LWV of Montgomery County, IN.

The LWV of Montgomery County, IN, proudly reports that its membership has increased from 45 in January 2001 to 107 in January 2005, the first time they have exceeded 100 since the 1970s! The climb was incremental over five years.

The League has had equal success in its finance drive. Last year, it sent 161 solicitation letters and had response from 51 percent who contributed over $4,100. For the past three years, everyone attending its public informational meetings and voters service candidates forums has been asked to register with name and address. All attendees were given copies of the League's 128-page Focus On Montgomery County and sent invitations to future League public meetings. This year all of these people were incorporated into the finance drive list so that more than 650 solicitation letters which included LWV membership brochures were mailed.

Since last fall, the League has had two weekly columns, a different article in each of the two local daily newspapers, as well as expanded regular PR articles.

Concurrently, the League's Observers Corps has grown in the past four years from two observers at two boards to more than 24 members regularly observing 19 city and county councils, commissions and boards, including all three school boards. If this process goes well, the League hopes to employ more of LWVUS Board Member Jan Flapan's membership and development suggestions.

Contact: Gail Pebworth, president, LWV of Montgomery County, IN; [e-mail]