2nd Century Task Force

 

Task Force Charter

Reason for this Task Force

As we enter our 2nd Century, it’s time to reflect on how we should carry out our work going forward as local Leagues, the State and National League, all working together to accomplish our shared mission to empower voters and defend democracy. We are assembling a group of League leaders to help us specifically evaluate the State League role at this time, and to provide guidance to the State Board on how to best position its resources of time, talents and treasures within the next two years to build a foundation of success for our 2nd Century.

Overall Role and Responsibilities of Task Force

Provide guidance to the LWVMN Board on key principles of planning for our 2nd Century, given member feedback, a review of the LWVMN 2016 Strategic Plan, LWVUS Strategic Priorities, and input from the current State Board and Executive Director, and possible interviews of other League members/leaders, to help create look into our 2nd Century, and a specific 2-year plan and budget for presentation to members at the annual Convention in 2021.

Assumptions

  • The current vision, mission and value statement of LWVUS will be the foundation for our “what & why.”

  • The LWVMN member survey, LWVMN 2016 Strategic Plan, LWVUS Strategic Priorities document, and input from current Board members and the Executive Director will be used as the key resources for planning and advising.

  • The final report delivered to the Board will be advisory in nature, and will be used as a key resource by the State Board for determining a new strategic direction, work plan and budget for presentation to the membership.

  • The LWVMN President will chair and convene this Task Force.

  • The Executive Director will serve as the staff person for this Task Force and will provide direction, documents as needed, and support for communicating activities and results.

  • The Task Force will meet via Zoom an estimated 4 times from January-May, 2021, in preparation for the 2021 Annual Convention, June 11-13.

Overall Tasks & Timeline for Task Force Members

  • Review and analyze the 2020 Member Survey feedback results.

  • Review and analyze the LWVMN 2016 Strategic Plan, accomplishments to-date, and the LWVUS Strategic Priorities.

  • Interview LWVMN Board and nominating committee members, and the Executive Director for their input, along with possible additional LWV local leaders and members (specific assignments will be discussed).

  • Prepare and present a summarized report for the State Board that will include guidance about: strategic priorities; programs and supports for local Leagues; State Board composition and needs; possible job role changes; recommended budget considerations for the next two years, with an overview also into the larger future. State staff will assist with the actual writing of the report.

Reports

  • Monthly reports to the Board of Directors as needed.

  • Column in All Member News as requested.

  • Monthly update on local League Presidents’ Call, as needed.

  • Final report to members at Annual Convention in June 2021.

Task Force Members

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Amy Caucutt

LWV Rochester

A long time League member and feminist, Amy marched for the ERA in 1978, right before she became President of LWV Rochester. Lately, since retiring as a lobbyist for Olmsted County, she has studied the local history of votes for women and how that led to LWV. Her League wrote a book on the second wave of feminism (1970-90) in Rochester, through short vignettes of the women who were firsts — many of whom she knew and admires. At home, she tries to keep up with the activities of her three grown children and their families, who live in distant places.

 
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Rebecca Hawthorne

LWV Wayzata, Plymouth Area

A relatively new member of LWV, Rebecca currently serves as President of LWV Wayzata-Plymouth Area. She is a huge fan of the League and its mission! Professionally, Rebecca is the Assistant Director of the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program and a Professor Emerita in Organizational Leadership at St. Catherine University. Rebecca researches women's leadership and serves on several nonprofit boards, including Global Minnesota, the Minnesota Wellesley Club, and Episcopal Homes of Minnesota.

 
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Florence Hedeen

LWV Park Rapids Area

As a founding member of LWV Park Rapids Area, Florence has remained an active member since 2000, served as Membership Chair on the State Board, and as a Membership Leadership Development (MLD) Coach with LWVUS. Locally, she has served many years with foundations, organization boards, women’s services, and the ISD 309 school board. For the 2010 Census, she coordinated League participation in promotional activities, and for the 2020 Census, she served as coordinator of the Heartland Lakes Area Hubbard County Complete Count Committee, achieving a count of 98.4%. Florence and her husband have lived in the Park Rapids area since 1974, where his family has had a cabin since 1945, a place they cherish.

 
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Laura Helmer (Convenor)

LWV Eastern Carver County

Laura has been on the LWVMN Board since 2017, first serving as Voter Service Chair and then as President since 2019. She lives in Chanhassen and has been an active member of LWV Eastern Carver County since 2005, filling the roles at various times of President, Program Chair and Voter Service Chair. In addition to educating voters and defending democracy, Laura is also passionate about affordable housing and solving our community crisis of homelessness. She currently serves as Board Chair for Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, a nonprofit affordable housing developer. She also sits on Boards for The Family Housing Fund and The Community Foundation for Carver County. Laura has two adult children that always keep her smiling, has recently discovered that she really enjoys birding, and is an avid Twins fan eagerly looking forward to being able to attend games in-person again.

 
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Paul Huffman

LWV Woodbury, Cottage Grove Area

Paul has been the LWVMN Redistricting Coordinator since June 2019. As a volunteer member of the state office staff, he works with national and state organizations to provide information, tools and support for local Leagues and members to assist them in census and redistricting efforts. Paul is also the LWV WCGA Voter Service Chair and is a member of the OurMapsMN Campaign Steering Committee for redistricting. He was a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and is retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve, and retired from Xcel Energy in 2019 as General Manager Nuclear Fleet Operations.

 
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Heidi Kloempken

LWV St. Paul

Heidi is co-President of the League of Women Voters St. Paul with Amy Perna. Heidi has lived in St. Paul since 2010 and been a League member since 2016. With a passion for education and civic engagement, Heidi's favorite League activity is registering voters at libraries and high schools. Outside of League, Heidi works as a teacher educator, enjoys reading, and loves attending baseball games.

 
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Rose McGee

LWV Golden Valley

Relatively new to the League, Rose’s involvement began with a complimentary one-year membership. Since then, she has attended meetings regularly, and in February 2020, led her League in a community story circle dialogue on "Racism in Our Neighborhoods." The success of the event's attendance and engagement prompted the follow-up: "Black Women Talking About Race" in February 2021. Rose is the founder of the nationally-recognized nonprofit, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, which is a catalyst for caring and building community.

 
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Rita Leopold Mills

LWV Roseville Area

Joining the League after retiring from a 42-year career in elementary and secondary education, Rita quickly became involved in the local “Conversations with Constituents” program, the 2015-2016 “Police Study,” and then served a two-year term as local League president. She is currently the LWV-RA Membership Chair. In addition to League activities, Rita volunteers with the St. Peter Claver Social Justice team. She especially enjoys time spent with four little grandkids, one of whom provides artwork for LWV notecards, and when time allows she sneaks in some online duplicate bridge.

 
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Gretchen Sabel

LWV Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids

Gretchen is currently President of LWV ABC and lives with her husband in Andover. She is also Communications Director for LWV Upper Mississippi River Region (UMRR) ILO. Her involvement in LWV has made her retirement the best part of her life, but don't tell her kids this — she'll deny it! In her past lives, Gretchen worked for the State of Minnesota in environmental programs for more than three decades, focused on water quality and land use. She has also served on local boards and commissions in Andover and Anoka County.

 
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Lynn Solo

LWV St. Peter Area

Lynn first joined the League when she lived in New Jersey during the oil crisis of the late 1970s, and the resultant interest in alternative energy sources. In Minnesota, she joined the Mankato League first, then the St. Peter League. She is a retired public health nurse who enjoys gardening and downhill skiing.

 
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Ellen Wiss

LWV Duluth

A retired middle school principal, Ellen joined LWV of Duluth after she retired in 2007. She sees her work in LWV as an extension of her 33 years in public and parochial education. As a member of the Board, she has served as Voter Service Co-Chair for the past 5 years. She is committed to this effort because she believes that if we know better we can do better, and that truth and reliable information are essential to our democracy.

 

Task Force Meeting Dates

Wednesday, February 3 – 1:00-2:30pm

Wednesday, March 3 – 1:00-2:30pm

Thursday, April 1 – 1:00-2:30pm

Thursday, April 29 – 10:00-11:30am