Policies & Guidance

Sign-On

I. Purpose

There can be value in signing on to letters in collaboration with other organizations. However, LWVMN must use its limited resources wisely to maximize value to members and the public. The purpose of this policy is to document, clarify, and streamline requests for LWVMN to sign onto letters from other organizations. Primarily, these requests come through LWVMN Lobby Corps members and our coalitions.

II.      Pre-Approved Sign-on

LWVMN has long-standing relationships with 501(c)(3) partners that adhere to similar standards of nonpartisanship, and we acknowledge their continuously high-quality work. The following partners have pre-established approval to sign LWVMN onto letters:

A.    LWV Upper Mississippi River Region ILO for

(1)   Letters to state and regional governmental entities that are not lobbying on specific legislation; and

(2)   Letters to federal governmental entities either (a) that are not lobbying on specific legislation or (b) that are lobbying on specific legislation and have approval from LWVUS.

B.    Minnesota Environmental Partnership for letters to state and regional governmental entities concerning natural resources, including resource management, environmental protection, pollution control, climate change, agricultural policies, and public participation in the management of natural resources. MEP itself must draft or approve the letter, not necessarily only one of its members.

The Civic Engagement Director shall keep a list of delegates for these coalitions. Delegates for each coalition must send to the Civic Engagement Director as soon as possible final copies of all letters on which LWVMN’s name appears.

III.   Other Sign-on Requests

LWVMN also accepts requests for other letters if the letter’s contents clearly and directly aligns with LWVMN mission and positions. LWVMN always makes independent and strategic judgments on letters in order to protect our credibility and effectiveness.

A.    Requests for signing onto other letters must be submitted through the Google Form titled “LWVMN Letter Sign-On Request.”

B.    Requests for signing onto other letters must meet the following requirements:

(1)   The request must cite the LWVMN Program for Action position(s) that justifies the sign-on;

(2)   The request must identify the consequences if LWVMN does not sign onto the letter; and

(3)   The request must note if the letter contains legal or technical arguments, as it is advisable for LWVMN to evaluate those arguments carefully or compose its own letter. The request must include documentation to support the legal or technical arguments made, either in the draft letter itself or as supplemental material.

C.     Requests for signing onto other letters must be implemented as follows:

(1)   Requests should be submitted to the Civic Engagement Director at least three business days before a response is needed. There is no guarantee that LWVMN can honor requests with less notice.

(2)   The Civic Engagement Director will forward the request to both the Advocacy Chair and the Executive Director. The Advocacy Chair may then approve the request. If the Advocacy Chair is unable to approve due to timeliness issues, then the Executive Director or their designee may approve.

(3)   Once approved, the Civic Engagement Director shall sign LWVMN as a signatory, or if a specific person is required as the signatory, the Executive Director’s name or Civic Engagement Director’s name as appropriate.