Meeting in the Middle, LWVUS Convention 2006, Minneapolis, MN

Covered hotel entrance, Hilton Minneapolis Hilton lobby lobby chandelier
The LVWUS convention was Jun3 10-13, 2006 in Minneapolis, MN at the Hilton Minneapolis Hotel.
Foshay Tower next to new building downtown looking west sunny day, downtown Minneapolis, MN

getting ready for plenary session

 aisle seats, plenary session

Yes votes and No votes
There were over 1000 delegates and observers at plenary meetings. Each voting delegate was expected to turn in paper ballots on issues where a voice vote was too close to call.
Keynote speaker Dr. Thomas Mann
 LWVUS president Kay Maxwell led meetings our liason, Marlys Robertson, was voted First Vice-President for next term

Keynote by Dr. Thomas Mann: "American Democracy in a partisan Era";
Kay Maxwell LWVUS president; Marlys Robertson was KS liaison.

Kansas delegation 2006

The Kansas delegation 2006:
Jan Waide, Ann Sanders, Carol Yoho, Sharon Ailslieger, Janet Dean, Diane Kuhn, Donna Lauffer, Janis McMillen, Dolores Furtado, Pat Dooley, Wendy Cota, Betsy Rohleder, Jurina Watts, Ernestine Krehbiel. Not pictured: Karen Mayse
LWV-Kansas President Janis McMillen shared Kansas League news at plenary LWVUS President Kay Maxwell presents Diversity Award to Ernestine Krehbiel, LWV-Wichita chapter. Carol Reimers is at right in photo.
LWVKS president Janis McMillen gave Kansas news at Roll Call of States. Ernestine Krehbiel accepted a Diversity Award for LWV-Wichita.
FROM JANIS McMILLEN: It was a fun, educational and invigorating experience and a great chance for all Kansas delegates to get better acquainted. I particularly enjoyed watching you "first timers" learn their way around, found what topics they wanted to learn more about and went off and did so. 
But then, we are Leaguers, aren't we?.We had fun in our trip to Minnesota and I'm so glad we decided to drive. Our next challenge is to convey the new ideas to our respective leagues and generate enthusiasm to follow us and become more involved in the issues.
Banquet speaker was Garrison Keillor of St. Paul's A Prairie Home Companion radio program

Garrison Keillor was banquet speaker on Sunday eveing. Keillor had been publicizing his new movie, A Prairie Home Companion, directed by Robert Altman.
Past national officers retire to accolades
Past national officers retire from their tour of national duty.
Newly elected LWVUS board members
New LWVUS board members take the stage.
Judical panel
Judicial panel: Honorable Michael Wolff, Bert Brandenberg (moderator), Professor Charlie Geyh (speaking), and Mary C. McQueen
Kay Maxell accepts thank-yous as she retires from the US board of directors New president Mary G. Wilson addresses delegates Mary G. Wilson, new LWVUS President
Kay Maxwell received thank-yous as she retires as LWVUS President. New National President is Mary G. Wilson.
Betsy Rohleder, on-the-job selling Suffragist note cards to Jeanne Morel-Franklin of St. Louis, MO
FROM BETSY ROHLEDER: As your Sales Person for the Votes for Women cards, I had the special pleasure of being able to smile and talk all day about the wonderful cards we have for sale in our League. It seems that I must have asked the question “Have you heard the story of our cards?” about 100 times, too! Most people loved the cards, loved the story, and loved even more the fact that Mabel’s grand-daughter was right there at the convention. Carol Yoho often walked up just in time to be introduced to someone that was asking about the cards. I met Mary from Missouri because we were at adjacent tables and everyone knew Mary! So I was fortunate enough to have LOTS of the overflow of people who were checking in with Mary…we often helped each other if sales were brisk. We even sold some Tee-Shirts for Nebraska and a few posters for Kentucky. The sales were somewhat like a garage sale – LOTS of $1, $5, and $10 sales and the occasional $45 and even a $100 sale!! We sold over 800 cards (I thought we’d sell the entire 2000, optimist that I am, but there were MANY great tables of League oriented products and ideas) and when all was over on Tuesday I was very pleased! We even sold all of the extra 21 VOTE pins for $100 – end of that fundraiser! —LWV-Topeka and Shawnee Co.

My Impressions from Convention
by Jan Waide, President, LWV-Topeka and Shawnee County

Over 1,000 LWV members in one place, representing every state in the union but West Virginia is an impressive group. Fifteen attended from Kansas with 13 casting ballots. Our own Kansas member, Donna Lauffer, was elected to the national board.
  While Topeka enjoys the luxury of having outstanding local and state level speakers for our Tuesday Topics meetings and other occasions, the speakers at the national level were absolutely awesome! My three favorite sessions were:

  • A panel of knowledgeable folks regarding the separation of powers and maintaining an independent judiciary;
  • The Dean of the University of Chicago School of Law speaking on Civil Liberties and the Protection of them;
  • And last but not least a night session given by our LWVUS observer at the U.N. bringing us up to date on what’s happening (or not happening as the case maybe) there these days.

> In addition, there were helpful workshops given by national board members to help local leagues function better, i.e. tips for new presidents, how to write fund raising letters, and many on using the technology available to increase our accuracy, our communication and our efficiency.
    We tried to support those states which are fighting real battles while congratulating those who are accomplishing really great things. The Roll Call of the States showed a vast array of things going on in other states. Many states have not only lost members but also local leagues. I was particularly disappointed to learn that my original League in Vermillion, S.D. is no longer in existence.
   But the last evening, we had Garrison Keillor to cheer us up! He was great as usual.
   The LWVUS Convention in 2008 will be in Portland, Or., the City of Roses. I would encourage everyone who can to go. It is a wonderful experience.
      

MORE FEEDBACK FROM KANSAS DELEGATES—

Janet B. Dean: The Manhattan chapter is a wonderful group of men and women, but now I know that the State of Kansas is filled with just as wonderful a group of people. I want to thank all Leaguers traveling from Kansas for giving me the opportunity to get to know you.   —LWV-Manhattan

Jarina Watts: The caucuses were great, I learned so much and got to network with some really "sharp" ladies. I feel that it was a good trip and everything went well. The mountain of knowledge I gained and  the people I met overshadowed the few challenges I encountered. Once again, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a Kansas delegate. I appreciate all the wonderful ladies of Kansas and look forward to getting to know each and everyone of you better.   —LWV-Manhattan
Karen Mayse: A friend asked me this evening how my trip went, and I exclaimed that it went GREAT because I spent the weekend with close to 800 other people who like to watch C-Span as much as I do! It was a pleasure to get to know all Kansas delegates. To my roommates and compatriots from Manhattan—you are VERY special ladies. Our League will surely be enriched by our experience and all the information we'll be presenting at our Leagueluncheon.   —LWV-Manhattan
Carol Yoho: I attended most of the workshops and caucuses concerning electronic technology and the message came through loud and clear: we are migrating toward a digital information age. All delegates were urged to go online and share e-mail addresses with LWVUS. I came home with fresh ideas about how to assist LWV-Kansas and my local League with some exciting new technologies. —LWV-Topeka and Shawnee County

LWV-TSC delegate Carol Yoho took these photos of Downtown Minneapolis.
 Foshay Tower reflected in newer building at dusk Light show on top floors of this downtown skyscraper Church steeple seen in the southwest
Glass exterior on newer downtown building Skyscrapers and reflecting pool at Peavey Plaza Waterfalls at Peavey Plaza
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Chihuly sculpture, lobby of corporate offices, Target Stores Close up, Chihuly sculpture Wild bird sculpture, Nicollet Mall
Orchestra Hall, home of the Minnesota Orchestra Tall, taller and tallest buildings