Convention 2021: A Powerful Moment for the League Community

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Jen Lancaster

Convention is the powerful moment for League members to come together and vote on the future of our organization. But it's also so much more than that. We've invited guests to talk with our community about the importance of youth engagement and civics education, two major ways to inspire lifelong voters and civically-engaged lives. It's what we're all about: creating accessibility to the ballot and local government, and breaking down barriers for marginalized or disadvantaged youth.  

Our staff will mail out Convention packets starting this week. To make sure that your packet has time to arrive in the mail, don't wait to register! Save your spot now, and we'll get your swag in the mail. Swag items include your own keepsake Convention workbook, stickers, and LWVME pen. 

 

DAY ONE

Friday, May 14

4:00 - 6:00 PM

Featuring special guest LWVUS President Deborah Turner. Deborah Turner, MD, JD, serves as the 20th president of the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and chair of the Board of Trustees of the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF).

REGISTER FOR DAY 1

 

Schedule:

4:00-4:30 PM — Welcome from LWVUS President Dr. Deborah Turner

4:30-5:00 PM — Q+A with Dr. Turner

5:00-6:00 PM — Local League Meet and Greet

DAY TWO

Saturday, May 15

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg will address our Convention. Kei is Director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), the premier resource nationwide on the civic and political engagement of young Americans.

REGISTER FOR DAY 2

 

Schedule:

9:00-9:30 AM — Welcome from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross

9:00-10:00 AM — Celebration of Centennial Success; President’s Vision

10:00-11:15 AM — Plenary Session I

11:15-11:30 AM — Ann Luther Volunteerism Award Presentation

11:30-12:30 PM — Lunch and Optional Breakout Sessions

1:00-2:00 PM — Keynote Address: Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg

2:00-3:00 PM — Plenary Session II

3:00 PM — Closing and Adjournment

 

Register in time to receive your packet! After you register, we will mail you the Convention workbook and fun swag.

What is Convention? 

Every two years, we host a Convention in which League members elect officers and directors, adopt programs, make bylaws changes, and adopt a budget. It's a formality common to every State League, but it's also an exciting opportunity to network and engage on relevant issues with fellow League members and with national and state experts. We'll mail you a Convention packet after you have registered. This packet will include a booklet, swag items, postcards, and a variety of other goodies.

I'm not officially a League member. Can I still attend?

Yes! Convention is open to everyone in the League community. We'll have a great lineup of speakers and workshops that you won't want to miss. However, if you want to participate in the voting process, you must be a League member. Click here to learn more about becoming a member. We do not want the cost of dues to be a barrier to membership. Anyone can be a League member, and with the "Pay As You Can" option, you can create the monthly or annual rate that works best for you. 

JOIN THE LEAGUE

Is there a cost to attend?

There is no cost to attend Convention. However, if you choose to donate, your donation will go towards the cost of running convention (i.e. print materials, booklets, and swag items). Additional funds will go towards sponsoring future League members, because we do not want the cost of dues to be a barrier to membership. 

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Deborah Turner, MD, JD, serves as the 20th president of the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and chair of the Board of Trustees of the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF).

Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, is the director of The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University.

Shenna Bellows, is Maine’s first female Secretary of State. Secretary Bellows previously served two terms in the Maine Senate from 2016-2020, representing 11 towns in southern Kennebec County. She is also a member of LWVME.

Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, currently serves the city of Portland (District 40) and is the Assistant Majority Leader in the Maine House of Representatives. She works to lead reforms in our criminal justice system and in addressing issues related to housing insecurity, child poverty, workforce and business development, and fighting our substance use crisis.

Ava Baeza, is a determined and passionate Latina activist and member of the LWVME Youth Council.

Vivian Burnham, is a senior at Marshwood High School in South Berwick and member of the LWVME Youth Council.

Lilliana Frantz, is a senior at Casco Bay High School in Cumberland County and member of the LWVME Youth Council.

Grace Tetreault, is a first-year at Morse High School in Bath and member of the LWVME Youth Council.