Leaders Update
January 8, 2018
 
Dear LWV Leaders in Illinois,

Happy New Year! 
 
Looks like our LWVIL-Local-Leaders Google Group is off to a quick start with a great conversation about local leagues participating in the 2018 Women's March to the Polls! So far, we are happy to see 34 members have joined this group.
 
As discussed in the last Leaders Update, a Google Group allows you to respond to the whole group or to the particular individual sender of an email response. There's no obligation, just the opportunity to converse if you choose. I do think it will help us all get to know each other better as we share our experiences, knowledge, and ideas. 

If you have not already responded to the invitation, I hope you will give this Google Group a try. If you'd like a new invitation sent to you or another member of your league, please send the name and email address to info@lwvil.org.
 
Yours in League,
Bonnie Cox
LWVIL President

Don't Miss LWVIL Issues Briefing 2018

Bridging Divides:
Cultivating Common Ground for Action
February 10, 2018
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
University Center, 525 South State Street, Chicago

Registration is open for this upcoming event. See the website for details 
PMP Time
As you are probably aware, the cut off date for the LWVUS yearly census is   January 31, 2018.  

Please make sure your roster managers have all the appropriate membership info for your league input no later than this date. They can always do the work in advance. Please understand whatever is on the books as of the cut off date will influence your league's financial obligations for the year. 

Your league census will also determine how many voting delegates your local league will have at the 2018 LWVUS Convention being held this June in Chicago.  Here's the language from the LWVUS: 

Leagues submit their membership numbers which determine how many voting delegates they may have at Convention.  Consult the LWVUS bylaws for the formula to determine delegates based on membership. 

If any help is needed with the database, please contact RosterSupport@lwv.org.
LWVUS 53rd Convention

Speaking of the 2018 Convention, here's the link to the LWV site . 

We encourage our members to take advantage of this unique opportunity to attend our national convention in Chicago. 

Convention dates are June 28 through July 1, 2018. 
 
Proposed Clean Power Plan Rollback

Public comment is being received through EPA's website until 11:59 Eastern on January 16th.  Go to this link to upload and submit your comments on the  proposed rollback which will greatly weaken requirements to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and move the country in the wrong direction at the very moment when we should be redoubling our efforts to fight climate change. The pertinent docket is 'Repeal of Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.' 

For additional info and talking points go to:  http://forum.lwv.org/member-resources/article/opportunity-comment-clean-power-plan-rollback.
From LWVUS President Chris Carson 

Please read this  letter  in which LWVUS is encouraging people to join Local Leagues. Their newly updated LWV.org website makes the search for a local league so much clearer. 

Also, LWVUS encourages local league participation at all levels for the Women's March to Polls on January 20. Is your league wondering about the League guidelines for participating in other marches and events in 2018?  Here's a link to those guidelines:  http://forum.lwv.org/sites/default/files/criteria_for_league_participation_in_marches_events.pdf
Update from the Board about our LWVIL Executive Director
 
For the last several months our Executive Director, Mary Schaafsma, has been experiencing weight loss and fatigue.  Despite continued rounds of medical tests, a definitive diagnosis, course of treatment and prognosis are still to be determined. Complications have made the process take even longer than anticipated. 
 
To aid Mary in continuing her LWVIL work as much as possible, the board believes that allowing Mary to work from home is a constructive way to meet her needs and ours in the foreseeable future. 

To help bridge the gap, we have hired a temporary Deputy Director, Henrietta Saunders, former LWV Lake Michigan Region ILO president, to take over some of the day to day duties for Mary. Henrietta will be in the office two days a week, generally Wednesdays and Thursdays through February 10. She can be reached at hsaunders@lwvil.org. 
 
As we learn more about Mary's condition, we will let you know.  If you would like to send her a note or card, please feel free to email her at  marys@lwvil.org
 
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

 League of Women Voters of Illinois 
332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 634| Chicago, Illinois 60604 
Phone:  312-939-5935 | Fax:  312-939-6887 |  info@lwvil.org