The annual program planning meeting will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2:00 – 3:30pm.  Each year the League gathers to decide which three issues will be emphasized in the coming League Year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.  “Emphasizing” means both educating our members and the public about the issue, and advocating for it, like lobbying city council members.  In order to vote on decisions you have to be a current member of the League and the issue must be one covered by our local positions.  Annual Program Planning meetings in every League let members bring their ideas and discuss them with other League members. The Program Planning link:

In alternating years, we discuss National or State League program planning.  This year is National.  Is there an issue area in which you think the National League should put its efforts into superdrive?  Our National League does a lot of lobbying in the House and Senate on bills that relate to our LWVUS policies.  They want to hear from the local Leagues what issues are the ones we care about most.  Now is our chance to tell them.

LWV-BERKELEY, ALBANY, EMERYVILLE

Where should our local league put most of our effort?

Preparation is Essential
If you feel strongly about an issue, spend some time preparing a brief and persuasive proposal. Your proposal should include:

• Why is the proposed issue important?
• What role does the League play in uniquely having impact and moving the issue forward?
• What are the League positions that support taking action?
• Who will work on it?
• What is the plan forward?

The Program Planning Meeting will include two discussions:

The first is programs for local emphasis. These were selected last year to be addressed with a DEI lens:

• Making democracy work, with a focus on mis and disinformation.
• Climate and sustainability.
• DEI-focus on health equity and criminal justice.

The second will be programs we recommend to the National League. These are the previous recommendations:

• Making Democracy Work
• Health care
• Proposal to add the Vermont Concurrence to the 2024 LWVUS Convention to bolster the LWVUS Privatization Position: Concurring with this LWVVT language at Convention will update the LWVUS position without requiring any outlay of resources by either local Leagues or LWVUS. Attendees voted in favor of the following:
  ◦ Publicly Support the Concurrence
  ◦ Support Putting it in Planning Survey

Now is your opportunity to influence our League’s direction!