Reaching out - Out Front

In 2003, the League is vibrant and moving forward in impressive new ways. By adapting to the 21st Century and utilizing tools like the Internet, we are enhancing one of our unique strengths--our grassroots reach into communities across the country. In order to remain a player today, we must use more effective and agile ways of communicating with our membership, with the public and with policymakers.

A number of services to come will increase the League's impact and visibility in the everyday lives of citizens. These changes will improve the fundamental work of the League--educating, mobilizing and fostering active engagement in the processes that make our democracy vibrant. For some time LWVUS has successfully employed e-mail advocacy alerts to mobilize the public on short notice to apply pressure and effect change.

LWVUS is adding new services, like the grassroots advocacy alerts, that will move the organization toward a more effective, timely and less costly way of communicating. This summer LWVUS inaugurates a new monthly electronic "newsletter" which will be sent to all members for whom we have e-mail addresses. The newsletter will also be accessible on the League Web site (www.lwv.org).

The first newsletter should be seen as a "work in progress." The intent is to convey League news in a timely fashion to our membership and other interested audiences more frequently than is possible through The National Voter. Please note, though, that The National Voter will still be published and mailed to members. This e-newsletter will supplement the Voter's contents. The brief pieces will be linked to additional information found on our Web site. This new service will enable our state and local Leagues to download material easily and quickly, and include articles of interest in your own newsletters and Voters.

This spring we initiated the first of these exciting changes-electronic distribution of the Presidents' Mailings. Presidents' Mailings will no longer be printed and mailed. They will now be distributed electronically through e-mail and be available online at the LWV Web site in the News For You section of the Members Site. This results in significant printing and postage savings for the national office, and makes it easier for you to share the information with others.

We need your help to make these new services successful! We must have accurate e-mail addresses for all members. I urge you to make it a priority to collect e-mail addresses from your members so that they can receive this new e-newsletter and additional new services from LWVUS. E-mail addresses can be submitted to LWVUS via the update form in the Members Section of the League Web site.

COPYRIGHT 2003 League of Women Voters
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group