Last month we emailed you asking for your help in pulling together our plans for the next year.

This is just the beginning of a conversation that we need to keep going at the League- a conversation with you, our members, about what we care about and how we want to get our work done.

If you want to keep the convo going now, email Hilary@theleague.com or Nicola@theleague.com.

Now here's some of what we heard:

What do you think the League did well this year?

" ReEmergence was a raging success in my eyes. Portland 101 was an impressive program launched. We succeeded in championing the Elected Mayor Issue"

" I always appreciate your voter guide...."

" Initiating the petitions for non-citizen voting. When young folks are the ones initiating the political process, owning the process and the issue, it is incredibly powerful."

" All I really noticed was the voting guide and the elected mayor [campaign], both were successful from the League's perspective. Although, I opposed the mayor question"

" Surviving leadership transition and improving health of the organization. Elected mayor - yeah! Impressive effort w/immigrant voting rights, support and facilitate community efforts."

What could the League have done better in 2010?

" Been more engaging. Asked more questions about what youth are concerned/care about. Have more partys that are combined with actions!"

" I don't feel like we did enough to support our endorsed candidates"

" More prepared at Project Vote. Better utilization of volunteers"

" Make magic happen somewhere other than Portland"

" Focus. There seems to be a lot of issues that the League is working on, but little in the way of a long term narrative. What are the League's core principles/values and how is that reflected in the work that is being done?"

What was your impression/assessment of the leadership (both staff and volunteers) of the League this year?

" progress, progress, progress. Let's keep it going!"

" I think having only two staff meant things were stretched most of the time. I felt for the staff as I know it is hard to do anything well when you've got SO much to do!"

" not familiar"

" transitional, small, grassroots, passionate"

" Tumultuous staff (lots of change & stress). Great volunteers who are always welcomed & thanked."

" It's always difficult when an organization goes through leadership transition. It's compounded when there are multiple successions within short time periods. It takes time to find the right person, articulate and form the direction of the organization, and then execute that vision - rarely can this be done in a year time span, and almost always starts over with each new ED, unless the board has developed a strong direction and hires to execute that direction. The League has seen three executive directors in the span of three years - my hunch is that is has to do with the sustainability of the position/organization in its current form (this could include work load, compensation, support structure, "doing more with less" mentality, etc). Find a way to make the staffing situation sustainable, based on the most prioritized needs of the constituents. A long term plan and vision are essential to secure funding and building political power for the League. Make sure that compensation for employees is competitive, even if that means less staff capacity- in the long run it will mean the League is able to keep staff that understand and are dedicated to a consistent direction."

What could we do better in 2011? What advice do you have for the leadership of the League?

" Engage people more and get folks on board that are skilled and talented at doing just that!"

" More informal chat sessions/meetings to encourage broad based membership to discuss efforts and issues together."

" Get out there now and frame the issues Portland needs to discuss for the mayoral election of 2011; find 1 solid progressive candidate for mayor and support them/their issues."

" Call your volunteers more"

" I believe that we need to focus on economic issues for young people. Our generation is on track to become a permanent middle class. Our economic aspirations are low and we don't value the work that we do. We need to empower young people to expect our economy to do more for them. Particularly for non-college youth."

"... Agressively work to expand your reach beyond Portland. The League is quickly becoming irrelevant to young progressive outside of the Portland metro. Yes, we do exist... there are hip, young voters (and potential voters) EVERYWHERE..."

" Reach out to all political parties. Be a channel for knowledge rather than taking sides on any issue"

What's the one crazy,good idea you have for us to consider?

" Comprehensive website that links to info on all these issues. All issues that we champion."

" Scorecards for legislators on your issues... the League of Conservation Voters and MPA do this. It's helpful."

" Help train young people to run for office"

" Launch a speak er series: Inspirational people doing great things in Maine"

" More events outside Portland"