1. What LWV Can Do for You: Professional Development
Practice Skills That Unlock Careers
Welcome to the Series, What the League of Women Voters Can Do for You brought to you by the Membership Committee of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix. This presentation is on Professional Development and how the League can help you practice skills that will unlock careers for you.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

2. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
In LWV you can...
Observe Politics in Action
Develop Public Skills
Connect for Success
Learn from Mentors
Expand Your Resume
Use LWV to Become Competitive in Today’s Job Market
You will learn how, with LWV, you can observe politics in action, develop public skills, network for success, learn from LWV mentors, and use your experiences to expand your resume to make you more desirable in today’s competitive job market.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

3. First Some LWV Basics: Our Mission
Encourage informed, active participation in government
Assist & educate Voters
Influence public policy thru education & advocacy
First, here’s a bit about LWV that makes this organization resected throughout the U.S. A. The League of Women Voters is a grassroots political organization. Our mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

4. LWV Is Political but Non-Partisan
LWV Does
Study Issues
Form Grassroots Consensus
Advocate on Consensus Positions
LWV Does Not
Endorse or Oppose Candidate
Endorse or Oppose Parties
LWV is a famous U.S. political non-profit organization that studies issues, forms consensus statements based on local group input, and advocates to reform government and communities based on those consensus positions. However, LWV is entirely non-partisan; the LWV does not endorse or oppose and candidate or party. Because the League is non-partisan, we are always welcome in the public conversation and we make no enemies. So having LWV on your resume can serve only to assist you in finding a job. And, snce politics happens every time two people have a difference of opinion, the LWV also helps volunteers learn important political skills to advance in their professions.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

5. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
LWV Basics – Our Work
Protect Voters
Engage Voters
Reform Money in Politics
Defend the Environment
Improve Government
Enhance the Lives of Citizens
We strive to protect voters rights, engage voters in the democratic process, reform the influence of money in politics, defend the environment, improve how government works, and enhance the lives of citizens. As LWV works to improve government and society, members learn and develop skills that support them in jobs and their futures. Please get involved with the LWV of Metro Phoenix to make our community better and make yourself more competitive in the job market today.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

6. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
LWV Basics – What We Do
LWV Studies Issues & Develops Group Positions
LWV Informs thru Action Alerts, Study Teams, Forums, & Debates
LWV Acts by Advocating with the Public and Public Officials
LWV works to study current community and government issues and asserts LWV consensus positions. We inform the public through online Action Alerts that make it easy to let our officials know our positions. Through study teams we learn and teach about issues, and through forums and debates we hear respected experts and elected officials express their views. Finally, LWV acts by advocating on LWV positions with the public and public officials. LWV calls this Politics and Democracy in Action as all members participate to improve government and our community.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

7. LWV Career Skill 1 Observe Politics in Action
LWV Observer Corps attend & report on AZ legislature, County, and City meetings
LWV Advocacy Groups strategize how to influence Policy & Lawmakers
Local LWV Leaders hold Issue Forums & Candidate Debates
What LWV provides each member is the chance to participate in social improvement and at the same time to expand career skills and resumes. If they choose, LWV volunteers become more competitive in today’s job and political markets. Observing Politics in Action is one key to this process. LWV Metro Phoenix and Arizona Observer Corps attends and reports on the Arizona Legislature, County government, and City council meetings. Observing how levels of our government function makes each member a more informed voter and teaches how government works. LWV Advocacy groups strategize how to influence policy and lawmakers. Experienced LWV members share their expertise to affect improvements in government and communities. Local LWV leaders host issue forums and candidate debates. In this way, all participants learn about current issues, those running for office, and how to encourage civil discourse on challenges facing today’s society.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

8. LWV Career Skill 1 Observe Politics in Action
LWV Members confer with Officials & Experts to learn about Issues
LWV Study Teams research political topics, including:
money in politics
changing laws
voter rights
power in government
human trafficking
As part of the process of Observing Politics in Action, LWV members confer with elected and appointed officials and experts to learn about issues and to forge communication about LWV consensus items. Also, LWV Study Teams collect current information on urgent issues, synthesize those findings, and communicate results to other LWV members and the community at large. Current topics in Metro Phoenix include Maricopa County Government reform, how laws about money in politics today affects elections, voter rights and voter suppression, the use and misuse of power in government, the process of Constitutional Amendment, preserving our air & water, and the tragedy of human trafficking.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

9. LWV Career Skill 2 Develop Public Presence
Represent the League
Organize Events & Forums
Host Speakers & Dignitaries
Coordinate with Coalitions
Through LWV participation, members also develop their own public presence. Members all agree to act and speak in non-partisan ways when representing the League. Remembering not to endorse one’s own views or oppose others bridges the divide in a polarized political climate and encourages open communication from all. This skill transfers immediately to every job experience. Members also develop organizational skills as LWV hosts events and forums and host speakers and dignitaries. Practice putting on public events is an invaluable skill in any profession. The LWV often coordinates with coalitions of other organizations, and such experiences broaden each volunteer’s perspective, presentation, and reputation.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

10. LWV Career Skill 2 Develop Public Presence
Write Letters
Attend Interviews
Expand Professional Use of Social Media
Get Your Name Known
Members are encouraged to participate in active advocacy but writing group letters, attending interviews, and expanding our own use of social media for professional purposes. All of these experiences not only influence public poilcy and teach saleable skills but they are keys to getting your name known in the community.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

11. LWV Career Skill 3 Connect for Success
Get to know Political Movers
Work with Coalition Groups
Meet Your Elected Officials
Shadow LWV Teams
In any job or career, networking with colleagues is a crucial skill. LWV members participate in politics in action and that connects volunteers with others decision-makers and individuals of influence. As a LWV member, you’ll get to know your local political movers and shakers. You work with coalition groups and their leaders and meet your elected officials. You’ll get to shadow veteran LWV members and teams to learn how to influence happens. Such connections will teach about important issues and offer wisdom you’ll use in business and life.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

12. LWV Career Skill 3 Connect for Success
Conduct Interviews on Issues
Act on LWV Political Positions
Coordinate with Community Leaders
Network with other U.S. Leagues
As you become a more experienced member, you may interview experts and officials on issues and work to impact local and Arizona politics according to LWV issue positions. You can coordinate with community leaders to inform voters and affect change. And you will network with the LWV US and Leagues all over the our country, sharing how grassroots groups can improve their communities.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

13. LWV Career Skill 4 Learn from Mentors
How to approach tough topics
How to write a powerful letter
How to meet & influence officials
How to improve laws & government
How to make a difference
Be an effective political advocate
Another professional skill the LWV offers is the guidance of veteran mentor members. The League respects its long time members, many of whom have served LWV for 50 years and more. Such longevity of service provides both collective wisdom and expertise in how to approach tough topics civilly, how to write powerful notes and letters, how to meet and then influence officials, how to improve laws and government process, and how a single individual can make such a difference in our communities and become an effective political advocate. Employing advocacy skills is a great key to maturing in any profession.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

14. LWV Career Skill 4 Learn from Mentors About..
Speaking in public easily
Creating a professional demeanor
Voting & government
Making one vote count
Non-profit administration
Leadership in Action
By volunteering for various roles within LWV, a member learns how to speak in public easily and creates a professional demeanor that helps others want to listen. LWV mentors can also help you learn about voting and government and about how to make each vote count. In addition, running a non-profit organization is similar to running any type of business. LWV leaders receive training and encouragement from the national LWV and state and local mentors. Thus, improving administrative and leadership skills help make anyone better at any job or career.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

15. LWV Career Skill 5 Expand Your Resume
Develop Wide References
Add to Community Service List
List Professional Affiliations
Participating in LWV is about helping our communities improve. But LWV also benefits us in any career. Over time, you will take pride in helping to grow a better government and society, but in the short term, you will also expand your resume. You’ll develop a wide array of references, add LWV to your Community Service list, achieve fine oral and written communication skills, and increase your list of other skills and expertise.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

16. LWV Career Skill 5 Expand Your Resume
Improve Interview Skills
Achieve Oral & Written Skills
Detail conferences, trainings, debates & other events you worked or led
Increase Areas of Skill & Expertise
You will develop excellent interview skills and add to your list of professional affiliations,. Whenever you participate or lead an event, you will expand your resume with additional conferences, trainings, forums, debates, and issue campaigns.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

17. Today’s Tips for Interviews
Take advantage of every face to face opportunity
Make an appointment; confirm in advance
Research before the interview
Know about the organization or individual
Know your goal
Have a list of questions
Listen! Don’t talk. Ask
Dress professionally and be well groomed
Follow up with a Thank You card
Just so you’ll take away something specific, here are some quick ideas on Interviewing. Whether you are meeting a Senator, a Mayor, or a Job Interviewer, remember these tips. Take advantage of every face to face opportunity. Meeting someone face to face makes you a whole person in the other person’s mind. Set an appointment, confirm it in advance by phone or , and be sure to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Research before to you go. Know about the organization or the individual. Plan a goal for the interview and write it down. You will impress your interviewer/interviewee with your focus and intent. Have a list of major and minor questions prepared. Then Listen! Don’t talk much. Ask questions. Be sure to dress for professionally and be well groomed. Then, thank your interviewer/interviewee for the time and send a follow up Thank You note too. Use these tips and you’ll get great information or a job!
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

18. Choose a LWV Role That Fits You
Like People? Join Membership Group
Care About Issues? Join Issues Corps
Fancy Research? Join Study Teams
Enjoy helping? Join Voter Services
Want to Lead? Join the Admin Team & Advocacy Groups
Decided LWV might be for you? Choose a LWV Role that suits you. If you like to meet people, join our membership committee. Like to write? Join the communications committee. Do you care about the issues and our community? Join the Issues Corps. If you fancy learning and like digging into information, join a Study Team. If you want to help voters, get involved in Voter Services. And if you enjoy leading, consider the LWV Metro Phoenix Admin Team. There is a place for everyone and every skill in LWV MP. And you’ll get lots out of experience whatever you do.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

19. Internships Show You’re Exceptional
Apply for a LWV Internship
Contact LWVMP Membership Chair
One other opportunity might be for you. Internships show you’re exceptional. If you would like a more organized role in LWV Metro Phoenix, consider applying for a LWV internship. Contact LWVMP Membership Chair for information and application.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014

20. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Just the Name League of Women Voters
Carries Weight
Sets Expectations
Gets You Noticed
Unlocks and Opens Doors
Most people recognize even the Name “League of Women Voters.” The organization is 95 years old in LWV was founded in 1920, the same year that women got the vote. Our organization’s name on your resume carries weight. It sets expectations that members will advocate for their issues. The LWV name will get you noticed. Service in LWV means increasing your political voice. But it’s also an education in essential skills, and it’s a way to grow your professional voice too. Join the LWV and get a course in Professional Development that will help you practice the skills that will unlock your career and open doors to your future.
League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
Membership Committee, 2014