January 2024 Contents Co-President's Message Upcoming Event: League Day in the General Assembly (February 6-7) Upcoming Event: Advocacy Program Planning Meeting (February 24) Upcoming Event: LWV National Convention (June 27-30) Opportunity to Serve: Become a Digital Program Guru! Virtual Events and Webinars Report: Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court Report: Electoral Board Thank You, Junior League! |
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Hello Members: It is hard to believe that it is almost February! Our weather is certainly unpredictable, but at least it is staying lighter a bit later with each passing day. The month of February brings one of the most important meetings for our League and for Leagues all over the nation: the Advocacy Program Planning Meeting. Long-time members may remember it being called the “Program Planning Meeting.” LWVUS suggested the change in order to make its purpose clearer: this is when we establish our program of action and education efforts. The LWV is a grassroots organization, and as such, it relies on each member to share their thoughts and opinions about the direction of the organization. At our Advocacy Program Planning Meeting on Saturday, February 24 from 10am-noon, we will discuss the positions of the LWVUS and our local positions (listed later in this bulletin). These are the issues on which we will take action in the upcoming year (two years for the LWVUS positions). Action by League members shapes the issues that ensure a community’s health, vibrancy, fairness, and strength. We determine our program by reaching consensus. Consensus is the basis of the grassroots character and effectiveness of the League of Women Voters. For the League, "consensus" refers to the overall decision-making process by which a League determines there is substantial agreement among members to discuss and arrive at conclusions on issues. Consensus is not a vote; it is the collective opinion of a substantial number of members, representative of membership as a whole, reached after objective study and discussion of an issue. The League takes action on issues that have been studied and on which the members have reached agreement regarding the position. The League's political effectiveness rests on its reputation for thorough study. There is an old League saying: "Study without action is futile; action without study is fatal." We ask you to review the LWVUS positions and our local positions before the meeting and come with questions. At the meeting we will ask: 1. Do you agree that the League should continue this program? 2. Do you have any additions to this program? 3. Do you recommend re-study of any of these programs? 4. Do you have any new programs for study? Please mark your calendars for Saturday, February 24 from 10am-noon (location TBD). We encourage each member to bring a friend who might be interested in learning more about what we do---this is a great opportunity! We look forward to seeing you there and to a stimulating discussion. Take care and stay warm! Jennifer Gauthier, Co-President, LWVLY (on behalf of Bethanie Mickles, Co-President) |
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Upcoming Event: League Day at the General Assembly |
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League Day is our annual time to visit our members of the General Assembly in person and in concert with other Leagues around the Commonwealth. The event will start with a reception at the Omni Richmond on Tuesday, February 6, 6-8PM. LWVVA has invited all of the members of the General Assembly and their assistants to the reception. Then on Feb 7, we will have breakfast and speakers at the Omni starting at 9:00 AM. After that, it will be time to visit your members of the General Assembly. All attendees will have packets detailing the legislation we are following, talking points, and suggested questions you can ask as well as some advocacy tips. At noon LWVVA will be recognized on the floor of the House and Senate. Tickets to the reception are $10, and tickets to the plated breakfast are $25. LWVVA is looking for a great turnout as the Commonwealth has so many new legislators this session! If you plan to attend, please RSVP to LWVVA and purchase your tickets here. Please also contact Co-President Bethanie Mickles (bethanie.mickles@gmail.com) so that LWVLY members can coordinate travel plans. If you plan to stay overnight on February 6, please access the special rate ($179/night) at the Omni at this link. We hope to have several LWVLY members in attendance this year! |
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Upcoming Event: Advocacy Program Planning Meeting |
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This year's Advocacy Program Planning Meeting will occur on Saturday, February 24, 10AM-12PM. We are finalizing the location, and we will follow up with that information and a link to RSVP soon. Be on the lookout! Before attending the Advocacy Program Planning Meeting, members are encouraged to review the following documents: Reaching consensus. This document describes the purpose of consensus and the process through which Leagues come to consensus. LWVUS positions. This document summarizes the positions of the national League. A full description of LWVUS' positions can be found here. LWVLY positions. This document summarizes the positions of our League.
The Advocacy Program Planning Meeting is also a great event to invite a League-curious friend to! If you know someone who wonders what LWVLY does, this event will provide an inclusive snapshot of our activities and ways to get involved. |
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Upcoming Event: LWV National Convention |
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Each summer, LWV members from around the country gather to learn and collaborate on League issues and strategies, set program priorities, and vote on a range of positions. On June 27-30, 2024, the Convention will occur in Washington, DC, giving LWVLY an excellent opportunity to send a large delegation. At the 2024 National Convention, delegates from all Leagues will vote on our 2024-2026 Program, 2024-2026 budget, 2024-2026 LWVUS Board of Directors and Nominating Committee, and submitted bylaws amendments. There will be opportunities to network with fellow League members, participate in a variety of workshops and trainings, and hear from dynamic speakers. LWV will also host a Lobby Day on Thursday, June 27. LWV is still finalizing details about Convention, but please start considering now if you might be interested in attending. We will share more details as soon as they become available. |
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Opportunity to Serve: Become a Digital Program Guru! |
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As part of a national organization, our LWVLY has access to numerous resources to educate voters, share information, promote the League and generally empower voters. In fact, we have more great programs available than we currently have the human resources to manage! There is a powerful app called Vote 411 which offers a one-stop site for everything about elections---folks can check their voting status, see what's on the ballot for their local election, or find their polling place. League in Action (part of Outreach Circle) is another great app---this digital organizing platform could help us build a digital community where people could view a list of actions to support their particular areas of interest. But we need people to learn these systems and help us fully implement the programs in Lynchburg. If you're interested in helping us integrate a digital program, contact Jan Willinger at janintheburg@gmail.com or 434-444-5076. |
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Virtual Events and Webinars |
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March 12, 5:30pm Mountain Time (7:30pm Eastern) Event: A book club-style discussion via Zoom with Kimberly Hamlin, author of Free Thinker: Sex, Suffrage, and the Extraordinary Life of Helen Hamilton Price: Free Register here. This event is sponsored and led by the League of Women Voters Colorado. March 20, 3pm Event: The Missing Constitutional Right: How a Voting Rights Amendment Could Revitalize American Democracy Price: Free Register here. The right to vote is one of the foundations of democracy, yet in the United States, it has never truly been available to all. Generations have seen different versions of the same conflict: disenfranchised groups of people fighting for their right to cast a ballot. Today, this struggle continues, with attempts to prohibit some Americans from voting, such as those with criminal convictions, and to deter others, such as minority groups. Author Richard Hasen argues in his new book, A Real Right to Vote, that a constitutional amendment would end the fight over the franchise. But could it be that simple? And, perhaps more importantly, is there a way to overcome the politics of voter suppression and convince both parties to enshrine this right for everyone? Join the Brennen Center for Justice on Wednesday, March 20, at 3 p.m. ET. for a live virtual event with Hasen, professor of law and political science and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law. He will be joined by moderator Wilfred Codrington, associate professor of law at Brooklyn Law School. Hasen and Codrington will discuss what it means to include an affirmative right to vote in the Constitution and what it would take to get there. March 20, 7-9pm Event: A screening of Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II Price: $5 Register here. LWVVA invites you to spend an evening with Gregory S. Cooke, producer and director of the documentary Invisible Warriors, African American Women and World War II. Mr. Cooke will introduce the film and give us perspective on the contribution of these "invisible warriors" before the movie is shown. Cooke has dedicated his career as an educator and historian to help relocate African Americans to the main pages of history. Invisible Warriors is his directorial debut following a successful stint as Associate Director on Choc’late Soldiers from the USA. "Invisible Warriors tells the important story of women who have been ignored for too long due to their race, gender, and class. African-American 'Rosie the Riveters' highlight the resilience, tenacity, dedication, and pride of a people, with lessons that transcend the barriers between us and that resonant today.” (Amber Mitchell, Assistant Director of Public Engagement, The National World War II Museum) |
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This update is full of highs and lows all mixed together. Last week one participant graduated. He had done such an outstanding job with community service that part was used to pay off his court costs, making him eligible for graduation. Much applause. His charges were dropped because he had successfully completed the Drug Court program, including be clean for 60 consecutive days. Next a couple of fellows in the last phase had several positive tests were moved back a phase where they will receive more support and supervision in Drug Court. A real disappointment. Frequently court ends with a special hearing about sanctions. Typically the Commonwealth Attorney will state why the person should be released from drug court and have the original charge reinstated, the defending lawyer will give reasons for the person continuing, the person will have chance to speak. Judge Watson usually assigns 3-5 days in jail, suspended if by the next court the person has no positive tests or has got him/her self into a treatment program, etc. Lots of carrots and sticks; but fundamentally the person has to truly want a sober life for him/her self and to work very hard to get and maintain it. The LWVLY's support of Drug Court is greatly appreciated by Judge Watson, the staff, and by the participants themselves. I'd love to have your company attending Drug Court on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from about 2:30pm-4:00pm. To find out more, please contact me: Molly; 434-384-7430; m.mcclenon@comcast.net. Or just come. Respectfully submitted by Molly McClenon |
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The Electoral Board is preparing for the Democratic and Republican Presidential primaries on March 5. Some new equipment will be tested for possible purchase for the November Elections, etc. For easier access by voters, Precinct 402's voting location was moved from Fairview Christian Church on Campbell Avenue, to William Marvin Bass Elementary School. There is a new Chair. David Neumeyer's term expired December 31. Dave Levy, Esq. was appointed to the EB by the Court and was elected as chair. The two Republican members remain Betty Gibbs, Secretary and Steven Troxel, Vice Chair. Applications to become an election official are now sent to the EB Secretary, not the General Registrar. Consider becoming an Officer of Election. As I have watched election processes over the years, and now as an observer to the Electoral Board, I have become very convinced that the key to honest, fair, accurate elections is to have equal numbers of Republican and Democratic members involved, checks and balances standing side by side. It is a long day (5am to 8 or 9pm) but interesting and rewarding. If you encounter any difficulty or have questions about any procedures, please let our LWVLY Board know. Respectfully submitted by Molly McClenon |
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Thank you, Junior League! |
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As we have shared in previous bulletins, we are delighted to be partners with the Junior League this year! Junior League volunteers helped make our recent lecture "How Can We Bring Back America’s Center? Promoting Civil Conversations in Polarized Times" a success. Thank you, Junior League! |
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Junior League volunteers and Co-President Bethanie Mickles welcome guests to the event on January 12. |
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. |
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