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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

Robin Tokmakian, LWV Portland The United Nations Conference of the Parties 30 (COP30) on Climate Change is finally over... Most of the week was devoted to finalizing text, which took too many late nights for the negotiations and ministers.  Along the way, there was a fire, a “people’s COP”, large disagreements, and finally an outcome that many were not happy with. Much of the negotiations were behind closed doors so they are difficult to summarize. Here are some things I took note of, in no particular order and far from comprehensive.  First: the fire. A fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in one of the pavilions.  Everyone was evacuated from the space and our LWV Observers exited safely.   The venue was closed until Friday morning, which caused delay.  The only injuries were a few people suffering smoke inhalation problems.  See the article below about the fire. The video is very dramatic! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2025/nov/20/cop30-live-news-updates-belem-brazil-president-lula Actions by NGOs : One action stood out to me. A group of youths formed the “Carbon Market in an End-of-the-World-Market”  The participants stood around carrying trays (like at a baseball game selling hotdogs) “selling” items labeled as:  Imaginary trees to achieve perfect reports without worrying about actual reduction in emissions Soap for greenwashing and cleaning up the a company’s reputation  Tractor to run over the rights of local communities Eucalyptus spray for using the mono-culture as carbon models    On Friday, there was a “People’s COP” run by the various NGO constituencies (Youth, Women, Environment, Labor, Disabled, Indigenous Peoples).  There was lots of anger about all of the wars in the world and how they compound the push for a greener world.  All speakers were very passionate.  It makes it hard to see any good in the world. And, once again, it was pointed out the the developed world has no problem spending trillions on war but not on addressing climate issues.  Negotiations : The exploitation of mineral extraction in the developing countries is being moved to the forefront.   It didn’t make the final text but the increasing need for these minerals in EVs is driving the conversation.   In the end, the delegates agreed to a higher funding level, but not until 2035!! (It was 2030 before.) The Arab Group (and its sister group the like-minded Developing Countries, run by Saudi Arabia) and Russia were strongly opposed to much of the efforts for a more ambitious outcome.  They blocked a specific outcome on fossil fuels. In the final plenary , the President of the COP quickly gaveled (approved) the texts without letting countries interrupt.  At the end of one section, many countries from Latin America, along with Switzerland and the EU, complained that the text approved was different than that agreed to in the early morning hours.  The plenary was suspended but in the end, nothing changed. Much of the concern was related to the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).  The text initially contained a list of 100 adaptation indicators that had been agreed to (for the most part) over several years. The text presented at the plenary contained only 50 or so. The change had not been discussed and upset many.   The 1.5°C goal was reiterated somewhat in the text, along with reference to the “best available science” in many locations of the approved texts.  There was no official sign-off on a roadmap for eliminating fossil fuels or a roadmap to address deforestation.  Unofficially, the COP president (from Brazil) said he would gather people in the coming year to address these two topics.  There was lots of clapping in the room for this proposal, but it seems to me that it may go nowhere.  Robin Tokmakian, LWVUS UN Observer for Climate

📇  Roster Upgrades Two helpful enhancements are now live: The roster is searchable by  preferred full name  and supports  partial searches with an asterisk  (e.g., kath* will return Kathy, Katherine, Kathryn, etc.). A new  Auto-Renew  column shows which members are enrolled in automatic renewal—useful when doing renewal outreach, as these members can be skipped. 🕊️  Deceased Members Visibility Members marked as deceased and active within the last four years now appear in the  Inactive  roster view, reducing confusion when records seem to disappear. Deceased members are  excluded from email sends  when using  Inactive Within Last 4 Years . To report or correct a deceased status, use the three-dot menu on the roster or email  membership@lwv.org . 📘  Admin Guide Access & Other Improvements Several small updates were made to improve usability: The  Admin Guide  is now linked in more places, including the League home tile view and directly within Support Articles. State League admins can now view  all roster views  for local Leagues and export from that screen. Pending Payments  exports now include the  date column  shown on screen. State leaders can now see  officers of Member-at-Large units  in the Local League Officer list. 🎁  Gift Memberships Online  gift memberships  are now available! Members can purchase a gift by logging into the portal and clicking  Gift  in the  Grow Our Community  box. Any League may be selected; dues start at  $20 . Use the recipient’s existing portal email to avoid duplicates. Leagues receive standard new-member notifications, recipients get welcome emails, and purchasers will be reminded when it’s time to renew the gift. 🔗  Merging ClubExpress Records A fix is in place for duplicate records caused by renewals using a different email address. When duplicates are reported,  LWVUS will now preserve the original account identifiers  and update the original ClubExpress record. Leagues should then  drop the new ClubExpress record , avoiding loss of teams or permissions.Contact LWVUS if issues persist. 🔄  Renewal Issues Resolved Two renewal problems were corrected: A join/renew form loading error has been fixed. Renewal reminders sent with a broken link were followed by a  corrected email  to affected members. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

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Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

👥 Second Member Notifications Notifications sent when someone joins on behalf of a second  person are temporarily missing the second member’s name. ChapterSpot is working on a fix. Once resolved, Leagues will receive an update listing any second members they were not notified about during the outage. 🛠️ Minor Portal Upgrades Several small improvements were made in response to League feedback: When entering a check payment, the member search now includes Inactive  members. Files in League Resources  now display in alphabetical order . The Household  screen has been removed to avoid confusion (household memberships no longer exist). New/renewing member notices now include a direct link to the member’s contact info  in the portal. These notices now come from noreply@lwv.org 💵 Outstanding Pending Check Payments LWVUS is building an automated system to clear unreceived check payments. The process (partially implemented) will work like this: At 60 days , Leagues will be notified that the check has not been received and will be removed at 90 days. At 90 days , the pending payment will be removed, and the member’s expiration date will revert to its prior date.Currently, only the 60- and 90-day notification emails  are active. A corrected notification email was issued after early versions were sent without member names. ✉️ Dues Paid by Check — New Notification System Check-processing notifications have changed: Instead of a weekly batch email, Leagues now receive one email per check , listing the member’s name and invoice number. When the League’s portion is sent, Bill.com  will email a list of included invoice numbers. This supports faster deposits  and clearer tracking. Direct deposit status is now visible in the portal (League Profile): Direct Deposit Active  → Your League can receive payments via Bill.com . Direct Deposit Inactive  → Setup is needed; contact bclark@lwv.org . Unavailable  → LWVUS has not received dues checks for your League since the system launched. 📁 League Resources Reminder Documents uploaded to League Resources  should be considered public . This feature is not secure file storage—only use it for documents intended to be shared with members. 📧 Emailing All Members The portal email tool now includes an “All Active Members”  recipient option. This allows you to email your entire active roster without selecting multiple segments. All other audience filters (e.g., expiration windows) remain available. Helpful Links 📌   LWVUS Member Portal Resources 📌   LWVUS Membership Portal Updates 📌   LWV Member Portal Administrator’s Guide 📌   Automatic Emails from ChapterSpot (PDF) For specific membership questions, contact membership@lwv.org .

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Date: October 28, 2025 To: All LWVOR Members From: Mark Kendall, LWVOR President Jean Pierce, LWVOR Advocacy Chair TAKE ACTION:   1.  Contact your Congressional legislators  to end the shutdown while protecting Healthcare: Fight to end the government shutdown and at the same time extend  Affordable Care Act subsidies (affecting more than 340,000 Oregonians) Pressure the USDA to release the SNAP contingency funds Congress approved for November and to supplement it with other funds. Hunger should not be a political tool (affecting 757,000 Oregonians) Feed our neighbors who are affected by the shutdown: Find Oregon Department of Human Services food resources  or Oregon food bank  near you and learn what they need now – money or food – to address unmet needs from SNAP. DEADLINE: end of October BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The shutdown is about a disagreement on the budget bill which has largely been about whether to extend the set-to-expire Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits to protect health insurance coverage for millions of Americans. While outside of the budget itself, if Congress doesn’t extend these subsidies, an estimated 7.3 million people could lose their ACA coverage, 4.8 million of whom could become entirely uninsured in 2026. Millions of others would have to pay more for insurance coverage, resulting in financial hardship for many. This will extend the hurt that many families are already feeling. If the shutdown continues into November, Oregon has warned that benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) could be delayed to 757,000 people. LEAGUE POSITION:   Persons who are unable to work, whose earnings are inadequate, or for whom jobs are not available have the right to an income and/or services sufficient to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and access to health care.

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

PORTLAND AND WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters of Oregon and the League of Women Voters of the US issued the following joint statement in response to the deployment of the National Guard in Portland.    “Portland — a city recognized nationally for its civic activism, creativity, and commitment to democratic values — is now subject to an unjustified deployment of federal troops. This action undermines local authority and threatens the very freedoms our democracy is meant to protect.    “Neither the Governor of Oregon nor city leaders requested this intervention. No emergency exists in Portland that warrants federal deployment. Instead, this move represents yet another instance of political retaliation aimed at silencing diverse, engaged communities who exercise their right to free expression.    “The presence of the National Guard will not bring safety or stability to Portland. Instead, it escalates fear, erodes trust, and places communities — particularly Black, brown, immigrant, and Indigenous residents who have historically borne the brunt of state overreach — at greater risk.    “Portland has long been a city where people gather to speak out, advocate for justice, and demand accountability from their government. To answer civic participation with militarization is a dangerous misuse of federal power. What Portlanders need is investment in community safety, affordable housing, and public health — not troops in their streets.    “The League calls on the Oregon congressional delegation to condemn the weaponization of the federal military and stand up for the people of Portland. We commend Oregon government officials for taking legal action against this unjust occupation."  Contact: lwvor@lwvor.org 503-581-5722 League of Women Voters of Oregon

Dear League members, In the first three weeks of my tenure as President of the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) , there have been no fewer than four legitimate concerns which call for a timely, accurate, clear and principled response which conforms with our state and the national League of Women Voters’ (LWVUS) adopted positions.  Amicus Brief: Measure 114 for Gun Safety Last week, I authorized signing on to an amicus brief on Oregon Ballot Measure114, pending before the Oregon Supreme Court, expressing our strong interest.  This summer the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of Ballot Measure 114, a gun safety measure approved by Oregon voters in the November 2024 general election.  That decision is being appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court.  LWVOR published an amicus brief in the first challenge in the Appeals Court.  The Brief submitted this week, with the exception of the court to which it's addressed, is identical to its predecessor and supports Oregon voters’ initiative petition rights.  In this case, time is of the essence to respond  to the Court, and to maintain solidarity with allies protecting Oregonians’ voting rights.  Defending Voter Rights in Oregon The three federal matters include a voter’s right to privacy, legal authority of the executive branch to deploy military on US soil, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) denying the League of Women Voters and other non-governmental civic organizations the right to register and inform new citizens of their voting rights at administrative naturalization ceremonies on USCIS properties.  In this case, LWVOR worked with LWVUS to determine that the policy does not restrict our ability to register newly-naturalized citizens at other locations.  Oregon’s Governor, Hon. Tina Kotek, and our Secretary of State, Tobias Read, were sued on September 16 by the US Department of Justice to compel them to submit to the federal government detailed voter registration records which the State has no authority to release and the Federal government has no Constitutional basis to request.  Voters in Oregon and across the nation have a constitutional right to privacy. Protection from such an inquiry in violation of the Constitution is a national issue that deserves our full attention.  The Action Committee has formed an issue statement and, with my approval, sought advice on next steps from LWVUS Litigation.   Letters to State Leaders: National Guard Deployment In addition, the Executive Branch of the federal government has deployed the US military in the form of several states' National Guard units to police Los Angeles, the District of Columbia, and Memphis.  The Executive Branch is allowed such deployment decisions under specific legal authority.  The Executive Branch has targeted a number of cities across the nation in which a similar deployment is being considered, including Portland, Oregon.  In this case, states’ rights appear to be abridged by the violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.  This is a matter both of states’ rights and also possibly of military suppression of free speech. LWVOR has asked the Governor and the Attorney General to ensure that the state has strong guardrails regarding the deployment of the National Guard.       It is the League’s right and obligation to challenge any and all insults to civil and voting rights in this country.  Voting rights are a cornerstone, if not a pillar, of democracy for which the League of Women Voters is uniquely positioned to be a non-partisan voice of citizens in support of our constitutional democracy.   In League, Mark W. Kendall LWVOR President Consulted and Other Resources: https://www.lwvor.org/post/action-alert-oppose-hr-9495-protect-nonprofit-free-speech-and-due-process https://www.lwv.org/blog/what-you-need-know-about-national-guard-insurrection-act-and-martial-law https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-denounces-national-guard-deployment-memphis-dangerous https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-statement-uscis-policy-restricting-voter-registration

Our new LWVOR President, Mark Kendall, began his term on September 1. We’re happy to share his introductory remarks to League members below. Dear members, It is with humility and honor that I have accepted this opportunity to coordinate the efforts of and provide leadership for the League of Women Voters of Oregon.  As a League colleague said, these are “very unprecedented times”.  My motivation is derived from concern for the viability of our democratic system of governance, seeing decades of progressive social reform overturned and looking into the eyes of my 12 year-old granddaughter as I see her civil rights being eroded and abridged on a daily basis.  This unconscionable transformation of our democracy must not stand. It is contrary to the League's core principles and adopted positions.   My objectives in this appointment are to; 1) amplify the League's voice both in Oregon and as empowered nationally, consistent with the “one voice” condition supported by rigorous consensus positions, 2) faithfully and vigorously implement the Oregon LWV Board strategic plan that focuses on eight priorities many of which are of perennial interest to our members across Oregon, 3) champion the ongoing excellence of the League of Women Voters of Oregon core mission contributions to voters rights, equity, inclusion, civil rights, social justice, and 4) provide leadership of transparent, nimble, accountable and actionable governance.    I can’t promise more at this juncture.  We have daunting tasks ahead.  It's not that we have to do more, we define principled social justice action in all our works, we simply need to grow alignment, grow our ranks, amplify our very resonant messages, and engage in strategic meaningful influence with allies, of which there are many.  With that I can help. Mark Kendall began serving as LWVOR President on September 1, 2025. LWVOR is up to these tasks and challenges.  In just a couple weeks of networking and stepping into this role, I am buoyed by our remarkable capacity.  The Board and committees are wrapping up the planning and preparation of a multi-year strategic plan.  What serendipity to begin to lead from our best thinkers’ new plans.  LWVUS is just now initiating the Unite and Rise campaign to broaden our reach.  And the Oregon Membership and Communications committees are already well coordinated and underway. And how opportune that LWVOR is now recruiting for a state-wide membership chair! With Unite and Rise underway, increased interest in membership, and a new unit in Union County, our new Membership chair will start with the tools and momentum to be successful from the start.   Ongoing work is vibrant as well.  Our able Action committee continues to rigorously study state-level legislation and support coalition partners in statewide campaigns. Our Voter Service team engages candidates and researches measures all while informing our electorate in our trusted nonpartisan way.  Nonpartisan voter registration work is being challenged nationwide and we are stepping up commensurate to those challenges.  The Oregon Youth Council is vibrant, growing and its leadership recognized nationally.  Allied associations with common interests, complimentary capabilities and influence of their own are reaching out and inviting our council and collaboration.    We have reason for hope.  We can, we will, we are.  With that I too can help.   Mark W. Kendall, President, League of Women Voters of Oregon

Save the Date for Fall Workshop The LWVOR Voter Service Committee is proud to sponsor the 2025 Fall Workshop! This event will take place from 10am to 2:30pm on Saturday, November 1st in-person in Eugene, OR, and virtual on Zoom.  Registration and agenda details coming soon . Learn from speakers and each other about: Voter engagement Youth outreach LWVUS's Unite & Rise Engaging underserved communities in voting How to maximize Vote411 Preparing for the 2026 elections Questions or comments? Reach out to Marianne Germond at  voterservice@lwvor.org . We invite you to join this informative event to gain insights into Voter Service news, resources, and training!

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Read the latest All-members newsletter here. Find our printable version here.

Date:  June 25, 2025 To: All LWVOR Members From: Lisa Bentson, LWVOR President Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator TAKE ACTION: Please contact all your House and Senate members, particularly members of the Senate Committee on Rules , to urge them to oppose HB 3392 on campaign finance reform , as amended. A last-minute backroom deal has apparently been made to exchange Republican votes for the Transportation Bill for Democratic votes to delay the implementation of HB 4024 (2024) for four years (and probably kill it in a future legislative session). Recall that HB 4024 was the CFR bill passed last year in exchange for dropping Initiative Petition 9. Request: We are asking all Oregon League members to ask their legislators to oppose HB 3392 as amended, and particularly ask members of the Senate Rules Committee .  It would be better to pass no bill on this subject rather than break the historic 2024 deal that was made among the Honest Elections Coalition (of which the LWVOR is a member) , union leaders, business leaders and legislative leaders. Honest Elections Oregon agreed during the 2024 session to drop Initiative Petition 9 in exchange for the passage of HB 4024. In the longer term, we fear this may be the first step to gutting or repealing HB 4024. House Rules held a public hearing at 8 am on June 25. Testimony is important to show that the public is watching, even if you file it within 48 hours after the hearing . The bill will still need to go through the Senate Rules Committee in the next few days, and written testimony will also be important there. “We appear to be confronted with a secret, literally last-minute backroom deal to avoid all campaign contribution limits – and requirements for disclosure of the sources of campaign funds—until 2031, if not forever,” said Jason Kafoury, of the group Honest Elections Oregon. “This is against what the vast majority of Oregonians have voted for at every opportunity.” House Bill 3392 was scheduled to get its first public hearing in House Rules Wednesday at 8 a.m., less than 24 hours after any actual bill language was posted to the Oregon Legislature’s website for the public to review. The committee had also scheduled a work session for the same day, which means that they are not serious about listening to any input from the public. See OPB and Capital Chronicle articles on this bill. Find your legislators here . League Position: See the LWVUS Position on Money in Politics, page 48, Impact on Issues . Deadline: ASAP Contact lwvor@lwvor.org with questions or to volunteer to support legislation like this.

Greetings Members and Friends, The 2025 Oregon State Convention was held in Salem this past May.  Please join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to the host League of Marion/Polk, State Events Chair Eileen Burke-Trent, and all of the people that made it happen.   You will get a flavor for the event in this newsletter and I hope you can take a bit of time and listen to some of the Workshop and Presentation links.   In these turbulent times, we know that being in community and partnering with like-minded organizations is crucial to survive and thrive.  As such, in this edition of the VOTER, I am also excited to share about our new connection through the VOTER GIRL Project with the Girl Scouts, who participated in our Convention this year. In League, Lisa Bentson President League of Women Voters of Oregon Contents: Convention 2025: Convention Overview Community Partnerships: VOTER GIRL Project Advocacy: Lobby Day League Business: Business Session Summary Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Renewed Commitment to DEIJ Convention 2025: Workshops Convention Highlight: Membership Grants Keynote Speaker: Alexis Juday-Marshall Convention 2025: Convention Overview League of Women Voters of Oregon members gathered in Salem in early May to vote on League business and enjoy the company of like-minded people dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy.  LWVOR Convention is a biennial event to network, brainstorm, attend caucuses and workshops, and vote on business proceedings. The event focuses on local, state and national issues. The theme for the event, “ Navigating Democracy’s Next Wave ,” spoke to the continued determination of League members to forge ahead in uncertain times, and that spirit was reflected in the conversations that took place at tables and in hallways throughout the venue. League members shared smiles and hugs as they gathered together to discuss the business at hand or catch up on each other’s lives. The event kicked off with a lunch cruise on the Willamette Queen, a historic riverboat moored on the Willamette River in Salem. League members then met in small groups for the traditional dine-around event, where attendees visited local restaurants and explored the host city. The dine-around was followed by the first annual wine, cheese, and chocolate social, where League members were invited to meet in the Presidential suite for an informal evening gathering.  The Saturday Convention business sessions began with a grand opening ceremony, commencing with a color guard flag march conducted by Girl Scout troops. League members enjoyed professional floral displays put together by the Garden Club and Capitol Design Guild, who were partners for the event. Local dignitaries for the cities of Salem and Keizer, Mayor Julie Hoy and Mayor Cathy Clark, offered brief remarks to round out the opening ceremony.  The business session was followed by a series of afternoon workshops, which covered topics from the State Library of Oregon partnership to K-12 Concurrence information and a review of the Oregon State Courts. League members enjoyed dinner from a local caterer as the evening keynote speaker, Alexis Juday-Marshall, spoke about Oregon’s successes and shared a call to continue the work to defend democracy. The final business session was conducted on Sunday morning , where spirited debates took place as the votes commenced on bylaws amendments, concurrence adoptions, program positions, and approving the state budget. Levity prevailed as the business session drew to a close, with one League member standing to proclaim “May the Fourth be with you” (in honor of the May 4th date) to laughter and applause.  Laughs, smiles, and enthusiastic conversations were hallmarks of the event, signaling the most important aspect of the Convention: Spending time with like-minded League members and event partners, engaged in the vital work to defend democracy but also in building community with one another. As Alexis Juday-Marshall shared in her keynote speech, “ collaborating with others who care deeply about our democracy is essential to fulfilling our mission. ” Working together with each other and with communities and coalitions across Oregon, League members continue the vital work to secure the future of our country. While political perils of great magnitude persist, the attitude at the 2025 Convention was one of determination and hope.  Community Partnerships: VOTER GIRL Project In an expansion of partnership, the LWVOR Board recently approved the purchase of the LWVUS-approved VOTER GIRL program for statewide use with all league members. LWV members attend troop meetings and Girl Scout camp events to help troop leaders and train Scouts to earn several types of badges. Girl Scouts can also participate in many different LWV activities and priorities, including with their proprietary version of VOTE411.org   together with their “ Promote the Vote ” national service project. VOTER GIRL is a badge program with age appropriate civics activities and projects for Girl Scouts in K-12 levels developed by LWV Ohio and approved by LWVUS. For more information on VOTER GIRL in Oregon, please watch out for more details in our upcoming monthly newsletter as well as for future outreach to Local Leagues and Units. Advocacy: Lobby Day League of Women Voters of Oregon members were invited to join a Lobby Day event at the Oregon State Capitol on the Friday before the Convention. Lobby Day attendees met with legislators and advocated for the issues the League cares about. League members met legislators virtually via laptop stations at the State Library of Oregon in addition to attending meetings at the Capitol. Jean Pierce, organizer and Action Committee Chair, provided scripts for League members to engage with legislators on a variety of topics. After the interviews, League members gathered at the State Library for hybrid meetings with federal legislators’ staff members. Aides from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley spoke to League members about federal legislation impacting Oregon constituents.  Please contact advocacy@lwvor.org  to learn how you can help the League track and advocate for legislation in the following areas. Training is available! League Business: Business Session Summary Proposed Program MOTION to accept 2025 Program: Retain all current positions, including Recall and Childcare. Vote: Passed unanimously  MOTION to adopt consensus study (K-12 Education): Note: There are 30 LWVOR members interested in working on this study, representing every local League. It was suggested that we have a video or other visual aids that can help members understand the process and results when time comes for local Leagues and units to review the study within their membership. Vote: Passed MOTION to accept five concurrences (voting separately): Assessment and High Stakes Testing PA 201 5, Attracting and Supporting Well-qualified Teachers NM 2021 , Charter Schools IL 2015, Civic Education KY 2013, Using Public Funds for Non-Public Schools NJ 1995, 2007 Vote: Passed  Proposed Budget MOTION to amend budget line Class 101, Coalitions, to make the number $950. Vote: Pass unanimously   MOTION  to adopt the 2025-26 Budget, as amended. Vote: Passed unanimously Proposed Bylaws Two motions to amend the proposed 2025 LWVOR Bylaws: Becky Gladstone MOTION  to amend Article VII, Sec 1: Change responsibility for filling a Nominating Committee vacancy to the board. This change will require some Policies and Procedures information to support it about whether the vacancy is for a board or non-board position. Perhaps this whole sentence should go to P&P? Does this apply to a vacant chair or committee member? Nominating Committee Chair is selected by the committee and that selection is not a formal one. Suggested that the wording should include a second by a member of the Nominating Committee.   MOTION  to amend the amendment to read “Any vacancy mid-term on the Nominating Committee shall be filled in accordance with the LWVOR Policies and Procedures.” MOTION to further amend Article III Section 2 and 3 bullet point, (and 11 other related instances): Change the terminology for “non-affiliated” members to more clearly define the group of LWVOR members who belong to neither a local League nor a state unit. The term “non-affiliated” is also used to describe a type of voter registration. We don’t want this to be confused with whether the LWVOR members are affiliated with a political party or not. The intention here is to distinguish between the three different types of members of LWVOR: local League members, state unit members, and those who belong to neither. This is usually because there is no LL or unit available in their region but sometimes it is a personal choice of members to only join the state. MOTION  to amend the current amendment on the floor for Article III Section 2 to define “non-affiliated” members in the text of the 2025 LWVOR Bylaws using this terminology… LWVOR members may belong to local Leagues, state units, or neither . (And to replace the 11 other related instances to reflect that change.) MOTION to adopt the Proposed Bylaws as twice amended. Vote: Passed unanimously Election of Officers and Directors MOTION  to elect officers and directors for 2025-27 as listed in the slate presented by the Nominating Committee. Vote: Passed unanimously Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Renewed Commitment to DEIJ Approved 4/14/25 Shared at Convention by Elizabeth Kirby, Outgoing LWVOR DEIJ Chair As our nation grapples with increasing polarization, including recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion, it's natural to feel uncertain about what lies ahead. In 2020, LWVUS renewed its commitment to DEI and continues to stand by that commitment now. LWVUS has made it clear: attacks on DEI are attacks on democracy itself. DEI is not a partisan issue - it is foundational to a representative democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts. The League of Women Voters of Oregon, in alignment with LWVUS, stands ready to support local Leagues and members in their continuing work to promote equity, foster inclusion, and cultivate diverse voices. Although the future may seem murky, our purpose remains bright. Together, we'll continue to uphold our values and carry out the League’s mission of empowering voters and defending democracy - for everyone. Convention 2025: Workshops Six workshops took place at the 2025 LWVOR Convention: Workshop 1:   Future-Proofing The League as organized by LWVOR Youth Council Panel/Presenters Workshop 2:   Oregon’s State Courts: Checks, Balances, and Ethics, presented by Mark Kendall and Amy Vandegrift Workshop 3:   Proposed Study: K-12 Education’s Five Concurrences, presented by Advocacy Chair Jean Pierce Workshop 4:   State Libraries and Our League Partnership, as organized by Alice LaViolette Workshop 5:   Growing Together: Recruiting New Members and Engaging Our Membership. Presented by Joyce Durban, LWV of Deschutes County, and Diana DeMaria, LWVOR Membership Coordinator Workshop 6:   Making the United Nations Part of your Local League Program. Presented by: Robin Tokmakian - LWVUS UN Observer Copies of all the event recordings, including workshops and the Saturday evening speaker, are available in the Event Recording section of the LWVOR website . Convention Highlight: Membership Grants LWVOR was thrilled to announce that the state League initiated a membership dues grant program for the 2025-26 year.  What does this mean?  It means each League will receive a $200 check sent from LWVOR (Units will have $200 in your account in the LWVOR books) to sponsor up to ten league memberships in your community at the minimum $20 pay-what-you-can sliding scale.  This does not mean just students, it can be for anyone who is facing a financial barrier to becoming a member in the League.   We do not need to know their basis of need, just that they are interested.  Recipients will be registered for a one-year annual membership in your League or Unit.  Membership in a local League or Unit includes membership with the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) and the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS). Your $200 will remain with you until used for accessible memberships and Leagues/Units will be reporting to the LWVOR Board in January 2026 and July 2026 on the number of memberships sponsored in each League and Unit. If any League or Unit needs support with media messaging or process, please contact Lindsay LaPlante . Keynote Speaker: Alexis Juday-Marshall League members welcomed Alexis Juday-Marshall to the Convention on Saturday night as the event’s keynote speaker. Juday-Marshall serves as an LWVUS Board Member and liaison to the Oregon Leagues.  Juday-Marshall spoke to Oregon’s strengths in supporting voter service efforts among its constituents, particularly in the areas of redistricting, automatic voter registration, and advocacy for rural and tribal voter participation. In a speech that celebrated Oregon’s successes while also encouraging League members to rise up to the challenge of defending democracy, Juday-Marshall thanked those attending for the work they have been doing and encouraged them to continue forward in the efforts to shape democracy for generations to come. To view the Keynote speech, please click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2025 League of Women Voters of Oregon Urges Guardrails on National Guard Deployments Salem, OR — The League of Women Voters of Oregon has called on the Governor’s office and Attorney General to support improvement to Oregon National Guard procedures. The League has urged lawmakers to examine and support HB 3954, now amended, outlining when the Oregon National Guard can be activated by the Adjutant General. “In light of recent military deployments to U.S. cities, including the use of National Guard troops during peaceful protests, Oregon must act to ensure civilian safety and democratic oversight,” League president Lisa Bentson stated. The League supports policing and military practices that promote public trust, eliminate systemic bias, and ensure community safety.  We have urged lawmakers to look at legislation in other states requiring state-level approval for external Guard deployments. “We need a protective guard rail,” the League emphasized. “This moment appears to be laying the groundwork for more expansive use of the military to suppress dissent—completely unprecedented under any legal authority.” With growing concerns about federal overreach and potential misuse of the Insurrection Act, Oregon must establish clear guardrails. The League affirmed that “a functioning democracy must allow people to hold their government accountable without fear of violence.” Media Contact: Barbara Klein, Communications Chair League of Women Voters of Oregon media@lwvor.org lwvor.org