A critical history of the League of Women Voters of Oregon: Success as a public interest organization: 1999-present

Abstract

The League of Women Voters of Oregon and the League's Education Fund are two primary organizations that foster political advocacy and attempt to inform the Oregon constituency through voter service and issue-based reports. Although the League has a substantial influence within the Oregon State Legislature as a non-partisan public interest organization, it is often overlooked by legislators during political work groups and committee selections. Membership is also in decline. This thesis examines the historical background of the past four Legislative sessions in response to League advocacy, as well as featuring personal interviews of three League lobbyists, and a survey of influential members; it ultimately finds that the decline of civic volunteerism, as well as the women in the workforce, have dramatically impacted the current status of the League. In order for this non-profit group to survive in the future, it must alter its current organizational structure. Two suggestions are proposed to assist the League transition into a successful future non-profit.