New Directions for a New Year
Program Planning for LWV-PA and the California State League in 2021–22
On January 7 and January 14, members of the League of Women Voters Pasadena Area gathered, as we do every January, to decide on our priority issues for education and advocacy in the coming League program year, July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022. This year, due to COVID-19, we had to do it differently. Instead of sitting around the tables over the traditional coffee and pastries, we had our discussions in virtual breakout rooms. Instead of the traditional flip charts on easels, individual discussion recorders shared Word documents on their computer screens. Everyone agreed that it worked surprisingly well—another example of how the League is successfully adapting to the “new normal.”
Focus on Four
Our first meeting aimed to identify four top areas where LWV-PA should focus our energies, specifically issues that lend themselves to getting all members involved and on which we can have a real impact at the local level. The results of the breakout room discussions are being consolidated and edited for the Board to review; the recommended program will be presented by the Board to the general membership for approval at the Annual Meeting in June, to guide our work in the coming year.
A number of common themes emerged from the lively and rich discussions: promoting civics education in area schools, supporting public education and accurate information on local affordable housing plans, advocating for climate action plans in area cities, and advocating for police oversight and accountability. In addition to the specific priorities identified beyond our ongoing basic commitment to voter engagement, we will continue to work for diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. Look for more information in later issues of the Voter.
Coordinating with LWVC
On January 14, we were fortunate to have Carol Moon Goldberg, president of the League of Women Voters of California, open our meeting and set the stage for discussion by speaking to us about the areas where LWVC has been active and effective, including lobbying for state legislation on immigrant rights, good policing practices, and exploring new avenues for expanding voter information (we used TikTok successfully). She also shared the California League’s views on the November 2020 election process, noting that LWVC is excited about the historic voter turnout, particularly among traditionally underrepresented demographics, but is now concerned about how this can be maintained in the future.
After Goldberg’s talk, we broke into smaller groups in virtual discussion rooms to develop LWV-PA’s recommendations to LWVC for the 2021–23 biannual program. Ideas proposed included advocating for state climate action and environmental programs, supporting legislation for affordable housing and tenants’ rights, civics education, and expanded access to WiFi. As requested by LWVC, we identified our members or committees who would work with the state League on these programs. The results of our discussions will be reviewed by the Board in February and submitted to LWVC on March 1. Along with submissions from other local Leagues, these recommendations will become part of the 2021–23 program presented at the state convention in June 2021.
Our team of dedicated and capable volunteer moderators and recorders deserve a big thank-you: Debbie Fagan, Jean Buennagel, Bonnie Skolnik, Marcia Baldeschwieler, Veronica Jones, Toni Cavanagh Johnson, Kitty Kroger, Anita Mackey, Joanne Als, Susie Pickett, Sheila Stephens, Kay Adams, Elena Velarde, Cynthia Cannady, and Betty Morin.
—Katherine Gavzy, Events Committee
