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Date: 11/25/2019
Subject: Board Briefings
From: Ruth Stemler, LWVCO President



Board Briefings

Notes from the 11/13/2019 LWVCO Board Meeting

  • The board voted to oppose one specific section of a LWVUS concurrence on alternative voting methods.  The expertise of Celeste Landry and the LWV Boulder County team on alternative voting methods informs our position. Specifically, the LWVUS position mentions a need for a majority vote in instances where this is not in keeping with the alternative voting method. LWVCO will be notifying LWVUS and other state and local Leagues of our objections and rationale to improve the LWVUS position.
  • The Board continues work toward the strategic goals of targeted advocacy, voter education and turnout, internal and external communication (including media presence and visibility) and internal effectiveness (improved governance, technology, and communication). Each of several task forces is working toward goals in keeping with the LWVCO mission.
  • Jean McGuire is working her way around the state assessing the needs of local Leagues and soliciting board and staff support where needed. Top needs expressed by local leagues include fund development, membership and leadership development, guidance on partnerships, internal League management and communications – especially the use of social media.
  • Local Leagues will receive a survey soon so that we can profile our LL base by tax status (e.g. 501c3 or c4), membership policies, desire for collaboration with other Leagues (e.g. on topics such as voter service, membership development, fundraising), and other issues.
  • Plans for the 2020 Anniversary year continue to unfold. Stay tuned for news about the “#SheIsMe” campaign and the 19th Amendment proclamation.
  •  Local leagues can also obtain $150 each for participation in the People Powered Fair Maps campaign headed by Toni Larson. Participating local Leagues should plan for educational or advocacy events regarding redistricting. Look forward to additional news about the Observer Corps program under the PPFM program.
  • Voter Service under Gerry Cummins continues to work the LWVCO mission producing ballot issues pamphlets on state ballot issues, monitoring voter turnout by county, and providing help and encouragement to local Leagues in their candidate forums, registration events, and speakers. The LWVCO has received a grant from LWVUS for the purpose of registering voters at nationalization ceremonies throughout the state.
  • Rionda Osman and the Technology Task Force continue to roll out Club Express with local Leagues. Technology grants have been provided to Arapahoe/Douglas, Chaffee County, Estes Park, Greeley/Weld, Gunnison, La Plata, and Montrose.  Mesa County was awarded a Club Express grant at this board meeting. Four local Leagues are now active on Club Express, with six more going live in January. Rionda is working on a data management plan that would specify the data needed to measure progress toward strategy goals such as communication and membership diversification.
  • December is the one-year anniversary of the LWVCO’s first Executive Director, Beth Hendrix. Since her hire nearly one year ago, Beth and her team have tackled the transition of the organization from a volunteer managed organization to a staff managed organization. Inevitable questions and issues have helped the board grow in their understanding of this major transition.

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  • LWVCO's Nominating Committee is beginning to recruit statewide motivated change agents to serve on the LWVCO Board of Directors. Email Nominating Chair Sarah Pitts to learn more.
  • LWVUS has launched People-Powered Fair Maps, a 50-state program to support nonpartisan redistricting, and funds are available for Colorado Leagues wanting to participate. Click here for more information.
  • LWVUS is offering grants for high school voter registration activities, due December 13 -- click here for more information.
  • LWVCO will be offering project grants up to $500 three times each year (May, Sept., and Nov.) instead of just once, starting in 2020 -- click here for more information.
  • LWVCO is offering grants up to $200 to Colorado Leagues for 100th anniversary activities -- applications are available here and are due by May 31st, 2020!
  • Did you know that LWVCO educated approximately 9% of Colorado voters during the 2018 election? LWVCO's Voter Service Task Force is seeking members -- email Gerry Cummins if you're interested in joining this high-powered group!

RIP: Patricia Johnson, LWVCO President 1989-91
 
Patricia Long Johnson, LWVCO President from 1989 - 1991, died October 18, 2019 at the age of 93. A 1948 graduate of Oberlin College, she worked for the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey and then for the Central Intelligence Agency, serving in Washington DC; Vienna, Austria; Mexico; and Saigon, Vietnam. Pat and her husband Bill retired in 1976 and moved to Boulder in 1977, where Pat was active in the League of Women Voters, serving as President of the Board of the Boulder County and Colorado State Leagues, with particular expertise in campaign finance and voting methods. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
May her memory serve as inspiration.
Pres Patricia Johnson RIP
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