 April 23, 2014 Hello and Happy Springtime (finally), The Board of LWVIL has developed a member survey and I am encouraging all of you to make your sure you take it. The results of the survey will help us, so please weigh in on TFAs, emails, contact methods and your preferences. It shouldn't take too long but would be very much appreciated. Thank you! I imagine annual meetings are on the minds of many of you but I want to suggest you consider adding a multi-day biennial meeting to your plate. I know it's hard to add one more thing to our already-busy schedules but the LWVUS national convention is exciting and so worthwhile. You will return enriched and motivated. The sessions, the speakers, workshops, your fellow delegates from around the country--are all inspiring and lots of fun! Check out the LWVUS website by going to the link in this E-News. Perhaps your local League has money available to help you attend. Mary Kubasak President, LWVIL | |
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Member Survey * LWVUS Convention *
MLD Training * Stormwater From the Ground Up *
GRIT Rally and Lobby Day * Issue Specialist Reports * Spotlight on Charter Schools Update
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MEMBER SURVEY
The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) is interested in your opinion on LWVIL's issues, communication and organizational activities. Please take a few moments to complete this survey on the LWVIL website; please be candid and constructive in your feedback.
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LWVUS CONVENTION
June 6-10, 2014 Omni Dallas Hotel
Plan to join your fellow national, state and local League leaders at the 2014 LWVUS Convention.
You will experience four days of fascinating speakers and workshops on issues that are important to League and to our democracy. To register by May 24th, visit the LWVUS website.
The Omni Dallas Hotel is offering a special rate to LWVUS convention attendees. The reservation deadline is May 12th. View the LWV rate on the hotel's website.
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MEMBERSHIP - MLD TRAINING
It's hard to believe that it has been almost two years since the Membership Leadership Development (MLD) Program--an LWVUS program whose goals are to achieve a net increase in League membership, provide trainings, materials and support to League leaders so they are equipped to lead enthusiastically and effectively--was introduced to Illinois Leagues.
On Friday, July 11th, a day-long training will take place. Please consider joining this training to update your understanding of MLD best practices and meet other MLD members and coaches. We are pleased that an LWVUS staff member responsible for the MLD program will be joining us.
The training will take place on Friday, July 11, 2014 at a hotel in Aurora, Illinois. We expect it to begin around 10:00 a.m. and adjourn by 5:00 p.m. The MLD program may be able to reimburse your travel costs. For more information, please e-mail [email protected].
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STORMWATER FROM THE GROUND UP
 The Stormwater from the Ground Up project, co-convened by the League of Women Voters of Illinois and the League of Women Voters of the Lake Michigan Region, have made a number of resources available on the LWVLMR website, including a video to illustrate what happens during a storm to cause flooding and the negative effects to our environment. The project has also developed a presentation which it would be happy to bring to your community. If your League would like to schedule a presentation or to volunteer, please contact [email protected] for details. |
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Fair and Graduated Income Tax
RALLY AND LOBBY DAY
April 29th, 2014
The Capitol Building, Springfield
Please join the A Better Illinois Coalition rally to put the Fair and Graduated Income Tax amendment on the November ballot.
- Participants will gather from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Statue in front of the Capitol Building.
- From 12:30 until 2:00 p.m., participants will meet with legislators and ask them for their support.
- At 2:00 p.m., those who came down by bus will board the buses for the return journey.
- Buses will be traveling to Springfield from around the state.
- If you are interested in riding a bus down, please contact the A Better Illinois coalition to find a bus location, departure time and to reserve a space. All meals will be provided. RSVP here.
Why is this important?
- May 1 is the deadline for calling the vote that will pass the legislation to put the put the amendment on the ballot.
- In addition, April 29 is likely to be the day that the Senate calls its bill, SJRCA40. A show of support will help ensure its passage and encourage the House to call their bill, HJRCA49.
Questions? Please contact [email protected], subject: GRIT Rally.
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Issue Specialist Reports
Issues include Criminal Justice; Education Funding; Fiscal Policy; Fracking; Gun Violence Prevention; Healthcare; Immigration; Mental Health; and Redistricting.
League members who are interested in any of these issues are encouraged to contact the Issues Committee at [email protected]. |
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Spotlight on an Issue: Charter Schools Update
Plan to include in your 2014-15 League Program
The charter schools position update committee has been hard at work researching, creating, and debating questions addressing a variety of issues regarding charter schools--ranging from Authorization to Zero tolerance discipline, with consideration for policies which might apply to all public schools, including charters. The anticipated timeline is as follows:
| May/June, 2014: | LWVIL distributes overview with resources to local Leagues so that local committees can plan how to study the issues. Local League members are encouraged to visit principals and superintendents of public schools during the summer--when they might have more time--to discuss issues raised in the study. | | September, 2014: | LWVIL sends the complete study kit to local Leagues | | January 31, 2015: | Consensus reports from local Leagues due to LWVIL | | March, 2015: | State Board votes on the updated position | | June, 2015: | State Convention--Delegates vote on the updated position |
The committee is being co-chaired by Ann Courter and Jean Pierce. Learn more about them here.
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LWVIL website.
Not a League member? Check out the League
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