The League of Women Voters of NYS invites all members to come to training workshops being held throughout the state on Saturdays from 10:00 - 4:00 in March. All members are invited to attend any or all of the workshops. All local Leagues board members are strongly encouraged to attend at least part of the day. Lunch will be provided and will allow for informal networking among the attendees.  You can register online, or print off a registration form and mail it with a check. Send them to LWVNYS at The Blake, 1 Steuben Place, Albany.

DATES and LOCATIONS

March 2, Rochester $25 (registration deadline Feb. 23)
The Perkins Manor, 494 East Avenue, Rochester

March 9, Port Washington/Manhasset Area $25 (registration deadline March 1)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 48 Shelter Rock Rd, Manhasset

March 16, Cortland Area (mid-state) $25 (registration deadline March 8)
Central NY Living History Center, 4386 US Route 11, Homer

March 23, Capital Region $25 (registration deadline March 15)
The Blake, 1 Steuben Place, Albany

Schedule:

9:30-10:00    Coffee and Welcome

10:00-11:00  The Wild Ride: Get Ready for the 2024 Election Season!

11:15-12:15    First Workshops

• The Story of Us: Evaluating and Tracking League Programs
• Bridge to Excellence - Strengthening Local Leagues Through DEI Mastery

12:15-1:15      Lunch (networking)

1:15-2:15        Second Workshops

• How and Why Not to Do it All: Leading a Local League
• Making Your Voice Heard: Citizens and Local Leagues

2:30-3:30        Third Workshops

• Engaging College Students in Their Communities and Beyond
• Fact vs. Fiction: Training the Public on Determining Mis and Dis-Information

Workshop Sessions:

The Wild Ride: Get Ready for the 2024 Election Season!

This interactive workshop will provide you with the processes and tools you will need to run a successful 2024 election season in NYS, with a focus on Get Out the Vote. Small groups will explore successful GOTV efforts and ideas. A full list of creative ideas for GOTV will be developed and shared with all. Recent updates to voter service toolkits and new ideas for youth engagement will also be presented.

The Story of Us: Evaluating and Tracking League Programs

How do we tell our story to the public and why is this so important? Tracking our programs and successes help to amplify our voice and visibility in the public sector. Come learn how and why we need to improve these skills.

Bridge to Excellence - Strengthening Local Leagues Through DEI Mastery

Dive into our dynamic session with review of a handout designed to empower local Leagues and their members with actionable DEI insights. Next, we'll decode several findings from the most recent DEI Self-Assessment Survey. In breakout sessions, pinpoint practical ways to integrate the LWVUS “DEI Lens” into a review of your League’s 4P’s (policies, processes, people, and practices). Join us to elevate your League’s potential and drive meaningful change toward becoming a more inclusive and equitable organization.

How and Why Not to Do it All

Learn and discuss ways to delegate tasks/responsibilities within your local League and why this is so important for sharing the workload and developing new leadership. Local League leaders, from board members to committee chairs, can find out how to prevent stress and engage more members at the same time!

Making Your Voice Heard: Citizens and Local Leagues

You or your local League is passionate about an issue and wants to advocate and lobby. When is the correct time? How best to advocate as a citizen or as the local League? And, how does taking action vary based on local, state or national issues? Come learn more about advocacy and how to make your voice stronger.

Engaging College Students in Their Communities and Beyond

Participate in a new program created by the state League that can be presented on college campuses this spring and fall. It’s not enough to just get college students registered to vote, but this program will help to train and encourage them to make their voices heard in their communities, and in state and national affairs. Come see and help mold this new program for all local Leagues.

Fact vs. Fiction: Training the Public on Determining Mis and Dis-Information

In recent years, polarization, extremism, and the amplification of mis- and disinformation have impacted election administration as bad actors try to sway election outcomes. It’s important to combat the rising tide of mis- and disinformation as it threatens harm to online and in-person communities.  Learn to distinguish between fact and fiction and how to train your public to do the same.