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.
December 2024
LWVC Announces Interim Executive Director
LWVC Convention 2025
Advocacy/Program Update
Membership Transformation
Post Board Summary
President's Message
As we wrap up this year so packed with momentous events, it hardly seems possible that it’s passed so quickly. We’ve barely had time to digest it when we’re off and running toward a new year. This next year will be full of important League events, our state convention not least. And with the Membership Transformation, we’ll be taking an enormous step forward into the future. So much to think about. But for now, let’s just step back and savor this holiday time.
Wishing all our League family, peace, joy, and health in the New Year.
Chris Carson, President
LWV California
LWVC Announces Interim Executive Director
The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Hutchison as Interim Executive Director. Hutchison, a longtime League leader and dedicated advocate for democracy, will guide the organization as it begins the search for its next permanent Executive Director. To read more about this, please visit: https://lwvc.org/lwvc-appoints-helen-hutchison-interim-ed/
LWVC Convention 2025
Save-the-Date
The biennial state convention will be held virtually on June 21 & 22, with workshops and events happening from June 17-20. Please save the date, and visit lwvc.org/convention for more updates and information as the event draws near!
Call for Workshops
The Convention Committee will have a call for workshop ideas in January. We are looking for League members who can share a project or skill set that aligns with our theme: “Strengthening Democracy in California.” Applications for workshop ideas will be available in January. Start thinking about how your League can share some of your great projects!
Advocacy/Program Update
2024 Advocacy Wrap-Up
If you haven’t already seen it, our 2024 Advocacy Wrap-Up is now available on our website. We encourage you to check it out to learn what this past year entailed from our advocacy operations and to begin looking ahead to the new legislative session in 2025. Through that same link, you can also access our legislative archive to view bills we’ve taken actions on and tracked in previous years. As always, if you have any questions related to our advocacy work, please email advocacy [at] lwvc.org.
Program Planning
The Program Planning Kit is available now on the Members Only site. We hope your League will take on this project as it provides an opportunity to refocus, engage new and old members alike, and to prepare for the future.
You can download the Program Planning Kit and read our highlights here. Program Planning responses are due on February 24, though earlier is better. Please note that a new process for considering “not recommended” items is outlined on pages 8-9 of the kit.
Once you are ready to submit your Program Planning responses, use this Program Planning Response Survey. The survey and all other related materials can be found on Members Only.
Legislative Interviews
The Legislative Interview Kit for 2024-2025 and associated material is now available on Members Only. Local League legislative interviews provide an opportunity for you to connect with your district representatives, expand your League’s presence as constituents in their districts, and heighten our collective impact. They are also an excellent chance to cultivate new leaders and build new relationships. Please be sure to coordinate with your local League President prior to planning for the interviews.
This year we are simplifying the legislative interview process by no longer providing detailed state League questions. The focus of the questions will be legislators’ priorities and plans for legislation and on your local League's priorities and concerns. It’s important to learn a legislator’s priorities so that we can understand their intentions and possible work in the legislature. We hope that these changes will make it easier to schedule meetings, simplify the preparation, and provide an opportunity for a more free-flowing conversation and to further the relationships you have with your local legislators.
The deadline for submitting your report online is February 24, 2025.
Membership Transformation
By now, your League should have set up a Stripe account that connects with ChapterSpot. One person in your League should have received an email with the invitation link. You should expect to receive the link to your membership join form in January.
Your League’s roster manager should make sure that all members have a unique email address and an expiration date listed in the database. Your roster manager should also ensure your officer list is up to date. It is important to have this updated prior to the January 31 deadline.
Your list of active members with expiration dates before February 1, 2025 will be used to calculate your final FY2025-2026 PMP invoice from both LWVC and LWVUS.
You can find more resources about the Membership Transformation on the LWVUS website: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/membership/chapterspot-resources. For additional questions, please email membership [at] lwv.org.
December 2024 Post Board Summary
LWVC/EF Board of Directors Meetings
December 10, 2024 – Electronic Communication
The LWVC and LWVCEF Boards of Directors met jointly on December 10, 2024 and acted as noted below.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Appointments to the LWVC Legislation Committee – 2025-2027 Session
New Members
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Chynell Freeman (LWV Sacramento County)
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Kim Knox (LWV San Diego)
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Kevin Ma (LWV Los Altos/Mountain View Area)
Reappointments
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Gloria Chun Hoo, Chair, (LWVC 2nd Vice President/LWV San Jose/Santa Clara)
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Chris Carson, (LWVC President/LWV Greater Los Angeles Area)
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Carol Moon Goldberg (LWVC 1st Vice President/LWV Sacramento County)
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Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate (LWVC Board/LWV Greater Los Angeles Area)
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Maxine Anderson (LWV San Francisco)
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Helen Hutchison (LWV Oakland)
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Mary O’kicki (LWV Palo Alto)
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Elizabeth Ralston (LWV Greater Los Angeles Area)
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Diz Swift (LWV Berkeley-Albany-Emeryville)
Governance Committee Report
The Governance Committee Chair presented a report with recommendations for appointments of a Chair and two members to the search committee for the selection of a permanent Executive Director.
Personnel Matters
Authorized the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors to evaluate the candidates for the Interim Executive Director position and to select as soon as possible.
Finance Committee Report – LWVC and LWVCEF
Received and filed both the LWVC and LWVCEF Financial Reports through September 30, 2024 as presented by the Treasurer. They included Statements of Financial Positions, Statements of Activity, and Budget v. Actuals.
Development Committee Report – LWVC and LWVCEF
The Development Committee Chair and Development Director presented an overview of fundraising results to date, including Giving Tuesday. They reviewed the Development Committee’s Fundraising Plan, and various sponsorships.
The LWVC Board of Directors met on December 10, 2024, and acted as follows.
PROGRAM AND ADVOCACY
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An overview of the Program Planning Kit, 2024 Advocacy Wrap-Up, and Legislative Interview Kit for 2024-2025 was presented by the Program and Advocacy Chair and Deputy Director. These items are posted and available on the members only website.
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The Program Planning Workshop was held on December 9. The recording is available on the members only website for review.
GOVERNANCE
Membership Transformation
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Approved the transfer of 20% of membership dues from individuals of a MAS/MAL unit to the appropriate MAS/MAL account within the LWVC fund.
Trudy Schafer Fellowship Structure Change
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Approved evolving the Trudy Schafer Public Policy Fellowship to the Trudy Schafer Public Policy Internship Program, as outlined in the SBK report.
Caroline de Llamas
LWVC/EF Secretary
cdellamas [at] lwvc.org
