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THE VOTER
November 2019
Message from the Leadership Team
The League of Women Voters US and the League of Women Voters of Texas remind us:

"The League 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.
Our mission is  Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. "

The League of Women Voters of the Hill Country is proud of its efforts to inform and empower voters, including its recent initiative to offer election Voter Guides in Spanish. It is also seeking to learn other ways to inform and empower voters through its "door-knocking" project. Join us at our November meeting for a brief update on these initiatives.
Inside this issue...
  • Belk Charity Day, November 9
  • General membership meeting, November 21
  • Holiday Celebration, December 6
  • 2020 Census
Belk Charity Sale, Saturday, November 9
The Belk fundraiser, Belk Charity Sale, is coming up this Saturday, November 9th. Sad to say, nobody volunteered to head up our participation, so Mary Ellen, the treasurer, is doing a sort of bare bones effort. And, really, this is about as low intensity a fundraiser as anyone could ask for — one of the reasons we keep doing it! One of Belk’s requirements is met: we have volunteers to staff our table on November 9. THANK YOU, Meg Johnson, Bonnie Powers, and Joyce Schlechte (the “usual suspects” and among the Gold Star Volunteers for this League). 

And our financial results aren’t bad so far, a total of $500. This compares to a total of $660 at the same point last year and a budget guesstimate for the year (2 sales) of $1400. It is true that our reserves are excellent, but there are many elections in 2020 beginning with the March primaries, so we’re going to need a healthy budget just for voter education. And don’t forget, non-Kerrville members, even if you don’t shop in Kerrville, this fundraising will benefit our “units” too, this year and until they are independent Leagues.

SO AT LEAST I’d like to urge you to buy some discount coupons for $5 from the treasurer (mail checks to PO Box 290303, Kerrville, 78029) TODAY! You may use one of them per purchase on November 9, sell them to others, or you may give them away. Belk only cares that the community organizations receive $5 per coupon. You may also call Mary Ellen (830-895-7982) or email her ( mects@ktc.com ) to ask more questions or arrange to get coupons in person. If every member bought only two, we’d break our record since we are up over 100 members!

OR AT BEST: buy coupons AND sign up with Mary Ellen to staff a table any time, any day between now and November 9 at either Belk entrance to sell discount coupons to shoppers.

Thank you!
General Membership Meeting, Thursday, November 21
Our next general membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, at 6:00pm at Schreiner University in the River Room of the Cailloux Campus Activity Center (CCAC). The meeting is open to the public.

A buffet of heavy hors d'oeuvres, along with a glass of wine, will be served in the River Room. The cost is $25 per person, payable at the door by check or cash. Please make reservations with Bunny Bond by email to mmbond@ktc.com or phone at 830-895-1880 by Thursday, November 14th. To attend the meeting only, please let Bunny know so sufficient seating will be available.

Benjamin Montoya, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History at Schreiner University, will speak on t he issue of undocumented Mexican immigration to the United States, which seems to defy solution. Dr. Montoya will explain that there is nothing new to the seemingly irresolvable nature of Mexican immigration. His talk will provide an understanding of how the present-day challenges regarding Mexican immigration have precedents rooted deeply in U.S. history.

Dr. Montoya earned his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2015. He studies U.S.-Mexican relations. His article, entitled “‘A Grave Offense of Significant Consequences’: Mexican Perspectives on the U.S. attempt to restrict Mexico’s immigration during the late 1920s,” was published in May 2018 by the Pacific Historical Review. His book, tentatively entitled  Risking “Immeasurable Harm”: The Diplomacy of Immigration Restriction in U.S.-Mexico Relations, 1924 to 1932 , is under contract with the University of Nebraska Press. He was also a co-editor of and contributor to  Beyond 1917: American Legacies of the Great War , which was published by Oxford University Press in 2017. Benjamin is an Assistant Professor of History at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, where he lives with his wife and two children.
Holiday Celebration
Our annual Holiday Celebration is scheduled for Friday, December 6th, at 6:00 p.m. Meg and Richard Johnson are once again graciously hosting our gathering at their home at 438 Timber Ridge Drive (the corner of Glen Road and Timber Ridge). Meats (turkey and ham) will be provided for our potluck dinner. Please bring a favorite side dish, salad, or dessert, and BYOB. So we know how many are coming, please RSVP by Wednesday, December 4, to Meg at megdscott45@gmail.com or  830-257-8338. 

Come enjoy the warm fellowship of the season!
2020 Census
What is a census and why is it important?
The United States Census Bureau notes that "Once a decade, America comes together to count every resident in the United States, creating national awareness of the importance of the census and its valuable statistics. The decennial census was first taken in 1790, as mandated by the Constitution. It counts our population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and communities’ vital programs — impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, and public policy." ( https://www.census.gov/partners/2020.html)

According to the League of Women Voters of Texas, "The upcoming 2020 census will be the most-challenging count attempted so far. Not only is our population at an all-time high, but Congress has also underfunded the effort. That means [the LWV] will need your help and the help of your community to make sure that every person is counted. ...Leagues and other community leaders are encouraged to reach out to their county officials to find out how they can assist their Complete Count Committee."( https://my.lwv.org/texas/redistrictingcensus/texas-census)

For additional information and resources, visit the "Redistricing/Census" page on the website of the League of Women Voters of Texas, or the United States Census Bureau's "Census 2020" page.
Mark Your Calendars
Saturday, November 9 - Belk Charity Sale
Thursday, November 21 - LWV-Hill Country general membership meeting
Friday, December 6 - Annual Holiday Celebration
Thursday, January 16 - LWV-Hill Country general membership meeting
Thursday, March 19 - LWV-Hill Country general membership meeting
April 17-19, 2020 - LWVTX Convention in Austin
May 21, 2020 - Annual membership meeting
Join Us!
Be a member of the League; we invite you to join us!  A membership form can be found on our website or you may contact Julie Sentell, Membership Coordinator, at julie.sentell@me.com.  

Our League’s annual dues are $60 for an individual or $85 for two in a household, and $5 for student memberships.  Dues are prorated from January. Please include your name(s), address, email address, and phone number. Make your check payable to LWV-Hill Country Texas and mail to LWV-HC, PO Box 290303, Kerrville, TX 78029-0303.  Join the League and help make democracy work.
 
And consider giving a membership to a student, as they need only be 16 years of age to join.
League of Women Voters-Hill Country Texas
Leadership Team
Treasurer : Mary Ellen Summerlin
Membership Coordinator: Julie Sentell
Voters Service:  Jeanette Ruark
Webmaster : Cathy Learoyd
Members-at-large : Bunny Bond, Alicia Boyett, Maggie Megee, Kat Walker
President’s email (presidentlwvhc@gmail.com) : Cathy Learoyd
Facebook Administrator: Kat Walker
Stay Connected

The LWV-Hill Country welcomes your questions! Post to our Facebook page or submit questions via e-mail to  presidentlwvhc@gmail.com
About the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a local, state, and national nonpartisan organization.  

Please visit the LWV-Texas state website,  my.lwv.org/texa s .  There you will find more voter information and the League positions on a variety of issues.  The League develops its positions after study and consensus.

The LWV-Texas position on the issue of human trafficking in Texas: The League of Women Voters of Texas is opposed to all forms of domestic and international human trafficking of adults and children, including sex trafficking and labor trafficking.  We consider human trafficking to be a form of modern-day slavery and support measures to prevent the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit a person for sexual or labor purposes, to prosecute traffickers and to protect victims. 
 
For a free, four-hour TEA continuing education credit course on issues of human trafficking, go https://lwvedu.expertlearning.net . Teachers, take note of this!   This is the online course for which we received the state award.

 The national League, LWVUS,  lwv.org ,  is actively working to influence public policy through education and advocacy.  Go to this website and see the range of issues from voter rights, voter turnout, reforming money in politics, and defending the environment.
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League of Women Voters - Hill Country Texas
presidentlwvhc@gmail.com
www.lwvhillcountrytexas.org