LCW / YWW Policy Statement on Political Participation

Recently there have been questions about whether participants in Yes We Will and/or staff members of Lawrence CommunityWorks – the lead sponsor of YWW – can participate in the fundraising process for candidates. The answer is “YES!”

First, let us clarify that as a campaign and an organization, YWW and LCW are completely nonpartisan, dedicated to providing the most accurate information available about every candidate, and serving as a forum for all candidates’ voices equally. No YWW or LCW member is allowed to promote or recruit for a particular candidate at YWW or LCW events. No LCW resources, equipment, space, or time may be used to promote or support a particular candidate. Moreover, if you: 1) are a candidate yourself; 2) are paid by a candidate for campaign work; or 3) hold an official role in a campaign (campaign chair, treasurer, etc), then you MAY not participate in YWW activities (planning meetings, door-knocking, etc.) – although you may of course attend events such as Filing Day Celebration and Candidate Forums.

HOWEVER, a core value of YWW, clearly stated in our Pledge and Campaign Statement, is participation. YWW encourages full participation by as many people as possible in the political process. An essential part of this process is to choose and support a candidate: join a campaign, donate money or time to candidates, or raise money from others. Forbidding such activity is neither legal nor ethical, and a violation of the right of all citizens to participate in the democratic process. As private individuals, outside of LCW and of YWW, members (including staff and board) are supporting a wide variety of candidates. As private individuals, they are not only free but encouraged to do so.