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Members Direct, Board Responds
At the annual meeting in March, members gave the board “directions,” which the board discussed at its June meeting. Below is an update on where we are with each direction. You’ll see that our leaders and members continue to work hard to position the organization so that we can better serve all voters in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.
Have other ideas or suggestions? Don’t wait until the next annual meeting. Your board welcomes feedback from members all year long.
Amber Stenger, President
jocoleague@gmail.com | 913-620-5172
Directions to the Board of Directors
1. Review our position statements through a DEI lens (Mary Lou Jaramillo).
Status: This is part of the goals in LWVJoCo’s DEI Phase II Initiative, which the board passed at the June 13, 2021 meeting. Jeannine Linnane was appointed to be our on-board DEI co-chair and Kay Heley will serve as our off-board co-chair. The effort will begin with identifying LWVJoCo’s positions that are most relevant and in need of updating.
2. Find a way for every member of the League to make a commitment to or League’s DEI initiative (Dr. Ann Sanders).
Status: Building personal awareness and responsibility among members is a significant part of our DEI Phase II Initiative, which the board passed at the June 13, 2021 meeting. Jeannine Linnane and Kay Heley will serve as co-chairs of our DEI team.
3. Consider how we make our meetings even more welcoming to new people (Kay Heley).
Status: Our DEI and Membership committees are exploring ways to make all of our events more inviting.
4. Determine how LWVJoCo can work with LWVK to counter legislative efforts to limit access to voting. Inform and encourage members to reach out to their elected Representatives and let them know you want them to vote against legislation that limits opportunities to vote. (Paula Schwach)
Status: In January 2021, we hosted a virtual workshop about how to advocate effectively, which included practical tips about contacting your elected offices. In May 2021, we hosted a virtual lunch-and-learn to educate people about how to express their views in the opinion pages of the newspaper. People can view both programs any time on our YouTube channel.
We’re also currently looking for volunteers to help create our advocacy strategy for this year. This strategy would include ways to alert members to important legislation and unified advocacy efforts. Please email Leslie Mark (ldmark61@gmail.com) if you would like to find out more.
5. Pick one item for lobbying each meeting. Give people a postcard with specific instructions (e.g. phone your rep at this number and give them messaging). Make it easy for people to give feedback to their leaders (Pat Martin)
Status: In January 2021, we hosted a virtual workshop about how to advocate effectively, which included practical tips about contacting your elected offices. In May 2021, we hosted a virtual lunch-and-learn to educate people about how to express their views in the opinion pages of the newspaper.
We’re also currently looking for volunteers to help create our advocacy strategy for this year. Please email Leslie Mark (ldmark61@gmail.com) if you would like to find out more.
6. Make the link to join more prominent on website (Juliet Sinclair)
Status: Completed. “Join Now” is now prominently displayed on our website.
7. Consider how to encourage those electronically challenged to participate. Consider having a pre-unit meeting, inviting people to come learn how to use Zoom (Pat Martin)
Status: In each calendar notice for virtual events, we are including a link to a tutorial about how to join a Zoom meeting from any device.
8. Consider how to increase engagement in general (Leslie Mark)
Status: Increasing member engagement is part of the goals of several committees:
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Membership, through new member orientations and mentors
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Voter Registration, through opportunities to register voters
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Communications, through publicizing LWVJoCo and partner events and opportunities to take action
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Programs, through helping to execute and plan events and to make sure programs end with ways members can take action
The newly formed DEI and Advocacy committees also provide additional ways for members to get involved.
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