2024 LWVUS Convention Recap

 
 

The League's 56th Biennial National Convention was held in Washington DC from June 27–30. It kicked off in traditional League style, with members descending on Capitol Hill to advocate in favor of the John R Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Many local leagues arranged visits with their US representatives to promote this important legislation and discuss topics of interest. 

A coalition of members from across the state of Illinois met with Senator Dick Durbin’s office to express our interest in voting rights and to thank the senator for his support.We also asked about Senator Durbin’s position on oversight of the federal judiciary, and members were free to make their own inquiries.

Featured Speakers and Announcements

  • A new LWVUS board of directors was approved by members. 

  • Officers: Dianna Wynn, President; Sania Irwin, Vice President; Leah Edwards, Treasurer; Toni Monette, Secretary

  • Directors: Tracy Adkison, Melissa Breach, Stacey Chavis, Kimberly Hamlin, Vedna Heywood, Jada Hunter, Alexis Juday-Marshall, and Brandi Slaughter

  • Nominating Committee: Pinny Sheoran, Maya Eichorn, and Toni Zimmer

  • Celina Stewart, previously LWVUS’ Chief Counsel and Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation, was appointed Executive Director.

  • LWVUS announced a new national partnership with Girl Scouts USA! More details are coming soon.

  • Thursday evening featured a panel on our moonshot goal of One Person One Vote through eliminating the electoral college.

  • Friday evening was capped off with Kimberly Teehee, Cherokee Nation Delegate to the US House, who gave a powerful speech on the history of Native women in justice movements, the partnership and shared values between Native peoples and the League, and the power of Native activists.

Plenary Sessions were all about business, discussion and spirted debate!

1) Members voted on adoption of changes to our bylaws.

  • Adopted:

  • Clarification on the definition and purpose of “convention” and the makeup and role of its delegates.

  • Clarification on the definition and purpose of “council” and the makeup and role of its delegates.

  • Clarification on the authority granted to emergency special council meetings.

  • Failed:

  • Two different motions related to limitations that should or must be placed on collection of League dues from students.

  • A motion to change the definition of a “voting League member” to include inter-League organizations (ILOs) along with local, state, and nation as Leagues to which voting members can belong (membership rules regarding ILOs are not currently standardized across the country).

  • Withdrawn for future consideration:

  • A motion that a consensus request to update the League Program requires that the proposing League has had the position in use for at least twelve months.

2) Members voted on adoption of changes to Positions and Program.

  • Adopted (by overwhelming margin):

  • To retain all current LWVUS Positions in the areas of Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources, and Social Policy

  • To re-adopt the campaign for Making Democracy Work® (MDW)

  • To adopt a concurrence with the LWV of Washington’s position on Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy

  • To approve an LWVUS study on the federal judiciary. (A separate motion of limiting the study to SCOTUS failed.)

  • Failed Motions:

  • Proposal to conduct a study of our Money Systems

  • To add a priority to the LWVUS program for the environment and climate change

  • To adopt the concurrence with the LWV Vermont position on privatization

  • To adopt concurrence with the LWV of Greater Pittsburgh position on Gun Safety

  • Withdrawn:

  • To reaffirm League commitment to fight for reproductive rights and justice (withdrawn because of a reproductive rights resolution that passed instead)

3) Members also approved the recommended budget.

Thank you to all the Illinois League members who served as delegates!

Here's some reflection and feedback from those who attended:

"For me, the most inspirational thing was the energy, tangible even through my laptop screen, from so many smart, articulate, caring women and men with varied opinions recognizing problems but not stopping, centered around what’s needed next."
—Shannon Race Silverman, LWV Arlington Heights

"The packed sessions on fighting back against book bans and partnering with organizations for diversity and inclusion offered great strategies and educational conversation! The keynote speakers Kim Teehee and new CEO Celina Stewart held the room rapt with their inspirational stories. And witnessing the engaged and vigorous debate over motions on the convention floor reinforced my gratitude for our democratic systems." 
—Cindy Fey, LWV Wilmette

"My favorite part of the convention was meeting LWVIL members I’ve never met, only seen on Zoom meetings (in a box), or haven’t seen for a long time. The sense of commitment of our delegation is inspiring and fills me with pride and renewed energy."
—Nancy Goldberg, LWV Highland Park-Highwood

"I felt so grateful to the Electoral College Committee of LWV Deerfield/Lincolnshire, and our friends from many other Leagues, who were working the convention to share our work and materials and slideshow about abolishing the electoral college with all LWVs in the country! It was so exhilarating to experience the support, energy, and appreciation from our fellow Leaguers and our national organization."
—Rosemary Heilemann, LWV Deerfield-Lincolnshire

"I loved the incoming president's call for a bigger, bolder and more powerful League and that she said we cannot defend democracy from the sidelines. We must be on the frontlines and not shy away from the fight. Her call for us to 'stand on our foundations and call out authoritarianism' rang true."
—Laurie Wollrab, LWV McLean County

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