A New Day: Honoring our Past, Impacting our Future
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin 60th Convention
June 15-16, 2007, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Convention this year meant a lot of changes for the League:  new positions,  new studies and a  new structure. It was also a lot of fun: LWV Greater Green Bay provided an eclectic array of goodies at their silent auction; the dinner entertainment on Friday was both compelling and educational; President Melanie Ramey's champagne and dessert reception was the high point of the evening; and the talent and dedication recognized at Saturday's award ceremony was awe-inspiring.

Positions
Members adopted three new positions: an update to our  Natural Resources position with subsections on Electric Energy and Global warming; a new position on  Voting Rights; and a new position, concurring with LWV Milwaukee County, on  Lending Industry Practices.

Program
Members made time for a number of caucuses on Friday, including a well planned discussion of school funding and a presentation by LWV Milwaukee members of their proposed concurrence position on  Lending Industry Practices. On Saturday, members voted to adopt the board's recommended  program of study for the 2007-2009 biennium: a continuation of the Voting Rights study to look at election administration; and a new emphasis on the education of members and of the public on health care reform.

Structure
The  organizational consolidation plan, along with the appropriate  bylaws and  budgets, was approved and will move forward this summer. The state League will be contacting presidents with details as our legal status is implemented. To oversee this shift, a  new board was elected, with two off-board names added to the original slate as Nominating Committee members.

Speakers
We were very fortunate to have such excellent speakers share their time and information with us at Convention. With the sponsorship of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Barbara Freese presented a fascinating look at just how much our reliance on coal for energy is costing us in terms of environmental, financial and health effects. Dr. Terri Johnson gave a brief history of minority voting rights and gave the League much food for thought by suggesting areas of election administration policy and practice that could be improved with more research and an improved process. Dr. Andrew Kersten's talk Saturday morning was an eye-opening analysis of immigration patterns in Wisconsin, suggesting that a historical view of our ethnic and racial demographics could have a beneficial influence on our approach to immigration policy today. And Elaine Wiant, LWVUS Board liaison to Wisconsin, gave attendees of her breakout session an overview of the national League and a few pointers on leadership. 

The Meg McLane Award for Advocacy
The spotlight at Saturday's award luncheon was on June Kjome, member of LWV La Crosse Area and first recipient of the  Meg McLane Award for Advocacy. June's had a riveted audience as she described her work as a mid-wife in South Africa during apartheid and her observation of the African women, a situation, she says, that turned her into a feminist and activist. Her work to ensure health care, poverty relief and political representation for all is remarkable at the very least. Also present to share the honor of this award was Meg McLane, former member of LWV Fond du Lac, who was back in Wisconsin from her new home in Ohio. Meg's tireless work to promote the League's advocacy agenda and lead the Legislative Committee to act on our positions inspired the creation of the  Meg McLane Award for Advocacy to recognize outstanding advocates for good governance in Wisconsin. To make a contribution to the Meg McLane Fund, click here.

In Memory
Also honored at Saturday's award luncheon was Fran Swigart, a long-time member of LWV Milwaukee County. Fran's tremendous work on behalf of the League, especially her efforts to provide voting information and a civic welcome to newly naturalized citizens, can never be extolled as much as it deserves. Fran was recently diagnosed with a rare and quickly progressing disease and she passed away on Sunday, June 17th. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with her family and the friends who honored her work and her life at Convention.

THANK YOU…

The Energy Policy and Voting Rights Committees - Our gratitude and admiration are in order for the conscientious work of the study committees, and for the coming efforts of the Legislative Committee, which will be acting on these new positions.
Kit Halloran O'Meara - Kit's sensible and gentle parliamentary guidance was invaluable in getting us through the confusing organizational issues at Convention.
Cynthia Benevenga - Cynthia's detailed work on developing multiple budgets is indispensable in keeping the state League running.
The Bylaws Committee - The committee’s hard work in preparation and Nancy Stabb’s clear presentation made for easy understanding of this complicated and time-intensive project.
The Greater Green Bay League - LWV Greater Green Bay members arranged excellent facilities, staffed registration and provided a fun shopping diversion with the Silent Auction at Convention.
Melanie Ramey - Melanie’s charismatic leadership this past year was crowned by a lovely dessert and champagne reception at Convention. We all look forward to another year!

Looking Ahead
To all those who attended Convention: thank you for representing your League and we hope to see you again next year for the Annual Meeting! To those who could not make it to Convention this year: now that you've seen what the event is all about, please plan to join us next time around! Details for the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin 2008 Annual Meeting will be posted as soon as they are finalized. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting as delegates or as visitors. State League events can help you stay informed of League activity and connected to League members around the state.