Save the Date: LWVMA Convention is June 10, 2023

The plan is to hold Convention in-person with a hybrid option available on Saturday, June 10. Stay tuned as we iron out the details (and technology!) over the next several weeks.

Now Is the Time: State Program Planning 2023

Now is the time for local Leagues, Units, and Members-at-Large to participate in planning what LWVMA will focus on in 2023-2025. 

Every other year, the LWVMA Board, with the help of the Legislative Action Committee, proposes 4 or 5 main areas of action and advocacy. Local Leagues are asked both to approve or suggest changes to the proposed action priorities and goals. All members should have received a list of the proposed priorities and goals this month; the full Guide to Program Planning was sent to League and Unit leaders and Members-at-Large (MALs). All materials are now available on the LWVMA Program Planning page here. Read More.

Next LWVMA DEI Peer Discussion Group: Stolen Beam Series Presentation

Please join our next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, March 15,from 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Newcomers are always welcome! Register HERE.

Jeffrey Gold and Devorah Jacobson of the Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Committee of the Jewish Community of Amherst will make a presentation about a course on Reparations, the Stolen Beam series, which they have developed. (Jeffrey is a member of the Amherst League and its Racial Justice Committee.) Please come with your questions, comments, and/or reflections.

It is important to note that the League has not taken a position on reparations, either at the state or national level. We are at the stage of educating ourselves and the public on the pros and cons.

How the VOTES Act Impacts Town Elections

Nancy Brumback, LWVMA Elections specialist, has put together a primer on how vote by mail, early voting and other aspects of the recently enacted VOTES Act impacts town elections. Click HERE for Nancy’s excellent memo.  

If you would like to share a bite-sized version of the longer article with your members, click HERE for LWVMA’s short video suitable for sharing on social media.

Amazon Smile Closing in February

Many local Leagues as well as LWVMA have benefitted from the Amazon Smile program over the years. Amazon has announced that they will be winding down Amazon Smile by February 20. Read more HERE.

Join LWVUS in Celebrating its Birthday on February 14

Celebrate the LWVUS’ 103rd birthday on Tuesday, February 14, with a national day of action! Through storytelling, digital actions, local events, and advocacy, we will flex the breadth of our League people power and advance our priorities. There will be a marquee event with featured speakers livestreamed on LWVUS’ Facebook page at 11 a.m. ET on February 14. Read more.

Impact on Issues Update

LWVUS will share a new, updated Impact on Issues document, which includes updates from Convention on February 22 at 3:00 PM. Register here. Impact on Issues is the document containing all of the League’s national positions on issues. LWVMA bases much of its legislative work on those positions, as well as our state positions in Where We Stand.

Calling All Nominees For LWVMA Board

Interested in finding out more about serving on the LWVMA Board of Directors? Please consider nominating yourself or someone else who may be interested. Terms to be filled in June 2023 are co-President, first Vice President, Secretary, six Directors, Nominating Committee Chair, and one off-Board Nominating Committee member. Click HERE for information and the nominating form. Questions? Contact LWVMA Nominating Committee Chair, Sharyn Roberts at nominating@lwvma.org. Directors will be elected at the June 10 convention.

Voter Engagement Committee

The Voter Engagement Committee is seeking Portuguese and Spanish-speaking members who might be interested in converting written messaging to multiple languages for a Lawrence MA ‘Get Out the Vote’ initiative for 2024. Email jgoldman@lwvma.org.

Introducing the ACCESS Act, new voting reforms bill

The election modernization coalition, which includes LWVMA, will be working this legislative session to remedy some of the remaining barriers to voting in the state. The key bill is SD.1458, An Act making voting administrative changes to create equitable system solutions, the ACCESS Act, filed in the Senate. Read more.

Building an Equitable and Livable Clean Energy Future

On her first full day in office, Governor Healey issued Executive Order No. 604: Establishing the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience Within the Office of the Governor, sending a strong signal that the Healey Administration is gearing up to address climate change at a level befitting both the threat and the opportunity that positive action will bring. Read More.

​​​​Ending Solitary Confinement

People who are or have been incarcerated report that solitary confinement remains prevalent throughout the system. Read our letter to Governor Healey urging the immediate end of solitary confinement in all correctional facilities.

Interested in Housing Advocacy?

Sign up to receive updates on housing bills from legislative specialist Lori Stewart. Contact Lori via email at specialists@lwvma.org.

​​Recruiting Legislative Specialists and Envoys for the New Session

Impact state policy on mission-critical issues by serving as a legislative specialist. We have opportunities on the Legislative Action Committee to work on criminal justice reform, higher education, and more. As a specialist, you would collaborate on identifying priority bills, plan and conduct educational events/webinars, become familiar with the legislative process, provide written and oral testimony for legislative hearings, work with advocacy coalitions and develop relationships with legislators. Read more.

Represent LWVMA at MassCare

Are you willing to work for equitable health care for Massachusetts? The Legislative Action Committee needs a member to step forward and assume the LWVMA Board seat on the MassCare Coalition. You would attend, participate, and give input for MassCare Board meetings held every other month as well as monthly LWVMA Legislative Action Committee meetings. For more information contact healthcare specialists Janice Goodell and Val Pasquantonio at specialists@lwvma.org.