Action and Advocacy

The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.

Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.

Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.

It is the consensus statement -- the statement resulting from the consensus questions -- that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.

Current League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area Positions (PDF format).

Current League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Positions.

Current League of Women Voters of the United States Positions.

For members interested in more information about or involvement with mental health programs and agencies represented at the January Lunch & Learn:

The La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium Behavioral Health Project has been awarded a multi-year grant for the community to achieve better integration of mental health services. Interested community members are invited to join discussion groups exploring Resilience and Social Connectedness; System Integration and Coordination; and Mental Health Awareness on January 23,24,and 25. Please RSVP to Heather at hquackenboss@gruw.org for more details about joining the strategic planning teams.

The La Crosse County Health Department has also identified mental health as a priority public health issue. Through community collaboration, the health department is focused on reducing the stigma of suicide and mental illness in the county. Contact the department for additional information here.

The Coulee Region NAMI organization has a long history of local, state, and national leadership in providing advocacy, education, support and public awareness about mental illness. Advocates interested in mental health advocacy through NAMI Wisconsin should sign up for action alerts here.

Requests for information or support from the La Crosse County Chapter of NAMI can be emailed to info@NAMILaCrosseCounty.org.