|
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Dear LVWFC Members,
Here we are in mid August. It's vacation time for many us. Rest up now because the Fall season is filled with events and activities. Look further in the bulletin for details and links. There's information from the League at all levels, national, state, and other local Leagues.
Our
Fall Kick-off Meeting is
Sunday, August 30 at The Broadway Condominium from
3 to 5 PM. Parking is on N. Lee Street and in the parking lot on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building. This year's event is an ice cream social with some League business as a topping. Join us to reconnect with League friends, meet new people, and learn how the League helps to educate our community.
To cope with the large number of candidates in Fairfax County, the
LWV Fairfax Area is producing an interactive television program with candidates on August 31st. To find out what our large neighbor is up to politically, go to
lwv-fairfax.org and click on "Meet and Greet 2015."
On
September 10, we are co-sponsoring a program on
Medicaid Expansion with LWV Arlington. For further information and registration information click
here.
Mark your calendars for
October 1st. It's the date for the
City Council Candidates Forum we're co-sponsoring with The Village Preservation and Improvement Society. LWVFC and VPIS have been partners for a number of years in this type of program. Voter Service co-chair Grace Rissetto is heading this effort. At this time Voter Service co-chair Sandy Tarpinian is working with the the PTAs on putting together a
Meet and Greet with the School Board Candidates. Stay tuned for details on that.
LWVUS has
two important studies for local leagues this year. They are on very pertinent subjects:
Constitutional Amendment and
Money In Politics. Program Co-chairs Bob Crowe and Renee Andrews have pulled together background materials in preparation for information and consensus programs that you can access through links in the article below.
Look for a program on
Oct. 18 on City finances. Wendy Frieman and her committee have done some interesting research. It's called
"Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?"
Enjoy what's left of the summer. Hope to see you soon.
Ellen
* Also of note: LWV-VA is looking for volunteers to serve on a committee to study the issue of fracking. Let me know if you are interested.
|
 |
|
LEAGUE STUDY OF KEY STRUCTURES OF DEMOCRACY
The LWV of Falls Church is joining Leagues from across the nation to take part in the national League study of Key Structures of Democracy.
Adopted at the 2014 LWVUS Convention, this involves the study and arriving at a national consensus about the most consequential questions facing our democracy today:
1) The process of amending the U.S. Constitution;
2) Money in Politics Review -- Updating the League's position on campaign finance for the purpose of addressing the lack of member understanding and agreement as to whether financing a political campaign is protected speech under the First Amendment.
Your participation in these studies and in arriving at a consensus is your opportunity to impact the resulting League positions, and indeed shape the national conversation, on these questions vital to our democracy.
Here is how to participate:
- Participate in our local ad hoc Study Committee: First meeting Saturday, Aug. 22 - 1p.m. at Panera Bread, 450 W Broad St. Contact Bob Crowe, Co-Chair Programs, with your interest and/or questions at 703-200-3379.
- Participate in the Informational Meeting on the Constitutional Amendment Study: Sunday, November 8, at the Community Center, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
- Participate in the Consensus Meeting on the Constitutional Amendment Study: Sunday, November 15, at the Community Center, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
- Participate in the Informational Meeting on the Money in Politics Review: Sunday, January 24, 2016.
- Participate in the Consensus Meeting on the Money in Politics Review: Sunday, January 31, 2016
The League works to keep the power of our democracy in the hands of the people. As a powerful national network that includes 800 state and local chapters, we are empowered to tackle the most important issues facing our local, state, and federal government. This presents a tremendous occasion to use that power.
Robert Crowe
|
|
|
HOW DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE VIRGINIA VOTER?
The majority of Virginia Leaguers receive a Constant Contact notice with a link to the current issue of the League of Women Voters of Virginia newsletter.
The current issue of
Voter
is available
here
.
That is the preferred method from an administrative point of view, as it is the least costly. However, we have indications that only 30% of you actually follow this process. This is a lot of missed information.
Somewhere around 200 of you have opted out of receiving Constant Contact emails. Most of those people receive a mailed copy of
Voter, which we don't mind doing BUT this means you also do not receive a lot of other information. You will not be participating, for example, in any Action Alerts or receive any late breaking news that would not be in the
Voter anyway. This is also a lot of missed information and participation. You may not be aware that you may stay in Constant Contact AND receive the Voter by mail. Just send a request to
[email protected].
A third option is now being offered because the new Voter Coordinator, Flo Marks, is willing to email you the Voter as an attachment. Flo will be asking everyone soon if they would like this option but you can make her job easier by letting her know now at
[email protected].
Please tune in to the League by reading the
Voter. The mission of the League is informed voters and our members are the front line in this mission.
|
|
|
I'm writing to express my gratitude for being selected to receive the League of Women Voters Scholarship. The generous amount of $2000 will be a considerable aid to me as I further my education at Brigham Young University.
As you know, at Brigham Young University I'm planning to major in biology. I've always loved learning about the human body, and I hope to someday pursue a career in medicine. However, my love for the human body does not end with a text book. As I've participated in dance throughout my life, I've grown to love exploring the arts, and I have been fortunate enough to have been accepted into BYU's dance program. There, I will continue to study ballet and be a part of Brigham Young University's performing ballet company.
This scholarship will be a significant help to me as I try to pay the financial burden college has placed on me. I was overjoyed and honored to be endowed with this award. I would also like to express my thanks for the invitation to your league meeting and brunch. The brunch and speaker were amazing, and it was fascinating to witness one of your meetings. I'm proud to be member of the community that has organizations such as the League of Women Voters that recognize the importance of investing in the community.
Thanks again,
Sara Campbell
|
|
|
FUND DRIVE UNDERWAY FOR SUFFRAGIST MEMORIAL
The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) has agreed to become a partner with the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association (TPSMA) in creating a memorial that celebrates the fight for women's suffrage and its relevance today. This decision is particularly timely in light of the upcoming 100th
anniversary of the ratification of the 19th
Amendment in 2020.
TPSMA has been working to ensure that the proud history of the successful struggle for women's voting rights will be permanently commemorated at the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial, located on two acres within the Occoquan Regional Park in northern Virginia. This location was selected because it is in close proximity to the former location of the Occoquan Workhouse, where dozens of suffragists were incarcerated in 1917 for picketing the White House. The inhumane treatment of those brave women became public knowledge and in turn became one of the significant turning points in the fight for the 19
th
Amendment. Of course the history of the fight for women's suffrage is much longer and broader, with many turning points less celebrated but equally significant. Many critical milestones will be commemorated on the 19 informative stations that will be installed throughout the park. Since suffragist leaders, like our founder Carrie Chapman Catt, built no monuments to themselves, this memorial will be one of the very few physical reminders of the importance of their movement.
The LWVUS Board has agreed to become a partner and has appointed Executive Director and Arlington, Virginia League member Nancy Tate to represent the League on the TPSMA Board. In addition, the LWVUS Board voted unanimously to make a $1,000 contribution to the memorial. That contribution will ensure that the LWVUS name will be included on the Donor Wall at the park. Although the park is being built and maintained by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (now known as NOVA Parks), the funds for the memorial itself must be raised privately. TPSMA's initial goal is $1 million by November 30, 2015 and they are reaching out to many individuals, groups, and corporate donors.
We encourage all Leagues and individuals to consider making their own donations. Interested Leagues can learn more by visiting the Turning Point website,
www.suffragistmemorial.org
. Donations can be made through the website or by mail to TPSMA, 5400 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039. Gifts of $1,000 or more will be recognized on the Donor Wall, and three state Leagues (Colorado, Tennessee, and Virginia) have already contributed at that level. TPSMA is requesting that donations be made by October 15, 2015, to enable them to stay on schedule for building the first phase of the memorial.
We believe that this partnership is about more than building a memorial to the suffragists, significant though that is. The goal is to create a place and the momentum to educate and inspire present and future generations to continue the fight for equal rights. The design already calls for significant efforts since 1920 to be highlighted. Our involvement in the memorial can only strengthen the story.
Whether or not you choose to support the memorial, please plan to be part of efforts over the next five years to celebrate both the 100
th
anniversary of women's suffrage and 100 years of continuous League efforts in Making Democracy Work. We have a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only our proud history but also the many contributions that Leagues across the country are making today - and every day.
In League,
Elisabeth MacNamara
President
|
|
|
|
| 2015-2016 LWVFC Board and Off-Board Members President Ellen Salsbury Vice President Linda Garvelink Programs Co-Chairs Robert Crowe Renee Andrews Local Affairs Chair Wendy Frieman Secretary Martha Cooper Treasurer Ruth Rodgers Voter Service Co-Chairs
Liaison to NCA Ellen Gross Administrative Team Madalyn Cafruny Genie Flahie Edith Snyder Special Projects Cindy Donaldson Bunny Jarrett Marty Meserve Jane Scully
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS:
LWVFC Voter Services / Membership Kick-Off Ice Cream Social
Sunday, Aug. 30
3 - 5 p.m.
The Broadway - Club Room
520 W. Broad Street
LWV-VA Forum on Medicaid Expansion
Thursday, Sept. 10
7 - 9 p.m.
Arlington County Dept. of Human Services Auditorium
Sequoia Plaza
2100 Washington Blvd.
LWVFC / VPIS Meet & Greet School Board Candidates
Date/Time/Location: TBD
*look for an email on this once details are finalized*
Saturday, Sept. 19
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Volunteer at the LWVFC Booth!
LWVFC / VPIS City Council Candidates Forum
Thursday, Oct. 1
7:30 - 9 p.m.
Falls Church City Council Chambers
300 Park Avenue
LWVFC Forum: Where Do Your City Tax Dollars Go?
Sunday, Oct. 18
3 - 5 p.m.
Falls Church Community Center
223 Little Falls Street
Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 3
LWVFC needs volunteers to staff tables at each of the three polling places to distribute Voters Guides
LWVFC Consensus Meeting on Constitutional Amendment Study
Sunday, Nov. 15
3 - 5 p.m.
Falls Church Community Center
LWVFC Holiday Social
Sunday, Dec. 6
Location/Time: TBD
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities:
The Local Affairs Committee needs a league member to work on graphics/formatting for a white paper on Falls Church Finances. Contact
Wendy Frieman if you can help.
Voter Services needs volunteers to staff LWVFC's Booth at the Fall Festival/Taste of Falls Church. Also needed are volunteer to distribute Voters Guides in the community and to staff tables on Election Day at all three polling locations. Contact
Sandra Tarpinian or
Grace Rissetto if you can help.
Communications needs volunteers to help out.
Examples of items to assist with include:
- Layout & design of the monthly e-Bulletin
- Distribution of press releases
- Video recording LWVFC programs
- Editing/Producing LWVFC videos for FCC-TV
- Development and posting of Facebook messages
No experience is necessary.
This is a great opportunity to learn new skills or, if you have a student who is willing to volunteer, to build a portfolio. If you are interested in helping out in any of these areas, contact
Mona Johnston
.
We are also in need of a webmaster to maintain our site. Our site is built within a template from LWVUS - so this is mostly content management, no coding. If interested, contact Ellen Salsbury.
|
|
|
A great way to stay current on issues of interest to the League is to follow the
|
|
