January 2026 • Virtual
Join us for our January Jumpstart training for League members! These sessions are especially designed for local League Leaders, to help jumpstart your planning and activities for 2026, but all League members are welcome! Register for as many of these free sessions as you'd like. We will be recording these Zoom sessions, so you can watch them at a later date if need be. Questions?
Sessions:
Cultural Humility: Using the DEIB Lens by Our Values and Our League Work ~ January 20, 4:00 pm
Presenter: Shelley Colvin, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Lead
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is in the 2nd article of our bylaws. Even in this time when the government is trying to erase it, the League of Women Voters continues to hold it in high regard.
Cultural humility is an ongoing process of self-reflection and learning about different cultures, with an emphasis on acknowledging ones own biases and power imbalances to build equitable relationships.
The LWV of Minnesota DEIB team sent a survey about this work to the local League Presidents. We will look at the results of the survey and how it will guide the work for the rest of the year. We will examine our DEIB lens and how it undergirds all the work that we do. (register)
Leadership 101 ~ January 21, 12:00 noon
Presenters: Laura Helmer, LWVMN President and Amy Perna, LWVMN Executive Director
Designed for those in a leadership position within their local League, join us to learn more about important governance issues such as our nonpartisanship and DEI policies, annual planning calendar, and member resources, and let us know how we can best support you! (register)
Treasurers 101 ~ Weds, Jan 21, 1:00 pm
Presenter: Bridgit Jordan, LWVMN Accounting Manager
Are you new to your role as a local League treasurer or want a refresher? Join LWV MN Finance Guru Bridgit for an informative hour that is sure to have you leading your League’s finances with confidence. (register)
2026 Legislative Preview ~ January 21, 4:00 pm
Presenter: Sam Streukens, LWVMN Civic Engagement Director and Paul Huffman, Election and Redistricting Policy Coordinator
Learn about LWVMN’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, Partners, and our Lobby & Observer Corps - and how you can advocate for issues that are important to you and your local League this session. (register)
New Member Orientation ~ January 22, 7:00 pm
Presenter: Heidi Kloempken, Associate Director
You’ve joined the League, now what? Find out at this New Member Orientation session, led by Associate Director Heidi Kloempken. We will review ways to engage with LWV at the State and National level. (register)
Social Media / Technology
Presenters: Cathy Thom, Advocacy and Program Planning Lead
Learn about today’s social media landscape (it’ll change next week!) and what you can do to keep up.
Fired Up Friday: Voter Engagement 2026 ~ January 23, 12:00 noon
Presenter: Sam Streukens, LWVMN Civic Engagement Director
Have you heard of the “Unite & Rise 8.5” campaign? Are you curious about how LWVMN plans to engage voters in 2026? Finally, do you want to know how you can get involved with your Local League? This session will share advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement strategies for League leaders who are Fired Up! (register)
Member Portal ~ Monday, January 26, 4:00 pm
Presenters: Heidi Kloempken, Associate Director; Mary Brodd, Technical Services Manager, and Julie Stackhouse, LWVUS Board Liaison
This session is geared towards any Minnesota member who wants to learn about the League’s brand new membership system. Come learn about the League and hear about the pay-what-you can model, the new join and renewal process and what we hope to achieve in 2026 and beyond! (register)
updated 2025-12-12