Committees

The Advocacy Committee identifies county issues that relate to LWV policies/positions and decides when it is appropriate to present testimony or advocate in other ways on those issues; the committee may also choose to oppose issues. In addition, the committee coordinates an annual LWVMC response to the county’s proposed budget for the following year. Contact Chair: Joan Siegel advocacy@lwvmocomd.org

The Agriculture Study committee focuses upon the activity of the county government that affects the Agricultural Reserve as well as state and Federal actions impacting agriculture such as the Census of Agriculture and the Farm Bill. This includes actions to preserve agricultural land such as the Transferrable Development Rights and the Building Lot Termination programs. Current topics include Agritourism, Rustic Roads, solar production and conservation practices. A fact sheet will be prepared and utilized to support Discussion Sessions for members and to update our consensus positions. Contact Chair: Margaret Chasson agriculture@lwvmocomd.org

The Civic Education Action Committee (CEAC) organizes civic education activities. The committee develops events and projects for Montgomery County educators, students, LWV members and the public. Contact Chair: Jenny Hess civic.education@lwvmocomd.org

The Communications Committee supports League operations by getting out the word on activities and events. Committee members build and maintain expertise and connections to facilitate messaging about activities and events through information distribution channels, including our website, eblasts, social media, YouTube channels, and press releases to online and print media outlets. The Committee is responsible for creating public communications policies and processes. It relies on other League committees and teams for the announcements and messaging content. Contact Chair: Kathy McGuire and Roberta Ufford communications@lwvmocomd.org

The Economic Development study committee will continue to focus upon the activities called out in the recently adopted Strategic Plan for Economic Development in the county. A substantial number of grant programs were implemented and the committee will evaluate the impact of the grant recipients’ activity. The activity of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation will be monitored along with progress in developing a workforce pipeline. Development in the Eastern portion of the county will also be monitored. Contact Chair: Margaret Chasson econdev@lwvmocomd.org

The Education Committee leads LWVMC efforts to support quality public education and equal educational opportunity in Montgomery County. The committee studies and monitors issues related to early childcare and education, Montgomery County Public Schools, and Montgomery College. Based on LWV public policy positions, we prepare testimony on the MCPS budget and other matters before the Montgomery County Board of Education and the County Council. Contact Chair: Judy Morenoff education@lwvmocomd.org

The Election Services Committee is a group of LWV volunteers that can be called on when there is a community election to prepare for and carry out. These services are provided as a fundraiser for LWVMC. Election Services contracts with homeowners’ associations, communities, and condominiums to assist with their elections. Contact Chair: Linna Barnes election-services@lwvmocomd.org

The Environmental Committee studies topics pertaining to environmental issues and advocates on the basis of LWV public policy positions on natural resources/environmental topics. Chair: Linda Siversmith/ Nina Silverberg environmental@lwvmocomd.org

The Finance Committee is tasked with all the financial concerns of LWVMC. It oversees fundraising activities and evaluates the success of each effort. It also evaluates the financial health of the League, what we spend on each budget item and reducing costs when possible. Contact Chair: Linna Barnes finance@lwvmocomd.org

The Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee follows local and metropolitan organizations active on land use planning, housing and transportation issues. Housing focuses on affordable housing policy. We share information, support targeted legislation, policies and programs, and advocate for increasing the supply and the maintenance of current affordable choices for purchase and rent in Montgomery County. The transportation component monitors the progress of and advocates for improved public transportation, including Ride On buses, MARC commuter rail, Metro rail and buses. We also focus on expanding safe and secure pedestrian and multiple types of wheeled access as part of the County’s Complete Streets policy. Of special importance is weighing the environmental and financial costs against the equitable benefits of transportation projects. Our land use oversight focuses on implementing equity and growth elements in master plans, sector plans, subdivision staging policy, or zoning text amendments (ZTAs). These planning changes also affect County housing and transportation goals and policies. Contact Chair: landuse.transpo@lwvmocomd.org

The LWVMC Committee on Immigration formed in July 2025 in response to the blatant disregard for the civil and human rights of immigrant and refugee populations in Montgomery County. The Committee meets monthly to determine how best to monitor and educate League members and the public at large on the state of affairs in the County, advocate for public policies that conform to constitutional entitlements due all persons on US soil and engage in activities that center and support the agendas of organizations that have been working in this space for decades. Chair: Cynthia Boddie-Willis Contact: immigration@lwvmocomd.org.

The International Relations (IR) committee focuses on critical international issues and how they relate to US foreign policy. About every two years the committee selects an emerging international issue that reflects League concerns with the hardiness of democracy in the global arena; we then examine the role US foreign policy plays in shaping and responding to these issues. We share our findings with both League members and the public through Fact Sheets, Discussion Group presentations and by engaging expert speakers. Since March of 2023 IR members have been looking at India and the effect of Narendra Modi’s BJP government on democratic institutions and civil freedoms there. Additionally, from February through March each year IR hosts Great Decisions, the Foreign Policy Association’s forum for examining the eight most critical US foreign policy issues of the year. Contact chair: Judy Whiton international@lwvmocomd.org

The LWVUS volunteer Lobby Corps is a group of dedicated volunteers who live within commuting distance of Capitol Hill and regularly lobby Congress under the direction of LWVUS Advocacy staff and Board. We usually meet once a month for a briefing about a current bill, based on established LWV positions, and are then responsible for arranging appointments with congressional staffers and reporting outcomes back to LWVUS and relevant state leagues. We educate Congressional staff about pending legislation, increase the League’s influence on Capitol Hill, and communicate the League’s positions. Recent priorities have focused on voting rights legislation, campaign finance reform, ratification of the ERA, DC statehood, climate and environmental legislation, immigration reform, gun safety, and access to health care. LWVMC members who are interested in joining should request an application form from Jackie Coolidge lobbycorps@lwvmocomd.org

The Making Democracy Work (MDW) Committee focuses on voting and elections primarily in Montgomery County since we are a local LWV. The committee prepares the Voters’ Guide and other publications about the voting process and our government. It studies reforms of the election process that are designed to make the process fairer and more equitable for all voters. The committee advocates for issues such as redistricting reform in Maryland, ranked choice voting for Montgomery County offices, and voting by mail. Contact Chair: Caren Ginsberg Ralph Watkins mdw@lwvmocomd.org

The Membership Committee works to attract, engage and maintain new and current members and volunteers. It contacts new members, encourages them to join an active committee or an upcoming activity and invites them to the next New Member Coffee. Contact Chair: Shoshana Eisenberg membership@lwvmocomd.org

The Technology Committee is charged with coordinating and supporting LWVMC’s use of its "technology assets" including the Club Express website platform and other software and hardware used by LWVMC to carry out program activities. The Committee provides a forum for research and discussion of questions raised in the use of these technology assets, consults with other LVWMC Committees and office staff and makes recommendations to the Board when appropriate. Members are welcome to help, no technical background is needed! Contact Chair: Roberta Ufford techcomm@lwvmocomd.org