May 6, 2021 League Update

May 6, 2021 League Update

League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara presents Giving Tuesday December 1, 2020 and anytime!
Type: 
News

Our League

Our People Powered Day of Action last week was a great success! Thank you to the nearly 300 Leagues who participated. More than 100 events were held where people learned about and got engaged in redistricting. If you missed the National Kick-Off Pep Rally, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel. 

On May 11, at 5 PM ET, the Organizing team will be hosting a Day of Action debrief call. We encourage you to join the call and share highlights of your League’s day of action event and the lessons you learned. You can register for the call today.

In other League news, Council registration is now open! We encourage state leaders to register for this virtual event. Remember, this year we have increased the number of attendees, and we encourage you to include an emerging leader. 

Our Nation

Last week, President Biden gave his first joint address to Congress. He made it clear to the American people that "we need to protect the sacred right to vote." LWV and all our partners in the voting rights space applaud the president for urging the Congress to make the right decision in promoting the American people’s voting freedoms.

The League continues to advocate for Congress to pass the For the People Act (S1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. These bills will ensure that everyone has equal access to participate in voting and that equitable maps are drawn in our redistricting process.

In our efforts to make the VRAA law, we joined as partners for the National John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Day of Action, which will be held this Saturday, May 8. We encourage League members to participate in this day of action by joining one of the events being held across the country.  

Final Notes

Finally, I want to say Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This month we're using our social networks to highlight AAPI women who helped shift democracy, and we encourage Leagues to do the same. We likewise encourage Leagues to partner with AAPI communities and organizations this month and all year long.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our League mothers! Remember to appreciate everyone who has mothered you in your lifetime. Many of us mother others every day in different ways. 

Please continue to stay safe.

In League, 

Deborah
WEBINARS & VIRTUAL MEETINGS

Upcoming

Recordings
ACTION

Apply Now: DEI Training Series

All League members are invited to apply for a training opportunity LWVUS is offering in partnership with Leaderosity. Participants of the program will receive complimentary access to a customized training portal that includes two DEI self-led training courses and a discussion board to interact with fellow participants. The application deadline has been extended to May 20. Apply here. 

Apply for United Nations Observer Corps

The League is actively accepting applications for the LWVUS United Nations Observer Corps, the official group of volunteers who carry out our mission internationally. If you’re interested in being part of the League’s international work, please complete the questionnaire application to introduce yourself to the selection committee. The application is only open to LWV members and will close on May 15, 2021. Individuals who are selected for interviews will be contacted directly. All applicants will be informed of the status of their application by June 30. Find the application here. 

 

OutreachCircle: Taking League Power to New Heights

Join the LWVUS Organizing team for an OutreachCircle introduction. These weekly demos explain what OutreachCircle is, how it can maximize League work and how Leagues across the country are currently using it. Register today for our Friday demo at 4pm ET or our Saturday demo at 4pm ET.

UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)

The United Nations will host its Climate Change Conference of Parties in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, on November 12, 2021. League members are invited to apply to attend. Send any rtokmakian [at] lwv.org (questions to Robin Tokmakian). Please note, travel restrictions due to Covid-19 may apply. This is a self-funded opportunity. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2021. Download the interest form and learn more about the conference here. 

Save the Date: June 2nd LWV  2021 Congressional Panel

On June 2, the League of Women Voters of the United States will be hosting an engaging discussion on what lies ahead for American Democracy. As the League celebrates and acknowledges all the hard -ought and crucial successes of our first 100 years, we now find ourselves asking: what’s next? We are excited to welcome League members to join the conversation around what the nature of democracy will look like in the next 100 years. Keep a look out for more information and registration links! 
RESOURCES

DEI Policy and League Bylaws Resources

The LWVUS Bylaws were amended at the 2020 Convention to include our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This requires all Leagues to have a DEI policy. Check out our frequently asked questions, informational webinar recording, and more resources relating to our DEI policy on the resources page. 

OutreachCircle Supporter Kit

Our OutreachCircle supporter kit that outlines step-by-step instructions for how to sign up and use OutreachCircle. Check it out!

State Conventions and 2020-22 Nominating Committee 

Newly added this week to the Recorded Sessions for State Conventions and Annual Meetings pageis a two-minute PSA from our Nominating Committee Co-Chairs Judy Golberg and Hilda Walker Thomas. Share this at your convention during a break to get your attendees thinking about national leadership opportunities for the next biennium! Interested in learning more about this year’s Nominating Committee? Check out their bios here.

Letters for For the People Act/S1 Cosponsors

LWVUS has developed two letter templates for Leagues to send to their senators regarding S1. Find a letter to thank your senator for co-sponsoring S1 here. Find a letter to request that your senator cosponsor S1 here.

State/Local Election Graphic Template

Leagues are encouraged to use this Instagram template on Canva to share voter information and promote VOTE411 during their election cycles!
LWV BUSINESS

Council Registration Is Open

State-level Leagues are invited to send up to four state leaders to this virtual event from June 24–June 27. Check out the information page here. 
LETTERS & MEMOS

Leagues in the News
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LWV of Maine’s Anna Kellar penned an op-ed in support of DC Statehood. Check out their piece in the Portland Press Herald.
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Last week, Hawai'i lawmakers passed an automatic voter registration bill. Helen Hemmes of LWV Hawai'i County praised the bill’s passage.
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Ohio is one of the states that will lose a congressional seat according to Census apportionment data. LWV of Ohio’s Jen Miller shifts focus from Ohio’s loss to the need for representative maps.
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