 |  | Thank you! Thank you MEMBERS for taking the time to respond to our recent emails about our upcoming Annual Meeting (Register Here) and our last minute "Members Only Vote." You have until noon TODAY to vote by simply visiting our site www.lwvoc.org and logging in as a member to see the poll.
Some of you were confused at first as the poll did not appear...but we have TWO home pages! One is strictly for the public and the other is for MEMBERS ONLY which is why you must log in for League business and to register for events. Contact our Membership Chair Pat Grierson if you need assistance with restoring your username or password. #nowyouknow
We can't wait to see you at our next two MEMBER and guest events. On April 4, 6PM, we're hosting our Spring League Showcase and New Member Welcome but ALL of you are welcome! Patti Brigham, former LWVFL President is our special guest. Bring friends (we'll feed you) and learn about the many ways you can get involved. Register HERE
And our biggest event of the year Annual Meeting 2023 takes place on APR 20, 6PM. We're changing things up and moving to a new location, Mead Botanical Garden-Azalea Lodge (garden map) plus it's being catered by the Dubsdread County Club. You won't want to miss this spectacular setting, ample free parking, delicious food, and the presentation of our new Board of Directors and 2023-24 Program. |  |  |
MAR 29, Harvard Case Study
MLK-Voting Rights
Open to all, educators-students-community
Deadline is MAR 26
MAR 30, Grassroots University
Brand Like a Boss
FREE Virtual Event, open to ALL
Presented by Emmy Award winning journalist, Stephanie Coueignoux
| | APR 4, Spring League Showcase
New Member Orientation
Special guest: Former LWVFL President Patti Brigham
APR 12, Hot Topics
Metro Mayors' Forum
We ask them, "What keeps you awake at night?"
APR 29, Save the Date
DEIA Workshop | | |  | | | What's Happening?
Orange County
The Bail Project opened an office in Orlando last year and has assisted 288 people so far. It is a donation-based fund known as the National Revolving Bail Fund. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said he does not support making it easier for violent criminals or felons to get back on the street, but he is supportive of bail assistance for non-violent offenders.
“I am focused on violent offenders, repeat offenders, people illegally carrying guns and dealers peddling lethal drugs that are killing our residents and visitors,” he said. “In general, I support bail reform for low level misdemeanor offenses that do not include violence because that allows people to get back to their lives, their jobs and remain productive.” ~Orlando Sentinel
Florida
The current administration seeks to restrict all public school teachers from providing classroom instruction on sexual identification and gender identity. critical discussions on race, etc. To learn more about these issues with tips on how to make your voice heard, please read our MAR Hot Topics Recap HERE..
| | | Voter Services was in attendance on 3/9 at the Focus HBCU College Fair hosted by the Southern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. League Member Shan Rose was offered a table for her nonprofit Change for the Community and she shared it with us to engage high school students in Florida. Approx. 1500 students were in attendance . Members who volunteered were Shan Rose (and son Jeremy,) Saudi Ellis, Deborah Dennard, Nancy Nix, and Jillian Bello.
| | | And since we're highlighting voting, we have a special request from a LWVOC partner, All Voting is Local
"Florida has failed to create tools that expand voting access and limit confusion at the ballot box and we need your help to fix this. If passed, two bills would codify stronger voting rights and less confusion for voters:
- HB 1249 / SB 1560: LEP Voter Assistance would require the state to provide more language-related assistance at the polls – a measure that also extends to voters who are not able to read or write.
- HB 1507 / SB 1668: Restoration of Voting Rights would require the state to notify the ineligible voter of his or her ineligibility. It also provides a defense for any voter facing criminal charges after a state agency led them to believe they could vote or register to vote.
Please sign this petition to contact the House Ethics, Elections and Open Government Subcommittee and the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee and urge them to support and agenda these two bills for committee hearings now."
| | |  | DO NOT DELAY! Judging by the number of registrants already, next month's HOT TOPICS will be a full house and we suggest you register ASAP! Our own Linda Chapin, former Orange County Mayor and LWVOC President will be moderating the program which asks the simple but complex question of our attending Mayors..."What keeps you awake at night?" Click to learn more about our panelists.
|  | | Caryn Albertson
Kelly Espinal
Clinton McCracken
Liz’Angela Tillias
|  | The Steve and Sue Forman Fund gave a generous donation to the LWVOC Fund
Tiffany Hughes gave a generous donation to the LWVOC Fund
*Please note going forward that we will NOT be publishing "recognition statements" that are not in line with our non-partisan policy. | | |
| |  | | LWVFL has endorsed the Right to Clean Water! Calling All Do Bees! Worker Bees! and Activist Wanna Bees!
In support of establishing our basic right to clean and healthy water, our League has committed to helping get this citizen initiative on the 2024 ballot. The goal is to collect 90,000 signed petitions in Orange County. (Why does it have to be such a mountain to climb?) Will you help?
Please visit our Volunteer Page and make a plan to spend some time outside this weekend or later this month collecting signatures. Petitions, clipboards & literature will be provided for this popular cause at event sites.
|  | SHOW UP
Make sure to visit our Events calendar to see what's happening with the League. There are always committee meetings as well as community and League events listed along with registrations and/or Zoom details.
VISIT our VOLUNTEER page
HOT TOPICS Volunteers Needed
If you regularly attend Hot Topics, please volunteer to help.
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| |  | | Introducing our first Platinum Level Sponsor: Climate First Bank The bank will be supporting LWVOC Hot Topics events for the next year. Climate First Bank is World’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis. Climate First Bank offers a complete, full-service portfolio of simple and easy-to-use traditional banking products designed to do good for people and the planet. Please follow this link to learn more: climatefirstbank.com | |