To all members of LWVPRA: Thank you all for the wonderful framed picture and card that you presented to me at the Annual Meeting. I have found the perfect place to hang it. It is the first thing you see when you enter the house. CC
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Also Thank you to Deanna for representing us at the LWVMN Convention last week.
Summary by Deanna Germain, LWV PRA delegate to the convention:
Approximately 130 people representing over 30 local Leagues in Minnesota attended in New Ulm, Minnesota
The general focus was participating in strategic planning for the future. The state League
focused on getting input from local leagues so it is not just a ‘top down’ approach to determining
the needs for Minnesota.
Attendees were assigned to work with people not in their League. There was strong emphasis
that collaboration with other leagues and city organizations is essential for success. I worked
with Edina, Woodbury and Rochester in our 6 member group. The strategic planning results will
be compiled and sent out for membership. I did advocate for addressing needs of out-state MN.
The keynote speaker, Valerie Jensen, was wonderful. She is an attorney, VP DEI, with Planned Parenthood North Central States, and had thought provoking messages on culture, diversity, sharing her life experiences as a biracial woman. Hopefully her speech will be shared with the membership online.
The state planners had a long river poster in the back of the room with rocks on the bottom that had foundational words as advocacy, leadership. Each league was given a fish to write what we had done in the past year. I wrote about the child care sessions and giving Vote 411 cards to Seniors in Park Rapids and Menagha. The state league promised they would compile all the ‘fish’ and send all the league accomplishments to membership as everyone had great interest in seeing what colleagues were doing.
The proposed new fire arms position statement was approved.
An unexpected perk: I met Ardis Wexlar, Edina LWV, who said her mother, Esther Fieldman, started the first PR LWV.
Overall being a delegate was a good experience and New Ulm was a good venue/host.
Click on this link to see the pictures and the video that Deanna took at the convention:
This link is to the LWVMN convention page: you can see the power points, read finance reports, program for Action etc. etc.
