LWVAL Council 2008 Report

The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham served as gracious hosts to LWVAL Council 2008 on May 3rd at the Birmingham Zoo. Attendees, including 21 delegates from the state board and 5 local leagues, received updates on upcoming studies for Initiative and Referendum, Off-site Voting Issues and Health Care, and reports on advocacy efforts during the 2008 legislative session and plans for the Judicial Voters Guide during the general election. Jean Johnson, LWVAL Technical Director, gave a brief overview of technology tools available through the LWVAL website, including the Legislative Report, Members-Only area and LWVAL Dialogue. Mark White, President-Elect of the Alabama State Bar Association, made remarks on judicial selection during the Council luncheon. Dr. Mona N. Fouad, UAB Division of Preventive Medicine, conducted the early afternoon workshop on health care delivery in Alabama.

Sarah McDonald, Dr. Mona Fouad, Mary Lynn Bates Jean Johnson receiving the first Patti Ruffner Jacobs Award

The late afternoon workshop was a brainstorming session by all attendees to identify what works well for our organization and opportunities for improvement. Some ideas presented during the session were: 1) increase advertising through use of brochuresand community calendars; 2) consider engaging volunteers from schools where service hours are required for graduation; 3) focus efforts on voter education; 4) partner with like-minded organizations; 5) develop a program on how to effectively talk with our legislators.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham presented its first-time Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Award to Jean Johnson for her devotion to and tireless work on behalf of the state league and for her innovation in the achievement of the goals of LWVGB.                       

Yvonne Brakefield,
LWVAL Secretary