The Leaders Update is a publication generated after each LWVC board meeting to inform our members about LWVC activity. If you are not yet subscribed to receive Leaders Updates, please contact the LWVC office. To view past Leaders Updates, please visit the Leaders Update archives page.
April 2025
LWVC Convention
Program/Advocacy
Post Board Summary
President's Message
As we move into Spring, we are deeply engaged in important League work. First up - convention! Not that far away and we have a number of important updates for local Leagues. I'll draw particular attention to our new idea for convention. Since it will be virtual, we're encouraging local Leagues to host in person gatherings to participate in the convention and create a more personal experience. Certainly if you have new members, please try to host a gathering that includes them so that they can get the full experience from veterans.
As always, our Advocacy Team has been hard at work, and we have lots of news to share. Be sure to push out the information to all your members. And of course, check out the Post Board summary for all the business of the League news.
Chris Carson, President
LWV California
LWVC Convention 2025
New Program Planning Process
NEW! Part of the purpose for a convention of member delegates is to adopt issues for education or advocacy for the LWVC for the next two years. Local Leagues conduct Program Planning meetings to identify issues that they believe should be pursued. The suggestions for issues for education and advocacy are collected, noting the number of Leagues that raised each particular issue. The LWVC Board of Directors has reviewed the collection and created a recommended program that will be put before the delegates at the LWVC Convention. The delegates will then approve or amend the recommended program.
Traditionally at the Convention delegates may ask that an item that was not included in the Recommended Program be added to the Program. It is called “Considering a Not Recommended Item.” This can still occur but (this is the NEW! part) only if you inform the LWVC Board of Directors of the request no later than on April 14, 2025 by sending an email to program [at] lwvc.org. This change will remove the lengthy, confusing, and time-consuming process during Convention.
The proposed item must be one raised during the program planning process.
You can see the complete list of items suggested along with the Recommended Program here. The email requesting the inclusion of a Not Recommended item must include:
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The subject line: “Not Recommended Item”
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The exact wording of the item that appears in the list of items suggested during the planning process must appear in the body of the email, and
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An explanation of the reasons for proposing the item must appear in the body of the email. This explanation must be less than 500 words. It will appear in the Convention Workbook.
The ability of delegates to adopt an item that does not appear in the Recommended Program remains intact but the process is streamlined so that less time is spent in the Plenary Session of the Convention explaining and re-explaining how this all works.
The “Not Recommended Item” motion will be listed in the Convention Workbook when it is released one month before the Convention.
Note that the Recommended Program items represent combinations of the recommendations from local Leagues. For example, several Leagues specifically mentioned Civic Education. This is included in the “Making Democracy Work” item. Likewise, several Leagues listed either wildfire response, or responding to natural disasters. These are included in both Climate Change and Housing. If you have questions, please send them to program [at] lwvc.org.
Host a Gathering
We encourage convention attendees to gather in-person when they can. To that end, we need you, our local League leaders, to host meet-ups for other members in your geographic area. These can be watch parties, lunches, walks in the park, dinners, cocktail hours, etc. Get creative and get together! Sign up to be a host!
Award Nominations
We are accepting nominations for five award categories. We encourage you to nominate your League in one or more of the categories for the exemplary work you’ve done in the past two years! Click on an award category to apply. Nominations are due by April 30, 2025.
Strength in Leadership - Award winners in this category shall have demonstrated effective ways to lead in challenging times. Describe the issues and the methods used that were effective in combating apathy or other challenges facing your membership. List the outcomes.
Strength in Change - Award winners in this category shall have demonstrated new strategies to tackle familiar problems. We have all heard the saying, “we’ve always done it this way.” Change is often necessary but can be difficult to implement. Describe what changes have been tried or implemented and how it has helped advance the work of the League.
Strength in Collaborating - Award winners in this category shall have demonstrated the value of working together with outside organizations. Collaborating with others often provides access to a broader audience and ultimately larger platform from which to advance common interests. Describe a success story working with outside organizations that has advanced the work of the League.
Strength in Our Differences - Award winners in this category shall have demonstrated deeper understanding and knowledge through diversity. Describe actions taken to educate/enlighten, and therefore strengthen the League’s work through embracing our differences (e.g. political, age, race, religion, culture, experiences).
Strength in Failure - Award winners in this category shall have demonstrated valuable lessons learned from missing their intended target. Describe a situation where failing helped to position your League to be more successful?
Advocacy/Program Update
We are in the busy season of legislative activities. From voting rights to immigration, LWVC is taking positions on bills and making our voice heard in the Legislature. Check out our Bill Status Report for the list of bills we’re advocating on.
The Program Planning process recently wrapped up. 47 local Leagues participated in the survey process, giving many suggestions on items to be considered for the next two years of Program. Consult the convention website regarding the new process for considering non-recommended items at Convention at lwvc.org/conv25-delegates.
2025 Legislative Priorities
The LWVC board recommends to continue to focus on Making Democracy Work and these major areas that continue to require our focus and efforts:
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Making Democracy Work: Voting rights, voter protection and service, election reform, money in politics, and local redistricting legislation.
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Housing & Homelessness: Housing supply, affordability, and production.
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Criminal Justice Reform
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Climate Change
These continue to be big issues statewide, and the League voice has made a difference in these areas. We also need to maintain flexibility to respond to any actions by the federal government that will impact any issues or governance in California. These include things like federal Voter ID and documentary proof of citizenship requirements, attacks on immigrants, and defunding of Medicaid.
March 2025 Post Board Summary
LWVC/EF Board of Directors Meetings
March 29, 2025 – Electronic Communication
The LWVC BOARD OF DIRECTORS met on March 29, 2025 and acted as noted below.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Approval of LWVC Minutes
· Regular Meeting of January 18, 2025, as presented.
Executive Director Search Committee
· The LWVC Board was updated on the status of the Committee’s work.
Convention 2025 Related Matters for Consideration by the Delegates
· Approved Convention Rules and Procedures
· Finalized and approved Proposed Bylaws amendments
· Approved Program Recommendations and Legislative Priorities
· Approved Proposed Budget for 2025-2027
· Heard Report of Nominating Committee for Officers/Directors/Nominating Committee Chair and Two Members
FINANCE
· Approved forms and tax schedules for filing with appropriate agencies.
· Received and filed Financial Reports through December 31, 2024.
The LWVCEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS met on March 29, 2025 and acted as noted below.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Approval of LWVCEF Minutes
· Regular Meeting of January 18, 2025, as presented.
FINANCE
· Authorized opening a brokerage account with the Vanguard Group for LWVCEF
· Approved forms and tax schedules for filing with appropriate agencies
· Received and filed Financial Reports through December 31, 2024.
The LWVC AND LWVCEF BOARDS OF DIRECTORS met jointly on March 29, 2025 and acted as follows.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Approval of LWVC/LWVCEF Minutes
· Joint Regular Meeting of January 18, 2025
Caroline de Llamas
LWVC/EF Secretary
cdellamas [at] lwvc.org
