About Us
| LEELANAU INDEPENDENT WOMEN for Democratic Action |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Working for government that works for all |
The Action Groups meet monthly at various times and venues. Click here and scroll down to
contact someone about an Action Group meeting you would like to attend. Please note that
statewide issues will be addressed in either the National Action Group or the Local Action Group,
depending upon the issue.
contact someone about an Action Group meeting you would like to attend. Please note that
statewide issues will be addressed in either the National Action Group or the Local Action Group,
depending upon the issue.
President: Celeste
Crouch
Vice-President: Pam
Godbout
Treasurer: Marcia B.
Harris
Secretary: Susan
Abbott Schmidt
Membership: Carol
Hilton
State and National
Action Group Chair:
Betsy Johnson
Local Issues Action
Group Chair: Dorothy
Barker
Communications
Action Group Chair:
Pam Godbout
Members-at-Large:
Peachy Rentenbach, Mar
Marge Barrett, Jenny
Olson
Crouch
Vice-President: Pam
Godbout
Treasurer: Marcia B.
Harris
Secretary: Susan
Abbott Schmidt
Membership: Carol
Hilton
State and National
Action Group Chair:
Betsy Johnson
Local Issues Action
Group Chair: Dorothy
Barker
Communications
Action Group Chair:
Pam Godbout
Members-at-Large:
Peachy Rentenbach, Mar
Marge Barrett, Jenny
Olson
| STEERING COMMITTEE |
We have much to take pride in. We worked hard in 2006, and met many of our goals. We have
set lofty goals for 2007 and are hard at work achieving them. For a look at our accomplishments,
past and future, click here.
We are also proud of our history. What began as a small group of women who met over coffee
and bemoaned the right-wing agenda of those running the country has grown into an effective
political action organization with the potential to influence and change the course of events. Click
here to read about our beginnings.
We are a progressive,
activist organization
whose purpose is to
promote our nation's
commitment to the
common good. We
work to advance the
core democratic values
of political, economic,
social, cultural, and
gender justice and
equality.
activist organization
whose purpose is to
promote our nation's
commitment to the
common good. We
work to advance the
core democratic values
of political, economic,
social, cultural, and
gender justice and
equality.
MISSION STATEMENT
Leelanau Independent Women for Democratic Action believes in activism. We believe that, by
working right here in Leelanau County, we can make a difference - in our communities, our
state, our nation.
We believe strongly in the power of free speech, and in using every possible avenue to make
our positions known to decision makers. We write letters, individually and as a group, to editors
and public officials. We purchase ad space to make our chosen issues and endorsed
candidates known. We march in parades, take part in festivals - whatever we can do to get our
message out.
We also believe in direct participation in our democracy. We attend local governmental
meetings and meet with our legislators so that we can influence public policy decisions. For
2007, we have instituted the LIWDA Folding Chair Challenge in an effort to reach an attendance
goal of 200 by year's end. Click here and scroll down to learn more.
We believe in informing ourselves, and informing other voters. So we invite special speakers to
attend our monthly General Meeting or other meetings to educate us on topics of interest. We
also offer workshops on topics like effective political letter writing and ethics in politics. This fall,
we plan to present the Run, Girl, Run workshop, designed to help women run for public office.
Click here to learn more.
During election seasons, we take positions on ballot issues and endorse candidates. We hold
fund raisers, canvass voters, take out ads, and help get out the vote for our candidates and
issues.
We have fun, social gatherings, too, to celebrate anniversaries and to watch election returns.
We are LIWDA, working for government that works for all.
working right here in Leelanau County, we can make a difference - in our communities, our
state, our nation.
We believe strongly in the power of free speech, and in using every possible avenue to make
our positions known to decision makers. We write letters, individually and as a group, to editors
and public officials. We purchase ad space to make our chosen issues and endorsed
candidates known. We march in parades, take part in festivals - whatever we can do to get our
message out.
We also believe in direct participation in our democracy. We attend local governmental
meetings and meet with our legislators so that we can influence public policy decisions. For
2007, we have instituted the LIWDA Folding Chair Challenge in an effort to reach an attendance
goal of 200 by year's end. Click here and scroll down to learn more.
We believe in informing ourselves, and informing other voters. So we invite special speakers to
attend our monthly General Meeting or other meetings to educate us on topics of interest. We
also offer workshops on topics like effective political letter writing and ethics in politics. This fall,
we plan to present the Run, Girl, Run workshop, designed to help women run for public office.
Click here to learn more.
During election seasons, we take positions on ballot issues and endorse candidates. We hold
fund raisers, canvass voters, take out ads, and help get out the vote for our candidates and
issues.
We have fun, social gatherings, too, to celebrate anniversaries and to watch election returns.
We are LIWDA, working for government that works for all.
| WHAT WE BELIEVE, WHAT WE DO |
| HOW WE ARE ORGANIZED |
Because we believe in the democratic process, we have built a transparent organization open
to free participation. All of our meetings are open to all members at any time, and visitors are
welcome at most meetings. The entire membership meets on the second Tuesday of each
month at our General Meeting to discuss matters of interest. We welcome visitors. Click
here for more information.
Smaller groups meet regularly, too. Most LIWDA members participate monthly in one or more
of our Action Groups. Visitors are welcome at Action Group meetings! Scroll down on this
page to learn more about our Action Groups. Click here and scroll down to contact an Action
Group chair about attending a meeting.
The Steering Committee, composed of our elected officers, along with Action Group chairs and
Members-at-Large, meets as needed, often monthly. LIWDA members are welcome to attend
all Steering Committee meetings. Look in the column on your left for a list of current Steering
Committee members.
to free participation. All of our meetings are open to all members at any time, and visitors are
welcome at most meetings. The entire membership meets on the second Tuesday of each
month at our General Meeting to discuss matters of interest. We welcome visitors. Click
here for more information.
Smaller groups meet regularly, too. Most LIWDA members participate monthly in one or more
of our Action Groups. Visitors are welcome at Action Group meetings! Scroll down on this
page to learn more about our Action Groups. Click here and scroll down to contact an Action
Group chair about attending a meeting.
The Steering Committee, composed of our elected officers, along with Action Group chairs and
Members-at-Large, meets as needed, often monthly. LIWDA members are welcome to attend
all Steering Committee meetings. Look in the column on your left for a list of current Steering
Committee members.
| WHAT WE BELIEVE, WHAT WE DO |
| OUR ACTION GROUPS |
| WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED, WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH |
THE COMMUNICATIONS ACTION GROUP is responsible for creating and maintaining this
website, and we help LIWDA in many other ways. Our group produces much of LIWDA's publicity.
We create and place ads and flyers, encourage and promote our members' efforts to write
effective letters to editors and public officials, and prepare brochures, press releases, and group
statements of various kinds.
website, and we help LIWDA in many other ways. Our group produces much of LIWDA's publicity.
We create and place ads and flyers, encourage and promote our members' efforts to write
effective letters to editors and public officials, and prepare brochures, press releases, and group
statements of various kinds.
THE LOCAL ISSUES ACTION GROUP studies and acts on issues affecting our local, county, and
state communities. In 2006, we advocated for passage and implementation of a fee to fund
recycling in Leelanau County, started a pilot recycling program at the Homestead Resort, and
supported selected candidates for the state legislature. We wrote letters to the editor, called and
wrote our elected officials, and spoke out at county meetings. We made banners, marched in
local parades, raised funds for our candidates, and worked the polls on election day. Our current
priorities include protecting the environment and increasing LIWDA members' participation in
local government.
state communities. In 2006, we advocated for passage and implementation of a fee to fund
recycling in Leelanau County, started a pilot recycling program at the Homestead Resort, and
supported selected candidates for the state legislature. We wrote letters to the editor, called and
wrote our elected officials, and spoke out at county meetings. We made banners, marched in
local parades, raised funds for our candidates, and worked the polls on election day. Our current
priorities include protecting the environment and increasing LIWDA members' participation in
local government.
THE STATE and NATIONAL ACTION GROUP is committed to effecting election reform. We have
been meeting with elected officials and other nonprofit organizations to learn more about the
influence of money in our political system and on our courts. We have established a strong
alliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, directed by Rich Robinson, and are
anticipating forming a coalition with the League of Women Voters and other groups. Our
immediate goal is to participate in the leadership of a Northern Michigan group that will coordinate
a large town hall meeting involving educators, politicians, and the press. The purpose of this
forum will be to enlighten the public about problems in our electoral system, thus beginning a
grassroots effort for reform.
been meeting with elected officials and other nonprofit organizations to learn more about the
influence of money in our political system and on our courts. We have established a strong
alliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, directed by Rich Robinson, and are
anticipating forming a coalition with the League of Women Voters and other groups. Our
immediate goal is to participate in the leadership of a Northern Michigan group that will coordinate
a large town hall meeting involving educators, politicians, and the press. The purpose of this
forum will be to enlighten the public about problems in our electoral system, thus beginning a
grassroots effort for reform.
Click here to learn
about our position
on Michigan
Supreme Court
election reform.
Click here to learn
about our position
on phosphate-free
dishwasher
detergent.
about our position
on Michigan
Supreme Court
election reform.
Click here to learn
about our position
on phosphate-free
dishwasher
detergent.