, adequacy of nutrition will be among topics for study for unit discussions and League budget testimony on children and poverty in Washington.

CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION

Chair: Kathryn Schmidt 237-5550
3601 Conn. Ave., NW, #418, DC 20008

This committee works within the League and with DC VOTE for full voting representation in Congress for the citizens of the District of Columbia.

EDUCATION

Co-chairs: Constance Tate 882-0387
609 Delafield PL, NW, DC 20011
Gladys Weaver 554-3055
1362 Fourth St., SW, DC 20024

HEALTHCARE

Chair. Natalie Howard 882-8762
PO Box 55963, DC, 20040-5963

This committee will consider health care issues, both local and national in nature.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Co-chairs: Susan Rao 636-1688
1504 Girard St., NE, DC 20018
Anne Porowski 364-0557
4200 Cathedral, NW, #1008, DC 20008

Having concluded concurrence studies for League positions on Trade and on the United Nations, the committee will focus on studies of various countries in Africa, Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING

Chair: Grace Malakoff 387-7540
2359 Ashmead Pl., NW, DC 20009

The committee will consider transportation and planning issues at the local level as well as at the region level with other Leagues in the National Capital Area.

Back to table of contents

ON-GOING LEAGUE ACTIVITIES

ARRANGEMENTS

Arranges meeting places, refreshments and other behind-the-scenes support for League activities. Committee is responsible for the Fall Opening Luncheon, Annual Meeting and special events.

BED & BREAKFAST

Chair: Christine Matthews 269-3890
1218 Kearney St. NE, DC 20017

BROWN BAG DIALOGUES

Chair: Anna Marsh 554-7719
1253 Delaware Ave., SW, DC 20024

Held over the noon hour the fourth Monday of the month, these dialogues with officials and representatives of DC organizations and government.

BUDGET

Chair: Joan Domike 966-3865
4200 Mass., NW, #304, DC 20016

Develops annual LWVDC budget for General Fund and Education Fund

DC VOTER

Sheila Walter 588-1734
2034B 17th St. NW, DC 20009-2663

Monthly newsletter of LWVDC reports on work of the LWVDC, its board, source committees and units and provides a calendar of coming events and meetings. Welcomes contributions from members on League topics and Letters to the Editor. See calendar for deadline dates.

FUNDRAISING/DEVELOPMENT/FINANCE DRIVE

Fundraising efforts to meet ongoing budget requirements.

KNOW YOUR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (KYDC)

Chair: Jeanette Miller 362-1203
2841 Tilden St., NW, DC 20008

This publication describing the District of Columbia's history and its government is currently being updated.

MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT (MOVC)

Co-chairs: Elinor Hart 387-2966
1651 Hobart St., NW, DC 20009
Elaine Melmed 393-4919
1234 Mass., NW, #113 DC 20005

This committee works with the District of Columbia's Public Schools to train student council leaders to register graduating seniors to vote. A special effort to register all high school seniors for the 2002 election is underway.

MEMBERSHIP

Chair: Linda Softli 393-4919
1930 Columbia Rd., NW, #302,
DC 20009

Develops membership recruitment and retention programs: Membership forms can be obtained in the League office or from web site: www.dcwatch.com/lwvdc

OFFICE

Manager: Sheila Willet 588-1734
2034B 17th St., NW, DC 20009-2663

The League maintains an office complete with telephone, computers, a copier, and a fax for use in conducting League business.

PRIVATE ELECTIONS

Co-chairs: Elizabeth Yancey 726-1929
1762 Redwood Ter. NW, DC 20012
Elaine Melmed 393-4919
1234 Mass., NW, #113 DC 20005

Conducts private elections, provides accurate counting of ballots and professional supervision of election procedures for tenant and condominium associations, corporate boards, etc. Provides income for LWVDC.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Chair: E. Patricia Hallman 829-8852
1312 Geranium St., NW, DC 20012-1706

Keeps the public informed about League positions, actions, programs and publications through newsprint, radio and television.

VOTER SERVICES

Go-chairs: Elinor Hart 387-2966
1651 Hobart St., NW, DC 20009
Judith A. Smith 882-3021
7628 17th St., NW, DC 20012

The League's commitment to promote voter registration and provide non-partisan election information to citizens is a time-honored tradition dating back to the founding pulses of the League. Not a resource committee in the usual sense of the word, Voter Services enjoys a special status in the League as the responsibility of every member. Since the national "Motor Voter" legislation has made it so easy for people to register when they obtain or renew their driver licenses, our local League has focused on registration assistance and voter education for groups that traditionally have low participation in the election process. Once a month we register new citizens at the naturalization ceremonies at the U.S. District Courthouse.

DNet Manager
Manager Sheila Willet 588-1734
2034B17th St., NW, DC 20009-2663

DNet is the League's electronic Voters Guide provided through the Internet. During an election year, the District of Columbia site (www.dnet.org/dc) provides candidate information on federal and local elections as well as ballot measures.

Back to table of contents

WHAT'S WHAT IN THE LEAGUE

LWV OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA PROGRAM 2002-2003: The National Capital Area (NCA) is an organization of Leagues in the metropolitan area who work jointly on regional issues such as Transportation and Land Use.

LWVUS PROGRAM 2002-2003: The 2002 National Convention in Miami saw the adoption of an ambitious program for 2002-2004 which consists of the retention of all existing National Positions (including the newly revised positions on Trade and the UN) and an update in 2003 of the League's position on the election of the U.S. President. In addition to supporting uniform voting qualifications and procedures, the League's current position, adopted in 1970 and revised in 1982, calls for election of the president by direct popular vote and abolition of the Electoral College. The systematic review of LWVUS positions as approved by Convention 2000 will continue, and will use the concurrence method of securing member input as was done with the UN and Trade positions. Support for full DC voting representation in Congress and for an annual, predictable Federal Payment to D.C. remains among the LWVUS positions on Representative Government.

MEMBER: Any U.S. citizen of voting age who accepts the purpose of the League may become a member of a local League by paying the dues set by that League. Membership in LWVDC automatically confers membership in the LWVUS and the LWVNCA.

POSITION: Statement of governmental policy supported by the League on the basis of member consensus following careful study. Positions form the basis for League action. Local and regional positions are printed in Where We Stand; national positions are published in Impact on Issues; regional positions are also published in LWVNCA Annual Meeting Workbook.

PRINCIPLES: League principles provide the authorization for adoption of national, state and local program.

PROGRAM: Those governmental issues that League members choose for concerted study and action comprise League program. It includes both adopted positions upon which action is taken and issues for study that will lead to a position and action.

UNIT COUNCIL: The monthly meeting of Unit Chairs or their representatives with the Unit Director to learn of Board action, exchange information and prepare for Unit meetings. Unit Council provides a conduit between the Board and Units.

Back to table of contents

PUBLICATIONS OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

KNOW THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (Rev.ed.1986, 130pp. Illustrated) Out of Print. Is available through the CAPACCESS program, an on-line computer retrieval service at the public library. Consult the Washingtoniana Division, Martin Luther
King library. Being updated.

DC GOVERNMENT ISSUES

FACT SHEET: FULL VOTING REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. April 1999, 4 pp.

TWENTY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: VOTING REPRESENTATION FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS LIVING IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL, April 1999, 6pp.

CHRONOLOGY, GOVERNANCE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. April 1999, 4pp.

OTHER LOCAL ISSUES

SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT, March 2000, 2pp.

Print Design and Production: Sheila Willet (September 2002) Printed by Beaver Press, Inc.