help_outline Skip to main content
HomeEmailingsNewsletters/Emails
Date: 7/15/2021
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins



Time to come together!  Register here: 5:30 PM LWVOC Family and Friends Happy Hour - 7/27/2021

Behind the Zoom

It may be July and the League's "vacation" but Leaguers apparently never totally relax and lots of great work is going on. We want to bring everyone up to date on some items that we think you will want to know. We will try to make this a monthly column moving forward.

 Personnel Changes- We are sorry to report that Angela Melvin, our Second VP, has moved out of the area and resigned her position on the Board.  It is a loss as she was a Worker (yes, with a capital W)! We will miss her and her many contributions.  We are pleased to tell you that Martin Rosenthal has been approved by the Board to fulfill the remainder of Angela’s term.  We are excited about the professional experience he brings to our Executive Board. 

 The board has also approved two new Co-Chairs; Laura Walker for the Communications Committee and Marilyn Baldwin for DEI.  Did you know all Executive Board and Board of Directors meetings minutes are available on the website in the Members/Documents/Board Meeting Minutes  If you would like more depth of information on the business of the League, it is all available there.

 In other committee news our “Empower Voters and Defend Democracy Summit” was recently convened. Participants were the Chairs of our Government, Voter Services, Speaker’s Bureau, and Education committees.   They discussed plans & responsibilities for our local efforts in the face of recent SB 90 voting law changes and the upcoming redistricting which will take place at all levels of our government, from cities to the State Legislature and US House of Representatives. Government will take the lead on Redistricting, Voter Services on complying with all the new voting law requirements and finally Speaker’s Bureau to help educate the public on what all this means for them. If you are interested in joining the League’s work in the trenches, the committee chairs will be happy to have you!

 Did you know that the LWVOC keeps only $13 of your annual dues?  To support and expand all our work, we are organizing an ad hoc group of fundraisers.  They are formulating a plan and will be launching efforts soon.  The fruits of their success will help fund more of the League’s work locally.  However, if you are moved to contribute, you don’t have to wait for an invitation, just visit lwvoc.org/DONATE 

 We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our happy hour on July 27 at 5:30pm at the ACE Café.  No agenda, no zoom link, no masks (unless you want to wear one) and yoga pants welcome, just a chance to catch up with old friends and perhaps make some new ones.  If you are trying to convince a friend or family member to join this is a great way to introduce them to the LWVOC and they are more than welcome. Cost is $25 each and includes your first drink and light snacks.  You can register here:  5:30 PM LWVOC Family and Friends Happy Hour - 7/27/2021

 We would love to hear from you with suggestions, questions, compliments and yes, even complaints.  Write us at suegilman.lwvoc@gmail.com and Barbara.lwvoc@gmail.com.

 In League,

Barbara & Sue


 
 MEMBERS ONLY
This week's webinar will feature Dr. Ashley Robertson Preston.
Dr. Robertson Preston will join us to discuss Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and her book "Mary McLeod Bethune in Florida: Bringing Social Justice to the Sunshine State" at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on July 16th.
Today, her legacy lives through a number of institutions, including Bethune-Cookman University and the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation National Historic Landmark. The book is available for purchase by clicking here.

 
 
The Affordable Housing Committee is restarting and looking for others who are interested in this topic.  Mark your calendars for this Zoom event:6:30 PM Affordable Housing Meeting - Zoom - 7/28/2021
 
The National Popular Vote Committee is sharing some educational summer viewing for those of you avoiding Florida's heat and staying inside:
 

Register HERE:  HOT TOPICS: Next Stop Prosperity: Can Our Transit System Work for Everyone? - 8/11/2021

“The opportunity to run better all-the-time service is .. fundamentally an equity and racial justice strategy, because lower-income people, people of color in particular, are much less likely to be rush hour commuters and much more likely to be traveling all the time.”

—Transit planner Jarrett Walker



MEMBER

HIGHLIGHT

Our membership runs the gamut of age, race, and sex and we want to highlight as many of you as possible.  With the last year limiting our social/business gatherings, it's even more important that all of us get to know each other.  Fill out the Member Highlight form and we'll take it from there!  

For your consideration from the DEI Committee
Good Trouble:  Candlelight Vigil July 17 organized by Mobilize volunteers
MORE Info HERE The Good Trouble Vigils for Democracy on July 17 - the one year mark of the passing of Rep.John Lewis - as we carry on his legacy by hosting candlelight vigils nationwide to demand that Congress act to protect our freedom to vote and rebuild our democracy.
 
Meet Zaila Avant-garde, 2021 Spelling Bee Champ The 14-year-old from Louisiana won the 2021 Scripps Spelling Bee on Thursday night.  She was elated after finishing the competition with relative ease. She joined Jody-Anne Maxwell as the only Black winners in the bee's 96-year history.

Click below to learn more about 
 
Also remember that we now offer Gift Membership ...a great  gift idea!
 Nicki Creatore made a generous donation to the LWVOC Fund.
 
You can contribute to the LWVOC Fund "In honor" or "In Memory" of someone.
 
As with most groups during this pandemic, we've had to tighten our financial belts.  Eventually, we'll return to the events that help supplement our budget but until then, we're relying on your local dues (which are also split to pay state and national dues) and the generosity of your tax-deductible contributions.
 Find out more:  Donations: Single or recurring


Newsletter Checklist:
  • It's on!  Happy Hour July 27 with your fellow Leaguers!
  • Affordable Housing Committee is restarting.  Join them July 28.
  • Love seeing your Member Highlight contributions.  Keep them coming.
  • Community info below-thanks to Marilyn Baldwin and Saudi Ellis for being our community beat reporters and providing such great community information



Questions about getting vaccinated?  Visit our COVID-19 FAQs page.