LWVA is pleased to be a co-sponsor of Citizens for Race Amity Now (CRAN)'s celebration of Black History Month. The event will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library. CRAN members write "We think that members of the League will find this program very relevant to our current social and political troubles, as it focuses on the theme of 'coming together' across the racial and political divides." "The perspective of the Other Tradition is that in America's racial history, the dominant tradition of racism has always had a parallel moral counterweight that promotes equity, respect, and social justice."

Amilcar Shabazz, head of UMass Department of Afro-American Studies, will be master of ceremonies for this varied program, which will include the musical contributions of Jackie Wallace and the Amherst Gospel Choir. A reception will follow the program.

This LWVA-sponsored forum will ask panelists to apply the Amherst League's principles of good local government to both existing and proposed new form of town government. The four panelists, members of the Charter Commission, represent differing views of the form of government which best meets the Amherst League's principles.

LWVA's moderator is Karen Price, president of the Needham League, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts League. Members of the audience will have opportunities to submit questions for the panel.

To review the concepts, principles and practices of good government endorsed by the Amherst League in 2003, see your Program Book, around page 4, or click here.

Join us Tuesday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School.

In addition to good food and good conversation, 

 

On the subject of candidates, read on....

Civic  Opportunities: Service on Town of Amherst Boards, Committees and Commissions: Part 3    

 

Consider a new committee beginning this spring: the Town Meeting Advisory Committee, or TMAC. Its nine members are not required to be Town Meeting members.

 

The responsibilities of TMAC will be to investigate how the Town Meeting warrant articles would affect the Town if passed.  (Town finances will not be covered, since they are reserved for the Finance Committee.) It will also analyze the benefits and impacts to the Town of warrant articles, and report findings to Town Meeting. The principal focus will be on analysis of pros and cons.  

 

Its nine members must be Town of Amherst residents, but as noted above, are not required to be Town Meeting members. The term of service will normally be three years.  Nomination can be by self-nomination or nomination by the Moderator or the TMCC.  Contact: John Hornik, (413) 256-8854.  

Looking for Republicans, Democrats and members of other Parties to Participate in a Daylong Workshop

BRIDGING POLITICAL DIVIDES: A LWVA FACILITATED COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

This Day-long Dialogue on April 14, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is intended for 

16-25 participants.

 Its goals:

1)     To deepen understanding of those with political convictions different than your own

2)     To increase capacity for respectful listening

3)     To decrease dehumanization and stereotypes that have arisen especially in this election cycle

4)     To establish the environment for working together on shared goals  

 

We are looking for people from all sides of the aisle, - Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Green Party - who would like to spend a day together learning how to dialogue with those with whom you disagree. The underlying goal is to deepen the capacity for listening and understanding each other, and as a result, to be able to work together on issues. Paula Green, an expert dialogue facilitator, will be guiding us through the day of activities and dialogues.

 

Please contact Rebecca Fricke if you are interested in participating:  by phone 413-687-8722 or email. 

LWVMA needs trained moderators: Interested? Training in Northampton area April 8

As an envoy, you will learn how to become a better Citizen Lobbyist and will become familiar with the legislative priorities of the state League. As an envoy, you will become a key proponent of state League efforts to make Massachusetts more responsive to its residents and provide a key link between your local League and state government.

Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) is one of LWVMA's highest priorities this session, so it was exciting that last week it was favorably reported out of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. Both houses must now pass this legislation by July 31, and forward it to Governor Baker for his signature.

LWVMA encourages us to continue contacting our legislators to support this important piece of legislation that will make our voter registration system more accurate, secure, and inclusive. (AVR would enable eligible citizens to automatically register when they interact with a state agency like the Registry of Motor Vehicles or MassHealth.)

For more info on AVR, click here.