This year's Convention at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing promises to be informative, productive and fun. State Convention provides us with an opportunity to conduct important business of the state League as well as an opportunity to participate in workshops, learn more about the League and renew friendships with League members across the state.

 

Voting delegates are determined by a local League's membership count, but all members are welcome.

 

Delegates will:

• Adopt the 2017 - 2019 state program, including any state studies
• Adopt the LWVMI budgets for the next two years, including the per-member-payment (dues)
• Elect LWVMI Officers and members of the Board of Directors
• Consider Amendments to the LWVMI Bylaws, if proposed

 

In addition to the business of the League, workshops on topics such as Voter Registration, Natural Resources Update, From Program to Advocacy and others, will be offered. Among the speakers will be Chris Hackbarth from the Michigan Municipal League, who will discuss revenue distribution from the state. This topic is of special interest to those of us who heard the panel discussion with our City Manager, City Controller and Township Treasurer on government finance at our community program in January.

 

More information including details on registration can be found here.  Registration and hotel deadline is April 19. Contact Sue McCollister, [email protected] or 989-631-4180 if you're interested in attending.

The state League has been approached by Pam Saddler of Bay County with interest in starting a League there. This is a rather deliberate step-wise process, under the guidance of the LWVMI. It starts with the formation of a Geographical Unit which is matched with a geographically close established Local League as a Mentor. We were approached to fill that role, and the Board voted to accept the request.

We're just at the beginning stages of the process - we'll keep you posted. Bay City had a League years ago, and it would be a big step to establish a new one.

Last fall our League hosted a Community Conversation on Restoring Trust in State Government , presented by the Center for Michigan. The report, titled "Fractured trust: Lost faith in state government, and how to restore it", has been published. Based on input from 125 community conversation sessions and two large polls, it concludes that state government is simply not living up to public expectations.

Summary Article

Complete Report

WOMEN OF MICHIGAN, LET'S RALLY FOR EQUAL PAY

Midland Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW), is calling on all AAUW area branches and other women's groups such as LWV, Zonta, and W.O.M.A.N. to join us in a rally in Lansing for Equal Pay Legislative Day, April 25, 2017, on the steps of the Capitol. We urge as many women as possible to carpool or drive to Lansing to raise our voices for Equal Pay. Starting at 8:30 am there will be a light breakfast and orientation at the United Methodist Church, 215 N Capital Ave, Lansing across from the Capitol.