Donna Seymour
NYS Public Policy Director

The purpose of a resolution is to focus attention on issues of importance to the mission and vision of AAUW. The resolution should contain specific and realistic suggestions for action. Here's how to write a resolution for consideration at a NYS convention:

1. Determine exactly the action you want from the NYS Board or branches and/or the specific person or committee that will carry out the desired action. For example: The NYS President will… NYS Public Policy Director will…Branches will…
2. Determine how your concern/project/recognition relates to AAUW's mission and AAUW Public Policy Priorities. It must fit into the AAUW Public Policy Program. When your resolution is submitted, please indicate where you believe it fits into that Program.
3. Resolutions to be reported to the Convention must meet all of the following criteria:
   • Specific NYS Impact on Public Policy Goals
   • Practical/fiscal potential for implementation
   • Potential for distinctive AAUW contribution
4. Draft your resolution.
   • The introductory paragraph should contain the who, what, when, where and why of the resolution.
   • The introductory paragraph should be followed by a series of statements (beginning with Whereas…) that are general but pertinent to the issue. You can make statements about societal conditions, historical facts, etc. that suggest the need for the resolution.
   • The third phase of the resolution is more philosophical or sociological and leads into the final paragraph which begins with this statement: Now, therefore, be it resolved that AAUW-NYS:
   • Recognizes the importance of…OR
   • Urges that a specific group such as the legislature, professional organization, elected official(s) take a specified action- example ( RESOLVED: That AAUW NYS urges the New York State Legislature to enact a Clean Elections system of full public financing into law in order to break the hold big money interests have over the electoral and legislative processes of government and restore the democratic principle of one person, one vote, ¹ ) … OR
   • Urges/suggests action to be taken by NYS President, a specific NYS Director, a specific committee or NYS branches/members… example -(FURTHER RESOLVED: That the AAUW NYS President and AAUW NYS Public Policy Director send copies of this resolution to Governor David Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Assembly Minority Leader James N. Tedisco, state assembly members and senators ¹ )…. OR
   • Commends any branch/individual/community for already taking action on the specified issue…
5. Proofread your resolution; verify its accuracy with other supporters. Be sure to include the name of the branch(s) or persons presenting the resolution at the bottom.
6. Submitting your written resolution to the NYS Public Policy Director
   • Send a copy to the NYS Public Policy Director at least four weeks before the start of the NYS Convention for approval by the committee. The committee may request revisions or restatements for clarity of purpose before approving the resolution for presentation at the business meeting.
   • Bring copies of the approved resolution for the entire NYS Convention body and for those attending the resolutions caucus. Contact the NYS Public Policy Director or NYS Convention Director or Convention Registration Chair to determine the number of copies needed
   • Someone from the submitting branch or representing the resolution speaks to the issue at the resolutions caucus and at the business meeting.
   • These resolutions submitted to the NYS Convention delegates from the committee by the NYS Public Policy Director require “a majority vote of those present and voting shall be required for adopton” ²
7. Resolutions not submitted ahead being presented at the convention from the floor or at the caucus (which is considered “from the floor”) need:
   • Bring copies of the resolution to be presented to the delegates at the business meeting. Copies for the Resolutions Caucus attendees are helpful as well. Contact the NYS Public Policy Director or NYS Convention Director or Convention Registration Chair to determine the number of people attending so you can make enough copies for all
   • Someone from the submitting branch or representing the resolution speaks to the issue at the resolutions caucus and at the business meeting.
   • “A two third vote of those present and voting is necessary for discussion.” A negative vote means the delegates do not permit the resolution to be brought up for discussion. This is the risk you take by not getting committee approval prior to the convention.
   • “A three quarters vote of those present and voting is required for adoption of the item” ²
8. Give the NYS Secretary/By-Laws a copy of your resolution
9. Check with the NYS Public Policy Director to prevent duplicate resolutions.
10. Contact the Public Policy Director with questions, comments, concerns.

¹ Clean Money Clean Elections 2008 Resolution

² The AAUW-NYS bylaws Article XV MEETINGS OF THE STATE,
Section 2. Representation, Voting Procedures. For complete statement see rules.

Taking a Local Stand
AAUW States and Branches can take positions on state or local issues that are not current AAUW priorities at the federal level, providing those issues do not conflict in any way with AAUW public policy priorities and principles.