Stay Informed: LWV Dare June Newsletter

June 2026 Newsletter

by Claudia Kozinetz

President's Message

June marks the end of the League of Women Voters Dare (LWV) year. LWV now has

newly energized officers and committee chairs ready to plan programs, empower voters, and defend democracy. We also review and affirm our policies. Often misunderstood is the LWV nonpartisan policy.

LWV is a nonpartisan political organization committed to informed, active participation in government. Nonpartisan does not mean we are neutral or that we stay silent. LWV is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Issues are not partisan. LWV can agree with a politician or candidate on an issue, but that does not mean we endorse the candidate. LWV also never provides funding to political candidates.

LWV’s mission to ‘empower voters and defend democracy’ has not changed in over 100

years. Unfortunately, in this hyper-partisan environment, people make inaccurate

assumptions about this work. Supporting the democratic processes of registering

voters and protecting the ballot box is seen by some as opposed to one political party,

even though fair elections are the foundations of our democracy. Likewise, empowering

voters who previously have been left out of the process and supporting policies that set

right systemic racism does not mean we align with one party. Rather, it means we are

doing what we were found to do: to stand up for what is right.

Wanting every eligible voter to have equal access to the ballot box is not partisan.

Wanting a strong democracy in which everyone has an equal voice and equal voice and equal representation is not partisan. Wanting to see more elected officials that reflect the diverse makeup of our country is not partisan, it is American.

Warmly,

Claudia

Reports on Recent Events

Lunch & Learn - First Flight

A group of Leaguers paid a visit to the First Flight High School Aviation class to meet the students and their mentor/teacher Rear Admiral Murray Tynch III, more commonly known as Admiral Joey. The students have been engaged in building a two-seater plane that is part of the Tango Flight program that provides all of the many parts for the construction. There are 50 high schools throughout the country engaged in similar projects. The local high school worked in conjunction with the National Park Service which provided a garage for work space at the Wright Memorial and support for the program.

The FF crew consisted of 20 students – mostly seniors – who have been working on the construction for the past two years (even during holidays and summer break) under the guidance of Admiral Joey and several other community mentors who have aviation

backgrounds. We met with the students and heard their stories about their work on the

aircraft and how the experience has influenced their career plans. There is one young

woman in the group – Val. She singlehandedly assembled all of the wiring for the plane

and wanted no assistance from her male companions! Although none of the students

has a pilot’s license, each was taken on a ride to experience their own workmanship.

The plane is housed at the Manteo Airport.

Once the construction was complete, the aircraft was sold, and the proceeds were

spent on purchasing the parts for another plane that will be a project for the young

aviators next year. There are five juniors in the current class who will be the leaders for

the new crew.

This trip was part of the Lunch and Learn program led by Judy Lotas. The group

enjoyed a luncheon at Two Roads restaurant after visiting with the students.

Admiral Joey’s mother, Patsy, wasJudy’s guest at our Annual Meeting. His daughter is

currently on an historic European tour that is following a similar venture that the Wright

Brothers took a century ago – she is following in the footsteps of Katherine Wright, the

brothers’ unsung sibling.

{Thank you for all the pictures that were sent in and especially to Karen McIver for the picture of students and Judy in gear below.}

LWV Dare - Annual Meeting

The 2026 Annual Meeting was held at Duck Woods Country Club on Thursday, June 4 with 38 members and guests attending. The event commenced with President Claudia Kozinetz making an inspiring address highlighting our year and looking forward to the challenges ahead with great introspective as to how the League will respond to its mission and principles.

{Read Claudia's Remarks: Defending Democracy Starts Here | Every Member Has a Role}

Judy Lotas presented the Audrey Award to Nancy Birindelli, long-time LWV member and treasurer, in recognition of her years of service.

The guest speaker was Carl Curnutte, co-chair of the Dare County A-250 Celebration in the Land of Beginnings which is commemorating the anniversary of the USA. He began his presentation by asking members to respond to questions about local history – correct responders received an A-250 t-shirt – all questions were correctly answered! Carl’s remarks addressed the formation of the community-wide committee which planned the events for the celebration and how the effort resulted in a stellular event, A-250 Faire, held in Manteo on April 18. (The League had a table at the Faire distributing information about voting and LWV.) He also noted the events that will take place for the remainder of the year and distributed souvenirs of the commemoration to members. His presentation was greatly enjoyed by all!

Following a buffet luncheon, the business meeting was held. Claudia called the meeting to order and took voice votes on the minutes from the 2025 Annual Meeting; the Non-partisan Policy; the DEI Policy, and the 2026-7 Operating Budget. All items were

approved unanimously except for one dissenting vote on the DEI.

The next order of business was the election of officers and directors. All officers and directors received a yellow rose to symbolize the founding and principles of the League.

The meeting was adjourned with loud applause!

If you were not able to attend the Annual Meeting and missed filling out your index cards or had some additional ideas after the meeting (read the Defending Democracy link above), click on the link below and send your 3 wishes ... we'll share with the board at the upcoming board retreat - next week (deadline to submit 9 am on June 17th). Your thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated for planning an impactful, fun and interesting League year 26-27!

What are your 3 wishes for the League Next Year?

Congratulations to our New Board!

Elected Board Members

Co-Presidents – Deb Bauer and Claudia Kozinetz

Vice President – Karen Anderson

Treasurer – Carol Sykes

Secretary – Charlotte Pedigo

Elected Directors

Education – Marion Midgett

Membership – Lorelei DiBernardo

Voter Services – Marcie Ries and Chris Buchanan

Voter Registration – Tianna Stathis and Barbara Liberi

Nominating Chair – Fran Kapinos

Nominating Committee Member – Mary Jane Slesinski

Appointed Board Members were also installed as a group which included the following:

Programs – Jeanine Emery

Lunch and Learn – Nancy Birindelli

Publicity/Newsletter - Kathleen Wasniewski

Health – Christie McEwan

Citizen’s Guide – Carol Butscher and Emma Turnbull

Webmaster – Heidi Hess

Dare Board of Elections Rep – Kathleen Levitz

Currituck Board of Elections Rep – Karen Anderson and Deb Bauer

Vote 411 – Don and Jean Pratt

ERA – Judy Lotas

Audrey Award for Excellence

Nancy has given generously of her time, talent, passion and League expertise to League of Women Voters of Dare for decades. She has served as president, treasurer, board member, counselor, historian and backbone of our organization as well as State Treasurer of the League.

The Audrey Award for Excellence was created in fond memory of Audrey Esposito. Tianna Stathis was first to receive the award for her superb work on Voter Registration and voter education in our schools.

In addition to her League work, Nancy serves as Secretary of the Dare Education Foundation and recently awarded the first Memorial Scholarship created in her late husband’s name.