The VMA has long struggled and debated its role within the Village and in particular its relationship to issues that come before the Village Board of Trustees. We continue to live by the principle that we do not in any way dictate policy to the officials that we helps elect, but we have come to realize that we must add our voice to the public debate on issues that are central to our mission and guiding principles.

Adding our voice to these debates is not completely new.

• Prior to 1974, the VMA occasionally took positions on issues.
• In 1957, we endorsed a bond issue to pay for placement of el tracks on the Northwestern R.R. right of way.
• In 1959, the VMA directors issued a resolution opposing high rise apartments in Oak Park.
• In October of 1960, we took an ad in the Oak Leaves to go on record against a referendum to redistrict Oak Park. The next year, we joined the American Association of University Women, Friends of the Library, and the League of Women Voters to support a new library.
• In 1965, we supported a Recreation Bond issue.
• After several years of silence, in 1998 the VMA endorsed the Domestic Partnership Referendum for lesbian and gay citizens of Oak Park.

In January of 2006, the VMA membership further expanded its ability to speak out. The purpose of the organization was broadened to include,

“ … a nonpartisan civic action organization working for community good through the study and public discussion of issues of local concern, ….”

The membership empowered the VMA Board of Directors with the ability to take and promote positions of the Association, and its membership with the right to bring issues before the VMA board for action.

The Board has also adopted guidelines for establishing positions of Public Policy for the Association that are in accordance with the by-laws and allow for positions to be taken in consistent manner. Click on the link for more information on the guidelines.

For more information, see our Guidelines for Establishing Public Policy Positions

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