Redistricting Reform Update
Monday, Jan 22, 7pm
Creative 360
1517 Bayliss St, Midland, MI |
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Redistricting Reform
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Updated information will be presented on Jan 22, 7pm at Creative360. The situation is evolving which makes it difficult to summarize here.
To be prepared for the meeting, consider reading any of the following:
"The Michigan League of Women Voters today filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of voters throughout Michigan to end the practice of unfair, partisan gerrymandering," said Judy Karandjeff, president of the Michigan League of Women Voters. "Michigan's State House, Senate and Congressional districts are among the worst in the nation when it comes to partisan gerrymandering, and today's lawsuit aims to fix the problem and restore voters' rights to choose who best represents them. Ending partisan gerrymandering is critical to preserve our democracy and ensure every vote counts," said Sue Smith, director of the League's Redistricting Program.
The League of Women Voters of Michigan supports the ballot proposal initiated by Voters Not Politicians (VNP), that calls for an Independent Commission to establish district lines. On December 18, 2017, VNP submitted the requisite number of petition signatures to the Secretary of State's office. We congratulate VNP on its successful efforts.
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Program Planning
February 8, 1-3pm
Creative360
What do we mean by Program Planning? League program is the education and advocacy platform that we adopt to move our mission forward. (LWV.org)
All levels of the LWV have a Program statement.
At this meting, we will be reviewing our
Local Program
and
questions from the LWV of the US
.
All members are invited to participate in the Program Planning Meeting on
February 8.
Our input on the National Program is submitted to the LWVUS. Then the 2018-2020 national program will be voted on by delegates a
t the 2018 National Convention in Chicago.
Impact on Issues is the League of Women Voters official document on policies and positions.
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VOTE411 launched in Bay County!
Our Bay County Unit published VOTE411, our online Voter Guide, with candidate information for the local Bay County election on November 7.
Races were contested for the Bay City Commission Wards 1, 3 and 5, and for two City Council seats in Essexville. VOTE411 usage data showed that 107 unique individuals accessed the information on the candidates prior to election.
Since the League is a new presence in the Bay County community, we consider this a "good start". We look forward to further serving Bay County residents with voter information in the upcoming elections later this year.
Pam Saddler, President, Bay County Unit of Midland Area LWV
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Michigan State of Education Report
The Education Trust- Midwest, a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization, has published their 2
016 Michigan State of Eduction Report. Titled, "Michigan's Talent Crisis:The Economic Case for Rebuilding Michigan's Broken Public Education System" the report deals with steps to reach the goal of becoming a top ten education state. Today, Michigan's K-12 system is among the weakest in the country and getting worse. In a little more than a decade, Michigan has gone from being a fairly average state in elementary reading and math achievement to the bottom 10 states. This is a devastating fall.
How can we reverse this?
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Historian Position Available
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Our League is in need of a Historian. The historian is responsible for the maintenance of photographs and press clippings. According to the Records Retention schedule for Midland Area LWV:
- Photos are retained for 5 years as Working Files in the custody of the Historian, then submitted for archiving.
- Press clippings are retained for 5 years as Working Files in the custody of the Historian, then submitted for archiving "if historically significant".
Primary duties -
Photos
: Board and other League members will submit photos to the Historian as they become available, to be maintained in Working Files.
Press clippings
: The Historian will monitor Midland Daily News for coverage of our League and save articles in original newsprint form.
Other publications will be screened as appropriate, e.g. Midland County Newsletter, M-Live online. (Need to decide whether articles should be clipped from the paper, vs. saving the entire page.)
On a yearly basis, the Historian will submit both types of records that are ready for archiving (at least 5 years old) to the President, who will present the documents to the Historical Society. In cases where photos or press clippings are expected to be used in the next few years, the records may be retained in Working Files and not submitted for archiving.
Backlogs
: With guidance from experienced board member(s), the Historian will review photos and press clippings that may have accumulated in Board members' possession and need to be processed for retention.
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Jan 22, 7pm - Redistricting Update
Creative360
Katherine Redwine using the LWVMI presentation.
Feb 8, 1-3pm
Creative360
Program Planning
Feb 21, 2pm - Pay Equity: Past & Present
Creative360
Judy Donahue
April 9-13 - Delta College
Voter Registration
Sign up information coming in Feb.
March or April - Tour of new voting machines. Details coming.
May 16, 6pm - Annual Meeting & Dinner
C. Bradley Kaye, Midland City Manager
Jun 12, 5:30 - Fun & Frolic
Pontoon ride on Sanford Lake - arrive at Sharron Such's house at 5:30
Join the boating group at restaurant. RSVP to Sharron or 689-4148.
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VP Membership - Judy McDowell
VP Program - Sharron Such
Director, Program Co-chair - Judy Donahue
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Voter Service - Kim Steinke
Director, Voter Service - Al Bailey
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Natural Resources - Sandy Collinson
Director, Education - Terry Townley
Director, Sandy Haughton
Director, Membership - Carol McPherson
Director, Bay County - Pam Saddler
Director, Print Media - Cathy Heng
Director at Large - Fran Hamburg
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When you visit our sponsors, please identify yourself as a LWV Member
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