Mansfield (Connecticut) League of Women Voters Records

Collection

Identifier: 2005-0159

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The materials that compose the records of the Mansfield League of Women Voters (MLWV) in this collection begin with minutes documenting a meeting that took place on 5 February 1942. As the MLWV gained strength in membership and purpose the records of its activities have included: organizational documents such as histories of the League, by-laws, Board policies, Board rosters and membership directories; minutes of Board meetings, annual meetings, and sporadic general membership meetings; financial reports relating to budgetary matters; newsletters; study reports based on intensive study of mostly local issues.

The relative completeness of these records reflects what has been made available to this collection from many current and past members of the MLWV. Additional materials of both a historic and current nature will be added as they become available.

Dates

undated, 1942-2011

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

History

The Mansfield League of Women Voters (MLWV) was organized in 1941 and is an affiliate of the national League of Women Voters (LWVUS). It is a non-profit political organization dedicated to encouraging informed and active participation in government and politics. The LWVUS and its state affiliates do not support or oppose candidates or political parties. However, they do take positions on issues and work to advance these positions. Support of positions is determined through membership consensus after objective study.

To encourage participation in government the MLWV conducts voter registration drives, sponsors forums at which voters meet the candidates, and compiles and disseminates voter information. Publications on the process of government and various governmental issues are distributed to the public at no cost.

During the years since its founding members of the MLWV have worked on many national, state and local issues with notable success. Among the local achievements in which the informational studies and supportive actions of the MLWV have played a decisive role are:

Town Planning and Zoning
Public Library Services
Organization of Town Ordinances
Full-Day Public Kindergarten
Before- and After-School Programs
Revisions of Town Charter
Public Library Services
Day Care Center
Hazardous Household Waste Collection
Environmental Conservation and Preservation
Foreign Language Beginning in Grade 2
Bicycle and Walking Paths
Assisted-Living Housing for Aging, Moderate-Income Residents (in progress, Sept 2008)
Later High School Start Time (in progress, Sept 2008)

PUBLIC SERVICES:

Know Your Towns Fair
Meet the Candidates Night
Legislative Breakfast
Publication of Voters Guide
Publication and Distribution of Know Your Town Booklet
Hospitality at Town Budget Meetings
Public Issue Forums

On 12 June 2013, the League of Women Voters (Mansfield) officially changed its name to League of Women Voters of Northeastern Connecticut to more accurately reflect the geographical scope of its membership and services.

Additional information about the Mansfield League of Women Voters is available on its website.

Extent

5.95 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The materials that compose the records of the Mansfield League of Women Voters in this collection begin with minutes documenting a meeting that took place on 5 February, 1942. As the League gained strength in membership and purpose the records of its activities have included: organizational documents such as histories of the League, by-laws, Board policies, Board rosters and membership directories; minutes of Board meetings, annual meetings, and sporadic general membership meetings; financial reports relating to budgetary matters; newsletters; study reports based on intensive study of mostly local issues.

Arrangement

Series I. Organizational Records (undated, 1946-2009) contains general records of the organization and documentation of several significant committees and activities. Please note that "Know Your Town Fair" changed to "Know Your Towns Fair" in 2006.

Series II. Minutes (1942-2008) contains minutes and reports of annual, board and general meetings. The dates for this series are inclusive and do not indicate those that are missing.

Series III. Studies and Positions (undated, 1951-2009) contains the research, notes, references and working papers of the League study groups.

Series IV. Programs (undated, 1975-2009) includes documentation of occasional programs organized, presented and/or sponsored by the MLWV.

Series V: Scrapbooks (1950-2003) documents the activities and interests of the organization organized chronologically.

Acquisition Information

The Dodd Research Center was selected as the official repository for the Mansfield LWV records in 2005. Materials have been added irregularly since November 2005.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to Connecticut organizations, history and politics. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Separated Material

The following materials have been separated from the collection and cataloged:

Handbook for Mansfield Voters Dodd

Know Your Town Dodd

Newsletter Dodd Periodicals

Community Center Forum 2005-0159.vr1

MLVW Filming 2005-0159.vr2

Did My Vote Really Count on 11/4? 2005-0159.dvd1

Call It Democracy 2005-0159.dvd2

Subjects

Administrative records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Audio visual materials Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Audiocassettes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Financial records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Fliers (printed matter) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Histories Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Newsletters Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Notebooks Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Notes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Photocopies Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Publications (documents) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Scrapbooks Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Videocassettes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
bylaws (administrative records) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
minutes (administrative records) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus