Ensuring the Sustainability of LWVSPA: our new LWVSPA League Leadership Program

At the last LWV Florida biannual statewide convention in 2023, LWVSPA Membership Chair Amy Weintraub attended a workshop presented by the Collier County LWV on its League Leadership Program (LLP). Amy recognized the benefits such a program could bring to LWVSPA. Over the last two years, she talked with LWVSPA President Jackie Azis and other leaders about LLP. When Amy retired last November, she decided to prioritize developing the program in the coming League year.

Having recruited LWVSPA Board Member Jean Johnston to partner with her as an LLP1 Guide, they traveled to Naples to see the Collier League’s LLP in action. Jean and Amy brought a formal proposal back to the LWVSPA Board (which was approved) and are now ready to move forward with forming LLP1, LWVSPA’s first cohort.

The goals of the LWVSPA LLP program are to:

  • Build a strong bench of potential future leaders (i.e., succession planning)
  • Broaden membership’s understanding of and commitment to the League’s mission relationship between the national, state, and local League, as well as the unique positioning and responsibilities of our local League within the community
  • Better utilize members’ talents, interests, and skills
  • Evolve, over time, to meet changing needs

LLP participants will benefit on a personal level as well! Obviously, LLP’ers will gain a thorough understanding of the goals and operations of our local League and a better understanding of our relationship with the State & National Leagues. On a personal level, partipants will be recognized officially — and be developed — as a future League Leader. They will make friends with other accomplished, civic-oriented members and have the chance to broaden their leadership skills.

Members who meet the following qualifications are most likely to be invited to LLP1:

  • Member of LWVSPA for 12 months or more
  • Active on LWVSPA team or project
  • Commitment to participate in LLP in Year 1 as member and Year 2 as a LLP2leader
  • Interest in being a League leader
  • Skills, talents, and interests match a projected LWVSPA leadership need

LLP1 members will commit, during the course of Year 1, to the following:

  • Participate in all LLP1 sessions
  • Attend one Board Meeting
  • Attend 2025 LWVFL State Convention and/or 2026 Lobby Days
  • Attend one committee meeting out of “wheelhouse”
  • Lead LLP2 in 2026-2027
  • Complete Voter Reg training; staff Voter Reg event

Interest Form submissions open April 6 and close April 27. Eight to twelve emerging leaders will be selected for LLP1 by May 10.

The June Welcome Dinner and all five bimonthly sessions (starting in July) will be on weeknights or Saturdays at Allendale UMC or in the field.

Session topics are still in the works, but are likely to revolve around themes such as League Basics, Voting/Elections, Advocacy, Leadership, and Community.

Please check back here on or after April 6 to find and submit your LLP1 Interest Form.