INSTRUCTIONS: LEAGUE MEMBERS

Consensus, as League uses the term, is agreement among a substantial number of members, representative of the whole membership, reached after study and group discussion.  Through interaction and exchange of views members seek to find common ground, a sense of what the group can support.  It is not a simple majority vote.  Unanimity may not be achieved, but an agreement most members can “live with.”   Consensus is the aim, but not necessarily the inevitable outcome, of a study that is complex and that may be controversial.  If no consensus is reached statewide on any question or any part of a question, no position will be constructed on that point.  

Study Information On-line:   Access study information anytime at 
www.lwval.org/legstudy/members/.  Type lwval as the Username and alconref (stands for Alabama Constitutional Reform) as the Password.    If you have any problems, contact Jean Johnson, jjohnson@lwval.org or 205 870-3063. 
Hint: Saving files to your computer prevents having to go on-line repeatedly.

Before the consensus meetings: 
•	Study the questions on the Work Sheet in connection with the Briefing Papers (BPs) that address the topic.  Use the Worksheet to consider your current views in the light of the BPs and to examine the new proposals with the information provided.
•	First read the relevant BPs.  Then fill out the worksheet.  
•	Take it with you to the consensus meeting for use in discussion.

At the consensus meetings:
•	Take full advantage of the opportunity to talk about the Alabama Legislature with 
other League members.  
•	Stay focused on the policy at issue.  Don’t digress into personalities or partisan 
discussion.

After the meeting
•	Keep the Briefing Papers for further use. 
•	Await the statewide consensus.  If consensus is reached, new position 
statements will be adopted by the state Board and used for advocacy on legislative procedures and practices.
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FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND MEETINGS:   You may mail in your Worksheet to the President or Study Leader to participate in the process.
	Members who will miss the meetings should, however, be sure to study the BPs before marking their worksheets.  Informal conversations with League friends might be helpful. Mail-in Consensus Question Worksheets should be identified by filling out the form at the end of the Consensus Questions: MEMBERS’  Worksheet. Your name; 
Which meetings attended, or none; Preparation by reading the BPs.