Reflections.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your president. In this, my last column, I'd like to reflect on some accomplishments of the past four years, and share thoughts about the challenges facing us as we work to fulfill our mission as a voice for citizens and a force for change. Here goes!

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Your LWVUS Board pledged to put "LWV FIRST." We promised to promote: Fiscal responsibility; Impact and visibility; Responsible stewardship; Strengthening diverse partnerships; and Teamwork and leadership. We also set "Guiding Principles":

* Focus on a limited number of priorities for the national office;

* Strive to maximize activities with an external focus;

* Address intra-League relationships; and

* Continue to be committed to the financial stability of the LWVUS/EF.

It hasn't been easy, but we've stayed the course and seen results!

Acknowledging that we cannot "do it all," we focused on a limited number of priorities in advocacy and education. A prime example is our Democracy Agenda. Focus has increased our effectiveness and our credibility.

The League's mission is to promote the active and informed participation of citizens in government--all citizens, not just League members. Activities that educated the public maximized our impact.

We improved intra-League relationships through enhanced communication and pass-through grants to Leagues. Although we operate at multiple levels of government, we are one organization--the League of Women Voters!

We are financially stable--not flush--but stable. Maintaining that stability demands constant attention to income and expenses. Programs cost money and we compete for funding. There were 300,000 not-for-profits at the end of the 1960s. Today, there are more than 1.6 million such organizations.

During my tenure, I have had the privilege of visiting Leagues in 25 states and the District of Columbia. I have witnessed first hand the incredible work you are doing. I have also seen the challenges we face as we work to ensure that League membership remains a unique, meaningful and relevant experience.

And so I challenge each of you to consider how we all might do some things differently, while maintaining our core principles of nonpartisanship and speaking with one voice.

* Commit to activities that have real impact, not just those "we've always done."

* Focus on a limited number of program issues that matter to your community.

* Make membership growth a real priority; don't just pay it "lip service."

* Support the League with your time and your money.

* Recognize that no League president can or should try to "do it all."

* Set priorities; and stick to them.

Being a League president--at the local, state and national levels--has been the most rewarding, most exciting job I've ever had. Thank you all for making that possible!

BY KAY J. MAXWELL

LWVUS President