LWVNYS Council Kit June 2020 with EF 2019-20 Budget...outreach in their communities to GOTV (get out the vote) in 2018 and 2019. A follow-up MDW grant from LWVUS will support work

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

OF NEW YORK STATE

COUNCIL KIT

JUNE 2020

Meeting: June 11, 2020

7:00 pm by Zoom

62 Grand Street/Albany, NY 12207

Phone: 518-465-4162 / Fax: 518-465-0812

E-mail: [email protected]

Web Site: www.lwvny.org

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lwvny.org/

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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW YORK STATE

FORTY-SECOND BIENNIAL COUNCIL REPORT

June 2020

REPORTS

Board of Directors and Issue Specialists…………………………….……...3

President’s Report ........................................................................................... 5

Voter Services……………………………………………………………….6

Issues and Advocacy……………………………………………………..… 9

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion…………………………………………….12

Membership ………………………………………………………………...14

100th Anniversary Celebration……………………………………………...16

Champion of Change Celebration…………………………………………..17

Early Voting Educational Project……………………………………………17

Educational Outreach and Civics………………………………….………..18

Women’s Suffrage History………………………………………………….20

Memo from the LWVNYS Budget Chair……………………………………22

LWVNYS Proposed 2020-2021 Budget……………………………………..23

Description of Budget Accounts…………………………………………….26

LWVNYS Education Foundation 2020-2021 Budget……………………….29

COUNCIL KIT June 2020

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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW YORK STATE 62 Grand Street, Albany, New York 12207

Telephone: 518-465-4162 * Fax: 518-465-0812 Website: www.lwvny.org * E-Mail: [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019-2021

OFFICERS PRESIDENT Suzanne Stassevitch (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] 1st VICE PRESIDENT/VOTER SERVICES: Judie Gorenstein (LWV of Huntington) Email: [email protected]

2nd VICE PRESIDENT/ISSUES & ADVOCACY Sally Robinson (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] 3rd VICE PRESIDENT/DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION Regina Tillman (LWV of Albany County) Email: [email protected] SECRETARY Jennifer Clark (LWV of Mid-Hudson Region) Email: [email protected] TREASURER Lori Robinson (LWV of Buffalo/Niagara) Email: [email protected]

DIRECTORS AT-LARGE Sheila Miller Bernson (LWV of New Castle) Email: [email protected]

AT-LARGE Jane Colvin (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] AT-LARGE ErinLeigh Darnley (LWV of Syracuse Metro Area) Email: [email protected] AT-LARGE Kate Doran (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] AT-LARGE Crystal Joseph (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected]

AT-LARGE Nancy Rosenthal (LWV of SW Nassau County) Email: [email protected] AT-LARGE Dare Thompson (LWV of Mid-Hudson Region) Email: [email protected]

http://www.lwvny.org/


mailto:[email protected]?bcc=7xso8avu%[email protected]





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ISSUE SPECIALISTS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM Sally Robinson (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] EDUCATION FINANCE Marian Bott (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] ELECTION LAW Kate Doran (LWV of the City of New York) Email: [email protected] ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, Chair Email: [email protected] Beth Radow (LWV of Larchmont/Mamaroneck) HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE, Co-Chairs Madeline Zevon (LWV of White Plains) Email: [email protected] Anne Burton (LWV of Rensselaer County) Email: [email protected] WOMEN’S ISSUES Barbara Thomas (LWV of Saratoga County) Email: [email protected]

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

LWVNYS STAFF Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director [email protected] Jennifer Wilson, Deputy Director [email protected] Marissa Goddard, Development and Database Associate (PT) [email protected] Lisa Allendorph, Finance Administrator (PT) [email protected]

Nominating Committee Chair Nominating Committee Members

Kate Jankowski (LWV of Rensselaer) [email protected]

MaryLou Green (LWV of Scarsdale) [email protected]

Kathy Stein (LWV of St. Lawrence MAL Unit) [email protected]




mailto:[email protected]?bcc=o58qc9ah%[email protected]






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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Suzanne Stassevitch, President, [email protected]

I always find our conventions and annual meetings energizing and completely inspiring. So many people

working with such great heart and purpose (to paraphrase Susan B. Anthony) to promote and protect our

voting civil right always gives me hope for our democratic community.

LWVUS Council opened at the end of June and provided a great opportunity to share ideas with other

state leaders. We were offered challenges by National leadership to think about how we can grow and

expand the influence of the LWV across the country with our work under the umbrella of, Making

Democracy Work; expanding access to the vote and voter registration, protecting the vote, educating

voters and advocating for campaign finance reform.

LWVNY had MDW grants to support our Early Voting information and outreach efforts. Last year saw

many creative projects and programs that local Leagues adopted to build partnerships and expand

outreach in their communities to GOTV (get out the vote) in 2018 and 2019. A follow-up MDW grant

from LWVUS will support work to GOTV with local Leagues in 2020.

LWVNY is also participating in a three-year People Powered Fair Maps project, along with all fifty

states, to have a fair redistricting process after the 2020 Census. The first part of our grant supported our

efforts to promote a complete count and advocate for state funding for NY state’s new independent

redistricting commission which was seated in February 2020.

We held the promise during the 2020 election cycle of expanding our outreach across the state to promote

Vote411, Early Voting and other voting reforms. Although we would have liked to adopt many of the

most successful means of outreach, with peer to peer contact strategies, our planning for elections 2020

has, of necessity, with the challenges of the coronavirus-19 pandemic, to abruptly change course.

Collectively we are reviewing what platforms, in different areas around the state, will be the most

effective way to communicate election 2020 information and achieve peer to peer outreach. Local

Leagues are full of ideas and possibilities and new plans are blossoming across the state.

It is a great regret that we were only able to conduct one (1) out of four (4) regional workshops this year.

These regional conversations on what different communities need to GOTV or promote conversations

about increasing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in their local Leagues generate understanding and

collaboration in the regions when we meet together to share ideas.

We flipped a switch in March 2020 and are Zooming and teleconferencing our way forward, and helping

voters navigate the 2020 elections and support the actions we are advocating with our state government.

Local Leagues and Leagues around the country are sharing strategies for virtual candidate forums and

issue forums.

I am sure we all watched with horror the April primary in Wisconsin as voters and poll workers risked

their lives to vote during a pandemic and stay-at-home orders. I see the strength of our democracy in their

action. Some people in Wisconsin thought voting was that important.



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We do too, and the state League staff and leadership have been working steadily to advocate for voting

that is safe and accessible, expanding voter information outreach across 62 counties so that all NY state

voters get the information they need to understand what is on the ballot, and how, when and where to cast

their ballot. It will be harder. People are scared, but we are the organization keeping people informed of

the changes to our elections and showing them how to access their ballot get their vote counted, safely.

VOTER SERVICE REPORT

Judie Gorenstein, VP for Voter Services, [email protected]

Although in the past years, voter service committees and Leagues have faced difficult challenges, these

paled in comparison with what we faced this past year (June 2019-June 20). There were not only the

changes in Election Law in 2019 but in March 2020 there was COVID -19 pandemic, resulting in

Governor Cuomo not only ordering PAUSE in New York but then through Executive Orders: changing

the Presidential Primary from April 28 to June 23, allowing voters to use health concerns as a temporary

illness thereby allowing everyone to vote by absentee ballot and then having county BOE’s mail

applications for absentee ballots to voters. The state BOE also cancelled the presidential primary although

other primary races remain for June 23rd election.

All the changes in 2019 and 2020 were made to enfranchise voters and make it easier and safer to vote.

However, this would only be possible if voters were aware of changes and knew what to do. Fortunately

the newly elected board in 2019 had decided it was important to have a LWVNYS Voter Service

Committee: Sheila Bernson, Jane Colvin, Katherine Doran, Nancy Rosenthal, and Suzanne Stassevitch

would work with Judie Gorenstein to achieve our mission of registering voters, educating the public, and

Getting Out The Vote. Having a motivated, proactive committee has helped us accomplish what we have

done over this year to help our local Leagues, ILOs and MALS.

With the many changes in Election Law in 2019, it was important that we kept our gold standard and

continued to be knowledgeable and nonpartisan. The LWVNYS put an emphasis on registering,

educating and then Getting Out The Vote especially in underserved communities. We updated much of

our materials.

ROAD To The VOTING BOOTH Part III A “A Toolkit for Voter Registration” was edited in August

2019 and included a list for essential materials for voter registration drives, instructions for filling out the

voter registration forms, fact sheet, voter information resources and templates as well aa information on

Early Voting and the Election Reforms passed in 2019.

ROAD to The VOTING BOOTH Part II A “A Toolkit for Candidate Events” was edited and included

Candidate Event Essentials and Guidelines for Candidate Events allowing Leagues to refer to the No

Empty Chair Policy as (1) No Empty Chair Policy, or (2) Two or More Candidates for Each Race Must be

Present, or (3)No Empty Chair: Two or More Candidates For Each Race Must be Present. Besides

including a sample calendar for planning a candidate event, the toolkit also included sample templates for

video-recording policy, save the date letters, invitation to candidates, press release, co-sponsor agreement,

and a sample statement if an event needs to be cancelled due to the No Empty Chair Policy. In additions

there were sample ground rules and formats for a candidate event and sample moderator scripts.


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A Toolkit on Getting Out The Vote was compiled in 2019. This was seen as a work in progress and

Leagues were encouraged to share any new ideas or efforts they made in Getting Out The Vote.

Increasing voter turnout particularly in underserved communities became a priority for voter services.

The voter service committee wanted to develop a good working relationship with our local Leagues.

Leagues were encouraged to ask questions, share their ideas and concerns, which many did. They were

encouraged to develop a good working relationship with their county Boards of Elections who were under

stress to have early voting roll out smoothly. Our local Leagues helped get out the information on early

voting to their community. Thanks to a grant that LWVNYS received from LWVUS re early voting,

LWVNYS was able to hire an intern, develop and print brochures on early voting with designated poll

site locations and keep the LWVNYS webpage up to date.

What were the results of us all working together? Were we successful in registering, educating, and

getting out the vote? YES! 41 Local Leagues, MALS, and ILOS responded to the 2019 Voter Service

Survey with impressive numbers and great recommendations.

• Voter Registration: All Leagues did voter registration drives, with 1/3 doing more than in the

past, and more than ½ holding drives in different venues and in underserved communities. Almost

all Leagues found the Voter Registration Toolkits helpful.

• 2019 Voter Information: Voter’s Guide and Early Voting: 37 Leagues distributed VG Part 1 and

39 distributed Early Voting brochures, but 18 recommended changes in the brochures.

Recommendations were to not only get information out earlier, but to simplify and make them

easier to read.

• Candidate Events: 34 Leagues held successful candidate events, 30 had a videotaping policy that

was sent to candidates, 23 had candidates sign and return ground rules and written policy and 24

found the Toolkits and templates helpful. However, it is apparent that Leagues need more

guidance in dealing with taping and airing of candidate event.

• GOTV: More than half our Leagues did make an effort to GOTV of which14 had not done so in

the past. 20 Leagues found the GOTV toolkit helpful and 21 of our Leagues said they would

make changes to their efforts in 2020. It was apparent that while there was a greater effort in

GOTV than before, this was the ONE area that we need to concentrate on in 2020. LWVNY

needs to help Leagues explore ways to follow up to remind people to vote, examine the best apps

for texting reminders to voters, and explore other ways to GOTV.

Using the responses from the 2019 survey, the LWVNYS voter service committee began planning early

for election 2020: the two primaries; the presidential on April 28, the federal and state on June 23, and the

General Election on November 3. Early voting would be held for each of these elections. This was going

to be another challenging year. With a presidential primary and a general election when more voters than

ever are engaged, and with the current culture of extreme partisanship, this would be the year to turn out

the vote, particularly in underserved communities especially if we all worked together. Each member of

the LWVNY voter service committee volunteered to be a liaison to specified Leagues and form a working

relationship. Phone calls were initiated where information and ideas were shared and highlighted,

questions answered, concerns addressed, and Leagues were encouraged to pursuit activities to GOTV.


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The Leagues told us what materials they needed. Voter Guide Part 1 including information on Early

Voting was simplified. First Vote, Your Right to Vote in New York brochures were revised as well as

minor changes to Toolkits for VR Drives and Candidate Events, and expansion of Toolkit for GOTV.

Revisions and edits were completed.

Leagues gave us new ideas and told us what they would need to carry them out. At the four regional

training sessions planned for March, a workshop on GOTV was scheduled. During the first workshop

held on March 7, a lot of good ideas emerged on GOTV and Leagues were encouraged to write them up

so they could be included in the toolkit. However, the following week the COVID-19 epidemic halted

future workshops.

By the middle of March, it was apparent that COVD-19 was going to change everything. New Yorkers

were told to PAUSE and stay at home. Voter registration drives, candidate events, GOTV and even

voting needed to be done differently. LWVNYS was faced with the challenge of keeping our Leagues,

members, and voters informed at a time of uncertainty. We needed to be flexible as things were changing.

We needed to make certain we had accurate information disbursed in timely manner. Alerts and eblasts

were sent to our Leagues and our website was updated regularly. Our members and the public were

advised to continue to checking our website. We encouraged our Leagues to think of ways they could

adapt what they had been planning to the present situation. Using some of the ideas that Leagues

suggested and some of our own, we compiled an addendum to be used with the other three toolkits,

“Voter Registration, Candidate Events, and GOTV While Social Distancing.

LWVNYS purchased an app enabling Leagues to have voters get texts keeping them up to date on

changes in the election and reminding them to vote. LWVNYS created a short Youtube video that

explains and demonstrates how to apply for, complete, and mail in an absentee ballot. LWVNYS also

did received the grant from LWVUS and local Leagues applied for and were given mini-grants to help

them with their GOTV effort.

In this year of challenges, one thing remained constant and clear. LWVNYS and all our Leagues, MALS

and ILOs worked together to fulfill our mission. We continued to register voters, educate people and now

more than ever in the past GET OUT THE VOTE.

Vote 411 During the 2019 election cycle, nineteen (19) Local Leagues participated in Vote411. These local Leagues

covered county, city, town, and village elections. Ninety-nine (99) members also participated in a training

webinar hosted by LWVUS. In April and March of 2020, the US League uploaded the Presidential

primary candidates, LWVNYS uploaded Special election candidates, and LWV Tompkins county

uploaded local candidates. These races were postponed and then cancelled and removed from the guide.

The NYS League will be covering Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and Judicial races for the

June primary. Twenty-nine (29) Local League will also be using Vote411 for local town, village, and

county races for the 2020 election cycle.


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ISSUES AND ADVOCACY REPORT

Sally Robinson, VP of Advocacy, [email protected] and

Jennifer Wilson, Deputy Director/Legislative Director, [email protected]

Constitutional Convention Position Update

At the June 2019 convention, delegates approved an update that would delete the Constitutional

Convention position’s first sentence to confirm state Board responsibility to apply the position to support

or oppose using the criteria in the position. Update materials were sent out in September 2019 and

responses were due March 1, 2020.

Although the geographical distribution requirement was met by the 22 Leagues who responded, the Yes

results failed to meet the 2/3 agreement necessary to drop the first sentence of the current Constitutional

Convention position. The position remains as written. In addition to 22 Leagues, 7 members submitted

individual responses for the first time under the new process approved last year. The responses were

almost evenly divided between Yes and No.

Under the new Study and Update Process adopted by the state League board in 2019, members, local

Leagues and ILOs may suggest a future update to the position. If a member or local League would prefer

a position that does not allow the state League to take a position, or a position that only allows the state

League to take a position relying on a separate consensus process to determine member agreement, then

the local League or member may initiate and/or become part of a future update. A future update could

seek to establish member agreement with either of these options

Election Law Report

The League worked on partial passage of automatic voter registration, expanding early voting poll sites,

mandating poll sites on college campuses, and allowing for online voter registration in New York City.

These reforms passed in the Senate but did not pass in the Assembly. The League was particularly active

on automatic voter registration and worked with the LetNYVote coalition to advocate in favor of this

reform.

The League worked with our civil rights partners on a New York State Voting Rights Act bill that would

reinstate election protections in New York that had been removed from the federal Voting Rights Act

following the Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court ruling. The New York State Voting Rights Act

would ensure that a voter’s ability to cast their ballot is not biasedly hindered by state, county, local

governments, or political subdivision. The League testified in favor of this newly proposed policy and

emphasized the importance of provisions to ensure transparency in the electoral process.

In 2019, the League had several major voting procedure wins including passage and implementation of

early voting in New York State. In 2020, the League continued to advocate for reforms to the early voting

law to ensure the greatest level of accessibility for all voters in New York. Following the first period of

early voting, the League conducted a voter satisfaction survey to assess voters’ experiences voting early

for the first time. The League used these results to guide our advocacy around improvements to the early

voting process and to make a case for an increase in funding for county board of elections to have early



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voting. The League testified for additional funds for early voting in 2020 and urged the legislature to

commit a minimum of $25 million for early voting in the 2020 elections.

Redistricting Report

In 2020, New York State appointed its first independent redistricting commission to redraw the legislative

lines according to the 2020 census results. The League was extremely active in ensuring the commission

was appointed by the constitutional deadline and in advocating for funding for the new commission. The

League sent several letters to the legislative leaders urging them to ensure that the commission was seated

on time and had the greatest possible geographical, racial, and gender diversity. Eight of the ten

commissioners were appointed in February, but we were disappointed only one woman was appointed to

the commission.

The League is working in partnership with legal experts, academics, and civic and immigrant rights

groups to ensure that the remaining commissioners are representative of diverse populations and adhere to

the constitutionally mandated restrictions on commissioners. The League also submitted testimony to the

legislature urging them to dismantle the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research &

Reapportionment (LATFOR) and use their budget to fund the commission’s work.

Court Consolidation Report

The League worked with the Simplify the Courts coalition to amend the State Constitution to consolidate

New York’s 11 different trial courts into the existing Supreme Court and create a new statewide

traditional court. The League participated in the coalition’s lobby day and included materials regarding

court consolidation in our legislative packet.

Campaign Financing Report

Despite the League’s continuing effort to finally pass campaign finance reform during the 2019 legislative

session, the legislature and the governor punted the decision to a non-elected Public Campaign Financing

Commission whose recommendations would automatically become law unless changed by the legislature.

In September the League testified strongly at a public hearing of the Commission that in addition to

public financing, any reforms must include lower contribution limits, including on political parties and

those doing business with the state, and an independent enforcement agency. The League also worked

with the Fair Elections coalition and our good government partners to ensure that the Public Campaign

Financing Commission proposed comprehensive campaign finance reforms. We signed onto a letter to

the Commissioners asking them to release their interim recommendations in the first week of December.

We asked that they uphold a minimum standard in their recommendations and ensure a 6 to 1 match, a

reduction in contribution limits, and the creation of an independent oversight agency to oversee the

program.

Unfortunately, the Commission’s report fell short in several respects, not touching party contributions or

pay-to-play and leaving candidate limits still far too high. It also courted controversy by significantly

raising signature requirements for third parties to be on the ballot. Not surprisingly, the resulting

automatically enacted laws were challenged in the courts and overturned by a lower level court on the

basis that the Legislature had unlawfully delegated its law-making to an unelected entity.


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Subsequently, during the 2020 budget process the Legislature passed a campaign finance bill mirroring

the recommendations of the Commission from last year (which became law automatically) that were

successfully challenged in court. The bill allows candidates for statewide office and the Legislature to opt

into a system of public financing that incentivizes small dollar donations by matching them with public

funds. Candidates for statewide office can now raise a maximum of $18,000 in a four-year election cycle

from an individual contributor, down from about $70,000; state Senate candidates can raise $10,000,

down from $19,300; and state Assembly candidates can raise $6,000, down from $9,400. Unfortunately,

limits on contributions to political parties and those doing business with the state were left untouched in

this legislation as well.

The new legislation also put back in place the Commission’s controversial changes to party thresholds

and ballot access requirements. Statewide candidates now have to get 45,000 signatures from voters to get

on the ballot, up from 15,000. For an automatic ballot line, a party must receive at least 130,000 votes or

2% of the vote, whichever is higher, every two years in a gubernatorial or presidential election, up from

50,000 votes every four years in a gubernatorial election.

Barbara Thomas, Issue Specialist, [email protected]

Women’s Issues Report

NYS Equal Rights Amendment – LWVNY has been working in informal coalition to support an equal

rights amendment for NYS that guarantees equal rights for women and other groups subject to

discrimination. There is disagreement between the Governor, the Senate and the Assembly about the

most appropriate wording, which is not expected to move ahead this year.

Paid Sick Leave – was passed in this year’s budget bill and will take effect at the beginning of 2021. It

provides payment for absence due to personal or family member sickness (40 hours in businesses of 5-99

employees; 56 hours in businesses with 100+ employees). Businesses with fewer than 5 employees must

allow up to 40 hours of unpaid sick leave. LWVNY worked in coalition with PowHer to support this

legislation, in which employees earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. In addition

emergency legislation to respond to the pandemic provides paid sick leave for many in this calendar year.

Pay Equity – LWVNY sent an action alert to all members that included a toolkit for publicizing the

underpayment of women’s work, particularly the low wage workers on the front lines of the coronavirus

pandemic.

Medical Aid in Dying-

Despite the fact that the Governor came out in support of Medical Aid in Dying during the summer of

2019 he failed to include it in his budget message. Early in the 2020 session some LWV members joined

with Compassion and Choices to visit legislators in support of this issue. These efforts were dropped as

the pandemic struck and are not expected to be picked up again this year.



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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION INITIATIVE REPORT

Regina Tillman, VP for DEI, [email protected]

Diversity: Includes all the similarities and differences among people. Diversity refers to population

groups that have been historically underrepresented in socially, politically, or economically powerful

institutions and organizations. A team can be diverse and so can an organization. A person is not diverse.

Equity: Is an approach based in fairness to ensuring everyone is given equal opportunity; this means that

resources may be divided and shared unequally to make sure that each person has a fair chance to

succeed. Equity considers that people have different access to resources because of the system of

oppression and privilege. Equity seeks to balance that disparity.

Inclusion: Inclusion is an ongoing process, not a static state of being. Inclusion refers to the degree to

which diverse individuals can participate fully in the decision-making processes within an organization or

group. While an inclusive group is diverse by definition, a diverse group is not always inclusive. Being

aware of unconscious or implicit bias can help organizations better address issues of inclusivity.

Barely a year old, the LWVNYS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Initiative is a different type of

program for the League. Instead of members looking outside of themselves and the organization to act as

change agents, this initiative begins with members looking inward to become the change they seek! The

first steps, however, as taken this year entailed getting as many members as possible onboard with what

DEI is.

The definitions of DEI, as provided above, have been included here for your reference. These are the

definitions that the LWVUS has established for our organization after exhaustive research. While we are

just getting started in NYS to fully advance the concepts related to DEI, National has been setting the

stage for us for the past 3-4 years. The necessity for pursing a DEI agenda was placed in front of the

national membership in January 2018 in the form of the document entitled, “Transformation

Roadmap”. Therein, they stated that, “LWV has identified its lack of racial, economic, and social

diversity as an impediment in achieving its mission and as a barrier to greater impact and growth, a view

reinforced in the assessment by external stakeholders.”

Since then, LWVUS has developed a number of tangible steps to assist local Leagues in becoming more

diverse, among them: establishing reference materials and lists of recommended books and articles;

producing and archiving webinars on various aspects of getting to a more diverse environment within the

League; and training their Shur Fellows throughout the country to consult with state Leagues on DEI. An

assessment had also been developed and administered to the leadership of the State Leagues, serving to

inform national of the related needs in the field. The LWVNYS also took the step of adding a 3rd Vice

President to the Board in 2019. This position is responsible for guiding the DEI planning and

implementation process for the state, thus, demonstrating to membership a visible commitment to change.

As that new VP, I have made sure to integrate all the aforementioned facets, as introduced to us by

LWVUS, into our State’s DEI planning document. However, as a woman of color, African-American to

be precise, I also bring to this role relevant local League experience along with a personal relationship

with DEI concepts. This background will help to guide us toward actions that can bring to fruition the

changes we seek.


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From September 2019 to present, the primary method of communicating DEI definitions, references, and

concepts have been thru the online State Voter and the State Board Update Newsletters. The aim is to give

the material some degree of context so that readers that are interested will connect to gain further insights.

This communication stream will continue to be utilized along with routine discussions at state BOD

meetings. Another way we looked forward to disseminating DEI info, as well as engaging in DEI related

conversations with members, was thru a “mini” DEI workshop. This workshop was a part of the state

League’s regional trainings scheduled through the month of March 2020. I am happy to report that the

initial session that had been scheduled for March 7th in NYC was very well received. Unfortunately, the

remaining 3 sessions to be held throughout the state had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. Nevertheless,

we did manage to establish “proof of concept” and will pursue further when it becomes feasible again to

do so.

DEI ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Joining me is our assigned Shur Fellow, Kerry M. Butch, a resident

of NJ and a highly valued member of my DEI Advisory Committee due to her fellowship training as well

as her life experiences. The committee is joined by Board member, Erin Leigh Darnley of the LWV

Syracuse, a true ally in this change effort. LWVNYS President, Suzanne Stassevitch and Laura Bierman,

LWVNYS Executive Director, join us as ex-officio members of the DEI Advisory Committee and assist

with strategic planning. The committee has been conference calling with each other at least every other

month since 2019.

IN THE NEAR FUTURE: We continue to look forward to inviting local Leagues to perform their own

internal DEI assessment within the year with the finalized tool we will be providing to them. From these

local assessment surveys, a State-wide DEI Task Force, currently under development, will take inventory

to make determinations of what could be addressed uniformly across the state. They will also assist NYS

Leagues in developing locally relevant DEI Action Plans and identify ways to measure what is working,

or not working. And, if there are winning practices, it will be our mission to highlight them for the benefit

of all our League units!

Additionally, the LWVNYS DEI Task Force will be instrumental in assisting in the identification of the

best mechanisms for conducting a series of intensive workshop for all interested members. I look toward

hosting insightful nationally or regionally renowned speakers to present specific DEI elements in a

particularly effective manner. Adjusting as we all are to the COVID-19 circumstances, DEI Task Force’s

regional meetings and membership workshops will not be face-to-face in 2020-21 as originally planned.

However, the League is full of resourceful people who know how to get a job done! I invite you to

continue to read your State Voter each month in the meantime for updates and practical tips to review

within your membership and with your BOD, sending me feedback as well at anytime.

YOUR IMMEDIATE “To Do”! Before the end of 2020, we should have shored up our team to work

hand in hand with state leadership on this DEI Initiative. However, if your League unit has not yet

identified a member to represent your League on the LWVNYS DEI Task Force, please discuss it

amongst yourselves at your earliest opportunity and then send me your nomination’s contact information

during or after Council: [email protected]



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URGENCY? Research proves time and time again that organizations and businesses that are diverse in

their membership are better equipped to handle issues as they arise, are more productive, are more

effective, and make better decisions. As we continue our efforts toward a more perfect democracy in these

particularly important months upcoming, our organization needs to be the best that it can be! We can

continue to shrink in size as an organization, or we can expand… in our numbers and in our capacity… by

including the best that our communities have to offer, regardless of seeming differences, and conveying to

all members a sense of belonging.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

As of January 31 of each year

LEAGUE NAME 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Albany County 257 255 231 235 173 192 184 159 153 163 209 187

Allegany & Cattaraugus MAL Unit 20 29 40

Bronxville 142 121 80 82 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Brookhaven 90 84 74 70 70 65 67 63 63 69 84 82

Broome and Tioga Co. 126 111 109 109 109 100 100 93 97 97 92 84

Buffalo/Niagara 377 321 238 225 224 213 193 190 197 210 224 227

Cazenovia 46 47 37 41 35 32 24 29 32 32 33 35

Central Nassau 48 49 39 35 35 27 20 20 26 22 27 29

Chautauqua County 126 108 93 88 88 83 84 88 86 89 122 88

Chemung County 35 29 34 15 20 20 20 14 14 10 10 9

Columbia County 27 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cooperstown Area 36 33 24 34 40 47 35 47 67 84 92 91

Cortland County 26 30 26 29 29 24 23 28 31 29 31 25

East Nassau 78 80 59 53 53 47 51 45 47 39 45 47

Geneva 77 60 55 53 50 46 38 34 39 42 38 35

Great Neck 74 58 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Greater Oneida Area (disbanded 2018) 15 11 11 10 8 7 7 6 5 4 0

Hamilton (disbanded) 11 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hamptons, Shelter Island

and North Fork 2019 (formerly Hamptons) 187 165 144 135 124 133 125 116 119 117 126 144 Harrison (disbanded

2017) 50 49 41 43 34 36 39 35 29 0 0

Huntington 78 91 90 87 85 89 88 97 69 70 71 64


15

Larchmont/Mamaroneck 131 102 89 90 76 83 74 108 107 71 88 86

Long Beach 86 51 44 42 47 27 31 33 41 10 16 18

LWVNYS MALs 141 88 94 91 89 57 36 33 31 52 68 17

Mid Hudson Region 108 114 88 94 91 90 92 92 86 120 141 127

New Castle 163 128 103 85 92 86 84 94 112 102 104 97

New Rochelle 101 95 85 89 77 74 59 45 56 51 38 58

New York City 541 500 243 265 205 199 223 217 275 350 350 289

North Country 37 38 36 32 42 52 43 40 42 33 33 31

North East Westchester 44 40 27 28 37 28 31 31 35 44 48 29

Oneonta 79 67 57 52 48 46 38 41 35 36 32 33

Orange MAL Unit 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 17

Orleans County 26 18 12 13 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 Port

Washington/Manhasset 132 132 108 133 118 142 128 100 118 132 135 105

Putnam County 15 23 20 5 5 5 5 9 12 19 22 29

Rensselaer County 98 101 89 84 77 81 80 81 76 101 98 97

Rivertowns 78 87 47 41 53 73 75 86 89 99 101 115

Rochester Metro 289 278 146 135 131 132 145 139 137 138 164 141

Rockland County 69 73 47 50 50 34 37 27 32 32 29 23 Rye, Rye Brook & Port

Chester 39 49 47 53 37 51 57 47 54 43 45 43

Saratoga County 177 169 150 144 150 161 130 141 146 205 230 218

Saugerties (merged with Mid Hudson 2017) 18 25 22 14 24 24 17 15 14 0 0

Scarsdale 290 259 275 223 203 220 216 205 201 209 188 192

Schenectady County 156 162 149 131 132 129 126 134 138 136 149 138

Schuyler 49 45 39 39 21 21 17 14 10 11 12 11

Shelter Island (merged with Hamptons 2019) 83 38 34 33 46 42 44 44 40 42 31

Smithtown 51 46 37 38 37 36 28 29 30 34 37 36 Somers (disbanded

2017) 128 126 134 116 105 99 87 94 59 0 0

Southern Westchester (disbanded) 19 14 0 0 0 0 0

Southwest Nassau 127 116 101 83 82 76 66 50 34 21 18 14

St. Lawrence MAL Unit 23 21 13 7 8 6 13 10 22

Steuben County 23 22 23 25 24 24 25 26 26 18 18 18


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Syracuse Metro. 94 93 86 85 102 100 90 71 69 73 76 80

Tompkins County 130 123 121 106 103 90 82 92 78 74 64 64

Utica Metro. Area 57 55 54 53 57 54 56 44 52 52 56 53

Warren County (disbanded 2018) 0 9 18 17 26 26 10 10 6 6 0

White Plains 153 141 130 125 134 145 125 117 121 124 126 128

TOTALS 5608 5201 4179 3958 3760 3695 3462 3381 3442 3548 3760 3516

League of Women Voters of New York State

100th Anniversary Celebration

November 16, 2019

The Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo

The centennial celebration in Buffalo on November 16 was a great success. Approximately 150 people

attended in the beautiful venue of The Buffalo History Museum. The food was great and the special

exhibit on women’s suffrage in western NY was an interesting display. The honorees were presented their

awards by LWVNYS President, Suzanne Stassevitch:

• Carrie Chapman Catt Award for Leadership in Government to Kathy and William Hochul

• Narcissa Cox Vanderlip Award for Leadership in Education to Katherine Conway-Turner

• Community Leadership Award to Alice Jacobs

• Emerging Leader Award to Ariel Palitz

Katie Alexander of WE’re 4 Buffalo TV station was the emcee for the evening. The flowers were donated

and arranged by Committee member, Margie McIntosh (LWV of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties MAL

Unit) and the music by student musicians was organized by Committee member, Mary Croxton (LWV of

Chautauqua).

A huge thank you goes to Lori Robinson who helped throughout the planning and the event, and Rebecca

Costanzo, Committee member who helped with honorees and Honorary Committee member solicitations.

The rest of the Committee, Mary Hussong-Kallen, Joan Bozer, and Janet Zehr also contributed to the

evening’s success. Finally, the staff in the office helped with the planning, and were critical to the smooth

functioning of the evening. The event netted over $15,000 for the state League. We will be sharing the

info on attendees and donors with the local Leagues, as promised, so they can use this information for

future development.


17

Champion for Change Celebration

Honoring Barbara Bartoletti, Former Legislative Director

March 10, 2020

NYS Museum, Albany

On Tuesday, March 10, approximately 150 people attended an event honoring Barbara Bartoletti, former

Legislative Director for over 40 years. From the initial champagne toast to the food and lively

conversation, the event was a huge success and lots of fun. Liz Benjamin, former host of Capitol Tonight,

interviewed Barbara in a casual conversation about Barbara’s accomplishments, frustrations and stories of

legislative activities during her 40 years at the capitol. The video of the conversation between Barbara and

Liz is posted on our state League website, as well as photos from the evening. A big thank you to the

NYS Archives Partnership Trust who co-sponsored the event and provided critical help for us throughout

the planning. Also a big thank you to our co-chairs, Aimee Allaud, Joanne Esposito, Barb Thomas and

Dare Thompson, as well as the full committee, for their leadership on the event.

EARLY VOTING EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

Spring 2019-Spring 2020

The state League undertook a large project to educate citizens throughout New York State on all of the

new voting laws enacted in 2019 and to evaluate the implementation of the new laws during the election.

Specifically, the state League proposed educating and implementing the new early voting scheduled to be

implemented for the fall 2019 elections. The state League was grateful to LWVUS who provided a grant

to assist in funding this endeavor.

This project went well beyond what we expected when we applied for the grant. It was so well received

by our local Leagues and other organizations and the demand for the information was well above what we

projected in the application. We did print and distribute 20,000 of our spring Voter Guides - local Leagues

distributed those to the usual spots, like libraries and town halls. But, the brochure and inserts on early

voting which weren't available until late August way exceeded expectations and we got to a point where

we just couldn't print anymore as we ran out of money. We printed 52,000 of the trifold brochure of

general information on early voting in English, 6,000 in Spanish, and 3,000 in each Chinese, Korean and

Bengali (the languages required on the ballot in NYC based on the Voting Rights Act). We also printed

approximately 44,125 of inserts for the brochure. Each county needed a specific insert for that county (62

in NYS) as the locations and times for early voting were listed on each county-specific insert.

We created a new webpage with general information about early voting, but also information on where

poll sites were located, times of sites, public transportation or parking availability for each of the 62

counties. The public was able to click on their county to obtain all of this information. We also printed

hundreds of flyers that were distributed with the new website, www.nyearlyvoting.org. We used press

releases and social media posts to advertise. As of Sept. 15, we had 3,006 hits on the webpages, but we

expected that to increase greatly as Oct. 26, the beginning of early voting, approached.


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Following the early voting period, the League released a survey to measure voters’ experiences voting

early for the first time. We received 1,800 responses from voters all over the state. The data was broken

into regions of the state and used for advocacy on future periods of early voting. We presented our

findings at two public hearings, in testimony before the legislative committees, and used the report at 50

different in person meetings with legislators from all over the state.

The survey results were also shared with board of election commissioners from every county in the state

of New York. In December, the League attended the Election Commissioners Association Conference

where we were able to further connect with these election officials and make recommendations for future

periods of early voting. Local Leagues also met with their board of elections commissioners following the

early voting period to assess potential partnerships for the following year.

The League was invited to participate in a series of roundtables hosted by the State Board of Elections.

These roundtables were meant to share information regionally and gauge how early voting could be

improved in the coming year. The League was one of only 2 non-agency partners invited to attend these

sessions.

As the legislative session began, we switched our focus from measuring the results of our first period of

early voting to advocating for additional funds for early voting in 2020. We engaged volunteers through

three webinars open to all members to provide education on the budget process and our plans for

advocacy for funding for early voting. We kept members engaged with weekly emails from January and

continuing until today. Volunteers were trained remotely on advocating for funding and provided with an

advocacy toolkit that included handouts for legislators, talking points, and sample social materials.

The national Day of Action on February 14, promoted by LWVUS to celebrate their centennial, was

devoted to taking action on increased funding for early voting. We offered a member-wide phone call on

the evening before to answer and questions and then monitored the action taken by the members. We

posted widely all day on Facebook and Twitter to amplify our message.

We had planned to focus on this issue during our annual Advocacy and Lobby Day in early May but

because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person training and lobbying will not occur.

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND CIVIC EFFORTS

Crystal Joseph, [email protected]

Since coming on board in July 2019, I have reached out to individual Leagues to learn and assess our

community needs. The areas of concern for me specifically include what has worked and things we could

change to become a more unified voice. Our state website continues to be a great toolbox for

coordinating ideas for young people including the recent presentation in place of the canceled SIA 2020

conference.

Students have provided me with some civic engagement suggestions. This includes potential partnerships

or collaborations with organizations like, Generation Citizen.

https://www.lwvnyonline.org/youth/SIA/2020/march/NYS-Politics-PPT-SIA-2020.pdf


19

SIA students would like the opportunity to serve as local League ambassadors. As an organization we

should welcome the chance to invite them to a post SIA-conference debrief with our local chapters. Our

SIA students should have the opportunity to invite a friend to allow them to share in listening to their SIA

experience as a planning tool for the upcoming year. In this way, former SIA conference participants are

selecting peers to share in the experience and nominating colLeagues for the upcoming calendar year.

Statewide Highlights Pre-COVID 19:

NYS: 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote – Albany LWV reached out to every high school in the

county, “We connected with every single high school in Albany County,” –Director of Advocacy

NYS/NYC: NYC VOTES and CUNY VOTES is working to ensure voters under 30 are both registered

and recognize that their vote matters

Educational training and CENSUS alignment: Census responses are our civic duty, voter suppression,

under representation and engagement are all on the line. We want to encourage young people to

participate and have a voice in planning their future. As an organization, are we following the leaders in

the conversation to keep the narrative around educational training consistent?

NYC and Long Island have access to greater partnership resources. What ideas do we have to include the

greater NY region?

Upstate community Leagues and schools serve as an entry way for student based civic discussions. Local

counties host discussions, book events but what are tangible ways our organization can support students

or attract younger professional members.

As an organization, we are great at attending events where students have an active voice but we need to

translate those active voices into League members or at the very least, continual youth partners

2020 Students Inside Albany Conference

Because of the COVID-19 health crisis, the 2020 Students Inside Albany Conference was cancelled.

Students selected by their local Leagues, however, were invited to join in a Powerpoint presentation by

Jennifer Wilson, LWVNYS Legislative Director on how New York State government works and how to

have influence in the public policy making process – be a citizen lobbyist. This presentation was hosted

on Zoom platform and is posted on the state League’s website at:

https://www.lwvnyonline.org/youth/SIA/2020/march/NYS-Politics-PPT-SIA-2020.pdf.

Other Civics and Youth Activities

The state League Executive Director was appointed to the NYS Department of Education Task Force on

Civics Readiness. This Task Force met during 2018-2019 concluding its report in fall, 2019. Their goal

was to develop a program to ensure that students graduating from high schools in New York state are

“civic ready.” The Task Force created criteria necessary for students to meet to obtain a seal on their

diploma certifying their civic readiness. Other programs, such as a capstone project and democracy

https://www.lwvnyonline.org/youth/SIA/2020/march/NYS-Politics-PPT-SIA-2020.pdf


20

schools, were also proposed in their report. The Board of Regents is now seeking input on the proposals

from the public.

The state League is also a partner in the Democracy Ready NY coalition, made up of teachers and other

education organizations. The goal of the coalition is to develop a civics curriculum for all NY state high

school students. A website has been created for the coalition, http://www.democracyreadyny.org/, with

information about the coalition and its goals.

The League and the New York State Council for the Social Studies (NYSCSS) are pleased to announce

the publication of 7 lesson plans for teachers of the New York Grade 12 Participation in

Government course. The 7 lesson plans are designed to provide teachers and students with information

specific to New York State. Lessons can be customized to meet the needs of individual classrooms or

student interests and are designed to be inquiry-based and non-partisan.

The goal of these lessons is to bring a heightened knowledge of the formal system of government in New

York State, a better understanding of the forces that can change the balance of power, and to develop an

improved student understanding of how to be an active citizen, knowing their rights and responsibilities.

There were seven topics:

• Structure of New York State Government

• Individual Rights and Responsibilities in New York State

• Voting in New York State

• The Public Policy Process (Laws) in New York

• Influencing New York State Government

• Participating in Political Action in Your Local Community

• Participating in Community Service in Your Local Community

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE CELEBRATIONS

Dare Thompson, [email protected]

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE CELEBRATION – A BANG OR A WHIMPER?

THIS IS THE BIG YEAR! We've been getting ready to celebrate our state League's birth (November

11, 1919), the national League's birth (February 14, 1920), and American women finally winning the vote

(August 26, 1920) since 2015. It was in October of that year that Lynn “Spike” Herzig of the NY Cultural

Tourism Network and his many helpers – and with support from the NY Council for the Humanities (now

Humanities NY, humanitiesny.org) – held its first fall conference for all those interested in women’s

suffrage. Laura Bierman and I attended along with other League members, various history buffs, leaders

of key women’s history organization, academics, and more. Spike continued to hold these conferences

every fall, drawing more and more people and featuring richer and richer content – including darker

issues, like racism within the suffrage movement. Last year Spike and his steering group officially

became a new 501(c) (3), the Women’s Rights Alliance of NYS (https://wranys.org/)

http://www.democracyreadyny.org/

https://my.lwv.org/new-york-state/civics-education#lessons

https://wranys.org/


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In August of 2016 the first meeting of NYS Women’s Suffrage Commission,

https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-womens-suffrage-commission, was held at the Women’s

Rights National Park in Seneca Falls/Waterloo (nps.gov/wori), elected Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul as chair,

and started planning the 2017 activities to celebrate NY women getting the vote the following year. As

state president of the League, the living legacy of the suffrage movement, I was one of a dozen or so

people appointed through state legislation.

Meanwhile dedicated state League volunteers Barb Thomas (Saratoga Co.) and Joan Johnson (Syracuse)

put together a committee of local League leaders to help local Leagues celebrate. They created a section

of the state League website totally devoted to materials for local Leagues to use plus an ever-growing

calendar of suffrage-related activities. See their amazing work at https://my.lwv.org/new-york-

state/celebrating-our-100th-anniversaries. You can link there to an LWVUS toolkit

https://www.lwv.org/League-management/guides/lwv-100th-anniversary-toolkit which borrowed heavily

from one our League had already started.

The state League also contracted with Ida Press to have a book

created and printed on the League’s 100 year history entitled, A

Force to Reckon With: A Centennial History of the League of

Women Voters of New York State. The book highlights the many

achievements of the League throughout its long history in New

York State. The local Leagues were asked to submit their own

histories and a separate book was printed including all of their

submissions, entitled, Forces to Reckon With: A Collection of

Histories of the Local Leagues in New York State.

Throughout these years we’ve been sharing details of our various suffrage-related activities in LWVNYS

publications and events and in talks and other appearances with other groups. Our 2019 Convention had

the theme “100 Years Strong” and a featured speaker was Elaine Weiss with her outstanding book, The

Woman’s Hour. All of these were building to this year’s anniversaries and fortunately, two big

celebrations did happen – our November birthday party in Buffalo, NY and a party honoring one of our

most dedicated advocates, Barbara Bartoletti, in March. Details of these two events are earlier in Council

Kit reports.

But at the Bartoletti event, COVID-19 was threatening to close down any further spring events and

as this is being written, we are not even sure that the National Women’s Rights Park will be able to hold

its annual Convention Days in July or a much-anticipated celebration on Women’s Equality Day, August

26, and we know many other events have been cancelled or postponed. The virus calls the shots and we

wait to see what it will happen and when.

Meanwhile, get prepared! We will need a party more than ever when the world reopens. Use Barb’s

and Joan’s part of the state League website to help plan what YOUR League will do to celebrate the

League’s birth and women finally voting. We must honor these milestones with a bang, not a whimper,

even if we have to do it several months late!

https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-womens-suffrage-commission

https://my.lwv.org/new-york-state/celebrating-our-100th-anniversaries

https://my.lwv.org/new-york-state/celebrating-our-100th-anniversaries

https://www.lwv.org/league-management/guides/lwv-100th-anniversary-toolkit


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To: Local Leagues and Members

From: Steve Koebrich, Chair, 2020-2021 LWVNYS Budget Committee

First, thank you to the Budget Committee: Judy Weinstein (LWV of Rochester), Joyce Whitehead (LWV

of Huntington), Lori Robinson (LWVNYS Treasurer), Nancy Rosenthal (LWVNYS Board Member), and

ex officio members Suzanne Stassevitch (LWVNYS President) and Laura Ladd Bierman (LWVNYS

Executive Director).

Attached are two budgets for the coming fiscal year: The General Fund (GF) and the Education

Foundation (EF). As required by our by-laws, the EF budget was approved by the Board of Directors at

their March meeting and is attached for informational purposes only. The attached LWVNYS GF budget

must be approved by the membership.

Both budgets are included for clarity. The EF reimburses the League for actual expenses that are

education related or EF administration related. This is listed as an income for the League (Accounts 4125

and 4126) and as an expense for the EF (Accounts 5125 and 5126).

Regrettably, the current health crisis significantly impacted our financial planning in ways that were

unpredictable. Nevertheless, we feel that the projections in both the League GF and the EF charts are our

best predictions that we can make under these difficult circumstances, and are sufficient to allow the

League to function effectively and responsibly for the coming FY. Significant changes to date are: The

cancellation of the Students Inside Albany program, the cancellation of Advocacy Day, the reduction of

planned regional training sessions from four to only one, and cancellation of LWVNYS attendance at the

National Convention in June. All of these changes reflect both revenue and expense planning, but we are

anticipating that one will offset the other to a degree.

We are very grateful that as a result of a significant increase in fundraising last Fall we were able to rehire

Jennifer Wilson as Deputy Director. A special appeal was announced and our donors stepped up to

provide the funding for this year and a bit more covering a portion of her salary for next year. Our two

principal fundraisers during this current FY -in Buffalo in November and in Albany in March, exceeded

expectations, and raised more income than had been budgeted. One of the largest items, though, is that

the State League received two grants as of now; the income for these grants is shown in the EF

projections, but most of their expenses won’t occur until next year so this income will be carried over into

next year to cover those expenses. Finally, a donor agreed to a large gift for next year but wanted to pay it

during this tax year so again, this gift income will carry over to next year.

Without these carry overs and use of surplus from this current year, the budget for 2021-2022 would have

shown a deficit. The use of these funds is shown on the EF budget at the bottom. The funds are then used

in the reimbursement to the League (Account #5120 in EF and Account #4120 in League) from the EF to

cover the expenses of the grants, salaries and other educational expenses.

This use of surpluses from previous years obviously is not sustainable for the future but it gives us a year

to develop a long term strategy to increase income for the League. We are incredibly grateful to our

donors who have made this current year so successful and provided the needed funds to balance the

budget for next year.


23

League of Women Voters of New York State

Proposed 2020-2021 Budget

Full Year 2018-2019

2019-2020 Budget

Proj 2019-2020

2020-2021 Budget

Income

4000 · Member Support

4000-1 · PMP Income 54,832.50 $70,745.00 70,000.00 68,126.00

4002-1 · Member Support-MAL 3,313.20 4,100.00 3,000.00 4,880.00

4010-1 · Spec Gifts From Local Leagues 1,586.50 2,000.00 7,300.00 2,000.00

4016-1 · Board Contributions 1,210.00 1,500.00 950.00 1,200.00

4018-1 · Member Contributions 21,770.99 10,000.00 15,027.00 12,000.00

4025-1 · Community/Corporate Donations 11.43 0.00 108.00

4026 · In Kind Donations 2,420.00 3,000.00 900.00 1,000.00

4140 · Organ Donation Grant Vouchered 5,134.16

4150 · Direct Mail Income

4151-1 · Direct Mail- Feb mailing 9,741.00 17,000.00 7,000.00 12,000.00

4154-1 · D/M- Action Fund-June mailing 5,577.40 7,000.00 5,000.00 6,000.00

Total 4150 · Direct Mail Income 15,318.40 24,000.00 12,000.00 18,000.00

Total 4000 · Member Support 105,597.18 115,345.00 109,285.00 107,206.00

4110 · Development

4111 · Election Night Reporting 9,085.00 5,000.00 1,150.00 2,500.00

4115 Sustainers Plaque 200.00

4119 Misc. Fundraisers 1,842.64 2,661.00

Total 4110 · Development 11,127.64 5,000.00 3,811.00 2,500.00

4120 · Projects/Programs

4125 · Program Reimbursement 93,311.28

4126 · EF Admin. Reimbursement 49,544.40

Total 4120 · Projects/Programs 142,855.68 121,399.00 115,000.00 167,246.00

4123 · Voter Services 2,939.32 4,000.00 50.00 1,500.00

4130 · Advocacy

4130-2 · Legislative agendas 3,000.00 1,066.00 1,000.00

Total 4130 · Advocacy 3,000.00 1,066.00 1,000.00

4300 · State Meetings

4300-1 · State Convention Income 36,900.04 0.00 25,000.00

4310-1 · Lobby Day 0.00 1,500.00 0.00 1,500.00

4320 · Regional Trainings 3,000.00 4,133.00 0.00


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Total 4300 · State Meetings 36,900.04 4,500.00 4,133.00 26,500.00

4400 · Publication Sales Income 2,697.18 4,400.00 3,788.00 4,000.00

4500 · Product Sales 4,217.16 6,500.00 5,213.00 4,000.00

4691-1 · Speaker Fees 200.00

Total 4600 · Other Income 470.00 5.00

Total Income 306,804.20 270,144.00 242,346.00 314,152.00

Expense

5000-1 · PMP National 760.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,208.00

5020-1 · Mal Unit Support 329.00 299.00 267.00 437.00

5120 · Projects/Programs Expenses

5121-2 · Stipends Organ Donation Grant 2,875.00 0.00

5123 · Voter Services 7,894.17 5,000.00 265.00 7,500.00

Total 5120 · Projects/Programs Expenses 10,769.17 5,000.00 265.00 7,500.00

5130 · Advocacy Expenses

5132 · Legislative Agenda brochures 2,540.17 3,000.00 900.00 1,000.00

5133-1 · Lobby Reports 300.00 100.00 100.00 300.00

Total 5130 · Advocacy Expenses 2,840.17 3,100.00 1,000.00 1,300.00

5163 · Development Expenses-

5163-1 · Revenue Share-Elec. Night Rep. 5,753.00 1,700.00 900.00 1,650.00

5163-Other 99.00

Total 5163 · Development Expenses- 5,753.00 1,700.00 999.00 1,650.00

5200-2 · Administrative Expenses

5220 · Professional Fees

5221-1 · Audit 2,797.24 2,500.00 2,000.00 2,200.00

Total 5220 · Professional Fees 2,797.24 2,500.00 2,000.00 2,200.00

5230 · Technology

5230-1 · Repairs & Maintenance- Equip. 2,016.25 1,000.00 650.00 800.00

5230-2 · Website Hosting 583.02 500.00 200.00 250.00

5230-3 · Website Maintenance 6,560.00 5,000.00 6,000.00 7,000.00

5230-4 · Software 419.59 100.00 22.00 100.00

5230-7 · E-mail Subscription 1,942.43 1,560.00 1,593.00 1,500.00

5230-8 · Little Green Light(GiftWorks) 745.20 745.00 745.00 745.00

5230-9 MyLO 400.00 400.00 400.00 400.00

5240 GoToMeetings - Zoom 0.00 348.00 184.00 170.00

Total 5230 · Technology 12,666.49 9,653.00 9,794.00 10,965.00


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5240 · Supplies

5240-1 · General Office 3,720.75 2,500.00 1,800.00 3,500.00

5240-2 · Copying -2,181.48 500.00 1,650.00 1,200.00

5240-6 · Printing 9,613.76 3,500.00 1,300.00 3,000.00

Total 5240 · Supplies 11,153.03 6,500.00 4,750.00 7,700.00

5250 · Postage

5250-1 · General 3,893.49 4,200.00 2,400.00 3,500.00

Total 5250 · Postage 3,893.49 4,200.00 2,400.00 3,500.00

5261 · Telephone

5261-1 · General 1,905.50 2,440.00 1,150.00 1,500.00

5294-2 · Internet 561.13 870.00 2,000.00 1,500.00

Total 5261 · Telephone 2,466.63 3,310.00 3,150.00 3,000.00

5265 · Travel 676.49 1,500.00 1,225.00 1,000.00

5266 · Facilities/Lodging/Meals 39,415.66 7,000.00 2,150.00 35,000.00

5269 · Dues, Fee & Subscriptions 3,538.03 600.00 650.00 3,966.00

5270 · Insurance

5270-1 · Worker's Compensation 333.44 500.00 470.00 450.00

5271-1 · Directors & Officers 212.75 212.00 212.00 213.00

5282-1 · General Liability Insurance 1,959.76 2,600.00 2,721.00 1,410.00

Total 5270 · Insurance 2,505.95 3,312.00 3,403.00 2,073.00

5296-1 · Checking Account 0.00 100.00

5298-1 · Master Card/ VISA/PayPal 1,274.22 500.00 700.00 600.00

Total 5200-2 · Administrative Expenses 80,387.23 39,075.00 30,322.00 70,004.00

5200 · Payroll Related Expenses

5200-1 · Salaries- General Admin. 168,238.72 $183,578.00 163,657.00 $189,510.00

5202-1 · Employee Benefits

5209-1 · Employee Pension Expense 3,069.08 $3,255.00 2,273.00 5,685.00

5202-1 · Employee Benefits - Other 13,281.14 $12,667.00 15,502.00 14,497.00

Total 5202-1 · Employee Benefits 16,350.22 15,922.00 17,775.00

5216-1 · Health/Dental Insurance 9,640.70 $8,230.00 11,863.00 8,421.00

5200 · Payroll Related Expenses - Other 1,224.67 1,240.00 1,162.00 1,240.00

Total 5200 · Payroll Related Expenses 195,454.31 208,970.00 194,457.00 219,353.00

5280-1 · Rent Expense 6,000.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 6,000.00

5300 · Meetings

5301-1 · State Convention 2,219.27 0.00 2,000.00


26

5302-1 · National Convention 1,640.00 4,000.00 0.00 500.00

5310-1 Lobby Day 75.00 1,000.00 0.00 1,000.00

Total 5300 · Meetings 3,934.27 5,000.00 0.00 3,500.00

5400 · Publications Expense 420.12 0.00 1,200.00

5500 · Products Expense 4,155.20 0.00 2,368.00 2,000.00

Total Expense 310,802.47 270,144.00 236,678.00 314,152.00

Net Income -3,998.27 $0.00 5,668.00 0.00

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW YORK STATE

DESCRIPTION OF BUDGET CATEGORIES, 2020-2021

INCOME

MEMBER SUPPORT

4000-1 Per Member Payments from local Leagues, based upon reported membership on January 31st of previous

year

4002-1 Membership dues from NYS Members-at-Large, including members of MAL units

4010-1 Special gifts from local Leagues

4016-1 Gifts from Board members

4018-1 Gifts from members

4025-1 Community/Corporate Donations – gifts from community foundations or corporate foundations

4026 In Kind Donations usually for printing of documents and brochures

4140 Organ Donation Grant Vouchered - Grant received from NY Alliance for Donation for the partnership

program to increase voter registrations and organ donor registrations; stipends to local Leagues and

reimbursement for voter service expenses

4151-1 Direct mail appeal, mailed in February

4154-1 Action Fund letter sent in June, asking for funds to support specifically advocacy efforts

DEVELOPMENT

4111 Election Night Reporting -Payment for local League participation with election night reporting for AP;

funds are received and a portion passed on to local Leagues for their participation

4119 Miscellaneous Fundraisers – events that raised money for League but vary year to year

PROJECTS/PROGRAMS

4125 Program Reimbursement from EF – Reimbursement from EF for educational programs that will be

operated by League

4126 Administrative Reimbursement from EF – Reimbursement from EF for administrative expenses of the EF,

eg, salaries and building expenses related to maintaining the office building.


27

VOTER SERVICES

4123 Voter Services Income – sales of Voter Guides

STATE MEETINGS

4300-1 State Convention Income – state Convention in June 2021

4310-1 Advocacy Training Workshop – Inc received for registrations of attendees at advocacy training workshop

4320 Regional Trainings – Income received for registrations of attendees at regional training workshops (not

held in state Convention years)

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTS

4400 Publication Sales – income from sales of publications.

4500 Product Sales – income from sales of t-shirts, mugs, pins, etc on website or at conventions.

EXPENSES

GENERAL EXPENSE

5000-1 PMP National – PMP paid to LWVUS for NYS MAL members

5020-1 State support for MAL Units; all dues payments for MAL unit members go directly to the state and small

rebate goes to MAL Units.

PROJECTS/PROGRAMS

5121-2 Stipends Organ Donation Grant – stipends given to local Leagues based on number of voter registration

drives held.

5123 Voter Services – Expenses for creation, printing and postage of Voter Guides and other voter service

activities.

ADVOCACY

5132 Legislative Agenda Brochure – Creation, printing and postage for Legislative Agenda Brochure

5133-1 Lobby Reports – fee paid to NYS for reporting on LWVNYS lobbying activities

DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

5115 Sustainer Plaque – Expense to engrave sustainer plaque honoring local or state League leaders.

5163-1 Revenue Share – Election Night Reporting - Payment for local League participation with election night

reporting for AP; funds are received and a portion passed on to local Leagues for their participation

PROFESSIONAL FEES

5221-1 Audit -Expenses associated with the outside independent yearly audit of the League's books

TECHNOLOGY

5230-1 Repairs & Maintenance -Equipment - computer and other equipment repairs

5230-2 Website hosting – Fee required to host website on internet.

5230-3 Website Maintenance – Expenses for webmaster to update website.

5230-4 Software – Expense for possible new software.


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5230-5 General Maintenance – Costs for services on computer hardware in office.

5230-7 Email Subscription – monthly fee for web based program for communication with members.

5230-8 Little Green Light – subscription for database program

5230-9 MyLO – subscription to LWV of CA for MyLO website service

5240 GoToMeetings and Zoom – subscription for webinar-type program

SUPPLIES

5240 Supplies include office and building supplies, copying and printing (Accounts 5240-1, 5240-2 and 5240-6).

POSTAGE

5250 Postage includes general postage for League business

TELEPHONE

5261 Telephone expenses include local, long distance and fax line.

5294-2 Internet – charge for maintaining internet connection

TRAVEL

5265 Travel and transportation includes staff and board travel

FACILITIES/MEALS/LODGING

5266 Expenses for board meetings and hotel and food at state Convention this year.

DUES, FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

5269 Dues, Fees and Subscriptions include tax return payments, professional association memberships, Vote 411 license fee

and subscriptions

INSURANCE

5270-1 Workers’ Compensation

5271-1 Directors and Officers insurance indemnifies Board members and staff

5282-1 General Liability Insurance includes coverage of the League events including local Leagues.

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

5291-1 Depreciation Expenses

5298-1 Master Card/Visa/Paypal expenses

PAYROLL RELATED EXPENSES

5200-1 Salaries of Executive Director, Deputy Director, Administrative Assistant (PT), Development and

Database Assistant (PT), and Part-Time Bookkeeper

5202-1 Employee benefits includes pension, FICA expense, Medicare expense, disability insurance, federal

unemployment, NYS unemployment, workers compensation, etc.

5216-1 Expenses associated with employee health insurance premiums and buyout

5200 Payroll Related Expenses – Other – expenses for payroll service


29

RENT

5280-1 Rent - LWVNYS rents office space from the EF for $500 per month

MEETINGS

5301-1 State Convention Expenses

5302-1 National Convention/Council

5310-1 Lobby Day – expenses for annual Advocacy Training/Lobby Day

PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTS

5400 Publications Expenses – printing cost for League publications

5500 Products - Expenses associated with purchasing products such as t-shirts, mugs, banners, etc.

League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation

2020-2021 Budget

Approved March 10, 2020 by Board of Directors

Full Year

2018-19 2019-2020 Budget Proj 2019-2020 2020-2021

Budget

Income

4000 · Support Income

4010-1 · LL Contributions 745.00 300.00 300.00 300.00

4018-1 · Member Contributions 105,765.35 50,000.00 95,000.00 50,000.00

4020-1 · Board Donations 25,151.70 18,000.00 50,000.00 30,000.00

4025-1 · Community/Corporate Donations 35,240.97 25,000.00 31.00 20,000.00

Total 4000 · Support Income 166,903.02 93,300.00 145,331.00 100,300.00

4100 · Grant Income 5,596.54 64,394.00 18,616.00

4110 · Income- Development

4180 Misc Fundraiser 310.00 50,000.00 58,126.00 0.00

4119-1 · UN Event 10,000.00 15,661.00 0.00

Total 4110 · Income- Development 310.00 60,000.00 73,787.00 0.00

4150 · Direct Mail Income

4151-1 · Feb Direct Mail (LWV) 950.00 500.00 585.00 500.00

4157-1 · Fall Direct Mail (EF) 18,939.00 30,000.00 25,000.00 28,000.00

Total 4150 · Direct Mail Income 19,889.00 30,500.00 25,585.00 28,500.00

4200 · Other Income

1010-21 · Interest BofA/Berkshire Bank Savings 9.16 10.00 1,000.00 1,000.00

4260-1 · Speaker Fees 250.00

4280-1 · Rent from LWVNYS 6,000.00 6,000.00 6,000.00 6,000.00


30

4285-1 · Rent from Outside Sources 10,200.00 12,000.00 0.00 10,800.00

4290 · Bibby Endowment Year End Income 8,000.00 8,000.00 4,000.00 8,000.00

4291 Centennial Year End Income 1,400.00 1,500.00 698.00 1,500.00

6420-1 · LWVNYS Sustainers Plaque 400.00 200.00 300.00 200.00

4200 · Other Income - Other 9,000.00 1,369.00 3,700.00

Total 4200 · Other Income 26,009.16 36,960.00 13,367.00 31,200.00

Total Income 218,707.72 220,760.00 322,464.00 178,616.00

Expense

5120 · Programs/Projects

5123 Voter Services 1,090.00

5125 · Program reimbursement to LWVNYS 107,712.03

5126 · EF Admin. Reimburse to LWV 35,143.65

Total 5120 · Programs/Projects 143,945.68 121,399.00 115,000.00 167,246.00

5150 · Development/Projects

5110 · Development Expenses 413.49 2,000.00 1,853.00 2,828.00

5117 · UN Event 6,000.00 7,754.00

5180-1 Misc Fundraiser Exps 20,000.00 20,713.00

Total 5150 · Development/Projects 413.49 28,000.00 30,320.00 2,828.00

5157 · Direct Mail Expenses

5157-2 · Printing 2,454.96 3,500.00 3,200.00

5157-3 · Postage 602.30 800.00 800.00

Total 5157 · Direct Mail Expenses 3,057.26 4,300.00 5,340.00 4,000.00

5200-2 · General Administrative

5221-1 · Professional Fees-Legal & Acctg 42,367.60 2,500.00 2,215.00 2,200.00

5230-1 · Equipment Repair & Maintenance 11,222.49 5,000.00 2,500.00 5,000.00

5235-1 · Equipment Expenses 1,302.95 2,000.00 1,571.00 2,000.00

5240-1 · Supplies 817.29 500.00 150.00 250.00

5250-1 · Postage 1,593.92 1,500.00 2,000.00 1,500.00

5260-1 · Printing Expenses 2,295.89 2,500.00 15,006.00 2,500.00

5265-1 · Travel/Transportation 253.30 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,000.00

5266-1 · Meals/Lodging 30,439.79 31,000.00 2,400.00 29,000.00

5271-1 · Directs & Officers Insurance 212.75 213.00 213.00 213.00

5281-1 · Building Maintenance

5281-12 · Building Repairs and Upkeep 15,695.00 500.00 21,850.00 500.00

5281-1 · Building Maintenance - Other 3,318.90 2,500.00 2,600.00 2,690.00

Total 5281-1 · Building Maintenance 19,013.90 3,000.00 24,450.00 3,190.00

5282-1 · Building Insurance 1,709.76 1,400.00 1,509.00 1,555.00

5284-1 · Building Utilities 3,960.49 4,002.00 3,514.00 3,930.00


31

5294-1 · Dues, Fees, Subscriptions 13,804.50 10,245.00 12,552.00 10,463.00

Total 5200-2 · General Administrative 128,994.63 65,360.00 69,580.00 62,801.00

5296 · Bank Charges

5279-1 · B. Bibby Interest- Rochester 4,000.00 4,000.00 2,000.00 4,000.00

5298-1 · Master Card/ Visa/PayPal 635.25 1,000.00 1,200.00 1,200.00

5641-1 · Credit Card Charges 216.46 200.00 800.00 200.00

Total 5296 · Bank Charges 4,851.71 5,200.00 4,000.00 5,400.00

Total Expense 281,262.77 224,259.00 224,240.00 242,275.00

Net Ordinary Income -62,555.05 -3,499.00 98,224.00 -63,659.00

Other Income/Expense

Other Income

4000-1 · Local PMP GRANTS MANAGEMENT 6,575.00 $2,093.00 2,400.00 $2,044.00

4300-1 · Admin Fee-GRANTS MANAGEMENT 105.66 100.00 750.00 300.00

4161-0 · Use of Cash Reserves/Carry Over and Surplus from previous year

50,000.00 1,306.00 1,306.00 61,315.00

Total Other Income 56,680.66

Net Other Income 3,499.00 4,456.00 63,659.00

Net Income -5,874.39 0.00 102,680.00 0.00

LWVNYS Council Kit June 2020 with EF 2019-20 Budget...outreach in their communities to GOTV (get out the vote) in 2018 and 2019. A follow-up MDW grant from LWVUS will support work

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