The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization meaning that it never endorses or opposes candidates or political parties.

LWV influences public policy through education and advocacy.

We encourage informed and active participation in government.

League of Women Voters of Michigan League Links

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. 5/24/2019

100th ANNIVERSARY - LWVMI CONVENTION

LWVMI hosted its 36th Biennial Convention in Livonia on May 17- May 19. It was one of our largest conventions ever held with almost 200 people. Paula Bowman was our excellent convention chair, and we were hosted by the Northwest Wayne County LWV. Thank you!

On Friday, we began with an exciting and educational pre-convention workshop. Jay Yeager, Faeger, Baker, Daniels LLC, and Mark Brewer, Goodman Acker PC, briefed the League members on our lawsuit and its current status. Their expertise was greatly appreciated. They look forward to providing future presentations to MI League members. They thanked the members and others that provided testimony or depositions that are listed here as plaintiffs.

We also heard a status update on the implementation of Proposal 3, Promote the Vote, and other voting rights legislation from Sharon Dolente, Voting Rights Strategist from the the ACLU of MI. And then Alicia Gurrieri, LWVUS Organizer, inspired us all to take immediate action to urge the U.S. Senate to pass the For the People Act. We distributed 300 postcards that will be sent to U.S. Senator !

Following a welcome reception where we met the new board nominees, we enjoyed a dine-around hosted by the NW Wayne County LWV and then held our first plenary session. Girl Scout Troop #40900 presented the colors and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, we were welcomed by Livonia City Council President Laura Toy, and received a tribute from Governor Whitmer and others. We began our business discussions with motions for the budget, nominations and other issues.

On Saturday, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib presented powerful information on Environmental Justice and reminded us how important it is that we focus on the people and communities involved.

Congresswoman We held our second plenary and began the process of Tlaib adopting bylaw amendments, the budget, per member payment, nominees for the new state board, a new study and our current positions.

Chris Carson, LWVUS President, attended Friday and Saturday of our convention. She was interviewed by Judy during lunch on Saturday and highlighted the work LWVUS is doing on the transformation and the diversity, equity and inclusion program, as well as other issues.

Chris Carson Saturday afternoon participants chose 2 out of 6 workshops.

1) Water Quality and Advocacy - Joan Hunault, Holly Bird, Suzanne Dixon, Charlotte Jameson, Trisha Denton. Suzanne's materials are here.

2) U.S. Census. Why it's important and how local Leagues can get involved - Margaret Leary

3) Voter Service Basics - Eva Packard, Betsy Cushman, Deborah Bunkley Here are the handouts on voter guides, voter service basics, and FAQs on candidate forums.

4) Engaging Members, Developing League Leaders and Increasing Diversity - Deborah Bunkley, Betsy Cushman, Zaineb Hussein, Christina Schlitt, Sue Smith Here are the powerpoint and handout.

5) ERA Update - Jan Frazee and Laura Callow

6) Local League Best Practices - Paula Bowman, Denise Hartsough, Joan Hunault, Marian Kromkowski, Ken Manley Here are the handout and powerpoint.

Our banquet speaker was Elaine Weiss, author of The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote. She added specific information about Michigan and the struggle to get the right to vote passed here in 1919.

The auction closed and we set a new high with over $4,700 collected! Special thanks to all of you who participated in this successful event and coordinator Paula Manley.

On Sunday, we began our day by interviewing Diane Rockall and Kathleen Straus. Diane is a journalist and librarian by profession who in 1995 wrote, "A powerful Voice for Seventy-Five Years: The League of Women Voters of Michigan, It's History." Kathleen is a former president of the LWV of and former State Board of Education Chair and member.

During our last plenary we voted on our motions including to adopt a new study on the "lame duck." More information will be available about that study later in the summer. Judy Karandjeff provided an overview of the past two years in her president's remarks. The new board was elected and directions to the new board were received. Thank you to Judy McDowell for taking minutes and Cele Friestater for serving as parliamentarian for the business meetings.

Because of a bylaw change that was adopted at this convention, the new board will officially start on July 1. See the list of new board members below! And thank you to the retiring board members, Joan Hunault, Judy Karandjeff, Marian Kromkowski, and Eva Packard.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this important convention celebrating our 100th anniversary!

LWVMI AWARDS!

Belle Brotherton Award honors an individual whose outstanding leadership and significant accomplishments have benefited the citizens of Michigan, inspired others and fostered greater public participation in the democratic process. - Sue Smith (Ann Arbor LWV)

Maryann Mahaffey Award honors individuals for demonstrated Sue Smith receiving Brotherton Award outstanding commitment to their community and its citizens and who exemplifies the principles of League and League leadership. - Laura Callow (NW Wayne LWV) and Chris Rathwell-Sullivan (Dearborn/Dearborn Heights LWV)

The Leadership and Civic Empowerment Award honors individuals who have led the way in providing citizens with information and encouraging informed voters through League work at the state and/or local level. - Nancy Schewe (Ann Arbor LWV) and Beth Moore (Lansing LWV)

BELLE RINGER AWARDS

MEMBER RECRUITMENT & ENGAGEMENT Mary Marchaterre - Copper Country Marlyne Kilbey - Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Judy Carty - Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Michelle Missy Durante - Detroit Vicki Leland - Flint Barb Dryer - Grand Haven Anne Montgomery - Grand Traverse/Crawford County Wilhelmina Giblin - Grosse Pointe Marie Fisher - Jackson Area Kym Mulhern - Kalamazoo Camilla Davis - Lansing Tricia Denton - Leelanau Sue Wilson - Marquette Laurie Mason - Manistee Carol McPherson - Midland Area Mary Visos - NW Wayne Tera Moon - Oakland Pam Brady - Troy

STRATEGIC PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Susan Slattery - Detroit Doris Sain - Flint George McMullen - Grosse Pointe Mary Lee Clark - Jackson Area Paula Manley - Kalamazoo Ann Marston - Lansing Nancy Duck - Leelanau Linda Albee - Manistee David Allen - Marquette Judy Donahue - Midland Area Lena Packer - NW Wayne Mike Brady - Troy

ADVOCACY Nan Elder - Ann Arbor Linda Belote - Copper Country Elayne Boismier - Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Sara Weertz - Detroit Thomas (Mike) Haley - Flint Nancy Nordfjord - Grand Traverse/Crawford County Jan Wells - Grosse Pointe Debra Williamson - Holland Fran Parker - Jackson Area Denise Hartsough - Kalamazoo Marty Couretas - Lansing Jan Frazee - Leelanau Sandra Nelson - Manistee Marge Forslin - Marquette Karen Sherwood - Midland Area Michael Heitman - Mt. Pleasant Rachel Rion - N. W. Wayne Susan Liebetreu - Oakland Kim Kelley - Troy

VOTER SERVICE Pauline Buchner - Alpena Bob Kennedy - Alpena Judy Stillon - Alpena Donna Crudder Ann Arbor Area John Ripley - Berrien/Cass Counties Barry Fink - Copper Country Lorelei Muniz - Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Geraldine Barrons - Detroit Mary Smith - Flint Marcia Koppa - Grand Traverse/ Crawford County Sue Acton - Grosse Pointe Jan Dalman - Holland Sarah Welton - Jackson Area Courtney Winell - Kalamazoo Donna Mullins- Lansing Christi Bardenhagen - Leelanau Christine Palmer - Leelanau Jan Sapek - Manistee Judy Kitchen - Marquette Judy Donahue - Midland Susan McCollister - Midland Area Carrie Moon Dupree - NW Wayne County Judy Bateman - Oakland Kathy Welch - Troy

NEW BOARD ELECTED 2019-2021!

President - Christina Schlitt Program VP - Paula Bowman Advocacy VP - Sue Smith Voter Service VP - Betsy Cushman Membership VP - Paula Manley Secretary - Leah Bectel Treasurer - Denise Hartsough Director - Deborah Bunkley Director - Megan Chenoweth Director - Vickie Granger Director - Valerie Lafferty Director - Ken Manley Director - Tera Moon Director - Diana Neering

Nominating Committee Chair - Camilla Davis Nominating Committee - Pat Donath Nominating Committee - Judy McDowell

CALENDAR

June 8 - LWVMI/EF Old & New Board Meeting

August 6 - Primary Election

November 5 - General Election

Check out What is Happening in Local Leagues in Michigan

Alpena County Ann Arbor Area (with Tecumseh & Brighton/Howell Geographical Units) Berrien/Cass Counties Copper Country Dearborn/Dearborn Heights Delta County Detroit Eastern UP State ( MAL) Unit Flint Area Grand Haven Area Grand Traverse Area (with Crawford County Geographical Unit) Grosse Pointe Holland Area Jackson Area Kalamazoo Area (with Grand Rapids Geographical Unit) Lansing Area Leelanau County Macomb State (MAL) Unit Manistee County Marquette County State (MAL) Unit Midland Area Mt. Pleasant Northwest Wayne County (with Belleville Geographical Unit) Oakland Area Saginaw County Troy

For more information go to www.lwvmi.org or checkout facebook pages for state and local LWVs

LWVMI Board of Directors - 2017- 2019

Judy Karandjeff - President & League Links Editor Christina Schlitt - Vice President for Membership Eva Packard - Vice President for Voter Service Joan Hunault - Vice President for Advocacy Marian Kromkowski - Vice President for Program Denise Hartsough - Treasurer Paula Bowman - Secretary Deborah Bunkley - Voter Service Support Betsy Cushman - Voter Service Support Ken Manley - Development Paula Manley - Membership Support Sue Smith - Redistricting

League of Women Voters of Michigan | 600 W. St. Joseph, Ste 3G, Lansing, MI 48933

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