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| Working for government that works for all |
Three 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.
to contact someone about an Action Group meeting you would like to attend.
| Won't you join us? Membership fees are $5 to $100 you decide! To join, CLICK HERE for a printable membership form |
President: B. J. Christensen
Vice-President: Dorothy
Barker
Treasurer: Marcia B. Harris
Secretary: Jan Bauer
Membership: Carol Hilton
State and National Action
Group Chair: Jenny Olson,
Elsie Peterson, Susan
Schmidt
Local Issues Action Group
Chair: Roberta Hanson
Communications Action
Group Chair: Open
Members-at-Large: Jill
Webb, Susan Wheadonn
Vice-President: Dorothy
Barker
Treasurer: Marcia B. Harris
Secretary: Jan Bauer
Membership: Carol Hilton
State and National Action
Group Chair: Jenny Olson,
Elsie Peterson, Susan
Schmidt
Local Issues Action Group
Chair: Roberta Hanson
Communications Action
Group Chair: Open
Members-at-Large: Jill
Webb, Susan Wheadonn
| OUR STEERING COMMITTEE |
We have much to take pride in. We have worked hard, and met many of our goals. We have set
lofty goals for the future 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.
| OUR 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.
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, as well
as the "Run, Girl, Run!" program in the fall of 2007, which helped teach women to run for public
office.
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 and honor those who help us with our work.
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.
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, as well
as the "Run, Girl, Run!" program in the fall of 2007, which helped teach women to run for public
office.
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 and honor those who help us with our work.
We are LIWDA, working for government that works for all.
| 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 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 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.
| HAT WE BELIEVE, WHAT WE DO |
| OUR ACTION GROUPS & OTHERS |
| 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. We also offer a workshop on effective political
messaging, called "Beyond Framing," and help keep members in touch with legislators and
legislation.
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. We also offer a workshop on effective political
messaging, called "Beyond Framing," and help keep members in touch with legislators and
legislation.
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.
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.
THE STATE and NATIONAL ACTION GROUP is committed to effecting election reform. We
have met 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 work
with groups supporting change in the way we elect Supreme Court justices in Michigan.
have met 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 work
with groups supporting change in the way we elect Supreme Court justices in Michigan.
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.
our position on Michigan
Supreme Court election
reform.
Click here to learn about
our position on
phosphate-free
dishwasher detergent.
| All rights reserved |
Other groups meet less regularly. We have established a Women's Rights Roundtable
which meets occasionally to focus on issues of critical importance to women. Please use
the electronic form on our "Contact Us" page to learn more.
In addition, we form ad hoc groups as needed to work on specific events or issues.
which meets occasionally to focus on issues of critical importance to women. Please use
the electronic form on our "Contact Us" page to learn more.
In addition, we form ad hoc groups as needed to work on specific events or issues.
| LIWDA is legally organized as a Political Action Committee, or PAC. To learn more about why we are a PAC and what that means, please click here. |