LWV California Voter. Small People Doing Small Things

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The League of Women Voters of California

SUMMER 1999

Small People Doing Small Things

A Summary of President-Elect Gail Dryden's Acceptance Speech to the League of Women Voters of California

Many of you watched in amazement, as I did, when the Berlin Wall came down. However, did you know that a few remnants of the Wall were left standing for they were covered with political graffiti thought to be important to all who had worked and suffered for democracy? There are many moving quotations on these remnants, and one states: "Many small people who in many small places doing many small things can change the face of the world." I have the enviable role of representing the many of you who are changing the face of our world.

What are some of these small things that change the face of our world? Let me share a few personal ones... Marlene Sakol invited me to attend a speech on arms control in 1982. And, at that meeting I joined the League of Women Voters of Piedmont. I probably read about that meeting in the newspaper, but it took a small thing--an invitation from a friend--for me to attend. Now, in being a League member I am not sure I am changing the face of the world, but I can tell you that I wouldn't be standing here today if it weren't for that one small act of a friend. When was the last time you invited someone to attend a League event with you? Let's all do these kinds of small things and, I think we will see that--compounded--it will change the face of our communities.

Karyn Gill took on the task of really evaluating our state budget. She met with our accountant a number of times, explained financial statements to the board ad nauseam and brought to us the tough choices necessary to keep the state League financially sound. She says she likes numbers, so for her it maybe was a small thing! So, I want to thank her for the things she has done for our state infrastructure that will make my tasks easier. Thanks, Karyn.

So those are some examples of small words and deeds that have brought me to this place, but what small things can you, as League members, do to change your part of the world? The League nominating committee allowed immense flexibility in the makeup of board portfolios for the coming two years. It is with great gratification that I was able to initiate a board portfolio with the sole purpose of citizen education-a job having nothing to do with elections but everything to do with an informed electorate. This new portfolio will provide local Leagues with ready resources to help citizens in communities across the state deliberate and find consensus on issues of importance to them-from sustainable communities, water rights and transportation to education. These are all areas on which we have positions, but we don't share the research in our communities because the information is often not easy-to-access nor easy to use. With a portfolio wholly devoted to providing that material to you, I think local League members will find our policy work much easier to use-and you will find it much easier to do those small things that will change the face of your communities.

And this board is initiating another small thing that small people can do. Many of you know of the Grassroots Lobby Corp utilized at the national level. It was instituted by my own local League member in the Monterey Peninsula League, Mez Benton, and we are going to work to implement a similar program at the state level. With the slogan, "In just eight, you can advocate!" this program will allow members too busy to take on major projects to spend just a small amount of time-no more than eight minutes-responding to an action call on an issue important to that member. It will empower our off-board program directors as they see a network of Leaguers as interested in specific issues as they are.

I have been using the word small in all its best ways, but one of the definitions of small is "insignificant." And so we must tackle the problem of an organization that-were it to become too few in numbers-would become insignificant. To address that concern the state League is providing you with a great incentive program called "Building the Future. "It will also help you plan and provide appropriate program to your community. I trust that every League in the state will accept the challenge and meet the goals embodied in the Building the Future toolkit-diversity, innovative programming, sustainable funding, membership growth-other choices, as well- whatever is needed to change your communities. I ask you to join me as we move into the next century-many people doing many small things in many small ways that will change our communities and our state."