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Inter-League Organizations

Inter-League Organizations

Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) are entities recognized by the League of Women Voters U.S. designed to address regional issues across political boundaries such as regional governance, environmental protection, and shared public policy concerns.

ILOs are established because their members recognized the need to work together at the regional level to solve problems and advocate effectively towards positive change.

 

Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues (CMAL)

Overview

Founded in 1962, the Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues (CMAL) is an ILO comprising 18 local League of Women Voters chapters in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

CMAL helps local Leagues stay informed about regional issues and supports political advocacy through informed, active participation in metropolitan governance.

Based on its studies, CMAL has taken positions through a process of consensus to advocate and lobby for its positions (see section in LWV Minnesota’s Program for Action). CMAL helped to pass the groundbreaking revenue-sharing law in 1971 known as “Fiscal Disparities.” CMAL has also supported the services provided by the Metropolitan Council.

Officers & Board of Directors

The organizational structure for the CMAL consists of a Board of Directors comprised of elected officers, appointed directors, and delegates from the LWV local Leagues.

  • President – Wes Volkenant, LWV Anoka Blaine Coon Rapids
  • Vice President – Karen Schaffer, LWV Roseville Area
  • Secretary – Marti Micks, LWV Golden Valley
  • Treasurer – Peg DuBord, LWV Lake Minnetonka Plymouth Area
  • Directors – Thana Ross, LWV Dakota County; Joann Ellis, LWV St. Paul; Gwen Willems, LWV Roseville Area; Jean McMenimen, LWV Dakota County

CMAL Delegates

LWV local Leagues appoint delegates to represent their Leagues in proportion to their membership, which is 1 delegate per 50 members.

Role of Delegates

Annually, delegates meet in early spring at the Annual Convention, at which the Board of Directors reviews past year activity and seeks input and/or action.

Generally, this meeting consists of:

  • Reviewing the past year accomplishments and or activities
  • Providing information on proposed activities for the coming year
  • Seeking input regarding areas/issues that CMAL should consider for conducting a study
  • Seeking information on topics for Quarterly Program Meetings
  • Reviewing the Budget for the past year, seeking input on the proposed budget and finally adopting
    the budget
  • Seeking input on areas for the Program for Action
  • Reviewing Bylaws and voting on any proposed bylaw changes

At the annual convention delegates will elect the Board of Directors as well as adopt a budget, a program for action, studies and by-laws, as in any other LWV organization.

CMAL is governed by bylaws as adopted by delegates at CMAL’s Annual Convention.

General Membership

All metro area LWV Local League members are automatically members of CMAL.

Contact Information

Current Study

Currently, CMAL is conducting a study to understand the Metro Area Watersheds, their management and the impact on local communities.Updated Position on County Government

Studies Conducted on Important Metro Area Issues

Since its founding, CMAL’s work has been defined by conducting studies of metropolitan area issues. Based on its studies, CMAL has arrived at positions through a process of consensus to advocate for and lobby on its positions.

These are the major studies conducted by CMAL.

  • Metropolitan Council – Functions, Duties And Governance
  • Financing Metro-Area Services
  • Metro Area Regional Parks
  • Fiscal Disparities
    The groundbreaking revenue-sharing study was the impetus for a law enacted in 1971 called the
    Minnesota Fiscal Disparities Act of 1971.
  • Metro Area Wastewater Services
  • Metro Area Water Planning
  • Metro Area Housing/Health Care For Aging
  • Land Use and Comprehensive Planning
  • School Desegregation
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Metropolitan Council Governance Study 2019
    In 2020, CMAL was asked to testify to the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Metropolitan Council’s Structure and Services convened by Governor Tim Walz regarding the positions developed as a result of this study.
    Also in 2024, CMAL provided testimony to the Metropolitan Governance Task Force convened by the 2023 Legislature.
  • County Government In The Metropolitan Area

Upper Mississippi River Region (UMRR)

    Overview

    The League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region ILO was formed in 2015. Some issues are best understood and dealt with on a regional level that transcends political boundaries. That’s especially true for water issues. What goes into the Upper Mississippi River is determined by decisions, actions, and choices made in a very large area​. The UMRR ILO is a 501(c)3 organization incorporated in Wisconsin, with 70 member Leagues – five state Leagues and 65 local groups.

    History of UMRR

    Members of the LWVs in Jo Davies County, IL and Dubuque, IA first met to discuss the idea of forming an ILO in June 2014 after collaborating to present the program Storm Water From the Ground Up, a project of the LWV-Lake Michigan Region ILO. We formed a steering committee and began reaching out to local LWVs in our region. To form an ILO, we needed support from 2/3 of the 78 Leagues in these four states and approval from LWVUS. All this came together in 2015, and our first annual meeting was held on October 25, 2015. In 2026, we have 70 member Leagues – five state Leagues and 65 local Leagues.

    Officers & Board of Directors

    • President – Mary Ellen Miller (LWV Metro Des Moines – Iowa)

     

    Contact Information

    Additional Information

     

      LWV UMRR Program For Action 2026/27

      The League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region is uniquely positioned – we are a multi-state Inter-League Organization focused on protecting and enhancing the Mississippi River. The Board and members of UMRR are active, engaged and passionate, and are also involved in other organizations, giving us a broad base of knowledge about what’s happening around us.

      Our Program for Action for 2026/27 is as follows:

      1. Work with like-minded nonprofit groups across our 5 states while
        remaining independent and speaking with the League voice.
      2. Develop educational webinars, podcasts and newsletter articles on
        topics critical to the environment in the Upper Mississippi Basin to
        inform our members and the public.
      3. Use the tools we have to protect the Upper Mississippi River and all its
        tributaries from pollutants that impact health and safety, and contribute
        to water insecurity and scarcity
      4. Advocate for Farm Bill reauthorization that supports robust
        conservation practices
      5. Connect and support Upper Mississippi River Local and Tribal Leaders
        to work together through an agreement process towards the goal of a
        constitutional backed Interstate Water Compact for the Mississippi
        River.
      6. Monitor and address changes to State and Federal environmental
        legislation and agency regulatory action and advocate for appropriate
        measures affecting water issues. This may also extend to local actions.

      Now it’s time to take advantage of our unique position to lead our member
      Leagues in advocating for Mississippi. This program for action takes the work
      we’ve done together and points us toward our work for the future.

      Approved at LWV UMRR Annual Meeting, June 9, 2026

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