Advocacy Program - League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County

HomeAdvocacy (Program)

From its inception in 1920, the League of Women Voters has been an activist, grassroots organization that encourages citizens to advocate for better government and for public policies that served the common good. This is reflected in the League’s mission to empower voters and defend democracy.

The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.

Impact on Issuesis a comprehensive (e.g. long) guide to all public policy positions for LWV. The opening pages are extremely helpful for guidance as to how we perform our advocacy work.

If you'd like more information or want to volunteer, contact advocacy@lwvmilwaukee.org

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What is Advocacy?

The goals of advocacy are to

Educate the public, voters, or policymakers on an issue or policy.
Influence public opinion — building support for or opposition to a position or policy.
Influence legislation, policies, or regulations.

Advocacy includes

Education.
Publicly supporting or opposing an issue.
Lobbying.

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Advocacy vs. Lobbying

Advocacy is a broader concept than lobbying. While lobbying can be part of an advocacy strategy, advocacy does not necessarily include lobbying.

Lobbying is the act of talking to elected officials or their staffs about the merits of your position. Your goal is to influence their position through your knowledge of the issues. Lobbying provides our legislators with direct access to information about how particular proposed legislation might affect their constituents – the people who live, work and vote in their districts.

Lobbying can also be directed to the general public by taking a position on specific legislation or administrative action and urging the public to contact respective government officials or employees or expressing a view on specific ballot measures.

It is important that the league’s nonpartisan voter services and lobbying activities must be kept separate. Voter guides and other voter materials must not contain statements of league positions.

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Advocacy Actions

Legislative advocacy includes

Memos to legislators.
Meetings with legislators.
Legislative testimony.
Action alerts.
Public policy briefs.

“Speaking with one voice” is one of the important tenets of the League. Members must not make statements on behalf of LWV or purport to represent LWV through any public medium, including online media, unless specifically authorized to do so.

That does not mean you should not contact your government representatives. Just the opposite. We ask and encourage our members to always take action as individuals (not as LWV members) to add strength of numbers to public policy we hope to see transformed.

What to say when you contact your elected representatives regarding a bill.

To act on our positions, we need to use reliable sources from academia, news sources and other organizations. The following links are extremely useful, some in using advocacy resources and some for up-to-date information on the status of public policy issues of interest: Advocacy & Action Resources.

The main goal of the Climate Action Group is to take action at the local level to support and advance policies that tackle the issue of climate change

We achieve our goal by

Supporting Milwaukee County and its municipalities plans to reduce causes of climate change and move towards a sustainable future -- specifically the Milwaukee City/County Climate and Equity Plan.
Educating our members and the community about climate change issues such as the health impact of climate change, the impact of gas plants, and the massive energy usage that will be required for the new data plants in our region.

Contact for more information:
Candice Owley, Co-Lead, c.owley@lwvmilwaukee.org
Louise Petering, Co-Lead, l.petering@lwvmilwaukee.org

LWV believes that diverse voices enhance our democracy. We continue to support fair treatment under the law and immigration policies that stop the separation of families and provide paths to citizenship.

Contact for more information:
Donna Spars, Lead, d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org

Our committee envisions a future where all LGBTQI+ people experience full equality, meaningful participation in civic life, and the freedom to live openly and authentically. We emphasize that LGBTQ+ rights are not a privilege but human rights, actively celebrate Pride and educate on discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, and strictly oppose any form of harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Contact for more information:
Kaye Vance, Co-Lead, k.vance@lwvmilwaukee.org
Mary Newby, Co-Lead, m.newby@lwvmilwaukee.org

In cooperation with local organizations like The Milwaukee Turners, our committee proactively works to address the issue of mass incarceration by monitoring the local legal landscape and advocating for systems change. We are particularly focused on how the system disproportionately affects local youth and people of color.

Contact for more information:
Emily Sterk, Lead, e.sterk@lwvmilwaukee.org

We recognize that our environment, if protected and wisely managed, will benefit all life and support healthy, vibrant and economically sustainable communities. Our areas of focus include air quality, water quality and quantity, energy efficiency, and the protection and preservation of our National Parks and other public lands.

Contact for more information:
Ann Batiza, Co-Lead, a.batiza@lwvmilwaukee.org
Carol Diggelman, Co-Lead, c.diggelman@lwvmilwaukee.org
Louise Petering, Co-Lead, l.petering@lwvmilwaukee.org

As ReproWarriors, we believe personal empowerment and collective action results in deep societal transformation. Through education and bold, art-driven activism, we energize our communities to take action when it matters most. As we anticipate unprecedented challenges to our freedoms, our movement aims to inspire voters to fight for leaders and policies that reflect our shared values.

Contact for more information:
Gail Skłodowska, Co-Lead, g.sklowdowska@lwvmilwaukee.org
Charlie Gaebler-Uhing, Co-Lead, c.gaebler-uhing@lwvmilwaukee.org

Voting is a fundamental right that must be guaranteed and protected for all citizens. This committee will take actions to support that right and to ensure continued confidence in the integrity of elections at all levels.

Contact for more information:
advocacy@lwvmilwaukee.org

*Interested in being a committee leader? This committee has an opening! Reach out to the VP of Advocacy at the email above to express your interest in learning more!

We gather together on the 3rd Tuesday of every month to learn and grow together. Bringing your own lunch is optional, everyone is welcome. You do not have to have read the book/article in advance to join us for the discussion.

Contact for more information:
Pat McFarland, Lead, p.mcfarland@lwvmilwaukee.org

We choose a different book every other month to read and then we gather together to discuss. Books chosen reflect timely topics, and you do not have to have read the book/article in advance to join us for the discussion. Everyone is welcome!

Contact for more information:
Pat McFarland, Co-Lead, p.mcfarland@lwvmilwaukee.org
Marie Garnhart, , Co-Lead, m.garnhart@lwvmilwaukee.org

We get together every couple months or so in a new location to do just like the title says-- walk and talk! We seek to:

Provide an organic, accessible, welcoming environment where League members and the public can “touch the grass”, rebalance mental and physical stressors, with the hope of attracting new League members to join/volunter as engaged citizens.
Create free, all ages & abilities outdoor opportunities to explore Wisconsin Parks and Nature Preserves—places where League members can decompress, breathe deeply, practice self-care, get to know each other personally, learn about flora/fauna, and discuss insights from Wisconsin nature writers, i.e. Aldo Leopold.
Underline our mutual intention, we foresee discussions developing organically, rather than as pre-planned topics associated with specific advocacy efforts. Past LWVOzWa nature walks have created openings for walking companions to engage in multiple conversations as they stop, view, and then re-couple with another partner throughout the walks.

Contact for more information:
Jen Lemke, Lead, j.lwmkw@lwmmilwaukee.org