Summer may be vacation time for many, but at the League we're always busy. Last week we held our annual Board retreat. It was a chance for our newer Board members to learn a bit more about our mission and for all of us to map out the year to come. So what's in the works?

This month, we'll be holding a new members brunch. I urge you all to come learn about voter education, advocacy and studies, issues forums and making democracy work. It'll be a great opportunity to meet like-minded League members and find out how you can participate in our important work.

Then, in September, we'll be holding our membership luncheon  at which our new city manager, Rick Cole, will speak. Another great opportunity to network with active Santa Monicans and learn more about our organization and our city.

After these events, we're off and running, as we embark on four (yes, four!) studies. In fall and early winter, we'll participate in two national studies, one on Amending the United States Constitution, and one on Campaign Finance Legislation. We'll be informing you of the consensus meetings as they are scheduled, and we certainly hope you can join us.

Later in the year, we'll continue our participation in a State study on Access to Higher Public Education and undertake a local study on Community Choice Aggregation, a proposed way for customers to choose cleaner energy.

If you'd like, you can join the study committees for these studies - just email me  and I'll put you in touch with the study leaders.

See you soon at a League event!