| February 2024 |
| Vol. 70 No. 4 | | |
Calhoun County Unit
By Sue Rosko
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In January Calhoun County members hosted a voter registration/information/education table at the Albion 7th Annual MLK Community Celebration & Resource Fair which included a reception for Jocelyn Benson prior to the event. Information on other MLK Day events throughout the county were shared with all members and others via email and Facebook. The new election materials have been shared with members and non-partisan partners. A new graphics design intern has been welcomed and has begun work on materials for the Unit’s table at KCC’s Bruin Boost, an event sharing the student volunteer opportunities in represented organizations. Registration, information and education will be available at the Unit’s table as they work to engage and energize students in volunteer opportunities. Calhoun has been active in Community Connect through KCC and in the SW Michigan ACLU Clerk Engagement coalition.
Calhoun’s Voter Services and Clerk Engagement directors are working with county clerks to assist in sharing election information, new laws, and in supporting them. The League’s work on assisting with recruiting inspectors for the two Early Voting sites for February was successful with all spots filled. A Nominations Committee has been formed and they are beginning to recruit nominees for open positions who will then be elected at the May Annual meeting. Quick Bites, 1-1 ½ hour social/informational gatherings have been well received. In December, members enjoyed a very fun holiday dinner at Clara’s. On January 25 the topic will be an orientation/review of who we are and where we are going/what is needed for 2024. Locations and times for Quick Bites rotate, providing an opportunity for all members to join us. “The League is needed now more than ever!” The Unit will continue to develop its strategic plan and its advocacy. We are following the public transportation issues in Battle Creek. Besides action statements from LWVMI and US, Money in Politics and Mis- and Dis-information are two more of the focuses in the next month.
Calhoun has welcomed three new members in December/January. We are so pleased to have this new energy and their skill sets. We are working to gain new members and expand involvement and leadership of all members in our mission to defend democracy in this crucial election year. Calhoun is thankful for Lori Kline-Closson with her presentations on the implementation of Proposal 2 and for the funds received for the two grants from the LWVMI. These funds are much appreciated and will help in building our tools for this new election year.
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LWVUS Update
By Paula Manley
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February
14—LWV is 104 years old
19—President’s Day
27—Anniversary of SCOTUS
upholding 19th Amendment
LWVUS CEO Viriginia Kase Solomon is leaving after 5 ½ years for an opportunity at Common Cause. The LWVUS Board will be conducting a national search for a new CEO.
A recent action alert from LWVUS advocates support for the Disclose Act. This act addresses the need to disclose large political spending so that voters have information about who is spending to influence election outcomes.
What is the anniversary of SCOTUS upholding the 19th Amendment? On February 27, 1922, the Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the 19th Amendment in the Leser v. Garnett case.
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LWVMI in High Gear
By Denise Hartsough
It’s 2024 and your State League is busy serving Michigan voters and local Leagues!
LWVMI: pays $6000/year to make VOTE411 available to all local Leagues awards pass-through grant funding to local Leagues for voter education is coordinating Board of Canvassers observers around the state for all elections watches the state legislature’s activity on League priorities and issues action alerts is monitoring the Redistricting Commission’s remapping of the Detroit area and continuing court cases offers coaching on membership and leadership development to any interested League holds networking meetings open to any League member for Observer Corps, Voter Service, Membership Leaders, Communications, and groups on the Environment and Firearm Safety hosts a content-rich website— check it out! www.lwvmi.org
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LWVKA Book Group
By Aedín Clements
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The Book Group’s January meeting was held online because of the weather. Paula Aldridge led the thirteen participants in a lively discussion of Art Spiegelman’s Maus.
The group agreed to change to an earlier time for future meetings, beginning the meetings at Kazoo Books at 6:30 p.m., and with social time between 6 and 6:30 p.m.
The next book is Yellowface, by R. F. Huang. As this is Kalamazoo Public Library’s Reading Together book for 2024, there are many events in the community, including a planned author visit. If ordering the book from Kazoo Books, mention the book group to get a discount.
For more information, or to be added to the email list, please contact Aedín Clements. Updates are also posted on Facebook.
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E.V.E.N.T.S. Committee/Observer Corps
By Barb Dircks
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The group that meets to discuss promotion and strategy for the many ways the League engages with voters, raised several possibilities:
- Round robin-type meet-ups at our February Founder's Day event could offer more exposure
- Continue to brainstorm ways to generate interest in becoming part of the Observer Corps - in particular, school board observers are needed, (Portage School Board) - future training will be provided
- Volunteers with expertise in social media are needed
If interested in contributing and joining a meeting, the next scheduled EVENTS date is February 10th at 10:30 a.m. Contact Barb Dircks (barbdircks@gmail.com) to receive the zoom link.
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You're Invited
By Barb Dircks
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Come join and meet other members for a February 13th informal social hour! We will gather at the University Roadhouse, 1332 West Michigan, at 5:30! Introductions will be the first order of business, followed by the fun of sharing with like-minded active members! | |
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Climate Change Events
By Aedin Clements
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We are honored that Elizabeth (Joy) Guscott-Mueller, President of the League of Women Voters Lake Michigan Region, and David G. Mueller, will present a seminar on Climate Change: Impacts on the Lake Michigan Region and Legal Update. The event will be at noon, Wednesday, April 3rd, at WMU’s Lee Honors College. The LWVKA is organizing the seminar as part of WMU’s semester-long Climate Emergency: Spring Into Action 2024 program.
The LWVKA is co-sponsoring a three-session educational series on climate change at People’s Church of Kalamazoo. Dr. Denise Keele, Executive Director of the Michigan Climate Action Network, will be their first speaker on Sunday, February 18th, at 12:30. Denise Keele will bring us up to date about the state of climate justice in Michigan, recently adopted legislation, and what to expect during the coming year.
Mark your calendar and watch for more information on these events!
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Founders Day Brunch
By Aedin Clements
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Invitations to the 2024 Founders Day Brunch were emailed to all LWVKA members this year.
This year’s event will include a full breakfast buffet, an important presentation on a topic for our times, and an opportunity to learn about League activities and to meet friends.
Sue Ellen Christian, WMU Innovation Professor in Communication, will speak on “Using Media Literacy to Navigate the Promise and Perils of AI”.
When: February 17th, from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: The Radisson, 100 West Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo.
The cost is $30 for League members. Guests of members, and people interested in learning about the League are invited for a complimentary brunch.
RSVP by February 9th by emailing kristenkernbeaver@gmail.com Pay online at www.lwvka.org, or send a check for $30 per member to: LWVKA, P.O Box 2106, Kalamazoo, MI 49003.
You will receive a parking voucher for the structure attached to the Radisson. Valet parking is also available for a nominal fee.
We hope to see you there, and that you will bring a guest!
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Love the League?
By Ken Manley
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Greetings: Do you love the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area? If so, please consider a Legacy gift to the LWVKA. This entails leaving a gift in our will. Please join Paula Manley and myself in this, and together, we can live on in the work after we are gone. Clearly, Democracy will always need the support of the League. If you have any questions, please call Ken Manley, LWVKA Development chair at 269-330 8579 | |
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Membership
By Jennifer Snyder
LWVKA is pleased to welcome several new members:
Lacey Andrews, Kalamazoo
Arlene Brislen, Vicksburg
Brennan Dougherty, Battle Creek
Rachelle Hawks, Union City
Peggy Sindt, Homer
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Galilee Baptist Church celebrated MLK Day by inviting Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, and LWVKA to talk about the new voting laws and changes to our election process. | |
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2024 Education & Advocacy
By Denise Hartsough
On January 20th ten LWVKA members engaged in Program Planning. For each of the strategic plan areas that are focused outward on education and/or advocacy, participants reviewed and enhanced plans for:
- Expanding Voter Services
- Engaging Fluidly in Advocacy
- Advancing Climate Action and Environmental Justice
Program Planning participants with careful thought and much discussion decided against two items that other Leage groups have asked that local Leagues recommend for the upcoming June 2024 LWVUS Convention:
- Concurrence with a position on local news from the LWV of Washington State
- Making climate change a priority for LWVUS on the same level as the Democracy Agenda
The Democracy Agenda consists of:
- National Popular Vote (ending the Electoral College)
- Voting Rights
- Improving Elections
- Campaign Finance/Money in Politics
- Redistricting
Finally, those participating concluded that existing LWVUS and LWVKA positions suffice for LWVKA to implement its planned education and advocacy for 2024.
Thanks to participants Aimee Bedard, Aedin Clements, Barb Dircks, Connie Ferguson, Deb Freiman, Rick Freiman, Chris Kuthe, MerriKay Oleen-Burkey and Judy Sivak!
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Special Tributes
In Memory of Julia Costello
Jessica Reiser
In Honor of Regena Nelson
Sue Kovats-Bell
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Voter Registration Events
Aimée Bedard
We kicked-off voter registration events for 2024 in partnership with our local high schools, colleges, and universities. On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day we attended WMU’s Dr MLK Jr Teach-in which is an annual event hosted by the Lewis Walker Institute. That same week we helped welcome KVCC students back to campus during their Big Chill Event. At the end of January, we will be educating and registering new voters at Gull Lake High School’s Dr MJK Jr Service Day which was postponed due to weather. While our cold weather dampened event turnout, we were able to re-establish school partnerships which support our efforts. Thank you to volunteers: Kristen Beaver, Aedin Clements, Sarah Erdmann, Moira Macleod, Carol Pauly, Pat Stromsta, and Ann Wright Parsons.
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Youth Voting Summit
Aimée Bedard
SAVE THE DATE!! – April 6, 2024
Campus Vote Project, the Michigan Department of State, and Western Michigan University will be hosting the 2024 Michigan Student Voting Summit at WMU. The objective of the Summit is to bring together students, teachers, faculty, administrators, election officials, and community partners from high schools, colleges and universities across Michigan to learn from each other, collaborate, and build a robust state-wide network to advance student voting participation.
More information will be coming in terms of our involvement in this event and ways in which you can participate. Please share this registration link with high school and college students who might be interested in attending: Registration for the Saturday, April 6 summit is now live
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