LWV Adds Members

In direct mail campaigns, a 2 percent response is considered good. Herb Green, new president of the League of Women Voters of Plainfield, got about a 25 percent return on his recent letter campaign to increase membership of the group.

Green and his wife, Marjorie, wrote to people they know to urge them to "take steps to strengthen the foundations of our democracy through civic education and engagement." The call to action comes from League of Women Voters of the United States, he said in announcing his presidency of the local chapter. Soon people were sending in their membership checks to answer Green's hope that they would join "to serve as nonpartisan and informed advocates to help us resolve the most pressing problems facing our community."

Thouse who did not feel ready to join were nonetheless urged to come out to meetings and attend LWV meetings.

Green, 83, was the first male president of the Plainfield group 30 years ago. In taking on the role again, he said, "I remain hopeful that I will live to see the day when representatives of our entire diverse community will come together in friendship and mutual respect."

At Thursday's meeting, Green proposed three programs, on quality of life issues, immigration and education. A committee will be formed to plan the programs. The League is also making plans for a candidates' forum before the November general election. Updates will be posted on the Plainfield LWV web site (click here). The web site also has information on the history, mission and membership guidelines of the league. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Plainfield Public Library. Call (908) 756-9682 for more information.

(Disclaimer: I joined the LWV after I retired.)

--Bernice Paglia