President's Column
By Aedín Clements
“Fighting for Democracy!”
The League of Women Voters, not given to sounding the alarm frivolously, has declared that the United States is in a constitutional crisis. With this, the League announced the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative, so we look forward to working with Leagues throughout the nation to mobilize 8.5 million voters to fight for democracy.
We encourage our members to continue to contact representatives, both state and federal, on all issues of concern, and to follow up whenever the LWVMI sends us an action alert.
We appreciated that so many League members took part in the Hands Off rally, and I apologize for not anticipating that the crowds would make it next to impossible to find one another. I promise to make a better plan for future events.
We hope to see many of you at this year’s annual meeting on May 12th, 6 p.m. in Friendship Village Clubhouse. We also look forward to working together at the many voter information opportunities that occur during the coming months. We’ll be at the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market, the Pride Festival, and other places – watch for emails with opportunities to volunteer.
Thanks for all the great work on the Federal Judiciary Study. Thanks also to all those who attended the new member meeting at Parkview Clubhouse.
See you on May 12th!
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Calendar
May 2025
NNN5 4pm: Deadline to vote in person with absentee
NNNNballot at your local clerk’s office.
NNN6 Election Day 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
NN12 LWVKA Annual Meeting 6pm, Friendship Village Clubhouse
16-18 LWVMI Convention Grand Rapids
NN20 Book Group Kazoo Books, 6:30pm (social time 6-6:30)
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Annual Meeting
You should have received an email inviting you to our annual meeting, Monday, May 12th at the Friendship Village Clubhouse. (See more information at the end of this newsletter.)
Beginning with refreshments and socializing at 6 p.m., our formal proceedings will begin at 6:30. Miranda Grunwell of the Disability Network Southwest Michigan will speak about Disability and Voting. There is no need to respond in advance, just come if you are able.
See you on the 12th!
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Membership Update
By Jennifer Snyder
In recent months, LWVKA has welcomed more than a dozen new members. We are so pleased they’ve joined us!
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Gayle Bachert, Hastings
Mariann Tsilis Barnard, Vicksburg
Susan Fluri, Kalamazoo
Deborah Green, Kalamazoo
Margaret Heppner, Marshall
Kathryn Hillenbrand, Vicksburg
Wendy King, Mattawan
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Janet Minich, Kalamazoo
Beth Parks, Martin
Marjorie Stinson, Kalamazoo
Lisa Stucky, Portage
Mark Stucky, Portage
Candace Wise, Portage
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Joan Burke — We wish you well!
One of our lifetime members and former LWVKA president, Joan Burke will be moving to Eugene Oregon to be near family. We wish you safe travels and appreciate all that you have done for our League.
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Federal Judiciary Study Submitted
Our thanks to Kathy Purnell and Judy Sivak who led the Federal Judiciary Study for our League. The study group met three times and prepared the way for a meeting of our League members to come to a consensus on a series of questions. The meeting was held on April 8th, and was an interesting and educational event (with great refreshments).
A consensus was reached on all questions, and the report has been submitted to the LWV. Thanks to the study group members: Aimee Bedard, Ruth Caputo, Sue Caulfield, Martha Dahlinger, Barb Dircks, Lisa Fuller, Denise Hartsough and Kay Perry.
| | The Arden J. Elsasser Award | |
Aedín Clements congratulates Nofisat Eletu at the WMU Political Science Department Awards ceremony. | | |
This award was established by the LWVKA in memory of Arden J. Elsasser, who gave faithful service to this organization and contributed significantly to the Kalamazoo community. It is given annually by WMU’s Political Science Department to both a graduate and an undergraduate student.
Nofisat Eletu, who is working on her PhD in political science, won the Graduate Award. Sam Longlet is the winner of the Undergraduate Award.
Our congratulations to them both.
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Avoid Misinforming!
By Denise Hartsough
See something online that shocks or dismays you? Ready to share it on social media?
Here are tips from our 2024 Founders Day speaker, WMU Professor Sue Ellen Christian:
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Look at who is behind the information. Is the source of the original post trustworthy?
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Ask what evidence supports the post’s claim. How do you know it’s true?
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Consult other sources. Check claims by seeing what other sources say about the claim.
For more tips, tools and fun learning games, see Wonder Media Library!
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Hands Off! Protest
By Chris Kuthe
On Saturday, April 5 approximately 2,000 protestors gathered along Westnedge Avenue in Portage. The theme of the protest, organized by the group Indivisible, was “Hands Off!” These protestors wanted the federal government to keep their “hands off “ voting rights, medicare and medicaid, social security, cuts to government jobs, the VA and more. Many LWVKA members were in attendance. More protests are planned for the future and we will share information via email as it becomes available.
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Advocate!
By Denise Hartsough
The effort to add an unneeded documentary proof of citizenship requirement into our Michigan Constitution is now a ballot proposal campaign. Watch The Voter for how you can educate voters about this and urge them to decline to sign the petition.
It’s still relevant to use the Action Alert at lwvmi.org to oppose House Joint Resolution B, which would impose a state documentary proof of citizenship requirement.
Join a Hands Off! rally as they are scheduled and announced.
Urge everyone to use the LWVUS Take Action webpage to 1) Urge Congress to Stand Up for Democracy, 2) Oppose the SAVE Act (US Senate), 3) Respond to Your House Member’s Vote on the SAVE Act, 4) Demand Equal Rights (the ERA), and 5) Expand Voting Rights.
What LWVUS is doing:
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Declared a Constitutional crisis and creation of Unite and Rise 8.5, a mobilization of 8.5 million voters to defend democracy. Read the press release here. Details after May 1!
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Pointed out the impact the SAVE Act would have on married women’s access to voting in Teen Vogue: “Let's be real: The SAVE Act is a trick. It's not about protecting elections; it is about making it harder to participate in them. It is a Trojan horse attack on American democracy disguised as an election security measure. And women should not have to bear the brunt of a law passed to address a nonexistent problem.” Read the rest here.
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Condemned the US President’s call for investigation of two top federal election officials for affirming the integrity of the 2020 election. Read details here.
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Sent a letter to the Commerce Secretary opposing the elimination of Census committees. Read the letter here.
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Co-authored a Newsweek op-ed defending libraries and museums. Read it here.
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Climate Change, Environmental Justice and Biodiversity Committee Update
By Chris Kuthe
This committee meets on the first Friday of each month at 9:00 am via Zoom. We are currently working to encourage Portage and Kalamazoo to use native plants in any future landscape projects. Members of the committee attended the Earth Day march at WMU and the Buzz in the Zoo kickoff event for Kalamazoo to become a bee city. An upcoming event will be World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May10th from 10:00am to 3:00pm in Upjohn Park. If you are interested in being a part of this committee please contact Chris Kuthe at ckuthe57@gmail.com or Aedin Clements at aedinclements@gmail.com
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E.V.E.N.T.S.
By Barb Dircks
Our focus was centered on two things; first, the successful growth of the Observer Corps, (thank you to Regena Nelson for your leadership, as we now observe twelve different governmental bodies due to increased number of volunteers), and secondly, communication strategies; the best ways and effectiveness of what we do. Currently we rely on the website, The Voter, and emails, along with an occasional text message. Used in tandem at this point, we discussed issues related to streamlining, increasing efficiency, and sustaining updates. Aedín, reported that the communications group met for the first time and will continue to address these exact issues. Interested members with social media skills and/or an interest in editing The Voter should reach out to this new committee (aedinclements@gmail.com).
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You're Invited!
By Barb Dircks
The new member You’re Invited event at the Parkview Hills Clubhouse in April was a successful evening; members gathered for refreshments and an information exchange. Over 30 people showed up to share and ask questions and listen to Board members explain the opportunities for participation. This networking exchange is exactly what builds and widens the connection between members’ involvement. As the League Observer Corps chair has commented, “It is all too clear that defending democracy is not a passive undertaking.” We look forward to the next, (yet to be determined) You’re Invited gathering! If you have an interest in helping plan and organize the next one, contact Barb Dircks. (barbdircks@gmail.com)
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LWVMI Updates
Denise Hartsough, VP for Program & Advocacy
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Online news magazine Bridge published a commentary from LWVMI on the impact that most married women would suffer under the SAVE Act and a state-level documentary proof of citizenship requirement. You can read it here.
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LWVMI invites members to share stories of the impact of executive actions—on themselves, their loved ones, their communities for possible use in advocacy. Here’s the link to the form.
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LWVUS Update
By Paula Manley
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MAY
Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
11 Mother’s Day
20 32nd anniversary of The National Voter Registration Act
26 Memorial Day
LWVUS has issued a press release announcing the following:
“Starting May 1, the League will launch the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative, which aims to mobilize 8.5 million voters using the power of voter engagement as a cornerstone of our democracy. Unite and Rise 8.5 will showcase the many ways voters can drive change, including through advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement. The initiative is part of LWV’s Women Defend Democracy.”
Watch for further information in the upcoming days.
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Calhoun County Unit News
Susan Stuart
The Calhoun unit has 56 members whom we are encouraging to take more active leadership and advocacy roles. There are several openings on the management team: secretary and communications director. Also needed are volunteers to staff the LWV table at community events starting in May. We will be using a new poster designed by Anne Flynn and key messages from Voter Services at community events in 2025 such as “Every Election Matters.” VOTE411 information is available for elections on May 6 in Calhoun County. Our annual meeting will be held in September. Several members participated in the April 5 rallies and have advocated against voter suppression legislation. A zoom cocktail hour was held the evening of April 23 to introduce our plans for the upcoming season.
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LWVKA Book Group
Aedín Clements
Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 20th at Kazoo books on Parkview (park in rear). We gather there from about 6 p.m., and the discussion begins at 6:30. This discussion, led by Regena Nelson, is on Lovely One: A Memoir, by Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is the first Black woman ever to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. All are welcome.
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Annual Meeting Documents:
These, along with the budget, are the documents we will vote on at our annual meeting, May 12th.
Nominating Committee Slate
The following LWVKA members have accepted nominations for Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee for the 2025-2026 LWVKA Board. Voting occurs at the 2025 Annual Meeting in May.
Co-President (1yr) Aedin Clements
Co-President (1yr) Aimee Bedard
VP Organization (2yr) Maria Gagnon-Markucki
Secretary (2yr) Deb Freiman
Director/Membership (1yr) Terri McDonald
Directors (2yr) Teresa Johnson, Karen Gustafson, Kim Bender
Nominating (1yr) Kay Anderson, Regena Nelson, Barb Dircks
Current Nominating Committee members are Kay Anderson, 269-649-2461 or kander314@aol.com, off-board members Regena Nelson, Karen Gustafson, and Board members Deb Freiman, Lisa Fuller, and Teresa Johnson.
Recommended Program
LWVKA members at Program Planning on January 25, 2025 recommend to the LWVKA membership that we affirm LWVKA's existing local positions at the LWVKA Annual Meeting.
See local positions at lwvka.org in the Members section (password protected) under Learn and Engage in the LWVKA Handbook.
ByLaws Changes
The LWVKA board recommends the following bylaws changes that reflect the new dues payment system. The board recommends all sections highlighted in yellow be deleted and sections in red be added.
V. OFFICERS
Section 5. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of these monies, shall deposit them in a bank designated by the Board of Directors, and shall disburse same only upon the order of the Board. The Treasurer shall present statements to the Board at their regular meetings and an annual report at the Annual Meeting. The books shall be audited annually. The Treasurer or designee shall notify each member at least two weeks before the first of the month in which the dues are payable.
VI. FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Section 2. Dues. Annual dues shall be payable on the first day of the anniversary month of the member’s joining the League. Associate members’ dues shall be assessed the same as members’ dues. Full-time or part-time students may pay the amount as designated by the local League. Any member who fails to pay dues within three months after they become payable shall be dropped from the membership rolls.
ADD Members shall pay dues in accordance with LWVUS policy. Members who fail to renew within the period specified by LWVUS shall be removed from the roster.
Section 4. Budget. A proposed budget for the ensuing year, including an amount for annual dues, shall be sent by the Board of Directors to all members one month before the Annual Meeting. The budget shall be adopted by a majority vote of members present at the Annual Meeting.
2025 LWVKA Bylaws Committee Paula Manley and MerriKay Oleen-Burkey
| | LWVKA Officers and Board Members | | |
Aedín Clements
Co-President
Christine Kuthe
Co-President
Maria Gagnon-Markucki
VP Organization
Denise Hartsough
VP Program
Tanya Potter
Treasurer
Deb Freiman
Secretary
LWVKA Directors—Elected
Jennifer Snyder
Director – Membership
Jules Isenberg-Wedel
Director – Vote411/Voter Guides
Lisa Fuller
Director at Large
Aimée Bedard
Voter Service Chair
Rick Freiman
Director
Shardae Jones-Chambers
Director at Large
Teresa Johnson
Director at Large
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LWVKA Directors—Appointed
Barbara Dircks
Past President
Kitty Knoll
Chair – Calhoun County Geographical Unit
Paula Manley
Geographical Unit Mentor
Terry Hluchyj
Vote411 – Voter Guides
MerriKay Oleen-Burkey
Website Liaison/ LWVMI Board Member
Education Fund Board Members
Rick Freiman
Chair
Jessica Reiser
Vice Chair
Barb Dircks
Secretary
Tanya Potter
Treasurer
Paula Aldridge
Director
Dennis Elmer
Director
Aedín Clements
Director (Ex officio)
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