Lenawee Indivisible Launches New Website to Empower Local Voices

Lenawee Indivisible represents a community-driven effort to promote civic engagement in Lenawee County. This grassroots organization brings together citizens concerned about government policies and looking to make a difference through collective action. Lenawee Indivisible empowers local residents to participate in democracy beyond just voting.

Members organize events, contact elected officials, and create spaces for constructive dialogue about pressing issues. They focus on education and advocacy rather than partisan politics. The group welcomes anyone interested in protecting democratic values and encouraging responsive representation.

Origins of Lenawee Indivisible

Lenawee Indivisible formed in early 2017 as a local resistance movement in Lenawee County, Michigan. The group emerged following the 2016 presidential election when concerned citizens sought ways to protect democratic values and advocate for progressive policies.

The founders were inspired by the Indivisible Guide, a document created by former congressional staffers that outlined strategies for grassroots advocacy. This practical manual helped small groups across the country organize effectively against policies they opposed.

Initially, Lenawee Indivisible consisted of just a dozen members meeting in living rooms. They focused on three main goals:

• Resisting harmful federal policies
• Supporting inclusive community values
• Encouraging civic engagement

By spring 2017, membership had grown to over 100 people. The organization established a formal structure with committees focused on different issues including healthcare, education, and environmental protection.

Lenawee Indivisible connected with similar groups across Michigan, sharing resources and coordinating actions. This networking strengthened their impact beyond the county borders.

The group’s early activities included regular calls to elected officials, attendance at town halls, and peaceful demonstrations. They also organized educational forums to help community members understand complex policy issues.

From its grassroots beginning, Lenawee Indivisible evolved into a recognized voice for progressive values in a traditionally conservative area. The organization maintains its non-partisan stance while advocating for policies that benefit all residents.

Mission and Objectives

Lenawee Indivisible operates with clear principles focused on democratic values, community engagement, and social justice. The organization works to create meaningful change through both local action and broader advocacy efforts.

Core Principles

Lenawee Indivisible stands firmly on the foundation of protecting democratic institutions and promoting equal rights for all citizens. The group believes in the power of grassroots organizing to create meaningful change in communities.

Their principles include:

• Inclusivity – Welcoming people of all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation
• Transparency – Maintaining open communication about goals and activities
• Accountability – Holding elected officials responsible for their actions
• Nonviolence – Advocating for peaceful forms of resistance and protest

The organization emphasizes fact-based advocacy and respectful dialogue even when addressing controversial issues. They recognize that sustainable change requires building bridges across different segments of the community.

Goals

Lenawee Indivisible focuses on several key objectives to advance their mission throughout the county.

Short-term goals include increasing voter registration and turnout, especially in historically underrepresented communities. They organize regular educational events about current policy issues affecting local residents.

Long-term objectives center on:

1. Building a more engaged citizenry informed about democratic processes
2. Promoting policies that benefit working families and vulnerable populations
3. Developing future community leaders committed to progressive values
4. Establishing sustainable community partnerships with like-minded organizations

The group regularly tracks progress through measurable outcomes such as attendance at events, volunteer engagement levels, and concrete policy changes at local and state levels.

How To Join

Becoming part of Lenawee Indivisible requires minimal steps but offers multiple levels of engagement based on individual availability and interests.

New members can sign up through:

• The official website form at lenaweeindivisible.org
• Attending any public meeting (held biweekly at the Adrian District Library)
• Contacting the membership coordinator at join@lenaweeindivisible.org

There are no membership fees, making participation accessible to everyone. New members receive a welcome packet with information about current initiatives and opportunities to get involved.

Members can participate in various committees including Communications, Events, Policy Research, and Outreach. Even those with limited time can contribute through letter-writing campaigns or social media amplification of key messages.

Organizational Structure

Lenawee Indivisible operates with a structured framework that enables effective grassroots activism throughout Lenawee County. The organization balances formal leadership with broad volunteer participation to maximize its impact on local progressive initiatives.

Leadership Team

Lenawee Indivisible is guided by a core leadership team of 6-8 members who share responsibilities for the organization’s direction. This team includes a chairperson, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and several committee heads who oversee specific focus areas such as voter outreach and legislative action.

The leadership team meets twice monthly to coordinate activities and make key decisions. Each leader serves a two-year term with staggered elections to ensure continuity of operations.

Leadership positions are filled through a democratic nomination and voting process open to all active members. This system allows for fresh perspectives while maintaining organizational stability.

Volunteer Network

The backbone of Lenawee Indivisible is its network of approximately 75-100 active volunteers from across the county. These volunteers come from diverse backgrounds including educators, healthcare workers, retirees, and students.

Volunteers are organized into action teams based on their interests and skills:

• Policy Advocacy Team: Tracks legislation and coordinates contact with elected officials
• Event Planning Team: Organizes rallies, educational forums, and community gatherings
• Canvassing Team: Conducts door-to-door outreach and voter registration drives
• Media Team: Manages social media presence and creates informational materials

New volunteers receive orientation training and are paired with experienced members. This mentorship approach helps build confidence and ensures everyone can contribute meaningfully.

Communication Channels

Lenawee Indivisible maintains multiple communication channels to keep members informed and engaged. Their weekly email newsletter reaches over 500 subscribers with updates on upcoming events and action items.

The organization utilizes a private Facebook group for daily communications and quick mobilization of members. This group has become a vital hub for sharing news and coordinating rapid responses to developing issues.

Monthly in-person general meetings rotate between different locations across the county to maximize accessibility. These meetings typically draw 30-50 attendees.

For internal planning, the leadership team uses collaborative tools like Slack and Google Workspace. These platforms help organize documents, track projects, and facilitate decision-making between meetings.

Key Initiatives and Campaigns

Lenawee Indivisible leads several efforts to strengthen democracy and address community needs in Lenawee County, Michigan. Their work spans from increasing civic participation to advocating for policy changes and providing direct support to residents.

Voter Engagement

Lenawee Indivisible conducts year-round voter registration drives at local colleges, community events, and farmers markets. They target underrepresented communities to ensure broader democratic participation.

In 2024, they launched a “Know Your Rights” campaign, distributing easy-to-understand voter information in both English and Spanish. This included details on early voting options, mail-in ballots, and ID requirements.

The group organizes transportation to polling locations during elections. In the 2022 midterms, they helped over 200 residents reach their voting sites.

Their text-banking program reaches thousands of Lenawee County residents before elections with reminders and voting information. Volunteers made over 5,000 contacts during the 2024 primary season.

Policy Advocacy

The organization regularly arranges meetings with elected officials to discuss healthcare access, environmental protection, and education funding. Their monthly “Coffee with Congress” events bring constituents face-to-face with representatives.

Priority Issues for 2025:

• Healthcare affordability in rural communities
• Clean water protection in the River Raisin watershed
• Increased funding for local schools

Members attend city council and county commission meetings to advocate for local policy changes. They helped secure passage of a fair housing ordinance in Adrian in 2024.

The group creates action alerts for supporters about upcoming legislation. These include script templates for calling representatives and step-by-step advocacy guides for beginners.

Community Services

Lenawee Indivisible partners with local food banks to address food insecurity. Their quarterly food drives collect an average of 1,500 pounds of donations per event.

The organization runs a winter coat drive that provided warm clothing to over 300 families last year. They collect donations from September through November at drop-off locations throughout the county.

Their “Community Connections” program pairs volunteers with homebound seniors for weekly check-ins and assistance with errands. This service currently helps 45 elderly residents maintain independence.

Lenawee Indivisible hosts educational workshops on topics like sustainable gardening, financial literacy, and energy efficiency. These free sessions typically draw 30-40 community members per event.

Education and Resources

Lenawee Indivisible provides numerous educational opportunities and resources to help community members understand political issues and become more effective advocates. The organization emphasizes knowledge-building and skill development through various formats to reach different learning preferences.

Workshops and Seminars

Lenawee Indivisible hosts monthly workshops on pressing political topics and advocacy skills. Recent sessions have covered voter registration techniques, effective communication with elected officials, and understanding local government procedures.

These workshops typically take place at the Adrian District Library on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 PM. Experienced activists and subject matter experts lead these interactive sessions.

The organization also conducts quarterly skill-building seminars focused on community organizing, public speaking, and social media advocacy. These longer format events include practical exercises and role-playing scenarios to build confidence.

Virtual workshop options became permanent offerings after 2020, making education accessible to those with transportation or scheduling challenges. Recordings are available in the members-only section of their website.

Informational Materials

Lenawee Indivisible creates and distributes fact sheets on current legislation and policy issues affecting the community. These materials present complex information in easy-to-understand formats with citations to credible sources.

The group’s monthly newsletter includes:

• Updates on local and national political developments
• Upcoming action opportunities
• Educational resources for further learning
• Profiles of community activists

Their resource library contains over 50 downloadable guides covering topics from election procedures to environmental advocacy specific to Michigan. These materials undergo regular review to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Social media infographics distill key information into shareable content, reaching younger audiences and those who prefer visual learning styles.

Educational Programs

The organization runs several structured educational programs throughout the year.

Their six-week “Civic Leadership Academy” trains participants in community organizing fundamentals and local government processes.

Youth engagement initiatives include a summer internship program for high school and college students interested in political activism.

Interns receive mentorship while working on real community projects.

Book discussion groups meet monthly to explore texts on democracy, social justice, and political history.

These meetings foster deeper understanding of complex issues in a supportive environment.

Partnership programs with local schools bring civic education to classrooms through guest speaker events and age-appropriate learning materials about government and advocacy.

Partnerships and Alliances

Lenawee Indivisible strengthens its impact through strategic relationships with various organizations at different levels.

These connections help amplify their advocacy efforts and provide resources for more effective community action.

Local Collaborations

Lenawee Indivisible works closely with several local organizations to address community needs.

Their partnership with the Adrian Dominican Sisters supports environmental initiatives and social justice programs throughout the county.

The group collaborates with the Lenawee County NAACP on voting rights and racial justice issues.

They organize joint voter registration drives and educational forums.

These efforts have registered over 500 new voters since 2022.

Lenawee Indivisible also partners with Lenawee United Way to address economic inequality through food drives and housing assistance programs.

Their annual “Community Action Day” brings together volunteers from multiple organizations to tackle pressing local issues.

Regular meetings with Adrian College and Siena Heights University student groups create opportunities for intergenerational activism and mentorship.

Statewide Networks

The organization maintains active membership in State Wide Indivisible Michigan, a coalition of over 30 Indivisible groups across the state.

This network coordinates legislative advocacy campaigns and shares effective organizing strategies.

Lenawee Indivisible participates in the Michigan Voter Protection Coalition, helping monitor polling stations and providing voter assistance.

During the 2024 primary elections, they trained 25 volunteer poll watchers.

Connections with Progress Michigan and Michigan Environmental Council provide support for environmental policy initiatives.

These partnerships amplify Lenawee’s voice in state-level policy discussions.

Regular strategy sessions with other rural Michigan Indivisible chapters help develop approaches specific to non-urban communities.

National Ties

Lenawee Indivisible maintains direct communication with the National Indivisible Organization, receiving training materials, campaign guidance, and strategic support.

Their representatives attend the annual national conference to share insights from rural organizing.

The group participates in National Day of Action events coordinated by organizations like MoveOn and People’s Action.

These synchronized activities increase visibility and impact.

Lenawee Indivisible’s leadership regularly connects with congressional staff to discuss policy priorities and constituent concerns.

This direct communication channel ensures local voices reach national decision-makers.

The organization also maintains relationships with issue-specific national groups like Sierra Club and Common Cause to strengthen their environmental and democracy work.

Events and Meetings

Lenawee Indivisible hosts various events throughout the year to engage members and promote civic action.

These gatherings range from regular monthly meetings to special occasions and mobilization efforts that respond to current political issues.

Regular Gatherings

Lenawee Indivisible holds monthly general meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM.

These meetings typically take place at the Adrian District Library.

During these gatherings, members discuss current political developments, plan upcoming actions, and often hear from guest speakers.

Guest speakers have included local candidates, elected officials, and issue experts on topics like healthcare, voting rights, and environmental concerns.

The meetings follow a structured agenda that includes:

• Welcome and introduction of new members
• Updates on current legislation
• Committee reports
• Action items for the coming month
• Open discussion

Each meeting concludes with clear action steps that members can take before the next gathering.

Special Events

Throughout the year, Lenawee Indivisible organizes special events to address specific issues or celebrate important milestones.

Annual events include:

• Democracy Day Fair (July): A family-friendly event with voter registration drives and educational booths
• Candidate Forums (during election seasons): Public events where citizens can hear directly from candidates
• Training Workshops: Sessions on topics like effective advocacy, letter-writing campaigns, and organizing basics

The group also hosts film screenings of politically relevant documentaries followed by facilitated discussions.

These are typically held at the Adrian Center for the Arts or local community centers.

When urgent issues arise, Lenawee Indivisible coordinates rapid response events, such as rallies or public demonstrations.

These events are announced through their email list and social media platforms.

Member Mobilization

Lenawee Indivisible employs several strategies to activate members for maximum impact on issues they care about.

Their phone banking operations occur weekly during election seasons. Members gather to call voters about important ballot initiatives and candidates. During non-election periods, these calls focus on contacting representatives about pending legislation.

The group maintains an active text message alert system that notifies members about:

• Urgent actions needed
• Last-minute events
• Important voting deadlines
• Committee volunteer needs

Letter-writing campaigns are organized monthly. These campaigns target local newspapers, state representatives, and members of Congress. They focus on specific issues affecting Lenawee County residents.

The organization also coordinates carpools to larger regional or state-level events. This helps members participate in broader progressive movements.