HomeVolunteer Activist Opportunities

Volunteer Activist
Opportunities

Would you like to be more actively involved?

Peruse LWVAC Volunteer Opportunities for project descriptions and contact information.

You also could contact one of our committees to find out what they are doing. See committees here.

Observer Corps

Observers keep elected and appointed officials on notice; they let them know that someone is watching what decisions are being made and how they are being made. However, you may also choose to be an “anonymous” Observer, who reports on a governmental body, but is not publicly recognized as a League member. This allows you to speak publicly as a citizen on topics that the League may not have a position on. Observer Corps members report back so others may know in a structured way what is happening and allow more citizens to exercise their right to know.

Volunteer to monitor local governments, school districts, or other governmental bodies in Albany County:

Albany County includes the County Executive that oversees many departments, it has a policy making body, the County Legislature, and the County has several Alliances and Agencies. Albany County Government

Albany County has 18 municipalities, including cities, towns, and villages:

Cities: Albany, Cohoes, Watervliet
Towns: Bethlehem, Berne, Coeymans, Colonie, Guilderland, Knox, New Scotland, Rensselaerville, Westerlo
Villages: Village of Altamont, Village of Colonie, Village of Green Island, Village of Menands, Village of Ravena, Village of Voorheesville

Albany County has 12 School Districts and 7 Charter Schools

Within any of the County governmental bodies, observers may also choose to cover Courts, Police Review/Oversight Boards, Planning and Zoning, Library Boards, Water and Waste facilities, Fire Districts or any other governmental body that is of interest.

If you’d like to learn more about Observer Corps, feel free to watch the recording of our What is Observer Corps event on our YouTube channel or contact Patricia Sibilia.

Voter Services Program

Volunteers of all ages over 18 are sought to:
Register voters: At new citizen ceremonies, in Albany County jail, at public events.
Organize and conduct candidate forums for the county, municipalities and districts within the county, and state legislators who represent our county.
Promote voter education at public events and festivals.
Help prepare our online voter service site, Vote411.org, for primary and general elections.

We also will provide orientation and train other organizations to register voters at community events.

To become involved in voter services, contact: Deb Liebman

LWVAC Standing Committees

Members work through our standing committees, which carry out the work of LWV of Albany County. Contact any committee chair by email at lwvac@lwvalbany.org.

Educational Events Committee plans and implements educational programs for members and the public. Contact Paula Brewer, committee chair.

Advocacy Committee monitors League issues and notifies members of pending issue and opportunities to take action and takes part in state legislative visits. Contact Cathy Dryden, committee chair.

Membership Committee acknowledges new and renewing members and engages new members, and hosts an annual member meeting(s). Contact Patricia Sibilia, committee chair.

Communications Committee members handle social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube), e-news, website, media releases/public relations. Contact Chris Deyss, committee chair.

Fundraising and Development Committee plans and leads implementation of fundraising mailings, e-events, and other events. Contact Christine Florez, committee chair.

Volunteer Today

Nonpartisan, Political, Grassroots

THE LEAGUE IS A NONPARTISAN POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

The League acts in support of, or in opposition to, selected governmental issues. It does not support or oppose candidates, factions or political parties. League members, as individuals, may support candidates of the political party of their choice.

THE LEAGUE IS GRASSROOTS

Every year, we define our program of work, based on the positions we have adopted. The program guides our activities, implemented through our units and committees. At annual program meetings, members suggest subjects and issues. At the Spring annual meeting, members select which of these issues should be researched and studied.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

THE LEAGUE IS COMMITTED TO DEI

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makes in creating a more perfect democracy.

Educate, Advocate, Empower

CANDIDATE & COMMUNITY FORUMS

We sponsor free, nonpartisan candidate forums and organize periodic forums on ballot issues and other civic concerns.

ADVOCACY

After member study and agreement, the League works to influence public policy through education and advocacy.