CALENDAR
Friday, September 20 Global Climate Strike
Tuesday, September 24 National Voter Registration Day
Thursday, October 17 Day on the Hill, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Friday, October 25 LWVMA/LESF Board Meeting, Time and Location TBD
Saturday, October 26 League Leader Lunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Baptist Church, Worcester
HAPPENING NOW
Register Now for League Leader Lunch
 
Kick off the new League year at the League Leader Lunch Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (9:30 a.m. coffee) at the First Baptist Church of Worcester, 111 Park Avenue, Worcester.  Please RSVP   by Friday, Oct. 18.
 
The League Leader Lunch is the traditional start of League activities for the year. Newly-elected and returning League leaders come together to learn about upcoming activities, to share ideas and challenges that local Leagues face, and to make important connections with other Leagues.
 
Some of the topics that we'll be covering:
  • Panel on local League action groups: mobilizing your communities
  • Civic engagement opportunities panel
  • DEI policy, unconscious bias and the power of cultural change discussion
  • 100 Anniversary Toolkit
  • Vote 411, redistricting and LWVUS Council update
Hosted by the LWVMA Board of Directors and LWV Worcester, the event is our way of saying "thank you" for the important work you do. There is no charge for this event. There is a three person limit to the number of attendees per League. If more than three people from one League would like to attend, please  email us . 
Support Our Fall Fundraising Drive--We Depend on You
 
The next calendar year, 2020, marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment and the founding of the League of Women Voters. With daily attacks on our democracy and the role of the free press under siege, it is more important than ever that each of us educate ourselves and each other about the issues that matter and ask our leaders to be transparent and accountable. The League of Women Voters has long been that trusted voice to engage and inform our communities, and we are eager to continue and build on that role into the next century. We are working to expand our work and to grow a membership that is representative and inclusive of every community in our Commonwealth.
 
In Massachusetts, we are at the forefront of legislative efforts to improve and secure our elections, including Election Day Registration, to protect our environment and address our climate emergency, to update our education funding formula to guarantee an equitable education for every student, and to ensure that women have affordable access to everyday health care. Hundreds of new members have joined our cause, and we have welcomed three new Leagues--in Franklin County, Framingham and Salem; four more units are encouraging activism in their communities as well. With Leagues in over 100 communities in the Commonwealth, our members lead the way to civic engagement by registering voters, organizing candidate forums, publishing voters' guides, and holding issues 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 Oct. 31, your local League will receive 15% of your donation; for donations of less than $100 received by Oct. 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.
Would Your League Join the Phonathon Team?
 
Each fall local Leagues volunteer to call their members (and sometimes members in other local Leagues) and ask them to contribute to our fall Appeal. We recognize this is a win-win for everyone, and we offer those Leagues who make calls an opportunity to share in the funds their calls raise. This is an easy fundraising opportunity for local Leagues, and helps out the state organization tremendously. If your League is interested in making calls to members between Nov. 1 and Jan. 15, please contact Brynne Gorman.
New Calendar for 100th Anniversary League Events
 
LWVMA has assembled a calendar of local and state League events recognizing the 100th anniversaries of the 19th Amendment, LWVUS, and LWVMA. We have posted the calendar on the state League website so members can support League events as well as get ideas for your own programs. Please consider posting the link to the calendar and links to specific events in your area on your own League's website, newsletters, and social media. Spread the word!
 
We found many of the events by searching local League websites and newsletters. Please check to see if your event(s) are listed and the information is accurate. Events that the League is sponsoring or co-sponsoring are welcome. To make additions or corrections, email 100thanniversary@lwvma.org .
 
And remember the 100th Anniversary Toolkit contains a wealth of ideas about events, books, available materials, and projects to recognize and celebrate this milestone anniversary. We hope you will find it useful as you plan your League year.
ADVOCACY
Plan Now for Day on the Hill Oct. 17

We're looking for a big turnout at the League's annual lobby day, Day on the Hill "Time to Act," Thursday, Oct. 17. Please encourage your members to attend Day on the Hill and amplify the League's voice on Beacon Hill.
 
Senator Karen Spilka, the president of the Senate, is our keynote speaker. You'll also hear from legislative specialists on our legislative priorities-Election Day registration, climate crisis, education funding and reproductive rights.
 
We will meet in Room 428 at the State House. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the program runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Please register in advance here, and the office will let your Senator and Representative know that you will be stopping by between noon and 1 p.m.
 
Nothing makes a bigger impression on a legislator than a personal visit from a constituent. Let's be sure the League makes a big impression.
Climate Action Sept. 20

Join League colleagues and thousands of others around the planet in the Climate Strike Friday, Sept. 20, to support the youth of the world and their demand for a future! Talk with your friends and family and ask them to join you. And stay engaged.
 
The Sept. 20 Climate Strike is a major focus of lead organizers. For information about strike and future events go here; to donate go  here.

September 20: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Boston City Hall Plaza
Make a sign (light weight/hand-carried best). For inspiration go  here .
Other sites around the state and country
 
Youth have issued a Call to Action. But it will take all of us to reverse the current course while there is still time. Young people are asking for our help on the most important issue of our time.
LWVMA Guide to 2020 Ballot Question Petitions

The Attorney General has certified 12 initiative petitions for ballot questions. Two of the petitions are for Constitutional amendments which will not appear on the ballot until 2022 at the earliest. The other 10 petitions are for ballot questions to appear on the 2020 ballot. The proponents will now gather signatures to support their petitions. The LWVMA board has reviewed the petitions and noted which ones the League has positions on. While the League will not publicly take a stand on most of the questions until next summer when the final list of questions is set, this list will let local Leagues know which questions local Leagues can work on as a League. League members are, of course, free to work on any ballot question as individuals. Links in the list are to the petition text on the Attorney General's website. Read more...
LWVMA Supports Two Ballot Question Initiatives

The LWVMA board voted to begin support now for two of the ballot question initiatives: the petition to implement ranked choice voting in the state, and the Constitutional amendment to restore the right of incarcerated prisoners to vote.
 
The League's name will appear as a supporter of those two efforts, and we encourage local Leagues to participate in the signature-gathering process, perhaps with petitions at your fall events.
 
For information on working on the ranked choice voting ballot initiative, go the Voter Choice Massachusetts dedicated website for the effort, https://voterchoice2020.org/. For more information on ranked choice voting generally, including hosting a speaker in your community, go to https://www.voterchoicema.org/.
 
For information on working on the prisoner voting issue, see the Mass POWER tab on the Emancipation Organization website. Click here to volunteer.
LWVUS Legislative Priority Guidance

LWVUS has issued updated guidance to state and local Leagues recommending legislative priorities under the Making Democracy Work® Campaign. These recommendations allow for a strong unified "voice" at all levels of League across the country that aligns with the priorities of the People Powered Fair Maps Campaign. LWVUS wants to offer support to Leagues lobbying on these issues. Local Leagues can adopt these suggestions as they make decisions about their priorities within their communities
ELECTIONS & VOTING
Share Your National Voter Registration Day Efforts

National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, Sept. 24. If you are planning an event around this day, please send photos to the office! The League has been the single largest on-the-ground partner nationally in this event since 2012. 
THE TO-DO LIST
Scharfman Grant Deadlines for the Year

The deadlines for the Lotte E. Scharfman Citizen Education grants to local Leagues are  October 16, January 15, April 16, and June 11. For the October 16 deadline only, please send your application to Jean Cherdack. 
 
The grant amount limit has been increased to $300. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage local Leagues to carry out citizen education and voter service events and programs in their areas. If your League has never applied for a Scharfman grant, give it a try. The application and the guidelines are available here .
LWVUS Fundraising Training

To help your Board and Development Committee get a strong start meeting programmatic goals, Fundraising Training Module #2 explains the Board's role in development. It's an online training module that is available to all League members. Accompanying this module are easy-to-use, easy-to-adapt resources to get your new Board and development committee started off on a strong fundraising foundation. For more fundraising training and resources , visit the f undraising page on the League Management Site!
Election Season Social Media Materials

Join us in getting out the vote on social media this election season! Visit the LWVUS League Management Site for sample posts and graphics to use. We will be adding new content-so check back often!
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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