I’m reporting on the LWV US Convention in DC where I attended with Chad Kahl and Faith Russell. It was a fantastic experience. Representatives from all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico were there sharing their enthusiasm, League experience and knowledge.
The catch phrase for this year’s meeting was Turn Up & Turn Out. Our new League President, Dianna Wynn reminded us that “we cannot defend democracy from the sidelines.” We were constantly reminded of our activist history and urged to continue our work from the frontlines. Faith expressed her realization that her voice is amplified a thousandfold by her involvement in the League.
As I detail below, the highlights were Lobby Day, the information gained in breakout sessions, a speech from D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser, seeing and meeting a large group of LWV ILers, the announcement of the “Moonshot” to rid us of the Electoral College, and a new partnership with the Girl Scouts of America. I can honestly say that my enthusiasm and respect for the League has grown seeing how we truly embrace diversity of all kinds and because of the strong, thoughtful and experienced leaders at all levels that we are able to attract.
Here is a brief recap of my time at Convention:
Four busloads of LWVers traveled to Capitol Hill for Lobby Day. Along with other Illinois members Chad and I met with a staffer from Senator Durbin’s office. All Leaguers were asked to speak with their representatives about the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act (VRA). Since Senator Durbin fully supports the bill, we moved on to other concerns including Supreme Court ethics.
Chad and I then met with a staffer from Eric Sorensen’s IL District 17 office where a rainbow flag was proudly displayed outside his door. We voiced our support for the VRA which he also supports. Both Senator Durbin and Rep. Sorensen’s people explained the difficulty of passing voting rights legislation in the current congress as well as similar difficulties with other legislation. Chad and I also brought up the need to better regulate the use of pesticides to protect our pollinators as Rep. Sorensen sits on the Committee on Agriculture. We also voiced strong support for Amtrak funding.
The agenda for Friday included a wide variety of informative breakout sessions on topics ranging from fundraising to eliminating discrimination against women. The directive for this information is that what happens at convention does not stay at convention and we will be using and sharing what we learned throughout the year. Faith, Chad and I chose to "divide and conquer" in the sessions and each attended different ones.
Much of Saturday and the half day on Sunday consisted of offering motions and voting on a myriad of Programs, Positions and Concurrences (agreement with existing local and state positions). These items spoke to the support for libraries, reproductive rights, healthcare proposals, gun violence and much, much more. Voting took place virtually and in person. At one point there were 955 delegates checked in and voting in a grand ballroom. We also discussed and voted on the biennial budget, for new board members and among several candidates for open spots on the nominating committee.
This was an experience enabling me to better understand League organization, protocols and priorities. I believe the three of us are now better equipped to help lead our local League into the future.
Photo: Laurie Wollrab and other LWV-IL members gather at Capitol Hill for Lobby Day