Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

Friend, 

Leagues across the country work tirelessly every day to empower voters and defend democracy — and 2023 was no exception! As we reflect on this past year, I want to take a moment to celebrate your impact: Leagues reached over one million voters through textbanks and friendbanks on League In Action and over two million voters on VOTE411, the most ever for a non-federal election cycle. State leaders came together in Las Vegas, NV, for our 2023 National Council, where we focused on our Transformation Journey, the future of the League, and our “moonshot” goal of abolishing the Electoral College. We celebrated litigation and Supreme Court victories for fair maps and voter protection, and we continued our second year of Power the South, our campaign to strengthen people power across the South. 

This is just a fraction of all of our achievements this year. Celebrate your success and learn more about the League’s 2023 impact in our blog on www.lwv.org.

As we wrap up 2023, we are also wrapping up some of our end-of-year business. I strongly encourage Leagues who have not completed our Annual League Survey to do so by December 31. Your responses are critical to how we plan for our future and address League needs. For more information, please refer to the Annual League Survey page on the League Management Site. 

Additionally, while we celebrate the end of the year, we are also getting ready for a busy 2024. If you have not already, make sure to update your League’s roster to reflect active membership by January 31! Leagues can make any updates through the Roster Manager Portal. And do not forget: to prepare for our transition to our new membership system, we are asking each League to designate a ChapterSpot point of contact. For questions, please contact rostersupport@lwv.org.

And finally, take a moment to bask in the successes of 2023 as you put on your running shoes to jump out of the starting blocks and start running in the race of 2024.

Working with you and for you every day.

In League,

Deborah

See all upcoming events on the League Management Site.

The Annual League Survey is still collecting the last lingering responses. Complete the survey by December 31 and help us showcase our nationwide impact. Don't miss the opportunity to win a registration for the 2024 National Convention! Please email evaluation@lwv.org if your League has not received the link to the Annual League Survey. Already submitted your survey? Prepare your League for efficient data collection processes in the new year with our data tracker! Find the data tracker and our data collection tookit on the League Management Site. 

Leagues all across the country are encouraged to participate in Program Planning, our grassroots process for choosing the League Program for 2024 – 2026. The Program Planning Survey is now open for local and state Leagues to recommend the programmatic focus for all levels of the League for the upcoming biennium. Find a link to the survey, as well as Program Planning instructions, on the League Management Site. The survey closes on Friday, March 10, 2024. For questions, contact progplan@lwv.org.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) will be held March 11 – 22, 2024, at the United Nations in New York City. We are looking for delegates who will attend a minimum of four to five days and will participate in all varieties of sessions, including commission meetings, side events, and parallel events. This is a self-paid opportunity. To apply, submit an application by Jan. 5, 2024. For questions, please contact LWVUS observer Chris Sagona at csagona@lwv.org.

• Blog: Our Greatest Achievements in 2023 
• Blog: Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on Election Mis- and Disinformation 
• Blog: Quiz: How Well Do You Remember 2023?

If your League needs help putting together a presentation around the Electoral College or National Popular Vote (NPV), there is help available! Use this form to request a speaker or presentation support using this Moonshot Presentation support form! Please provide at least two weeks' notice. We look forward to supporting you.

Make sure you update your League’s roster to reflect active membership by January 31. Leagues can update their roster on the Roster Manager Portal. This is a good opportunity to ensure that your League’s officer list is up to date, including term dates, and to add member join and expiration dates. This information will be helpful when data is transferred to ChapterSpot and will determine your League’s delegate count at Convention 2024. Additionally, we are asking Leagues to identify one point of contact for ChapterSpot, our new membership system. Learn more about our membership system and the transition on the League Management Site. 

Registration and hotel reservations for the 2024 Convention will open in January. Updates will be provided in the League Update and on the Convention website. Information continues to be added to the Convention website. Leagues can now: 

• Propose Bylaws Amendments 
• Request Hardship Designations 
• Review the Leaders Guide to Program Planning and other Program Planning Support 

One of the many important business items at Convention is the review and possible amendment of the LWVUS Bylaws. The process for proposing an amendment (along with specific requirements) is available on the Convention website and the League Management Site. All proposed amendments are reviewed by the Bylaws Committee. They can be reached at bylaws@lwv.org.

• Jeanette Senecal, senior director of mission impact for the League of Women Voters of the United States, spoke to NPR about the power of voting and the League’s work registering new citizens. Read now: In their own words, new U.S. citizens look to voting in 2024.
• The League of Women Voters of Ohio filed a federal lawsuit challenging a provision in House Bill 458 that impacts how voters with disabilities can cast absentee ballots. Learn more: League of Women Voters of Ohio files federal lawsuit over election law.
• Leslie Skardon from the League of Women Voters of South Carolina wrote about ranked-choice voting could positively change politics in South Carolina. Read the opinion: Ranked-choice voting could transform politics.

Special Notifications: To help keep members informed, LWVUS sends this bi-weekly, internal email newsletter to state and local League presidents, as well as other highly engaged League members. The League Update includes important announcements about upcoming trainings and webinars, grant opportunities, messaging resources, stories from Leagues nationwide, and surveys to help LWVUS serve Leagues better. This newsletter is curated for League members specifically and is not intended for public consumption or distribution. 

Do you know a League member who wants to receive this email? Members can subscribe to receive the League Update here. Please do not reply to this message. To unsubscribe, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of this email.