A critical history of the League of Women Voters of Oregon: Success as a public interest organization: 1999-present
Author
Koski, Sarah Anne
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.