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LWV - Sonoma County
555 Fifth St. Suite 300O
Santa Rosa, CA 95401 
Phone #: 707-546-5943
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HomeCommittee - Advocacy

Advocacy Committee



The Advocacy Committee encourages active and informed citizen participation by: (a) monitoring issues
related to the League goals, interests and areas of emphasis; (b) researching these issues; (c) educating
members and (d) making recommendations for action to the Board, our members and government.


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The League is a respected voice on issues because of careful research, well thought-out approaches and persistent advocacy actions based on established league positions. No action can be taken without a supporting position. Learn more about league positions: National LWV,  LWV/California and LWV/Sonoma County. 

Our work begins with members identifying an issue and its associated position. The Advocacy Committee researches the issue and proposes action. This exploration and discussion typically takes a few months. We start out with a few people who know a lot about a topic and the rest of us who do not. We take time to research and discuss the issue to close this gap.

Criteria for taking action often include answers to questions such as: Can we develop an approach within the time available to us? Can we describe exactly what we want to have happen? Can we make a difference? Is it just our county? If it a multi-county issue, is our proposed action consistent with or at least not in conflict with positions taken by other county-level Leagues, the LWV California and LWV United States?

For every issue, the Advocacy Committee votes on the proposed actions.  This goes to the LWV of Sonoma County Board of Directors for approval or modification. It typically takes two or more meetings for the Board to consider and approve a draft.   After the Board approves, the action may be in the form of:

  • Public education
  • A phone call
  • A letter
  • Meeting with relevant officials or an agency
  • A webinar
  • A “Close to Home” article for the Press Democrat
  • Use of social media
  • Collaboration with other nonpartisan advocacy organizations
  • Or other action
  • In the recent past

In the recent past at the Sonoma County level the LWV of Sonoma County has taken advocacy actions with regard to:  IOLERO; Fire Safe Roads; Sonoma Development Center; and Ordinances for Tree Removal, Cannabis, and Well Water; and transparency in governmental operations.  To see examples of our local action visit "Where We Stand." 

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The Chair of the Advocacy Committee is passionate about the committee"s work saying, "I facilitate and manage the above processes.  I am not a subject matter expert on most of the topics that come before us and do not need to be.  I look forward to working with you on (1) the current issues facing our community, (2) exploring the issues you bring to the Advocacy Committee, and (3) presenting recommendations for action to the Board, and (4) TAKING ACTION. "

Contact:  Action@LWVSonoma.org