CALENDAR
Friday, September 21
LWVMA board meeting, Westwood Public Library, 660 High Street, Westwood, MA at 11 a.m.
Friday, October 5 League Leader Lunch registration deadline
Wednesday, October 17 Voter registration deadline for general election
Saturday, October 20
LWVMA League Leaders Lunch, Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 7 Elm Street, Harvard, MA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, November 6 Massachusetts general election
HAPPENING NOW
Register for League Leader Lunch by Oct. 5
 
Kick off the new League year at the League Leader Lunch Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (9:30 a.m. coffee) at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, Fellowship Hall, 7 Elm Street, Harvard.

Hosted by the LWVMA Board of Directors and LWV Harvard, the event is our way of saying "thank you" for the important work you do. There is no charge. There is a three-person per League limit. If more than three people from one League would like to attend, please email us

Please RSVP by Friday, Oct. 5. Download an event flyer here

Some of the topics that we'll be covering:
  • Panel discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Ballot Question Study: overview of the study approach
  • Election 2018: review of LWVMA and local League voter service activities
  • 100 Reasons Campaign
  • Leadership models discussion
  • Round Table Sharing
Support LWVMA's Fall Fundraising Drive--We Need You!

As attacks on our democratic norms and institutions escalate in Washington, many of the best opportunities to fight back exist at the state and local level. That is why LWVMA is at the forefront of bold efforts to strengthen democracy right here in Massachusetts, including passage of Automatic Voter Registration.

Our important democracy-strengthening work includes providing voters with clear, unbiased, and comprehensive information about issues and candidates. To encourage voter participation and informed choice, we have launched MOVE 2018, a statewide initiative that includes our online voters' guide, public service announcements from our student video contest, other voter information materials, and candidates' forums.

Now we need your help.  By supporting our Fall Appeal, you will sustain the essential work of LWVMA and also earn money for your own League.  If we receive your donation of $100 or more by October 31, your local League will receive 15% of your donation; for donations of less than $100 received by October 31, your local League will receive 10%. And if you donate now, you won't be called during our Phonathon later this year.

To donate online, please click here.  To donate by mail, please print and enclose this form with your check.
Ballot Question Study Materials and Questions Available

The study materials for the LWVMA study of the ballot question process in Massachusetts are ready for local Leagues/Units to begin the study.  The materials are posted on the LWVMA study webpage.  The newest items posted are the Study Guide (including consensus questions) and the Study Report and Appendices with background material. 

Please identify a study contact:  The LWVMA study committee is asking each participating League/Unit to identify a study contact. This person will receive periodic information about the study and updates. Please email bqstudy@lwvma.org with the League/Unit name and study contact name and email address.

Form a local study committee: The local League study committee will use the materials provided to become familiar with the subject and the consensus questions. It will coordinate a consensus meeting and report the results to the LWVMA.

Schedule local consensus meetings: Include at least one time for a consensus meeting between Dec. 1 and Feb. 15. The local board must approve the consensus report, so be sure to leave time to complete this step. Each League's consensus report is due to LWVMA by Feb. 16.

Need help? Plan to attend one of the webinars listed below.  Contact bqstudy@lwvma.org with questions, requests for assistance, etc.

Read more at the study webpage.
Join a Ballot Question Study Webinar--Open to All Members

The ballot question process study committee will present a webinar on the study, with four times available, each covering the same material. Topics will include an overview of the study, study materials, role of local Leagues/Units/MALs, consensus meetings, reporting consensus results, and getting further help.

Information about signing up for a webinar will be sent to all members in October.

By offering webinars at different times, we hope to reach as many people as possible. One of the webinars will be recorded and will be available for viewing.  Scheduled webinars are:
Oct. 15 Monday 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Nov. 13 Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 Wednesday 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
LWVMA Has Moved!

LWVMA's office has moved to 90 Canal Street, Suite 414, Boston, MA 02114.  The office phone number is 857-452-1715, and you can contact us by email at lwvma@lwvma.org.
ELECTIONS & VOTING
Updated Online Voters' Guide Coming
 
LWVMA's Online Voters' Guide is being updated based on the results of the Sept. 4 primary election.  The version for the Nov. 6 election will be available on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at www.InformedVoterMA.org.  The guide will include information on all the candidates and on the three statewide ballot questions.

In order to promote informed and active participation by all Massachusetts voters in the primary, please publicize this guide as widely as possible. Start by posting a link to the guide on your League's website and social media page and sharing the link through social media and with friends! Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.  Please consult our Voter Service Toolkit for website buttons, letter templates, and sample Facebook posts and tweets.
2018 Ballot Question Information

Information on the three statewide questions on the 2018 November ballot is available on the LWVMA website.  LWVMA's stands on the questions are: no stand on Question 1, the nurse-patient ratio question; and YES votes on Question 2 on a citizens commission on campaign finance and on Question 3 to retain the current law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people.
National Voter Registration Day
 
National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, Sept. 25. If your League is registering voters, please send photos of your event to Taylor Grenga in the office! Let us know what you are doing and how many new voters you registered.

The League of Women Voters is a major partner nationally in National Voter Registration Day, and has been the single largest on-the-ground partner since 2012. 
Voter Registration Opportunities
 
MassAudubon has asked LWVMA to help with a voter registration and information table at MassAudubon events around the state. Below are upcoming events in need of voter registration volunteers. One- and two-hour shifts are available at all of them:
  • Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Arcadia Nature Center, Easthampton  
  • Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stony Brook Nature Center, Norfolk
  • Oct. 13, 4:30 to 9 p.m., Oak Knoll Nature Center, Attleboro
  • Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Daniel Webster Nature Center, Marshfield
LWV Concord-Carlisle is supporting The Jericho Road Project registering voters at 10 locations throughout Lowell on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, Sept. 25. Time slots available are: 8 to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Please contact Judy Zaunbrecher if you or your League is interested in volunteering with any of these projects.
Candidate Forum Information
 
LWVMA is collecting links to videos of candidate forums sponsored by local Leagues and posting them on the website.  There is also a list of upcoming candidates' forums and debates.  Please share this information and make sure your League sends information on its forums to Taylor at LWVMA.
THE TO-DO LIST
Scharfman Grant Deadline
   
The deadline for the next Daniel Scharfman Grant cycle is Tuesday, Oct. 16.  If you have never submitted a grant request, this election season is a good time to think about doing it. Single League grants are available for up to $250. You can collaborate with another League and request up to $500. 
Application form and guidelines are here . Questions? Email Sue Abrams.
LWVUS Sets Logo Guidelines
   
LWVUS has issued the following information about use of the League logo:

"We are excited to share the  new LWV Brand Standards and updated logo filesThese will be the only official League of Women Voters logos available moving forward. All  state logos are now available through the League Management Site. LWVUS is creating all local League logos and will make them available ASAP. Leagues should NOT attempt to build your own logos. If there is something you must complete in an expedited manner before we can get you your customized League logo, please go ahead and use your current logo or the generic open logo (Logo 2 in the Brand Standards). Thank you for your patience and don't hesitate to email the Communications Team at communications@lwv.org if you have specific questions."
LWVUS Schedules Third Diversity Webinar
   
LWVUS is offering a series of webinars on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The third in the series will cover putting DEI principles into action to increase the League's social impact work in communities across the nation. During this webinar, you will learn about State and Local Leagues' activities that are expanding their reach into more diverse communities. Speakers will discuss the ways individual leaders are overcoming discomfort with communicating across dimensions of difference.

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2 - 3:30 p.m.   Register here.
The League Leader Update is distributed to local League board members and LWVMA leaders. Anyone can request the Update by clicking here. Please review this Update for articles of interest to your League and include them in your local Bulletin. 
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