United, We Stand Stronger!

Thanks to all who attended the LWV UMRR Annual Meeting on Monday, May 22!  We had a great discussion in the Business meeting, and then two exciting speakers who helped us to understand how we as local Leagues, joined together in an ILO like UMRR, can also be part of the work of democracy being done by LWV US.  Here's the video of our speakers - a good resource for local Leagues to learn and share!  

LWV's foundation is our local Leagues.  We work locally to build and defend democracy, joined together through our State Leagues.  Beyond local and state Leagues, we work together regionally and nationally through ILOs and LWV US.   We need each other and can depend on each other.  United, we stand stronger!

This year we focused on the ties that bind us, and how we can work together more effectively. Our first speaker was Jessica Rolhoff, Midwest Regional Organizer for LWV US.   Jessica gave an update (and answered questions) about the LWV US transformation plan, introducing this new LWV US initiative to our members.  She also introduced a new social media tool for use within LWV - League in Action.  Watch the video to learn more!

We then turned to the LWV US Climate Interest Group.  As citizens of the world we must protect our planet from the physical, economic and public health effects of climate change while also providing pathways to economic prosperity. To advance League action on this urgent issue,  the LWV Climate Interest Group was formed to collaborate nationwide.  The Climate Interest Group is a group of League members from across the United States working together to fight climate change. They've organized teams in important climate issue areas to provide materials for local and state Leagues to use in their education and advocacy.  

Joy Guscott-Mueller is Chair of the Water Team for the Climate Interest Group.  She's also the Chair of LWV Lake Michigan Region, the other regional, multi-state Inter-League Organization focused on a major water body.  Joy spoke to us about how the work of the Climate Interest Group strengthens the work of ILOs and our member Leagues.   The work that the Climate Interest Group is doing is wide ranging and exciting - we send delegates to the international climate summits and have working groups on a number of topics.  Joy explains all of this in the video (starting at about 32 minutes); we also have blog posts here and here that look at the work of the LWV US Climate Interest Group.  

Bio information on our speakers is available on the LWV UMRR Annual Meeting 2023 page, along with the documents that were adopted and approved in the business meeting.