Pre-Convention Info Sessions on Zoom

On June 5, the Resolutions Committee will meet at 8 p.m. to discuss any proposed resolutions for the Convention to consider. If you are interested in attending that meeting, please register HERE.

On June 6, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will be an opportunity for Q&A on the proposed budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025; the proposed Program & Action for the next biennium and the proposed amendments to the by-laws.  From 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. there will be a “meet & greet” with the nominees for the LWVMA board of directors. Please join us! Click HERE to register.

Welcome Miyabi Madowaki!

Miyabi joined LWVMA this week as our summer intern. She’ll be with us on a part-time basis through August 4.

Miyabi is a sophomore at Wellesley College, studying Political Science and International Relations. She was born and raised in California until her family relocated to Tokyo, Japan. She has been passionate about civic engagement from a young age and hopes to contribute to LWVMA's mission through her internship. In her free time, Miyabi is a part of the Wellesley Squash and Equestrian team as well as the Chamber Music Society. 

Save the Date: Annual League Leader Event, Saturday, September 30

For many years, our annual League Leader event was a lunch event, but for the past three years, we have gathered on zoom. 

Do you want to go back to having an in-person lunch? Still want to gather on Zoom? Please take two minutes to let us know by submitting THIS SURVEY. Thank you!

Next DEI Peer Group Discussion, Saturday, June 24, 10-11:30 AM on Zoom

Please join us – for the conversation starter, we’d like you to read an article by Jennifer Miller which was published in the New York Times recently, entitled Why Some Companies are Saying “Diversity and Belonging” Instead of “Diversity and Inclusion”. Please come with your questions, comments, or reflections.

REGISTRATION LINK (once you have registered, you’ll receive an email with a copy of the NYT article)

June Lotte E. Scharfman Grant Deadline

The Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Fund (“Scharfman”) grant program can help Leagues cover costs for voter education programs. Successful Scharfman grants have funded art exhibits, Know Your Town programs, Town Meeting informational handbooks as well as technical infrastructure including Zoom. Need some ideas? See a display at Convention, or a list of previous grants here. The application is easy to complete and your League can receive up to $300. Working with two other Leagues? Scharfman grants for three or more Leagues may receive up to $600. The deadline for the last grant cycle of the fiscal year is June 12. Questions? Contact Sue Abrams at sabrams@lwvma.org.

Act for Change: US Farm Bill 2023: Farming, Climate and You

How can Massachusetts League members amplify LWVUS support for increased funding for conservation and climate smart agriculture in the US Farm Bill of 2023? What can League members do to affect food policy in the US, and increase conservation of rural and urban farms in Massachusetts? Read more.

Youth Juvenile Justice Lobby Day

Join us for Youth Justice Day of Action: From Vision to Reality on Wednesday, June 7, at 2 PM (doors open 1:45pm) at the State House in Room 428. This lobby day will focus on four important bills. Two of these bills are LWVMA priorities this legislative session: Raise the Age and Diversion. In the last legislative session, we also supported Expungement and Limit Mandatory Minimums.  Read More.

CARE Lobby Day

Please join the Coalition for Anti-Racism Equity and Justice in Education (CARE) Coalition Lobby Day on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 to support An Act to Promote Racially Inclusive Curriculum in Schools (S.288/H.542). Stay tuned for more details, here. 

Domestic Violence bills co-sponsorship drive

The League has a long history of supporting domestic violence-related legislation. It is important that legislators hear from constituents across the Commonwealth. Please contact your representatives and senators to voice your support and ask them to cosponsor these three bills. Read More.

• Find LWVUS resources for “onboarding” new members here. 
• Apply Now to Join UN Observers at COP28 in Dubai, UAE Now is the time to consider and apply to attend the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, UAE. The conference will take place Nov. 30, 2023 – Dec. 12, 2023. If interested, complete the application form. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023. This is a self-funded opportunity; see application for links to learn more about the conference. If you have questions, please contact Robin Tokmakian (rtokmakian@lwv.org).
• From the Blog: Leagues Working for Civics Education: This blog highlights work in Florida, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.