Annual Meeting

The 2025 annual meeting was held at the Friendship Village Clubhouse on Monday, May 12, with 35 LWVKA members attending.

Our speaker, Miranda Grunwall of Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, spoke eloquently on disability and voting, giving examples of ways that our voting services could be improved.

Our Lifetime members were then recognized, with certificates from the LWV presented to those present. The following Lifetime members, people who have been members of the League of Women Voters for fifty years or more, were recognized: Connie Ferguson, Caroline Ham, Marilyn Lindbeck, Paula Manley, Betty Lee Ongley, Norma Stancati, Mabel Stenesh and Diane Worden.

The bylaws changes were accepted; the budget was accepted; the local program was accepted, and the Nominating Committee’s slate of nominees was confirmed.

Board members completing their terms were thanked (though we hope some will return as appointed board members): Chris Kuthe, Jennifer Snyder, Rick Freiman, Barb Dircks, Paula Manley, Terry Hluchuj and MerriKay Oleen-Burkey.

Chris and Aedín ended with a recap of the year’s activities and achievements, and noted that we are in a time of increased need for advocacy, and that action alerts from our League will increase over the coming months.

We appreciate the work done by all the members and committees to move the LWVKA forward for another year.

Our thanks also to Friendship Village for providing the venue and the delicious dessert treats.

LWVMI 2025 Convention

The biennial LWVMI Convention was held in Grand Rapids on May 16 to 18, the weekend following the big storm. Our LWVKA was represented by Aimee Bedard, Aedín Clements, Rick Freiman, Karen Gustafson, Jules Isenberg-Wedel, Ken Manley, Paula Manley, MerriKay Oleen-Burkey Tanya Potter, Denise Hartsough, Regena Nelson and Connie Ferguson. Some were delegates from our League, and some had other roles, which are not all captured here.

Connie Ferguson observed the following: 

Everyone who attended the LWVMI convention heard LWVKA mentioned often. Denise Hartsough was on the stage in her role as Co-President/Co-President elect. Connie Ferguson served as Parliamentarian. MerriKay Oleen-Burkey was introduced as a retiring Board member. Regena Nelson served on this biennium’s Nominating Committee and will chair the next one. Tanya Potter led the Credentials Committee. Paula Manley served on the Convention Committee, chaired the Bylaws Committee, and, with help from Ken Manley, ran the successful auction. Rick Freiman spoke at the local League advocacy workshop. There were lots of LWVKA members recognized in the Bell Ringer Awards and Life Members lists. The full delegation took advantage of the opportunity to network and to soak up information.

We also had the pleasure of seeing the League of Women Voters of the Greater Grand Rapids Area, recently a unit mentored by the LWVKA, host a very successful convention.

In Program Planning, one of the motions had some debate, but was passed by a majority. This was the recommendation on concurrence of the Utah Position on Death with Dignity:

The League of Women Voters believes that state laws should grant the option for a terminally ill person to request medical assistance from a relevant, licensed physician to end one’s life.

Our thanks to all who attended, and especially to those LWVKA members who have taken on responsibility at the state level. Congratulations to Paula Manley on a great auction, and to Denise Hartsough for managing a fruitful convention. 

League members who attended the Convention share some of their thoughts here:

Paula Manley

I have been fortunate to attend many LWVMI Conventions as a delegate. I attended my first LWVMI Convention when I was a member of LWV of the Greater Grand Rapids Area and we hosted the 1977 Convention in Grand Rapids. It was fun to be back in Grand Rapids and see the recently reactivated LWVGGRA hosting this year’s Convention. It is always an inspiring, informative few days with so many Leaguers!

This year I wore several hats—LWVKA delegate, Chair of the LWVMI Bylaws Committee and Chair of the LWVMI Auction. LWVMI Bylaw revisions dealt with the changes in how LWVUS processes League membership. As Chair of the LWVMI Auction, I met spent time between sessions in the Auction room. Twenty-two Local Leagues donated a total of 59 auction items, and I got to meet and talk with most delegates as they brought in their donations or came to browse and bid. All the funds raised (over $5,000) from the Silent Auction as well as a short Live Auction went to the LWVMI Education Fund. 

Aimée Bedard 

The convention confirmed for me that we are in a very different time in America. We need to “get loud” and act rather than waiting for someone else to change our course. Mobilization of voters is even more critical than registering new voters. We need to ensure voters are educated and that we help to connect the dots for them in terms of the potential impact of actions. Messaging needs to be specific and tailored to the individual and their needs. 

Tanya Potter

Talk about LWV impact on improving our Democracy! I was inspired and hopeful that what was happening in government is going to change. Networking was great. I attended an event with other treasurers and we shared pointers on how to improve our jobs. Session on Chapter Spot (the LWVUS new way to collect membership dues) was very helpful. It is true you can teach an old dog new tricks. I was honored to be one of the members of the Credentials Committee. We counted delegates prior to plenary vents. Speakers were fabulous and motivational. It was a great opportunity to meet the people on the LWVMI Board, such a talented group. I was humbled by getting a Bell Ringer award. Wish everyone could get a chance to go to either MI convention or the US convention  

Regena Nelson

I was elected chair of the Nominating Committee after serving for two terms on it. I'm pleased our committee presented a diverse, highly competent, and dedicated slate of officers for the 2025-27 term.

Jules Isenberg-Wedel

As a second-time LWVMI State Convention attendee, I found the information shared as well as the networking opportunities with other League Members to be very valuable. The topics presented by speakers and in workshop sessions were quite varied and the plenary sessions were very helpful to my understanding of the dynamics of the relationships between the Local, State, and National Leagues. 

The Plenary Sessions went through the business proceedings of adopting proposed bylaw amendments, budgets for FYs 2026 and 2027, electing State Board Members and Officers, and the adoption of the State Program. Special presentations throughout the Convention affirmed not only the vital importance of the ongoing and evolving work conducted by local leagues, but celebrated the rich history that has brought us to where we are. I look forward to attending future Conventions and encourage other members to do so as well in 2027!

Highlights from my notes at workshops include the following:

“Basic Publications for Local Leagues” - LWVMI Co-President Paula Bowman & LWVMI VP for Voter Service Judy Florian

• The presentation included an overview of and shared drive access to templates and ideas for refreshing or updating a variety of publication materials including: Membership Brochures, Elected Officials Contact Information Brochures, Ways to Get Involved documents for new members, and Annual reports.
• The Membership Brochure in particular may be of particular interest to LWVKA.  
• LWVKA does not currently have a local “Your Government Officials” brochure - potential project if there is a group of interested volunteers.

“Vote411: A Meeting of the Minds” – LWVMI Director for Vote411 Carolyn Vertin, nominee for LWVMI Director for Vote411 Anne Jackson, & Lenawee County League’s Jane Poczatek

• The presentation included a great sharing of resources and practical tips & tricks for Vote411 Administrators including: a shared list of local league Vote411 administrators, tips for coverage of races (like school districts) that overlap county lines between two neighboring leagues, and recommended language to address false information from candidates.
• Several members in attendance volunteered to serve on a new Vote411 Q&A group that Anne Jackson will be organizing to continue to share great ideas.

And finally, congratulations and thanks to those hard-working members who were recognized by the LWVMI Bell Ringer Awards for 2025:

Tanya Potter

Financial Management Bell Ringer



Tanya has been a dedicated and professional treasurer for the LWVKA for many years and we appreciate her passion for our League’s work.

Jules Isenberg-Wedel

Voter Service Bell Ringer

Our voter guides and Vote411 happen because of Jules and her superb teamwork and we appreciate her dedication.

Terry Hluchyj

Voter Guides Bell Ringer



Terry continues to be the heart of our voter guides and VOTE411, and we appreciate her dedication, knowledge and passion.

Jennifer Snyder

Membership Bell Ringer

With appreciation, we recognize Jennifer as she has been an outstanding Membership Chair and has guided us through the transition to ChapterSpot with grace.

Voter Services Update 

Aimée Bedard

May is always a busy time within the League to register and educate new voters as High School students graduate. We once again tabled at Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix High Schools Senior Awards and Graduation Practices as well as at Gull Lake High School’s Graduation Practice. New opportunities included tabling at Portage Central High School, Phoenix High School’s Graduation Practice, Kalamazoo Innovation Learning Program’s Senior Lunch, and KRESA Family Night. We continued our collaboration with Kalamazoo College participating in their Chalk for Change Event. We also tabled at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. Thank you to League members Anne Flynn, Jennie Hill and Terri McDonald who helped to coordinate these events with community partners. Thank you to all those who volunteered in May including Aedin Clements, Anne Flynn, Karen Ford, Karen, Gustafson, Denise Hartsough, Jennie Hill, Regena Nelson, Deborah Noble, Carol Pauly, Lisa Stucky, Mark Stucky, Laura Volkman, and Ann Wright-Parsons. We still have volunteer slots open for Kalamazoo Pride on June 7 and the Kalamazoo Farmers Market on July 12. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer at these events and be on the look-out for future Volunteer Blasts!

Decline to Sign!

At least one petition to amend the Michigan Constitution to require unneeded documentary proof of citizenship for voting/voter registration will circulate this summer. We may see two. Decline to sign!  

Please tell everyone you know that our state already requires voters to affirm citizenship under penalty of law. Non-citizen voting is rare (.0003% of those who voted in November 2024). The proposed amendment is a solution in search of a problem. And that “solution” will disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters, as it has in Arizona and as it did in Kansas until ruled unconstitutional.    

With regard to any democracy issue, the League urges all constituents to make their views known to their elected officials—as constituents, not as League members. Keep in mind that you have the power of the vote and the League does not. Your voice carries that power. Speak up! Show up! 

— Denise Hartsough, VP for Program & Advocacy

Special Tributes

In Memory of Mary Brown

NNNNLisa Fuller

Advocate!

By Denise Hartsough

The effort to add an unneeded documentary proof of citizenship requirement into our Michigan Constitution is now a ballot proposal campaign. Watch The Voter for how you can educate voters about this and urge them to decline to sign the petition.

It’s still relevant to use the Action Alert at lwvmi.org to oppose House Joint Resolution B, which would impose a state documentary proof of citizenship requirement. 

Join a Hands Off! rally as they are scheduled and announced.  

Urge everyone to use the LWVUS Take Action webpage to 1) Urge Congress to Stand Up for Democracy, 2) Oppose the SAVE Act (US Senate), 3) Respond to Your House Member’s Vote on the SAVE Act, 4) Demand Equal Rights (the ERA), and 5) Expand Voting Rights.  

What LWVUS is doing:

• Declared a Constitutional crisis and creation of Unite and Rise 8.5, a mobilization of 8.5 million voters to defend democracy. Read the press release here. Details after May 1!
• Pointed out the impact the SAVE Act would have on married women’s access to voting in Teen Vogue:  “Let's be real: The SAVE Act is a trick. It's not about protecting elections; it is about making it harder to participate in them. It is a Trojan horse attack on American democracy disguised as an election security measure. And women should not have to bear the brunt of a law passed to address a nonexistent problem.” Read the rest here.
• Condemned the US President’s call for investigation of two top federal election officials for affirming the integrity of the 2020 election. Read details here.
• Sent a letter to the Commerce Secretary opposing the elimination of Census committees. Read the letter here.
• Co-authored a Newsweek op-ed defending libraries and museums. Read it here.

LWVMI Updates

Denise Hartsough, VP for Program & Advocacy

At the LWVMI Convention in May, delegates voted:

• To initiate an update of the LWVMI Election Law Position which would focus on Primary Systems with consideration of alternative forms of voting. Local Leagues will be asked to participate in this update (study) during the next 2 years.

• To adopt by concurrence the LWV Utah position on Medical Aid in Dying, which reads: The League of Women Voters (of Michigan) believes that state laws should grant the option for a terminally ill person to request medical assistance from a relevant, licensed physician to end one’s life. The League of Women Voters of (Michigan) believes such legislation should include safeguards against abuse for the dying and/or medical personnel.

LWVMI will form a committee for the Election Law update. If you are interested in serving, I will connect you with Ellen Lafferty, incoming VP for Program.

The new position on Medical Aid in Dying allows LWVMI to advocate in the event that relevant bills are proposed in the Michigan Legislature.

LWVUS Update

By Paula Manley

LWVKA Officers and Board Members

Aedín Clements

Co-President

Christine Kuthe

Co-President

Maria Gagnon-Markucki

VP Organization

Denise Hartsough

VP Program

Tanya Potter

Treasurer

Deb Freiman

Secretary

LWVKA Directors—Elected

Jennifer Snyder

Director – Membership

Jules Isenberg-Wedel

Director – Vote411/Voter Guides

Lisa Fuller

Director at Large

Aimée Bedard

Voter Service Chair

Rick Freiman

Director

Shardae Jones-Chambers

Director at Large

Teresa Johnson

Director at Large

LWVKA Directors—Appointed

Barbara Dircks

Past President

Kitty Knoll

Chair – Calhoun County Geographical Unit

Paula Manley

Geographical Unit Mentor

Terry Hluchyj

Vote411 – Voter Guides

MerriKay Oleen-Burkey

Website Liaison/ LWVMI Board Member

Education Fund Board Members

Rick Freiman

Chair

Jessica Reiser

Vice Chair

Barb Dircks

Secretary

Tanya Potter

Treasurer

Paula Aldridge

Director

Dennis Elmer

Director 

Aedín Clements

Director (Ex officio)