.png)
About LWVLC
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy
The League of Women Voters Leelanau County works to protect Democracy through free and fair elections, due process, checks and balances and holding elected officials accountable. Our organization is dedicated to ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity and information to exercise their right to vote. We are committed to providing nonpartisan education and advocacy for voters, and we strive to empower citizens to engage in the democratic process.
Our Mission
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Our Roles
The League of Women Voters is a people's organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives. We operate at national, state, and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well as in D.C. and the Virgin Islands. We never endorse or oppose political parties or candidates, but we are political.
Formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remains to expand participation and give a voice to all Americans. Our issues are grounded in our respected history of making democracy work for all Americans. We do this at all three levels of government, engaging in both broad educational efforts and advocacy.
Our Committees
At its Annual Meeting in June, 2024, a crucial year for our democracy, LWVLC voted to devote its efforts to:
-
Informing and empowering the citizens of Leelanau County to make their voices heard through voting and participating in local government, and
-
Monitoring the function of local government units to ensure they are following democratic principles of fairness and transparency, and representing and responding to their constituents’ needs and interests.
There are now four Program Committees: Voter Services, Advocacy, Observer Corps and Early Childhood Needs and Services. Traditional committees may elect to continue or vote to dissolve. This change, which clarifies our mission, is to enhance engagement by current members, and to attract new members who see what we do and how we do it and want to help us enhance and extend our work.
Voter Services
Voter Services is the heart of the League of Women Voters, promoting the protection of voting rights at every level. Voter Services includes, but is not limited to:
-
Encouraging voter participation
-
Holding candidate forums
-
Developing and distributing local Vote411 materials
-
Assisting with high school and college voter registration, and
-
Observing the Board of Canvassers
When situations arise that warrant advocacy, Voter Services will refer those issues to the Advocacy Committee.
Advocacy
League of Women Voters of Leelanau County will pursue education and advocacy based on issues at the local, state and national level.
-
All advocacy on the state and national level will be based on directives, such as Calls for Action, from LWVMI or LWVUS.
-
At the local level, advocacy will be conducted after an issue is brought to the Advocacy Committee and a Support/Oppose form filled out. These forms are then approved or rejected by the LWVLC Board. Each action needs approval by the President if it is to be taken in the name of LWVLC. If action needs to be taken quickly, the Advocacy Committee and Board can take votes electronically.
-
Individual members can always advocate on an issue in their own name.
Ideas for public forums will be solicited from League members. At the Board Retreat, Board members will brainstorm ideas for forums as well. After that, the Advocacy Committee will set the topics for the various public forums held throughout the year. A Program Planning Chair who sits on the Board and the Advocacy Committee will have oversight of the public forums. Each forum will be planned by a team of members who do not have to sit on the Advocacy Committee, but who are interested in the topic for the upcoming meeting.
Observer Corps
Throughout its history, the League of Women Voters has supported openness in government. The organization’s principles include the requisite that “government bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible.”
Observer Corps programs are one way for Leagues to ensure government transparency regulations are followed in their communities and to stay abreast of local issues.
-
The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County Observer Corps volunteers attend meetings throughout the County, including the County Board of Commissioners, Townships, Villages, School and Library Boards.
-
Volunteers typically choose the government body they wish to observe and attend their meeting approximately once per month. Observers identify themselves as League member observers. Although they may speak individually at the meeting, they should not speak on behalf of the League.
-
Following each meeting, observers complete a short survey to identify any lack of transparency or local issues that fall under the League's priority areas. The reports are compiled for the Board. The observer recommends whether an issue should be monitored or referred to the advocacy committee.
Early Childhood Needs and Services
The Early Childhood Needs and Services Committee educates and advocates for a system of comprehensive and coordinated services to meet the needs of young children in Leelanau County.
-
Its work is aligned with the positions on early childhood services of the League of Women Voters of Michigan and the LWVUS.
-
The Committee is partnering with organizations within the county to educate the community on the need for supporting existing early childhood services and addressing gaps in services. This includes, but is not limited to, services designed to prevent, identify and treat early childhood trauma.
-
Gaps in service range from accessible recreational spaces for children with disabilities and support for children who may be affected by recent changes in immigration policies.
-
The Committee also supports programming provided by the Leelanau County Early Childhood Millage and efforts to expand quality, affordable childcare options for families.
Board of Directors
Officers
President: Nancy Duck
Vice-President: Julie Tarr
Treasurer: Gary Bardenhagen
Secretary: Natalie Wilson
Directors
Becky Beauchamp
Deb Fellows
Jane Gale
Joan Hunault
Jacquie Johnson
Deb Kuhn
Nancy Lewis
Jane Packard
Elaine Piper
Martha Shaver
Janet Welch
Susan Wood
History of LWV Leelanau County
In the 1990s, Leelanau County resident Kathy Turner organized the Leelanau County Issues Discussion Group (CIDG) that addressed local topics at monthly meetings. Members worked toward the approval of a countywide millage to support farmland preservation. Following the defeat of the countywide millage and the County Commission’s vote not to renew its support for this program, membership dwindled. In 2008 CIDG members voted to become the Leelanau County Unit of the League of Women Voters Grand Traverse Area. Fifteen women joined, with Kathy Turner as President.
History of LWV
In her address to the National American Woman Suffrage Association's (NAWSA) 50th convention in St. Louis, Missouri, President Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the creation of a "league of women voters to finish the fight and aid in the reconstruction of the nation." Women Voters was formed within the NAWSA, composed of the organizations in the states where suffrage had already been attained. The next year, on February 14, 1920 - six months before the 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified - the League was formally organized in Chicago as the national League of Women Voters. Catt described the purpose of the new organization:
Looking for a way to DO SOMETHING?
Join us and make a difference in free and fair elections, registering voters, advocating for issues and more.
Contact Us
It's easy to get involved offline too.
Email: LWVLeelanau@gmail.com.
Drop us a note at P.O. Box 36, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
Donate to Defend Democracy
We appreciate your support in our work to defend democracy. You can donate online to the General Fund or one of our Special Events. Or pay by check by sending your check to: P. O. Box 36, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
Frequency
One time
Monthly
Amount
$20
$50
$100
$200
Other