January 2026 President's Update

At this time of the year, we celebrate our contributions and herald the possibilities for the new year. Traditionally on the cusp of the new year, we commit to plans for renewal.

This was a daunting year of navigating external chaos in addition to internal staffing changes, new leadership, and other new demands on our time.

And yet - we have accomplished so very much.

We have continued to produce national class, researched, and nonpartisan issue advocacy. Voter registration and education work proceeds in spite of federal government interference locally. Our statewide Observer Corps are reviewing more local and regional public meetings than ever. Our youth programs in Youth Council, mock elections (OSME) and alongside the Girl Scouts received LWVUS appreciative attention.  

We've weathered the transition to a national membership and dues portal.  We completed the LWVOR 2025-30 Strategic Plan and finished a substantial update to our Policies and Procedures. We filed an Amicus Brief in support of the challenged Ballot Measure 114 in the Oregon Supreme Court.  We filed another Amicus Brief in support of Oregon voter privacy protections and that case goes to trial next week on 14 January at 9:00 in Federal District court. in Eugene. 

And due to staffing changes, we did all this with less full time equivalent staff than our historical average.  We are capable, formidable, yet taxed. In 2025, the LWVOR Board logged over 7,700 hours of volunteer service!  In order to begin to address growing capacity needs, we are right in the middle of the process of hiring a new Communications and Marketing Coordinator. 

The New Year holds lots of promise and excitement for the League in Oregon. Our Budget Committee is beginning a couple months of planning for our future and, on May 16th, we will deliberate their proposal at our hybrid Council Meeting. The Human Resources Committee will also weigh in on the Leagues path forward.  We have taken to heart the call to step up to the challenges to democracy through our self assessment and strategic planning.

A wise person told me hope is not a strategy, hope is what you get when you have one. 

LWVOR is developing a plan for these times.  You will hear more details of this plan in the coming months. I, for one, am looking forward to a bold and exciting new year.  It will be a well reasoned adventure.

In League,

Mark Kendall

LWVOR President