By Janice Garry
Dear Communications Chair,
It was with gladness that I stepped out the door in my jacket this chilly morning. Cycles are the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Even in Florida, flora and fauna are slowing their pace to rest for the winter. Animals are scavenging to store away food for winter. Staying in tune with nature’s cycles as we continue our League work can lend a sense of rhythm and equanimity.
We are in a pre-election year cycle. In preparation for the 2024 elections, our Voter Services democracy-dedicated team is busy lining up tabling opportunities where we will assist prospective voters to register, update their information, and assist with Vote by Mail (VBM) applications. If you are somebody who likes to VBM, NOW is the time to apply, most easily accomplished online, but you can also call the Supervisor of Elections at (352) 374-5252. If you can help with public outreach, please contact Gwen and Diana.
There are two important legislative events coming up.
- On October 25, beginning at 1:30, is the Legislative Delegation meeting. All legislators for Alachua County will be meeting at Santa Fe College with the opportunity for the public to address them about issues important to them. I have reserved a place on the agenda for our league; we have not yet been assigned our slot. After talking with several people I will give the allowed three-minute message focused on home rule. Breach of home rule has denied us the ability to set our own water standards, to allow our children accurate history and access to books, and the management of GRU by our elected officials. If you have input, can cite specific bills, or would like to attend with me, please send me an email with “Legislative Delegation” in the subject line.
- The second event is LWV Lobby Days during which we have the opportunity to go to Tallahassee to meet with legislators and see the system in action. The legislative session begins January 9, Lobby Days is January 23-24. Organizing for this event is pending but mark your calendars now!
In League,
Janice
[email protected]
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Hot Topic: Book Banning - Age Appropriateness
October 15th @ 3 p.m. (this afternoon)
at Millhopper Branch Library, Meeting Room A
We are very pleased to present Professor Lyrissa Lidsky discussing the very hot topic of book bans at this in-person event. Professor Lidsky is the Raymond & Miriam Ehrlich Chair in U.S. Constitutional Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
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Can Democracy Survive Disinformation?
October 23rd @ 2:30 p.m.
via Zoom
Disinformation is a new style of warfare -- it is fought using words, not guns. It can influence elections and destabilize governments. LWV of Sonoma County, CA has invited Nina Jankowicz, an internationally acclaimed expert, to take us into the world of disinformation campaigns revealing how they work and, more importantly, how to counter them.
Use this link to register.
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LWVFL Sara Werder League Leadership Program
Application Deadline: October 24th
LWVFL announced the inaugural state-level leadership development program, the Sara Werder League Leadership Program (SWLLP) designed to identify and train members from throughout Florida for future leadership positions in the state League.
Participants may be nominated or self-nominate. Nomination is completed by filling out the application due no later than October 24, 2023. Selected participants will commit to a series of five sessions focusing on leadership in nonprofit organizations, Florida state governance and legislation, the LWVFL and LWVUS organization, functions, key priorities, issues and actions. Participants will be expected to attend five sessions – three by Zoom and two in person. Some preparation and outside work will be expected. Most travel and room costs will be covered by LWVFL.
Use this link to find more information and to apply.
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LWVAC Fall Luncheon
October 26th @ 11:30 a.m.
Best Western Gateway Grand
4200 NW 97th Blvd
Gainesville Florida 32606
Reservations have closed for the LWVAC Fall Luncheon but if you RSVP'd, we look forward to seeing you there and hearing what Dr. Monica Elliot, LWVFL Secretary and Voter Services Chair and LWV of Broward County Co-President and Voter Services Chair, has to say about expectations for the 2024 Florida Legislative Session.
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Natural Resources Special Presentation
October 25th @ 5:30 p.m.
via Zoom
At their October meeting, the NR Committee is hosting Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell to talk about Alachua County local land use policy and the long-term impact these decisions have on climate change, water quality, and our quality of life. Please contact Jay Rosenbek for the zoom link.
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Oak Hammock Special Presentation
November 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
Oak Hammock
During the November Oak Hammock meeting, Susan Nugent, a member of the Gainesville Chapter of the Climate Reality Project, will discuss, "What's Climate Got to Do with Our Food". Susan is also a master gardener who promotes Florida Friendly Landscapes. The meeting is open to everyone in the community. Contact Mary White for details.
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LWVAC hit the ground running this fall. Our volunteers have been all over town tabling and speaking on behalf of LWVAC and democracy. Some of our board and leadership team got together for an in-person board orientation, and a small group of Voter Services members worked with Janice Garry to organize our tabling supplies. There's still a lot happening and room for more volunteers. Read on to learn how you can get involved today! | |
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Postcards to Returning Citizens, Phase 2
LWVAC will again be sending postcards to returning citizens, offering them LWVFL assistance in pursuing the restoration of their voting rights.
The postcards are pre-printed with this information. Volunteers address cards, add a handwritten line of support, and mail them. All supplies are provided.
Postcarding is a valuable service that we can offer to our fellow citizens and a good way to keep active with LWV. Some members enjoy doing it as a postcard party with fellow leaguers.
If you would like to participate, contact Kathy Kidder by email or by calling 352-
214-9565 and state the number of postcards you will write. She will order them from LWVFL and arrange to get them to you. Please respond by October 26 so that our supplies arrive in time to complete the project before year-end.
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Petitioning and Tabling
LWV of Alachua County is joining LWVFL in supporting the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign, which is a constitutional amendment to clarify our priorities and a civil action to enforce our right to clean and healthy waters, and the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion campaign, which is a constitutional amendment to establish an explicit right to abortion and ensure that Floridians’ reproductive freedom is codified into law and no longer subject to the whims of extremist politicians and judges. The mission is to take both of these issues to Florida's voters; to educate them, to collect their petitions, and to ensure their voice is heard.
We are petitioning at local events and farmers markets around town. When we have enough volunteers we are also tabling at community events. Tabling includes voter registration assistance (training required) and education activities.
At present, we are planning to attend the following events:
- 10/15 @ 3:00 p.m.: LWVAC Hot Topic @ Millhopper Library
- 10/21 @ 12:00 p.m.: Gay Pride Festival @ Bo Diddley Plaza
- 11/18-19: Downtown Arts Festival
Watch our emailed calendars, web calendar, and Facebook page as new events are added all of the time. Please contact Voter Services to volunteer.
If you are interested in being added to the contact list for future events or if there is an event you think we should attend, please contact Janice.
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ONE is enough to do something!
Don't let the fact that you are not signed up to volunteer for a specific LWVAC event keep you from taking individual action to support and defend democracy.
Here are some individual acts you can take:
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In this section, we bring you updates from your LWV of Alachua County committees. Committees are the best way to get involved in LWV of Alachua County and your local community. Feel free to reach out to the Committee Chairs to express interest, join their meetings, and get involved. | |
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Contact: Roberta Gastmeyer or Jay Rosenbek
After a fantastic presentation by Nicole Llinas, Executive Director of Current Problems in September, NR is hosting Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell for their October meeting. As mentioned above, the meeting will occur via Zoom on October 25th at 5:30 p.m. and Commissioner Cornell will talk about Alachua County local land use policy and the long-term impact these decisions have on climate change, water quality, and our quality of life. Please contact Jay Rosenbek for the Zoom link.
We are still encouraging residents to complete the City of Gainesville's Climate Action Plan Survey. If you have not already, please take a few moments now to complete the survey. Let the City know that climate change action is important to you!
If interested in these or other local environmental issues, please contact Jay Rosenbek or Roberta Gastmeyer.
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Contact: Mary White
Oak Hammock met on October 10th, and Lynn Leverty, retired faculty member of the UF Political Science Dept, discussed, "Can Voters be More Involved in Choosing Political Candidates?" A recording is available here.
The November Oak Hammock meeting is scheduled for November 14th @ 7:00 p.m. As mentioned above, Susan Nugent will discuss, "What's Climate Got to Do with Our Food". The meeting is open to all LWVAC members.
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Contact: Diana Boxer or Gwen Wagner
Power the South is a conference and training opportunity jointly sponsored by LWVUS & LWVFL on October 20-21 in Orlando. Scholarships for registration, room, and board are available for two LWVAC participants. Receive training and motivational strategies for reaching underserved populations and target minority groups for canvassing. Contact Janice Garry if you are interested in representing LWVAC at the event.
We now have two new student chapters of LWV in Alachua County: Santa Fe (mentored by Linda Musillo) and UF (mentored by Diana Boxer). Three cheers!!
Many tabling opportunities occurred and others are planned:
10/7 – Sweetwater Square housing
10/14 – NAACP Health Fair 9:30-2 @ Mt. Olive AME Church 730 SE 8th Ave. .
10/15 – Hot Topics @ Millhopper Library 3-4:30.
10/21 – Gay Pride Festival @ Bo Diddley Plaza 12-5 PM.
11/18-19 – Downtown Art Festival
Tabling supplies and equipment are now organized in Janice’s garage. Thanks to Elaine Francis, Lori Erikson, and Isabel Coutts for this effort.
Contact Diana and Gwen to see how your talents can help keep democracy strong. Stop by our table at the Fall Luncheon. We look forward to seeing you and talking in person!
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Re-Request Your Vote by Mail Ballot
Please be aware no voter’s Vote by Mail ballot status rolls over into the 2023 and 2024 Election Cycles. The law has changed, and everyone must re-enroll in Vote by Mail every two years. To vote by mail in an election, the request must be in the Supervisor of Elections office no later than 10 days before the election. You can learn more and re-request your Vote by Mail ballot on the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections website.
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LWV of Alachua County Leadership Team
President: Janice Garry
Vice-President: Gwendolyn Saffo
Secretary: Eileen Roy
Treasurer: Anne D’Amico
A full list of LWV of Alachua County Board Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.
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To avoid missing future LWV of Alachua County email, please add our email address to your Safe Senders List or add the From address ([email protected]) to your Address Book or Contacts. | | | | |
