NOTES FROM THE REGION FIVE MEETING (Scroll down for REPORT FROM THE STATE LEAGUE)
Ten Leaguers gathered in Newton on June 26th to review our various league chapters' activities and to discuss issues of concern at the state and national levels. There were representatives from all eight towns in Region 5: Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Lexington, Melrose, Newton, Watertown, Winchester.
Newton representative Ellen Glusman had attended the National Convention in Atlanta and reported on the resolutions that were voted on and the discussions that she enjoyed there. (Winchester League member Marilyn Mullane also attended the National Convention; read her report in the next issue.)
Much time was given to discussing the Affordable Housing issue of Chapter 40B. Some communities are finding that developers are abusing the legislation by using it as leverage to override community concerns. In Belmont, for example, developers want to build on wetlands. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) SB90 is an attempt to get beyond a town-by-town approach and to work at a regional or state level to provide affordable housing--which the national League supports--while respecting individual community needs. Newton had a forum to discuss 40B, inviting speakers with a variety of perspectives.
Several of the chapters in Region 5 have moved to new organizational models. Lexington now has a Management Team with a Convener, Spokesperson, Treasurer, and Secretary; Newton has a Leadership Team with an Organizer, Spokesperson, Treasurer, and Chair of Chairs. All representatives spoke of the need to encourage more membership, especially younger members. One chapter sponsored a forum on education, which drew a lot of interest among younger women. They have since created an Education Committee.
Another suggestion for increasing attendance at League events was to publicize them on Twitter. Newton had a voter registration event at a local crafts store. The store donated a percentage of the sales that day, so this acted as a fundraiser as well. They feel this was a good event that increased visibility and promoted membership. It was also suggested that such an event could take place at a local bookstore.
REPORT FROM THE STATE LEAGUE
The State is providing several workshops on increasing membership: September 9 in Plymouth, October 2 in Worcester, and October 3 in Haverhill. If anyone would like to attend one of these sessions, please contact someone on the Winchester Steering Committee, or view the State web site for more information.
The State has also requested volunteers to help put together the packets they deliver for the swearing-in ceremonies for new citizens at Fanueil Hall every other Thursday. They deliver 450 packets each time. The League is the only organization allowed to distribute materials at this ceremony. Groups can arrange to assemble the packets any time during office hours. Please contact Shawna Reid at sreid@lwvma.org or 617-523-2999 to help out.
-Jean Herbert
