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.
January 2025
Membership Transition Process
LWVC Convention
Program/Advocacy
Post Board Summary
President's Message
Happy New Year! After a very busy election year, what is the League up to in California? We are busy!
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The Legislative session is beginning, with lots of bills being introduced, including several for which we are committed to working actively.
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A search for a new Executive Director is underway
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Planning work for the June 2025 LWVC Convention is underway.
We expect to have an active year in the Legislature. Watch your inbox for action alerts – and please respond to them! Your voice is what gives us power.
The LWVC Convention will be virtual – all online. If your League is interested in proposing a workshop, applications are now open for you to submit your proposal. The last day to submit an application is February 28, 2025. To submit an application, visit: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8136290/Conv25-Workshop-Idea-Submittal
We are very pleased to announce that the LWVC Water Resources position has been updated and approved by the LWVC Board. The Water Resources position, first adopted in 1959 and last updated in 1979, does not acknowledge the current state of water in California, the emerging crisis of climate change in its impact on water resources, nor the growing urgency around water issues. The modifications represent a recognition of circumstances that have changed in the last 45 years.
This is a modern restatement of our existing Water position, incorporating current water language, reflecting the impact of other positions on water and our concerns around water access for all. Most important, this restatement will help local Leagues better understand and use the position to take action. It ties in well with our Climate Change Action Policy and our Growth Management Action Policy.
Chris Carson, President
LWV California
Membership Transition Process
The message below is from the LWVUS Leaders Update last week, and is worth mentioning again.
The new membership system, ChapterSpot, will launch on February 3. This will include new join and login buttons on LWV.org, as well as email invitations to every League member to log onto the membership portal. Membership portal invitations will be sent to members throughout the week of February 3 on a staggered basis, meaning that not all members will receive the invitation on the same day. For more guidance on how Leagues can bring members up to speed on the membership system updates, check out the ChapterSpot Resources page on the League Management Site under the “Communicating with Members” section.
Your League’s final 2025-2026 PMP invoice (from both State and National League) will be based on the membership count captured in the LWVUS database on January 31, 2025. Your board should create your 2025-2026 budget to account for these final PMP invoices and the real-time dues split between the three levels of League for all renewals. If this is a hardship for your League, we recommend that you request an extension to both LWVUS and LWVC to extend the deadline of payment.
LWVC Convention 2025
The 2025 LWVC Convention will be held virtually during the week of June 17, with workshops and events happening Tuesday through Friday, and the General Sessions (plenary sessions) on Saturday and Sunday. Please bookmark lwvc.org/convention for news and updates about the event!
Has your League submitted a Program Planning Response yet? Responses are due Monday, February 24, 2025. You can access the Program Planning Kit here: https://my.lwv.org/california/program-planning
If your League is interested in proposing a convention workshop, applications are now open for you to submit your proposal. The names of presenters do not need to be decided now, but the application should include as much information as possible. It is important that the workshop provides an idea or skill "take-away" and relates to the convention theme: "Strengthening Democracy in California." It is also important that your workshop presents well and is engaging for a virtual audience. The last day to submit an application is February 28, 2025. To submit an application, visit: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8136290/Conv25-Workshop-Idea-Submittal
Advocacy/Program Update
Last year was a busy year in the Legislature for the LWVC. See the Advocacy Wrap Up 2024 for more on that. We expect the new Legislative Session to be even busier. There are a lot of changes; the LWVC will be both flexible to meet new challenges, but also strategic to ensure our limited resources are used most effectively.
To see the bills we are advocating on, bookmark the LWVC Bill Status Report. And be sure to watch your emails for action alerts from us. Our advocacy is stronger when the legislators hear from their constituents.
Savannah Jorgensen, the LWVC Public Policy and Organizing Manager, working with key leaders in our LWVC Interest Groups, is organizing several webinars in the coming months. These will be on topics League members are engaged in, and will highlight ways in which individuals can engage in League advocacy work at the state and local level.
January 2025 Post Board Summary
LWVC/EF Board of Directors Meetings
January18, 2025 – Electronic Communication
The LWVC BOARD OF DIRECTORS met on January 18, 2025 and acted as noted below.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Approval of LWVC Minutes
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Regular Meetings of July 27, 2024 and December 10, 2024, as presented.
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LWVC Executive Committee Meetings of September 25, 2024, December 3, 2024, and December 12, 2024, as presented, ratifying the actions taken.
Resignations of LWVC Board Members
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Jody Nunez, Board of Directors, effective November 11, 2024
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Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate, Board of Directors, effective January 2, 2025.
Appointment to the LWVC Legislation Committee – 2025-2027 Session
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Norma Nelson (LWV Sacramento County).
Executive Director Search Committee
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The LWVC Board approved the selection of a firm for the Executive Director search and approved a budget related to the search project.
FINANCE
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Authorized a change of signatories on all LWVC bank and brokerage accounts.
PROGRAM AND ADVOCACY
Revised Water Resources Position
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The Board approved the restatement of the LWVC Water Resources Position as presented to incorporate modern trends and concepts on water management. It incorporates our many supporting natural resources and social positions and climate change concerns, and our DEI commitments to water management and access.
The LWVCEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS met on January 18, 2025 and acted as noted below.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Resignations of LWVCEF Board Members
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Jody Nunez, Board of Directors, effective November 11, 2024.
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Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate, Board of Directors, effective January 2, 2025.
FINANCE
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Authorized change of signatories for all LWVCEF bank and brokerage accounts.
The LWVC AND LWVCEF BOARDS OF DIRECTORS met jointly on January 18, 2025 and acted as follows.
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Approval of LWVC/LWVCEF Minutes
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Joint Regular Meetings of July 27, 2024 and December 10, 2024, as submitted.
FINANCE
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Received and filed the LWVC and LWVCEF Statements of Financial Positions, Statements of Activity, and Budget v. Actuals for the period ending November 30, 2024.
Caroline de Llamas
LWVC/EF Secretary
cdellamas [at] lwvc.org
