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What's Up With the League
57th Biennial LWVUS National Convention
The 57th Biennial League of Women Voters (LWVUS) National Convention will be held June 25-28, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.
The convention brings together League members from across the country to network, learn, and chart the course for the next biennium. Delegates representing state and local Leagues vote on the LWVUS Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee, bylaws and amendments, the budget, and League priorities. Alice Boinski and Brandi Blackburn will be representing LWVKC in person in Columbus, while Melanie Busse, Jenise Comer, Laura Marcus Mountjoy and Anne Calvert will be virtual delegates.
See the links below for the business that will be conducted during the convention. Delegates will also attend pre-convention webinars that include opportunities for questions and answers. Please let me know if there is something in particular you think your Kansas City delegates should review.
2026 Proposed Program
2026-2028 Proposed Budget
2026 Proposed Bylaws Amendments
2026-2028 LWVUS Board and Nominating Committee Slate
Melanie Busse
President, LWVKC/JCP Counties
President@lwvkc.org
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Board of Director Changes
By Melanie Busse, President
The Board accepted Janelle Sjue's resignation as vice president at the board of director's meeting May 26. She will remain on the board and may be reached at janellesjue@lwvkc.org. Laura Marcus Mountjoy will take over the Vice President's position and complete the remaining one year of Janelle's term. She may be reached at vicepresident@lwvkc.org. Jim Calvert was nominated and has accepted an appointment to the board for a term that will run until the next annual meeting. He may be reached at jimcalvert@lwvkc.org.
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League Positions and Advocacy
By Janelle Sjue, Board Member
How the League of Women Voters Develops Positions and Advocates for Change
One of the most common questions voters ask the League of Women Voters is: "If the League is nonpartisan, why does it take positions on issues and ballot measures?"
The answer lies at the heart of the League's mission.
The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose political parties or candidates. Protecting every American's freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue. However, the League does advocate for policies and legislation that align with positions reached through a careful, member-driven process. These positions guide the League's advocacy, education, and litigation efforts at the local, state, and national levels. Read full article
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Volunteers Needed!
By Melanie Busse, President
We need volunteers to help us navigate through the next several months. Even if you are new to the League, please step up to help! The more volunteers we have, the more people we are able to reach in our communities.
Examples of how you can help:
- Register voters.
- Provide Vote 411 information.
- Answer questions about voting and upcoming election dates at various events.
To sign up, go to lwvkc.org and click on "volunteer" in the blue band near the top of the home page. You will then see current activities for which you can lend a hand. Following is a list of some that are coming up soon:
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The services we provide for these communities are what the League is all about. If you are concerned about not knowing enough, remember that you will not be the only one there. There will always be an experienced person to help guide you. And volunteering is a great way for you to meet some of your fellow League members and learn more about everything we offer to our communities! PLEASE NOTE: DEI/Non-partisan training is required for many of the events listed. Get on the training list here.
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A New Session of Leadership Academy Announced!
Have you ever thought about increasing your impact in the effort to Defend Democracy and Empower Voters? Wondered what it means to be a leader at LWVKC? Join the next Leadership Academy to learn more about:
- Managing volunteers
- Creating basic budgets
- Leading meetings
- Managing projects
Here are some perks of being a League leader:
- Extreme satisfaction for engaging in important work
- New friendships
- Increased influence on the direction of LWVKC
- Invitation to leadership social events
This collaborative class is for anyone interested in leadership as a team lead, committee chair, current or future board member, or even a future office of LWVKC. Join us Wednesdays in August! Find out more here: Leadership Academy Registration
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Membership Minute
By Laura Marcus-Mountjoy, Membership Chair
Wondering how to join the LWVKC, or renew your membership? Need help with navigating
lwvkc.org
the website? Confused about Zoom and its tools? Want to share photos from our events? We can help with any or all of these questions.
You can join, or renew, your League membership for a minimum of $20.
New Members: Go to
lwvkc.org,
click on the red Join/Renew button and scroll down to click on the next red Join/Renew button. Follow the prompts to sign up and create an account.
Renewing members: Go to
lwvkc.org,
login using your name and password, click on the red Join/Renew button, then click on the $$ amount box to choose your payment amount. Follow the prompts if you have any edits to your account information.
You can donate directly to LWVKC after joining/renewing your membership.
When you set up a new account, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to login to
lwvkc.org,
and set up your own password (after using the provided password). You must be logged in to access our Volunteer opportunities and see our member-only events. However, you can recommend our website to anyone for voting information relating to registration and education.
Many of our meetings are available on Zoom. We use this tool to reach our members in our sprawling KC metro and surrounding areas.
Zoom.com
has a “Support” tab, with great videos and articles to help you understand the tools offered.
Do you take photos at our events? Please email them to your committee chairperson, or the captain of the event. Then Chairs can download the pictures with the date and title of the event.
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Mix & Mingle Summer Events
By Laura Marcus-Mountjoy, Membership Chair
Ready to enjoy Summer? Come on out and join in one, or all, of our Mix & Mingle social events. We've planned events all over the KC Metro area in June and July. Come meet up with other League members, and feel free to bring a friend!
- Thursday, June 11 starting at 4 pm in Lee's Summit. Enjoy lakefront views at the home of Patt Winters, 206 NW Spruce, Lees Summit, MO 64064. Park in the driveway or in the street.
- Thursday, June 18 at Brewery Emperial, 1829 Oak St., KCMO 64108, from 5-7pm. Street parking is available on Oak, and on the north side of the building. Large tables outside or inside, depending on the weather.
- Friday, June 19 at KC Bier Company, 310 W 79th St., Kansas City, MO 64114, starting at 4 pm. We'll meet at the outside tables, weather permitting. The KC Bier parking lot is small; parking is available in the lot across the street (at Happy Bottoms).
- Tuesday, July 14 at McClain's Market North Kansas City, 1720 Swift St., Kansas City, MO 64116 starting at 2 pm.
These events are fun to plan and attend! Interested in joining the Membership Committee? Email Laura at Membership@lwvkc.org.
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Info You May Need!
Wearing Your Orange Ribbon to the Ballot Box
By Dave and Carole Webster, Legislative Action Team
Wearing Your Orange Ribbon to the Ballot Box: Why Voting is Key to Firearm Safety
Every June, communities across the country turn orange. What started back in 2015 as a tribute by Chicago teenagers to honor their late friend, Hadiya Pendleton, has grown into National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The color orange -- historically worn by hunters to signal "don't shoot" -- has become a nationwide symbol for the value of human life and a collective demand for a safer future.
But while wearing an orange ribbon or attending a vigil raises critical awareness, turning that momentum into lasting change ultimately requires a trip to the ballot box. Read full article
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How to Become a Volunteer with LWVKC
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Attend a DEI/Non-partisan training session if it's needed (get on the list
here).
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Find and sign up for an opportunity on our website
here (be sure you are logged in first!).
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Attend any training or view any training videos required for your volunteer opportunity (
here's the voter registration training video).
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Show up and do the work!
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Upcoming Events
Voting Events
In-person Absentee Voting Begins for August 4 Primary Election
When: June 23, 2026
Find details here
League Events
HamBingo
When: June 3, 2026, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Hamburger Mary's, 3700 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111
New Citizens Voter Registration
When: June 4, 2026, 10 a.m. - noon
Where: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
DEI/Non-Partisan Training
When: June 8, 2026, 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Kazoo Media, 821 W 17th St., Kansas City, MO 64108
Mix & Mingle
When: June 11, 2026, 4 p.m.
Where: Home of Patti Winters, 206 NW Spruce, Lees Summit, MO 64064
Mix & Mingle
When: June 18, 2026, 5 - 7 p.m.
Where: Brewery Emperial, 1829 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64108
LWVKC Book Club
When: June 18, 2026, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Where: Zoom link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84083430103
Mix & Mingle
When: June 19, 2026, 4 p.m.
Where: KC Bier Co, 310 W 79th St., Kansas City, MO 64114
LWV 2026 National Convention
When: June 26, 2026, 9 a.m. - June 28, 2026
Where: Columbus, OH
Information and Registration
Mix & Mingle
When: July 14, 2026, 2 p.m.
Where: McClain's Market North Kansas City, 1720 Swift St., Kansas City, MO 64116
Committee Meetings
Membership Committee Meeting
When: June 2, 2026, 4 - 5 p.m. TODAY
Where: Zoom link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88399330170
Voter Education Committee Meeting
When: June 8, 2026, 7 p.m.
Where: Zoom link to event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86149176060
Voter Guide/Vote 411 Committee Meeting
When: June 10, 2026 and June 24, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Zoom link to the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84326330757
Board Meeting
When: June 23, 2026, 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Technology Committee Meeting
When: June 25, 2026, 12 p.m.
Where: Zoom link to the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88953712786
Committee Chair Meeting
When: July 6, 2026, 5 - 6 p.m.
Where: Zoom link to the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85969931491
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| | Suggestion Box
Do you have an idea for a future meeting topic or guest speaker? How about a great design for a “Get-out-the-vote” poster? Or maybe you’ve been wanting to present a Power Point on redistricting.
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Put a suggestion in our suggestion box!
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