Inter-League Organizations

Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) are formal LWV organizations recognized by the LWV United States. ILOs are established because their members recognize the need to work together at the regional level to most effectively and responsibly solve problems that transcend political boundaries.

Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues (CMAL)

Overview

The Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues (CMAL) is an Inter-League Organization (ILO) made up of all local LWV members in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. This ILO was founded over 50 years ago and has written many educational publications to educate metro area League members and the general public on issues and concerns specific to the Twin Cities region.

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

President – Wes Volkenant
Vice President – Karen Schaffer
Secretary/Treasurer – Peg DuBord
Directors – Marti Micks, Thana Ross, Joann Ellis, Gwen Willems, Jean McMenimen, Lindsay Stambaugh

Contact Information

Email: lwvcmal@lwvmn.org
Facebook

Current Study

In January 2020, CMAL delegates decided to establish a committee to update CMAL’s position on county government. The study committee, led by Mindy Greiling (LWV Roseville Area), engaged in research regarding the accountability, visibility and accessibility of county government in the metro area, as well as the relation between county government and other levels of government. The Report will be unveiled January 15, 2022, at 10:00 on Zoom. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to evaluate the proposed consensus questions which, when approved, will be sent out to all metro area LWVs to hold consensus meetings. A revised position would be considered by CMAL delegates at CMAL’s annual meeting on May 14, 2022.

Timeline for 2022:

January 15: County Study Report and proposed consensus questions unveiled. All LWV members are invited to attend Zoom.
February-March: Metro area LWVs hold consensus meetings and report results to CMAL.
April 9: If deemed appropriate, CMAL Board adopts revised position on county government.
May 14: CMAL delegates vote on revised position at CMAL Annual Meeting.

Toolkit for 2022 County Government Study:

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.

Officers & Board of Directors

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

Contact Information

Additional Information

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.

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:

Work with like-minded nonprofit groups across our 5 states while
remaining independent and speaking with the League voice.
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.
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
Advocate for Farm Bill reauthorization that supports robust
conservation practices
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.
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