Keynote Panel: Building a Vibrant, Engaged, and Diverse Volunteer Organization 

Tameika Isaac Devine was elected to the Columbia City Council in 2002, becoming the first African American woman to serve and the first African American to be elected at large.  During her 20 years on City Council, she served as Mayor Pro Tem and planned and executed countless projects that make a real difference in people’s lives. Since her narrow loss for mayor in 2020, Tameika serves as a consultant and advisor to the National League of Cities, of which she is a past board member, and as a community advocate. A graduate of Hampton University and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Tameika practices law in the areas of real estate and probate. She and her husband Jamie are the parents of four children. 

Kara P. Simmons has spent over a decade leading change in the nonprofit and government sectors in SC. She is the Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners with Columbia Housing, past Chair of Talented Tenth SC Board of Directors, a member and Co-Founder of the No Boys Allowed College Tour of the Junior League of Columbia, and a graduate of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class of 2015. She has been named one of the region’s “Best & Brightest 35 and Under” by Columbia Business Monthly Magazine (2016) and the “Top 20 Under 40” by The State (2018) and Black Pages SC (2020). A graduate of Columbia College, Kara has degrees in Communications (BA) and Management and Leadership (MA). 

Allison Terracio is an Organizing Program Coordinator for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, where she focuses on the patient greeting program throughout the four-state affiliate and serves as the organizer for the state of South Carolina. She also serves on Richland County Council for District 5, which covers many downtown Columbia neighborhoods.  Originally from Kentucky, Allison is a graduate of Centre College in Danville, KY.  She lives in Shandon with her husband Nate and 13-year old son Van.  Nate is the Director of the Koger Center and Van attends Midlands Arts Conservatory, where he studies violin and piano. 

Simultaneous Small Group Discussions

Recruiting Prospective Members: Outreach Efforts and Partnerships through a DEI Lens

LWV of Columbia Area, a large League, will share simple outreach approaches to engaging people across diverse networks. They will present useful initiatives and strategies to develop and maintain an inclusive membership. 

Presenters: Lady June Cole, President, and Delaine Frierson, Director of Voter Services,  LWV of Columbia Area

Building a Deeper Bench for Local League Leadership

LWV of Charleston Area will present challenges and strategies that they have found to be helpful in ongoing efforts to develop a team organizational structure that provides opportunities for members to gain experience and move up in the organization while not overburdening them.  They will share what they have learned so far about the importance of flexible team building, good communication, accessibility to available resources, and the necessity of a clear understanding of LWV culture. 

Presenters: Judy Peper, Vice President of Administration, and Vicki Westberg, Co-President, LWV of Charleston Area

Growing a League Organically to Achieve Sustainability

LWV of Beaufort Area, a mid-sized League, will share their membership approach for before, during and post pandemic. They will also discuss strategies and programs that have been successful in sustaining and expanding membership through the existing member base as well as partnerships with other community groups.

Presenters: Connie Scuderi, President Elect, and Barbara Childs, Secretary, LWV of Beaufort Area 

Council Agenda   

Download your advance copy of the LWVSC 2022 Council Agenda.

Possible Hotel Accommodations