LWVWoodland - The Voter

THE VOTER

Annual Meeting Issue, 2020

From the National LWV

The Centenary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment

On this day in 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, ending the long and hard-fought campaign to win women the right to vote. Today, we celebrate 100 years of women powering the vote. The ratification was the largest enfranchisement of voters in our nation's history, and while today we are clear-eyed about its shortcomings-in particular, women of color were largely excluded from the movement that brought about the amendment-we commemorate this day and the foundation it has built for our modern democracy, where women not only cast ballots but see their names on the top of them.

Yesterday, our CEO Virginia Kase and I reflected on the ways in which the women's vote has shaped our country. Over the last century, we've seen how women bring their stories to the ballot box, elevating issues like education, health care, reproductive rights, children's rights, and wages for working women. Women have used the power of their vote to give voice to the issues they care about, and our country is better for it.

Yet it wasn't until the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that people of color could fully exercise their right to vote and our country began to reflect the values of all its people. And still today, we have a lot of work to ensure that every eligible voter can make their voice heard. Our CEO Virginia Kase spoke about this with the TODAY Show earlier this week.

That's why I'm asking you today: will you honor the suffragists who fought to gain your right to vote by taking action this election? Carry on their legacy by committing to vote.

This election year is like no other. As you and your friends and family navigate your voting plan, the League is here to help you with our premier election information site, VOTE411.org. You can check your registration status, find out how to register to vote in your location, request an absentee ballot, research your candidates, and more.

We've been at this for 100 years, and we have learned a few things about how to engage in elections. Here are 100 ways for you to play a role in our democracy and get involved in this election.

So as we commemorate the amendment that expanded the vote for so many 100 years ago, we commit to defending the vote and expanding access to the ballot until every eligible person is fully enfranchised.

With gratitude,

Deborah Ann Turner, MD, JD

President, LWVUS

P.S. Women have accomplished so much in the last century, imagine what we can accomplish in the next 100 years. Help us expand voting access to all by making a gift today.

League of Women Voters

1730 M Street NW, Suite 1000

Washington, DC 20036

From the California LWV

The Centenary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment

The best way to celebrate voting rights is by protecting voting rights.

100 years ago women won the ratification of the 19th amendment after decades of activism. They were not quiet. They believed that without a vote, they had no voice in the future of their country and society. We hold that belief sacred, 100 years later. Your vote, your voice.

Yet, our history is rife with attempts to silence the voices of people. Voter suppression has a dark and rampant history in the US. Voter purges, poll taxes, voter ID laws, felony disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, restricting access to the US Postal Service. It's not done. As long as there is power in our vote, there will be people attempting to take that power away. To silence us.

We will not be silenced.

100 years ago, women stood in the streets with signs and marched en masse to demand their right and to have a voice. Today, people are marching in the streets, with signs, to demand their human rights and have a voice. 100 years later. Same cause. Our rights. Our lives. Our votes. Our voices.

So, as we look back at the women, upon whose shoulders we stand, it is time to steel ourselves for the same future. Sojourner Truth said, "If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, these women together ought to be able to turn it right again."

The country - the world - needs our fortitude. We take this time to honor the women whose strength and persistence gave us the power to carry this forward. To honor their legacy by standing, marching, and working to protect voting rights right now and for the next 100 years.

They were not silent. We will not be silent.

In solidarity,

Stephanie Doute, CAE

Executive Director

League of Women Voters of California

PS - From the courthouse to the statehouse, the League of Women Voters of California is spending thousands of hours fighting for safe, accessible voting - to ensure our voices can be heard. Please give generously to help us keep working for a safe and fair election in November 2020.

League of Women Voters of California

921 11th St #700

Sacramento, CA 95814

Women Voter Stamps

A new Forever stamp in honor of suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment will be available Wednesday. The actual stamp will differ from the image below. It will show suffragists marching and will be issued from Seneca Falls 8/19/2020.

Members can buy stamps online from the USPS. We suspect they'll go fast.

Zoom and the Meeting

Our annual meeting will be held on September 10 via the Zoom platform. This edition of the VOTER contains your packet of information necessary for an expeditious meeting. Please take the time to review it before we meet to prepare for votes. If you require help setting up Zoom on your computer or other device, contact Karen Urbano. There is also information at the end of this VOTER on how to use Zoom.

Announcement of Virtual Annual Meeting

Plan to attend our first and, with any luck, our last virtual Annual Meeting

10th of September, 6 p.m.

Contact Karen Urbano: [email protected] to confirm.

Karen will send you a Zoom invitation and meeting I.D. number a few days before the event.

SEE YOU ON ZOOM!

President's Statement

The Annual Meeting

and

Our League Program for 2020-2021

Welcome to our Annual Meeting! Thank you for attending and for your support tonight and throughout the year. Your League's attempt to stay resilient and optimistic during this unsettled time has been remarkable! Regular board meetings were held to stay connected to the community, continue League business, plan & organize upcoming events and remember the successes we enjoyed. Read your VP Karen Urbano's informational Membership letter (in this VOTER) that recounts just some of the events enjoyed. It truly was a very busy year before "it wasn't"!

Nevertheless, your League's 2019-2020 Program goals were met:

* Celebrate the 100th birthday of League's establishment & the Ratification of the 19th Amendment giving Women the Right to Vote
* Support an in-depth Study of Housing in Woodland
* Update & reorganize the current League website
* Initiate a review of current League by-laws

Website launch on a LWVC-supported platform was achieved. Although still a "work in progress", it will provide us with a capable option to allow information to flow, events & activities to be publicized, new ideas developed & shared, all to promote engagement in our League, community and nation.

The Housing Study was challenged by safety & health restriction but continues with input from SAGOG data, community members, etc. Study completion is planned for this year. Review of our current by-laws was initiated and will be completed, with amendments proposed for Board's review 3 months prior to the 2021 Annual Meeting. All members will be able to review proposed changes & Board recommendations not less than 20 days or more than 90 days before the 2021 meeting (more in this VOTER).

A Gala Centennial Celebration to commemorate & honor the League's 100th birthday was a grand success! "Hats off" to Carol Sousa Cole & Janet Ruggiero, co-chairs, whose guidance made this a remarkable evening.

The league's Program proposed for our 2020-2021 year builds on elements begun in 2019-2020 cycle & adds additional goals. Our proposed program is:

* Continue website development
* Complete review of by-laws with amendments & recommendations presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting
* Re-establish annual spring community-based fundraiser
* Build League membership, encouraging youth and student membership
* Complete Housing Study & present at 2021 Annual Meeting
* Build our observer corp

At our August planning meeting your board voted to postpone our yearly membership mixer & Democracy Works awards dinner until spring but continue with robust voter education activities. These activities will include an alternate format for our forums as well as working closely with our local print media & Yolo County's Office of Elections to disseminate current information & publicize resources developed to accommodate the November election. We will continue to coordinate activities with the Davis League and collaborate with the Solano Region League to bring you virtual forums for the 3rd District Congressional & 3rd District California senate races. It is revving up to be a busy cycle & with your acting Voter Services chair, Carla Cox, at the wheel, an exciting & successful one!

Pat Butler
LWVW President

Agenda

League of Women Voter Annual Meeting

September 10, 2020, 6:00 PM

Call to Order

Acknowledge Guests

Determination of a Quorum

Rules Governing the Meeting (Vote)

Order of Business and Agenda (Vote)

Approval of Minutes of Meeting 6/6/19 (this VOTER) (Vote)

Treasurer's Report (this VOTER) (Vote)

Election

Reaffirm League Positions

Presentation of 2020 - 2021 Chapter Program (Vote)

Membership Update

Housing Study Report

Officer of the Board

Volunteer Coordination
Events/Activities Support

Member Recognition

Grace Hafner Award Presentation

Slate of 2020-2021 Officers (Vote)

Next Annual Meeting

Tuesday, June 8, 2021
6:00 p.m.
Location TBD

Adjournment

Slate of Nominees for Officers & Directors

2020-2021

President	Pat Butler
1st Vice President, Membership	Karen Urbano
2nd Vice President, Website & VOTER	Lorna Carriveau
Secretary	Maria Lago
Co-Treasurers	Judy Simas, Evelia Genera
Director, Events & Volunteer Coordination	Judy Wohlfrom
Director, Voter Services	Carla Cox
Co-Directors, Studies & Positions	Janet Ruggiero, Elizabeth Kemper
Director, Youth Registration	Evelia Genera
Director, YES Liaison	Mari Perla
Nomination Committee	Audrey Doehne, Chair Barbara Morrison Lucinda Talkington
Finance Committee	Maria Lago, Chair Daniel Kirsch Judy Simas

Minutes of League of Women Voters of Woodland

Annual Meeting, June 5, 2019

The meeting was held at the Woodland Hotel, Main Street, Woodland. There were 23 members present as well as several visitors from Davis, who are in the process of re-forming their League chapter. A buffet dinner (catered by Cracchiolo's) was served beginning at 6:00 p.m. This was followed by the evening's speaker, Mayor Xochitl Rodriguez, who gave a brief personal history beginning at 6:45 p.m. In her talk, she included information about the upcoming housing project to be located at Beamer Street and Road 102, and for which the city has applied for a "No Place Like Home" grant, and which will use UC Davis students as interns to help with community outreach. Questions were posed by the attendees, including some on tiny houses and transportation concerns. The Mayor then presented a proclamation to the League in celebration of 100 years of women's suffrage.

The business meeting was gaveled to order by President Laura Caruso Kofoid. Her first order of business was to introduce Kathy Harryman, who presented the Grace Heffner award, including a mug and flowers, to Lucinda Talkington.

She then moved through the agenda items as follows. After a determination that a quorum was present, the agenda was amended to include a vote on acceptance of previous League positions (Eric Kofoid moved and Janet Ruggiero seconded), and the minutes from last year's Annual Meeting were approved after Janet moved and Carol Souza Cole seconded their acceptance. The discussion then moved to the budget, and Treasurer Judy Simas pointed out the profit made at our sole fundraising event, the State of the Community Luncheon ($813.17), as well as the anticipated larger income from next year's event, which will be a catered dinner in celebration of the League's 100th anniversary. Audrey Doehne moved and Eric Kofoid seconded that the budget be adopted, and it was so passed.

Next on the agenda was the dues increase, of which all members had been apprised in the email sent on May 15, 2019. The annual dues will increase from $55 to $65 for individuals, and from $75 to $85 for families. Ed Doehne pointed out that this may be too high for some members, so it was suggested that the wording be changed to "recommended dues" to allow for adjustments if necessary. Eric moved and Maria Lago seconded and the dues increased was passed unanimously. This new fee will have an effective date of September 1, 2019.

The slate of officers for the 2019-2020 year was then presented:

Pat Butler, President

Karen Urbano, VP Membership

Laura Caruso Kofoid, VP Communications

Maria Lago, Secretary

Judy Simas and Evelia Genera, Co-Treasurers

Gil Walker, Voter Services (Candidate Forums)

Evelia Genera (High School Student Registration)

Janet Ruggiero and Elizabeth Kemper, Housing Study

Audrey Doehne, Nominations

Catherine Portman, YES Representative

Carol Souza Cole and Janet Ruggiero, Centennial Celebration

No additions or objections to the slate were presented, and Ed Doehne moved and Eric seconded that the slate be approved, and it passed unanimously.

Janet Ruggiero then gave a short report on the Housing Study that she and Elizabeth Kemper are chairing, and suggestions were given by the members as to the timing of meetings, funding, etc. Janet is hoping to have a speaker from SACOG present at the September membership mixer. She also brought up the fact that the membership must vote to affirm the positions that the League has taken in the past, and Gil Walker and Evelia Genera moved and seconded that the positions be re-adopted per the by-laws, and it passed unanimously.

The incoming President, Pat Butler, then was introduced to the membership and a few words of welcome were given, as well as a vase of flowers given to Laura Caruso Kofoid in thanks for her leadership during this past year.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Maria Lago, Secretary

League of Women Voters of Woodland

Treasurer's Report for August, 2020

Checking Account
Beginning Balance	$2241.41
(3 checks)	- $511.00
Ending Balance	$1795.41
Savings Account Balance	$1315.85
CD Matured July 26	$7600 plus

LWV Woodland Budget

INCOME	BUDGET 2019-2020	ACTUAL 2019-2020	PROPOSED 2020-2021

Centennial Celebration *	3,000.00	6,510.00	0.00
Community Luncheon	0.00	0.00	3,500.00
Democracy Works Dinner **	400.00	227.00	400.00
Annual Meeting	400.00	0.00	0.00
Membership Dues ***	3,550.00	2,700.00	3,400.00
Donations	300.00	200.00	200.00
Carryover	326.00	597.00	3,173.00
TOTAL:	7,976.00	10,234.00	10,673.00


EXPENSES

Centennial Celebration *	3,000.00	5,629.15	0.00
Community Luncheon	0.00	0.00	2,500.00
Demo. Works Dinner **	400.00	227.00	400.00
Annual Meeting*****	100.00	0.00	500.00
Convention / Mtgs	0.00	0.00	0.00

US PMP ***	1,600.00	1,584.00	1,600.00
CA PMP	1,400.00	1,400.00	1,400.00
Insurance LWVC	50.00	28.00	50.00
Sec of State/Non Profit Fee	20.00	20.00	20.00

Local Study Comm Exp	0.00	0.00	0.00
Membership Comm Exp	0.00	64.46	125.00
Voter Service Comm Exp	200.00	52.50	100.00

Constant Contact Hosting ***	200.00	84.00	250.00
Website Hosting ****	200.00	200.00	650.00
Webmaster *****	0.00	0.00	700.00

Sponsorships/Donations	100.00
Women's History		150.00	150.00
YES! Youth Voter Conf		100.00	200.00
Scholarship	0.00	0.00	0.00
Gifts / Flowers	50.00	0.00	50.00

P.O. Box	106.00	134.00	140.00
Printing / Postage	100.00	40.00	75.00
Supplies	150.00	0.00	100.00
Storage	300.00	300.00	396.00
TOTAL:	7,976.00	10,013.11	9,406.00

INCOME less EXPENSES:	0.00	220.89	1,267.00

* One Time only event: Event cost $5629.15 offset by ticket sales, sponsorship $6510.00, net profit $880.85

** Event costs: $952, offset by ticket sales of $725. Remaining costs of $227 paid from budgeted amount of $400. Remaining budget amount $173.

*** Approximation

**** One Time only fees: Platform setup $100, Migration fee $200. Yearly Management Fee: $350

***** Budget Expenses include cost of Expanded Zoom Membership of $250-$300 for one year. Expanded capabilities include: unlimited minutes and 1-2 Host capability.

Itemized costs for Centennial Celebration & Democracy Works events are available upon request.

California Leaders Update

LWV California

August 2020

President's Letter

Hello League Leaders,

This is an auspicious month! August 18th is the 100th Anniversary of the final state's vote to ratify the 19th Amendment! The ratification was certified on August 26th, now recognized as Women's Equality Day.

To honor the Centennial let's take a moment to reflect on the past and to look to the future. For history watch The Vote from PBS and read how Black suffragists were treated in the famous 1913 parade in Washington DC . If you are interested in something live on the 18th go to Facebook to hear and see California Women Inspire: Celebrating Women's Equality in the Golden State from the California History Museum. Follow up with a view of the future with The Inheritors, interviews with 18 year old women who are voting for the first time this fall.

Never forget the 72 years of struggle preceded its passage. Never forget it was not a complete victory for Black women, for Native American women, and for women in underrepresented and marginalized communities. Never take the vote for granted. I'm preaching to the converted here, aren't I?

As League members our mission is to "Empower Voters" and "Defend Democracy." We recognize that that vigilance is required to protect the right to vote. It can be suppressed sometimes in a blatant, obvious way like requiring a voter to show photo ID to register but closing DMV offices in areas where underrepresented and marginalized people live. It can also be suppressed in a subtle, pernicious way. It can be suppressed by spreading misinformation about the security of vote by mail ballots. Let's all work together to educate our communities with factual information about registration, the availability of in person voting, and how to use and return vote by mail ballots.

During the last two months LWVC has been involved in some successful litigation. LWVC, along with Common Cause and the Community Coalition, filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in Federal District Court regarding challenges to the Governor's Executive Order that all voters receive a vote by mail ballot in the November election. Ultimately the case was dismissed by the plaintiffs. These sorts of suits have not been unusual in this election season. LWVUS reports that they are aware of 27 suits involving various state Leagues on issues related to the coming election.

LWVC also filed an amicus with the California Supreme Court to support moving the deadlines for release of redistricting maps to accommodate the expected late data reporting from the US Census Bureau. The suit was successful. All legal work has been done pro bono by respected law firms that specialize in civil rights.

Speaking of redistricting, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission is now constituted. Local Leagues that have citizens redistricting commissions are in the process of educating and encouraging citizens to apply to become part of them.

LWVC now has a Homelessness Action Policy. An action policy brings together already existing League positions that apply to a particular issue. The policy makes it easy to see all the State and National positions needed to help analyze proposed legislation or ordinances and use them for advocacy. Many thanks go to the large committee of people who came to realize that LWV has plenty of tools to tackle homelessness issues.

Over the years LWV gets challenged about its advocacy, both in the Legislature, in local government and during campaigns on propositions. People are under the impression that LWV is only a voter education organization. Please read the attached letter to the editor sent by Natalya Zernitskaya of LWV in Santa Monica for an excellent illustration of the complete picture of the League.

LWVC wants you! Nominations are open for the LWVC Board of Directors. Join the team to help lead LWVC into the next 100 years. Volunteer yourself or nominate someone you think would be good for the League.

Election seasons are exciting and sometimes stressful. But League's work of Empowering Voters! Defending Democracy! Is worth the stress. After 100 years of work, we understand that voters are worth it; that it is worth the effort to make a more perfect democracy for those 18 year olds who are voting for the very first time (and everyone else too).

Thank you for hard work and please stay safe,

Carol

Voter Service

The COVID 19 pandemic yielded an election that will send vote by mail ballots to all active registered voters. This presents opportunities for LWV to prepare voters to:

Make sure they are registered to vote. Check their voter registration information at VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov;
Make updates to their registration, their signature, and their language preference at RegisterToVote.ca.gov;
Sign-up for ballot tracking at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

Those are the first steps. As the election date approaches and people have the ballots, educate voters on:

how to fill out the envelope for the ballot,
how to return the vote by mail ballots,
what process is followed to count them.
This video from the Secretary of State's office is helpful, as is the Easy Voter Guide (see below).
Locations and hours of ballot drop boxes and polling places or vote centers
Voting in person is available to anyone who wants to. Polling places and vote centers will be open 3-4 days before November 3.

Use social media and your League websites. This election presents the opportunity to expand your presence on social media to facilitate voter education. Share posts from LWVC. Encourage your members to share this information on their personal social media sites.

Keep your League website filled with information about the polling places or vote centers plus days and hours of operation. Your local elections office will love you for it!
Link to Voter's Edge so that those who visit your site can easily find basic voter information, can look up their ballots, and can find the locations of their local polling place or vote center.
Seek out other groups within your community that share the mission of educating and share information with and among them. Information coming from trusted messengers is often the most effective way of educating voters.
Combat misinformation about vote by mail with factual information. Point out that:

California voters have been using "no excuse" vote by mail since 1979. Thirteen counties already send vote by mail ballots to all registered voters as part of the Voter's Choice Act.
Over 70% of the ballots cast were vote by mail in march 2020.
The envelopes that vote by mail ballots are returned in are tracked with a bar code for each one.
Voter's signatures on the outside of the envelope is compared with the signature on record before the envelope is opened.
Voters can track their ballots through WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
Audits of the vote totals are regularly completed during the counting process.

Easy Voter Guide

The Easy Voter Guide is scheduled to be released online on September 4. The EVG will be online and will be printed as usual. The deadline to order is August 26. Order now while supplies last!

Because this is the first ever election in which all active registered voters will receive a vote by mail ballot and in light of renewed interest in local government elections, this edition's contents are expanded. This EVG includes specific language describing how to handle vote by mail ballots and links to all the relevant Secretary of State links to help voters understand what will be happening during this election.

In addition, the EVG contains specific descriptions of the "down ballot" contests for local level elected offices, such as District Attorney, City Council, and County Sheriff. This information will be useful to you in all communications and education about this election whether you use it online in social media posts or in Zoom talks.

The Easy Voter Guide is carefully written for the new and busy voter with the help of Common Knowledge, an organization dedicated to effective civic engagement that helped conceive of this project. It is reviewed by the Legislative Analyst Office before publication.

Pros & Cons

The Pros & Cons will be released on September 1. The In Depths that accompany them will be ready a few days later.

Advocacy v. Voter Service in Pros & Cons

The community respects the League for its objectivity and grassroots involvement, as well as for its nonpartisanship. However, sometimes the community and our own members are confused about the League's two roles: voter service and advocacy.

The League is always nonpartisan: It does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. However, we are political because we support and oppose legislation, lobby legislators, and take stands on propositions.

Claims that the presentation of Pros & Cons is biased happens from time to time.

How can we keep voter service and advocacy from overlapping? Make sure the same person isn't doing both activities. A League member who has been visible advocating for or against a ballot measure should not be visible in a voter service capacity, and the voter service director should be involved only in voter service functions.

If it is your practice to name the writers of ballot arguments or the identities of organizations supporting or opposing propositions, continue to do so. Be consistent in listing such things for all propositions. In other words, don't leave LWVC out of the list if you are listing every other sponsor or signer of the argument in every proposition you discuss.

If asked during a pro/con meeting about the League's position on a ballot measure, you may state it briefly but should not enlarge on it or engage in debate. You may say that this is a pro/con forum and you would be willing to talk to anyone about whether the League supports or opposes a proposition. You can also refer the person to LWVC.org's "Vote with the League section." It contains specific information, beyond saying support/oppose/neutral.

Advocacy Report

The LWVC-sponsored Racial Justice Act - after languishing as a bill moved off the current session to be revived for the 2021 Legislative session - has re-emerged, and is gaining traction This important bill, which would prohibit racial discrimination in convictions and sentencing , and create a process to challenge convictions and sentencing on the grounds of racial discrimination, is now under a new name - AB 2542. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A3cGfzxMjMqaoDV6u8xMMcVUXgL8b0Rk/view

The bill re-emerged on August 1, and last Friday cleared the Senate Public Safety Committee and goes to Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. An Action Alert is now out for local leagues to take action. https://docs.google.com/document/d/160rj9DFLZ3D70ZvwPCmhoOGBrMse5J1I7HCAYsMI5S4/edit. Assuming it clears Appropriations, we will also call on local leagues to support it on the floor vote.

Other Legislation - Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the numbers and types of legislation coming out of Sacramento. Our Advocacy Team has been busy trying to keep up with many "gut and amend" bills moving quickly through the limited, and significantly truncated legislative session. We've taken positions on a number of bills, while many others area simply "dead." For list of bills we support, see https://ctweb.capitoltrack.com/public/publish.aspx?session=19&id=98de2ed5-3eba-4ad4-882a-72737a757074. Again, we will need League action as bills reach the floor, and then again in September, urging the Governor's action.

November 2020 Ballot Measures - Looking ahead to the November elections, there are currently 12 State Ballot Measures - several of which are quite complex. In late August, we will publish LWVC Recommends, a flyer listing the 12 measures and our recommendations, with additional background explaining our decisions. The Secretary of State has the 12 qualifying measures listed here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures/

A NEW Homelessness Action Plan - The LWVC Board has approved a new Homeless Action Plan, as presented to the Board by the Homelessness Task Force chaired by Anne Omstead. The Action Plan will enable and support local leagues taking action on problems of homelessness. Special thanks to the task force and its 12-15 hardworking members, for their excellent work. In addition to the Plan itself, the committee has developed resources, glossary of terms and is working on a tool kit to support work in this critical area.

Redistricting

All 14 members of the new California Citizens Redistricting Commission have been chosen, and the Commission will begin meeting this month. To learn more about the new Commissioners, or follow their work, check here.

Local redistricting commissions are also forming all over the state. Thanks to local Leagues for helping recruit members of these commissions.

As state and local redistricting roll out across the state, we hope League members will be active in your area, to ensure adherence to the rules, and help maximize community input to whatever process is being used.

To learn more about either state or local redistricting, or to volunteer to help coordinate League redistricting work, please contact Helen Hutchison.

Proposition 15 -- Schools and Communities First

The Yes on Prop 15 campaign is ramping up for an active campaign season. Given the pandemic, this will be a virtual campaign. League members are active all over the state - writing letters to the editor, op-eds, talking with friends and neighbors, participating in phone banks. We'll also start a letter writing campaign soon.

The newest tool that is available for League members to use is Outreach Circle. To learn about this tool, watch for an announcement about an upcoming webinar.

Find more about the campaign work, including what you can do right now here.

A tool for reaching voters about Prop. 15! Learn about it on August 18!

Outreach Circle is a tool that allows you to contact your friends via text or email, and let them know why you support Prop 15. To learn more about the tool, and how to use it sign up to attend one of the two webinars on Tuesday, August 18, at either Noon-12:30 pm, or 7-7:30 pm.

Local League Coaches Supporting Local Leagues

Did you know there is a team of League leaders that work behind the scenes with Local Leagues and Members-Around-the-State units to help them achieve their goals? They are your Local League Coaches (LLC). LLCs are committed to help local Leagues. They have League experience behind them and just as important they are good listeners. They can help local League leaders figure out how to get the job done easier.

Recently seven coaches were added to the LLC team. With the additional coaches some Leagues will be receiving a new coach. An updated roster will be posted next week on the LWVC Members Only page under Local League Management.

Local League Directories

At this time of the year many local Leagues update their League Directory to reflect leadership changes and shared the local League members' information with their members. This is a reminder that any information other than the League members name should have your members' approval to share. This includes phone numbers, emails and home addresses.

In addition, many local Leagues like to welcome new members in their monthly Voter. Again, please ensure the new members or any updated member information is approved for publishing.

These actions will ensure your members' privacy requests are honored and safeguarding them from unauthorized access to their information.

LWVC Nominating Committee

It's time to start thinking about nominations for the 2021-2023 LWVC Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee.

Join the team and help lead LWV California in making democracy work for everyone.
We are looking for candidates who have experience in leadership, business, government, philanthropy or non-profit governance and who are committed to the League's diversity, equity and inclusion mission and to advancing policies that build a more equitable California.
Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
Apply to be considered for the Board yourself, or nominate another
visionary leader!

Applications for the 2021-2023 LWVC Board of Directors and Nominating Committee will be online at LWVC.org in early Fall 2020. Questions? Contact Nominating Co-Chairs Mony Flores-Bauer [email protected] or Lianne Campodonico [email protected]

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Many Leagues ask what they can read or see to help them better understand themselves and the world as it relates to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies. The a LWVC Board of Directors has similar discussions at every meeting. The most recent viewing was Texts to Table: A Conversation About Race and Leadership, a discussion among four African Americans about their reactions to this summer's events. The Board used the following questions to prompt discussion among directors:

How has the rise of protests, civil unrest, and the focus on criminal justice reform impacted you, the people you care about, changed your perspective, helped you develop new empathy, or given you an opportunity to learn something new?
What overall conclusion or impression did you come away with? What sticks out in your mind about it?
Reflecting on the variety of emotions and reactions to the protests, how can you use this very honest conversation to shape your reactions to, and support of, the diverse people in our League community? What can we learn from their actions/reactions with their staffs that can be translated to and applied to how we relate to the League and our communities?
Reflect on the prior readings the Board has used or that you pursued on your own. Do you see commonalities? What are they?
How do you as an individual respond to the various definitions of ally expressed by the participants? How does it make you feel and what does that mean for you in your role as an ally? How do you define allyship for yourself based on this conversation?
If there is no monolithic, absolute definition of ally, how do think that LWVC and local leagues make good decisions on allyship? What do we consider? Who do we consult?
What, if anything, did you learn about diversifying leadership in organizations?

Here is a list of a book and some podcasts that were used as springboards for discussion in past meetings.

everydayfeminism.com/2014/09/non-racist-white- person/
vox.com/identities/2016/11/15/13595508
"You say Chicano, I say..."npr.org/transcripts/718703438
podcast... When Civility is a Cudgel Against People of Color
White Fragility: Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson

August 2020 Post Board Summary

LWVC/LWVCEF Boards of Directors Meetings

August 1, 2020 - Electronic Meeting

IMPORTANT DATES TO CALENDAR:

Local League Information Forms
September 22, 2020 - National Voter Registration Day
November 3, 2020 - Election Day

LWVC MEETING SUMMARY

The LWVC Board of Directors acted as follows:

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Ratification of Special Meeting Actions

May 22, 2020 - Executive Committee Meeting - Personnel
June 4, 2020 - Executive Committee Meeting - Potential Litigation
June 8, 2020 - Executive Committee Meeting - Potential Litigation
June 9, 2020 - Email Meeting - Representation/Electoral System
June 23, 2020 - Email Meeting - Urgent Resolution - Racial Justice.

Accepted Resignations

Aisha Piracha-Zakariya (LWV Palo Alto) as a Director of the LWVC Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2020
Frann Shermet (LWV North Orange County) as a Local League Coach (LLC).

Appointed

Mary Hanson (LWV San Diego) as a Local League Coach (LLC).

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Received and filed the May 2020 Financial Reports
Approved the LWVC Management Budget for 2020-2021.

LWVCEF MEETING SUMMARY

The LWVCEF Board of Directors acted as follows:

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Accepted Resignation

Aisha Piracha-Zakariya (LWV Palo Alto) as a Director of the LWVCEF Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2020.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Received and filed the May 2020 Financial Reports
Approved the Revised Budget for 2020-2021
Approved $6,000 expenditure from the Strategic Initiative Fund to support the payment bonus compensation as outlined in the Cook Silverman contract
Authorized the Executive Director to execute an application to the Paycheck Protection Program upon approval of the Executive Committee.

VOTER SERVICE

President Moon Goldberg updated the Board members regarding the preparation of LWVCEF voter education materials for the November election.

Caroline de Llamas

LWVC/EF Secretary

[email protected]

League of Women Voters® of California

921 11th Street, Suite 700, Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 442-7215 | Fax: (916) 442-7362 | Email: [email protected]

lwvc.org | cavotes.org | easyvoterguide.org | votersedge.org

Virtual Voter Forums

As part of our commitment to voter education, our League will provide an alternative to traditional candidate forums before the election on Nov. 3. We need the public's help. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, forums cannot be held in person but we will provide an on-line opportunity for the public to hear candidates respond to questions about current issues.

Candidates scheduled to be interviewed will be seeking seats on the Woodland City Council, California Assembly, and Senate and Congress. Questions will be framed around these topics such as housing and homelessness, policing and community services, economy and budgeting priorities, climate change, clean water, energy and sustainability, and more. We ask for public input on concerns regarding these topics.

Candidates for the Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees, Yolo County Office of Education Board of Trustees, and the Yuba Community College Board of Trustees will also be interviewed. The public is invited to share their concerns and questions for those candidates as well.

Comments should be sent to us at The Woodland League of Women Voters, P.O. Box 2463, Woodland, 95776; or emailed to [email protected] by Aug. 12.

Membership News

Karen Urbano, VP, Membership Chair reminds members and potential members that our Membership Drive is in full swing. Although our Annual Membership Mixer is postponed to the spring (watch for the future date), our drive is currently occurring and WE NEED YOU!!

Below is a link to Karen's informational letter and the 2020-2021 Renewal or New Member form. Please print it, fill it out, and send with your check made to League of Woman Voter,s Woodland, to LWV, P.O. Box 2463, Woodland, CA 95776.

Many current members are civic minded individuals who have long made contributions to the commonwealth as educators, elected and unelected officials, entrepreneurs and as citizens who have now retired from paid work or who for the first time have hours beyond family obligations to devote to making Woodland more healthy, vibrant and strong. We accomplish these goals by studying and taking positions on matters of concern, such as housing, by observing the organs of government in action such as the school board, where observers take notes and report back to the board, by registering voters, by making information on referenda and propositions available to voters and by organizing and staging candidate forums.

Despite the considerable contributions of war babies and boomers, we acknowledge that to remain a vibrant organization, we need new members joining us. Therefore, we share a responsibility as members to recruit new members. In a world beyond the internet, true social engagement remains a vital basis for forming friendships and creating genuine networks. When you spot leadership qualities, make a LWVW membership form available. Rarely does someone join without an explicit invitation. Please look around and invite new members without assumptions about an individual's political affiliations and with an eye to encouraging a representative and diverse democratic association.

Note: Dues were waived for student memberships through 2021 by the national LWV.

Click here for a Membership Form or ask Karen Urbano at [email protected].

LWV Woodland

Report from the Working Group

for

Housing and the Unhoused

Current Local Housing Position

Adopted in 1982

Support provision of quality and safe housing for all persons in the community regardless of income or ethnic background.

Objectives:

a. Encourage the rehabilitation and revitalization of deteriorating housing.

b. Support Yolo County's Housing Code enforcement program to eliminate substandard rental housing units within the city.

c. Support the City's efforts to apply for and use as many state and federal housing programs as possible to improve and restore existing rental units, as well as build new rental units.

The following additions to the position have been discussed by the Housing Working Group over the last year:

Support new construction and the rehabilitation and preservation of quality and older housing for all persons in the community regardless of income, ethnic or racial background.

Under "a." add" Provide an effective and properly funded code enforcement program." And "Adequate funding for first time homeownership program"

For "b", there were questions as to who operates the Housing Code Enforcement program - the City or the County for rental housing. Should there be a rental inspection program?

For "c", there was a consensus that this position should be rewritten to properly address rental units both for new construction as well as reconstruction.

Other areas identified for inclusion in the policy:

Support of infill development including looking at reduced parking, sustainable and green design especially downtown
- Need for construction of more rental units including senior units.
- Housing should be linked to transportation corridors
- Need for more workforce housing and first time home buyers.
  - o Duplexes on corners and smaller homes in the 1300 - 1500 square foot range
    - Encourage the construction on empty lots
    - Encourage different types of housing, accessory dwelling units, co-ops, court yards units, rooming houses
    - Address rising rents with rent control
    - Housing for the unhoused with rehabilitation programs and job training
    - Make sure create walkable neighborhoods
    - How can we reduce the cost of housing?

The Working Group held two more meeting in November and October. The group continued to discuss the information they had received regarding the current housing numbers and the Housing Element RHNA allocation to the City of Woodland.

A few of us were able to attend the LWV Davis presentation on Housing in November 2019 to hear Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law - a book on the manner in which the American government deliberately imposed racial segregation on housing. There no further meetings held due to Covid 19.

The Housing Working Group will meet via Zoom starting in September. Proposed dates are September 22nd , October 27th and December 1st. We would hope to hold a meeting of the full League to discuss the proposed policy changes in January. More information as to the time will be sent at prior to the meeting date. All League members are encouraged to attend.

Housing Element Update

The City of Woodland will need to update the Housing Element by August 2021 and submit it to HCD for their approval.

Greg Chew, Senior Planner with SACOG spoke to the League on October 10, 2020 and explained the role of the Sacramento Area Council of Government in the development of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and its allocation Woodland and Yolo County.

SACOG plays a key role in the State's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. Every eight years, the State of California's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) provides SACOG with a regional determination, which represents the number of units the region must plan for. The Final SACOG Regional Determination for Cycle 6 of RHNA (2021-2029) is 153,512 units for the SACOG region.

SACOG is then responsible for developing a methodology for allocating that number by income category to each city and county in the region. Once jurisdictions have their RHNA, they must adopt a Housing Element that demonstrates how they can accommodate their RHNA in their zoning.

On November 21, 2019, the SACOG Board of Directors approved RHNA Methodology Option C for the RHNA Methodology Cycle 6 (2021-29). This action provides the number of total housing units that each jurisdiction in the SACOG region must zone for during the 8-year period. The total allocation for each jurisdiction is broken down into four income categories. The lower two income categories ("Low Income" and "Very Low Income") are combined to comprise the number of higher density dwelling units that each jurisdiction zone for during this period. The SACOG Board adopted the Regional Housing Needs Assessment Plan on March 19, 2020. The numbers allocated to the City of Woodland for this next cycle will be 3087 units with 399 in the low income and 663, the very low income range. This also includes an allocation of 601 units for Moderate income and 1,424 units in Above Moderate. This is a 46% increase from the last Housing element cycle. The City of Woodland is working on revising its Housing Element to address the new allocation as well as other changes required by recent Housing Element law amendments.

General Housing Facts

City Housing Element Adopted in 2017 as part of the General Plan and it will need to be revised in 2021.

There are 21031 housing units in Woodland. (2019)

According to the Housing element, based on 2010 figures:

Total Units:

19845 Housing units
12633 Single Family (SF) Detached
1313 SF Attached
451 containing 2-4 units
4067 containing 5+ units
681 mobile homes.

55.9 were owner occupied with 44.1% rentals.

There are presently 172 homes for sale in Woodland with the median price at $413,809 (Zillow)

43 Rental units available in Woodland. Average rent is $950 for a one bedroom.

LWV California Housing Position

Position in Brief:

Support of equal opportunity in housing. Support of measures to provide state programs to increase the supply of safe, decent, and adequate housing for all Californians. Support for action at all levels of government for the provision of affordable housing for all Californians.

Positions:

Programs and policies to provide equal opportunity for access to housing without discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability.

An overall state plan for development with integration of housing, land use and transportation and with attention to factors such as natural resources and basic human needs.

State financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, tax incentives and other means to encourage housing construction and rehabilitation.

Broad state guidelines for use of these funds with more local decision making.

Use of fiscal incentives and disincentives to encourage enforcement of state housing law.

Enforcement of use of redevelopment set-aside funds for low and moderate-income housing.

Standardization and modernization of local building and zoning codes to conform with a state code that:

Is enforced by trained inspectors;

Encourages new and innovative building materials and methods that can be used to cut housing construction costs;

Encourages the use of density bonuses; mixed, cluster and inclusionary zoning; second units; infill development; air rights; and increased density along transportation corridors.

Protection of the rights of both tenants and landlords.

Removal of barriers that inhibit the construction of low and moderate income housing including eventual elimination from the Constitution of the provisions for voter approval before a low-rent housing project may be developed, constructed, or acquired by a public body.

Education of state and local communities concerning need for affordable housing and methods by which this can be attained.

Adopted 1970; Updated 1973, 1993; Readopted in 2017. Updated in 2019.

For more information, contact Janet Ruggiero ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Kemper ([email protected]).

Woodland Daily Democrat Article

Click here to read an article in the Daily Democrat on our upcoming Voter Forums.

Zoom Conferencing Quick Guide

Click here to learn more than you ever wanted to know about Zoom!

Voter Services

We will be virtual this year.

Mark Your Calendar...

All members are welcome guests at board meetings. The locations on the calendar are

tentative. Call Laura Kofoid or email to confirm the location and receive the agenda. 668-0345 or [email protected]. Currently, all meetings are virtual.

September 10, 2020

Annual Meeting (Virtual Zoom)

Your PDF Library...

(click following links to read...)

* LWV City & County Positions

* June 5, 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes

From the National LWV

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Election Preparation Toolkit

In this first email, we are excited to launch our 2020 Election Preparation Toolkit: A one-stop League shop housing our key resources around public education and engagement, voter registration, GOTV, poll worker recruitment, and more! This is a living resource that we will continue to build out based on needs from the field.

Getting Started

Unsure where to dive in? Start off by reviewing our section outlining public education and engagement resources and tools where we make sure to highlight timely subjects! This week, review our resources and guidance related to Mail-In voting and the Postal Service! Stay tuned as we will be providing additional opportunities to take action and organize to support our Postal Service! Fill out this form to tell us what you already have planned and how we can best support!

Key Dates

Upcoming Bi-weekly Trainings

August 20th and 21st at 3pm: Two-part Volunteer Management Training

August 20th Training Registration: Creating your volunteer management plan
August 21st Training Registration: Retaining, growing, and developing your volunteers!

September 3rd: Adapting your in-person voter registration events and preparing for National Voter Registration Day

September 3rd Training Registration
Register for National Voter Registration Day

Upcoming Community Calls

September 1st: Let's talk about poll worker recruitment! Celebrate National Poll Worker Recruitment Day by joining fellow League members as we discuss our plans and questions around poll worker recruitment. Register here!

Community calls are spaces open to the entire League community. It is an opportunity for us to learn, share, and develop our curiosity together. See here for our past and upcoming community calls.

Reach out to the Organizing team at [email protected] to share your election preparation plans, concerns, and thoughts with us! And, as Florynce Kennedy (founder of National Black Feminist Organization and a founder of NOW) said, "Don't Agonize, Organize!" Together, we got this.

In solidarity,

LWVUS Organizing Team

League of Women Voters

1730 M Street NW, Suite 1000

Washington, DC 20036

Davis LWV

We will invite the Davis League to publicize our virtual forums when plans are firm.

For more Davis news, click here for their Facebook page.

Where do My Dues Go?

You may not be aware that a significant portion of our dues go to the National ($1408) and California ($1232) Leagues. Check these websites to learn about the work of the national, state and local leagues and to follow their advocacy and studies.

WE NEED OBSERVERS!

OBSERVER MEETING DAYS AND TIME

Board of Supervisors 2nd & 4th Tuesday (9:00 AM)

Woodland City Council (covered) 1st & 3rd Tuesday (6:00 PM)

WJUSD Board Meetings 2nd & 4th Thursday (6:30 PM)

Transparency is important and must be documented. Observers of the County Board of Supervisors or the Woodland City Council can use Wave televised meetings. Of course, meetings are currently virtual. We look forward to the time when we can once again gather in the customary fashion.

If you can attend school board meetings, or other local government meetings, contact President Pat Butler ([email protected]) to receive an observer badge and template for taking notes.

Visit the City of Woodland website for meeting times, and agendas and think about your interest and strengths. Meetings are cordial, informative, about Woodland, and often feature special presentations. Public commentary is typically welcomed.

A primary function of observers is to determine how League policies are affected by Council votes. See the PDF Library for a link to our positions.
For additional information, contact Gil Walker, 530-661-6449