Teams allow folks from different backgrounds to maximize their efforts by working together for a shared goal. We use the term “team” rather than “committee” because we want to emphasize that our goals are action oriented. Although study and discussion are part of that, they are not the key focus. This document is meant to answer some of your questions on how to form a team, ideas on possible ways to take action, how to begin, how to partner, and what is expected.

Value of a Team Structure

Diverse membership
• Everyone brings a different expertise or point of view
• Broader geography
Allows for discussion and debate
More contacts to reach out to other Leagues or organizations
Share the workload – assign roles
Can pursue more than one interest
Can grow – sub-teams (topics, regions)
Communication across Leagues (webpage)

How to Form a Team

The first critical step to form a viable team is to find a dedicated team leader or very small group (two or three) that agree to take that role. Some next steps that have proven effective are listed below:

Assume your role of leader
• Do all the roles initially
• Set up meetings, agendas, etc.
Identify people of similar interests
• Start out small
• Welcome everyone initially
• Look for diversity, needed expertise, willingness to do the work
Work together as a whole team to define goals
• Realistic
• Doable in reasonable time-frame
• Base goals/actions on latest science
Agree on strategies to achieve your goals
Assign roles and tasks – hold each other accountable

Teams will evolve depending on members’ interest, what’s going on in the world at the time, and what’s possible.

What Does the LWV Bring to Climate Change?

We are not primarily an environmental group, so we speak with a distinctly different voice than organizations such as Sierra Club. The LWV brings effectiveness and experience at:

• League Community Action
• Non-partisan voice
• Broader perspective than just climate
• Informing voters
• GOTV for climate efforts
• Holding elected officials accountable

Partnering

Partnering effectively strengthens the League’s advocacy efforts.

Types of partnering
• Co-sponsoring education and/or advocacy events
• Membership in a consortium/collaboration with others
• Be a part of lobbying group for types of legislation, e.g. Green CA

Criteria for Partnering
• Clear agreement on common goals
• League plays an active role, has input
• Agreement on how partnership works
• Messages for collaboration must reflect League positions
• Partnership must not engage in partisan activities

Expectations of Team Members

Members are expected to become or be familiar with the essential facts related to their topic and key policy discussions. Members will work with their team to build strategies for education and advocacy. All team members are expected to participate actively.

Possible Team Products:

Teams can have a variety of “products” or strategies to advance their goals, such as:

Education and Engagement
• Webinars and similar online engagement
• Sponsoring events such as panel discussions, speakers, participation in street fairs
• Blogs, Op Eds, letters to the editor
• Notifying members of partner meetings of interest
• Hosting topical events framed as civil discourse

Action and Accountability
• Working with legislators, cities, government staff to define/develop policy
• Helping to develop and implement Municipal Climate Action Plans and holding city leaders accountable for results
• Framing climate questions for candidates and elected officials

Advocacy
• Researching, reaching a LWV position, and lobbying for key legislation (Note: legislation needs to be broad enough to have a major effect, e.g. strengthening Renewable Portfolio Standards (the right size), vs. recycling (too small).
• Lobbying government agencies or staff on proposed policy changes, regulations, etc.
• Engage with stakeholders to form new policy, e.g. non-partisan efforts in Congress

Communicating and Sharing
• Posting important results on social media
• Building website content
• Communicating to members and public (newsletters, social media, blogs, emails, op-eds, letters to the editor)