Calhoun County Unit
By Sue Rosko
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The Calhoun County Unit’s Annual Meeting was held on May 23. With 24 in attendance, a relaxing dinner was shared at Marshall United Methodist Church. Guest speaker was Edward Visco, Executive Director of the Gerald R Ford Institute, Albion College. His presentation “Civility and Elections: How to Talk Politics and Stay Friends” was inspiring and positive as he shared how to approach talking with others, especially youth, to engage them in getting excited about taking part in civil discussion and voting. Many positive and engaging ideas were presented. The Unit looks forward to working with him and Kelly Finn, Assistant Dean of Student Services who will be leading the three pronged voter efforts on campus. A planning meeting with her is scheduled to coordinate plans for engagement of students with their return in August and September.
With no nominations for President or Voter Services, the membership voted to adopt a new leadership model, team management, where duties are shared across the management team. We are excited to have this shared option as we look ahead to the critical election season. The current management team consists of Susan Stuart, Linda Smoot, Cathleen Knoll and Susan Anderson. All are serving on the current board. This team is committed to continuing to serve the county with voter and election information and getting out the vote with an informed electorate in August and November. New members to the management team would still be welcomed. Please reach out if interested or if you have questions. The team will depend on membership involvement in individual projects to make the projects happen. It is hoped that each member will find an area within the scope of our Calhoun Unit and volunteer a bit of their time. There are a wide variety of projects and time commitments. Every bit helps us keep Calhoun County engaged.
On May 16 and 17 the Unit provided information/registration tables at Battle Creek Central. This was in preparation for Jocelyn Benson’s May 21 visit to the school. Secretary of State led an invigorating mock election where the students were very actively involved in all aspects of an election. What a way to get students excited about and interested in elections. It was a great model to follow. Having met with Calhoun’s County clerk and partner organizations on May 22, the Battle Creek clerk requested materials for their table at the Battle Creek Farmer’s Market. The clerks at the meeting shared that Early Voting went well but was poorly attended. They expect and hope for more in August and November. With our assistance in promoting the need for poll workers, they had more than needed in May but August and November will require more.
The management team will continue with voter registration and information tables throughout the summer, with having 411 advertised and available for Calhoun County, and with ongoing social media. The latest Facebook data recorded 187 followers and reaching nearly 2000 individuals in the last three months. With more engagement on Instagram and X it is hoped to engage younger individuals.
The current board of the Unit and new management team will be meeting on June 11 to begin to institute the new management team model. Interested members can contact us at lwvkacalhouncounty@yahoo.com or at 269-358-8972 for more information or to attend. All are welcome. Board members Cheri Riser secretary, Lori Kline-Closson Voter Services and Sue Rosko president will be retiring from their positions. All three have served on the founding board which began on February 2020. A big thank you to each of them for all they’ve done to build our presence and service in the county. Now it will be exciting to have new ideas and energy as the Unit moves forward through these critical times.
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LWVUS Update
By Paula Manley
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During June and July, we note the anniversaries of several events which have had an impact on our society. Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas received news of their emancipation. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas among African American communities and later spread to other states. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act designating June 19th as a Federal holiday.
Title IX is part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It is a Federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities.
The 26th Amendment was proposed by Congress on March 23, 1971, to lower the voting age to 18. It was ratified by three-fourths of the states by July 1, 1971.
Watch for the report from the LWVUS National Convention which convenes in Washington, D.C. June 27-30.
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LWVMI Legislative Update
By Denise Hartsough
Here is the status of several key bills supported by
LWV of Michigan:
MI Voting Rights Act
- The MI VRA would enshrine in state law provisions of the now diminished federal Voting Rights Act, and add protections for persons with disabilities and voters who are more proficient in a language other than English.
- A Senate Committee held hearings on the 4-bill package in May and may entertain amendments.
- Watch for an action alert in fall!
BRITE Act
- BRITE stands for Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency and Ethics.
- The bill would increase reporting and disclosure by registered lobbyists and require more state officials to report their finances annually.
- A House Committee held hearings in April.
Recount Bills
- Committees in both the Senate and House have passed bills clarifying and improving the process for recounts.
Freedom of Information Act
- Bills that would apply the Freedom of Information Act to the Legislature and Governor’s Office are yet to be taken up by the full Senate.
National Popular Vote
- The NPV Compact would enable popular vote of the US president without an amendment to the US Constitution.
- Michigan legislative leaders may bring up this bill in the fall.
- Watch for an action alert in the fall and the please take action! This is a very high priority for the League!
You can find the status of all bills that LWVMI’s Advocacy Committee is tracking here.
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Annual Meeting Recap 2024
By Chris Kuthe
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The LWVKA Annual Meeting was held on Monday, May 20th at the lovely Village Clubhouse in Friendship Village. Beautiful desserts were provided to us by Friendship Village. Reid Williams, of NowKalamazoo was our speaker. Reid discussed the need for the creation of the news agency NowKalamazoo and current problems in journalism.
The business part of the meeting included honoring our 50 year members Caroline Ham, Connie Ferguson and Paula Manley. The minutes from the 2023 Annual Meeting were approved. The general fund budget for 2024-2025 was presented by our treasurer Tanya Potter and was approved. Paula Manley presented two proposed bylaws changes and these changes were approved. Denise Hartsough presented information about the change in dues process that will begin in 2025 and information about our local program. Our local program was affirmed with no changes. Kay Anderson, the chairperson for our nominating committee, presented the slate of officers and all were elected unanimously. The following members were elected:
Co-President (1yr) Chris Kuthe
Co-President (1yr) Aedin Clements
VP Organization (1yr) Maria Gagnon-Markucki
VP Program (2yr) Denise Hartsough
Treasurer (2yr) Tanya Potter
Board Member (1yr) Teresa Johnson
Board Members (2yr) Jennifer Snyder, Jules Isenberg-Wedel, Lisa Fuller, Shardee Chambers
Nominating Committee(1yr) Kay Anderson, Regena Nelson, Karen Gustafson
We thanked Barb Dircks who has served as Co-President for the last three years. Barb has brought much energy to the office and we appreciate the excellent work she has accomplished. The meeting was adjourned.
We wish to thank our VP of Organization, Maria Gagnon-Markucki, for a wonderful Annual Meeting. We appreciate all your hard work.
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LWVKA Book Group
By Aedín Clements
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The Book Group met on Tuesday, May 20th and discussed Liz Cheney’s “memoir and warning”, Oath and Honor. For our next meeting, on Tuesday, July 16th, we are reading Prequel by Rachel Maddow. Our meeting will be at Kazoo Books on Parkview, at 6:30p.m. Kazoo Books gives a discount for book orders – just mention that you are with the LWVKA Book Group.
Our September book will be Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and for November we will discuss Master Slave Husband Wife, an Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, by Ilyon Woo.
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E.V.E.N.T.S. Committee
By Barb Dircks
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E.V.E.N.T.S. discussion covered the upcoming state-wide Observer Corps meeting on June 26th, headed by Lynne Kochmanski, president of LWV of Washtenaw County. It will be the opportunity for local observers to share highlights and as a group discuss the possible impact on local elections. Feedback becomes useful in drafting questions for candidates, shining a spotlight on local issues during interviews and as election forums are planned. We are appreciative of all our observers and welcome all new people interested in learning more about the Corps. Thank you: Rick Freiman, Chris Kuthe, Deb Freiman, Terri McDonald, Regena Nelson, Karen Gustafson, Madeline Cimini, Susan Creager, Ann Wright-Parsons, Fran Bruder, and Linda Timm!
Tabling materials – who has them or and needs them – and how to store them for general transfer and use was considered. Further, as new locations and venues are requested, the League calendar is the go-to place for reference. Sign-up genius is the helpful way to volunteer. Aimée Bedard does an amazing job of keeping it all organized. Her suggestion to generate a protocol for adding new events will be discussed at a future meeting.
Shardae Chambers reported on lessons learned from Prop 2 early voting; the needs and support of rural areas that have part-time workers will be considered. More attention will be paid to the numbers of workers needed in different locations, how to address repayment for monies spent and overall allocation of tabulator placement. Given that Michigan is a state that does all the organizing from a central office our concerns are different from states that have a decentralized arrangement.
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You're Invited
By Barb Dircks
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There are multiple opportunities to participate and mix with the LWVKA members this month and next. You’re invited to stop by MRC Industries during Art on The Mall, on June 7th and again at the July 12th Art Hop. Check out the evolving Election Integrity Quilt project that is underway – find out how you can help. Why do you vote? Add to the growing list of reasons that others have shared on a giant tablecloth. Historically, it has been said that Democracy is a grand idea – what do citizens say? Adding art and images that represent what this grand idea looks like will be fun!
In addition, You’re Invited to head to Sign-Up Genius and volunteer to participate with voter registration at the Farmer’s Market. Or you can arrange to attend events, where you, independently, can speak about voting rights, the importance of election integrity and the mission of the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area. There is hope when we come together and demonstrate how citizenship is really a verb, a process we support through our actions - and an investment in the future for all! Many thanks to everyone at MRC who facilitated this partnership!
Pictured: Joan Ruiz and Tanisha Knight. Two artists at MRC who contributed designs.
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News from the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Justice Committee
By Aedín Clements
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In partnership with Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, we held an educational event on biodiversity this May. Dr. Shannon Gill spoke at the Friendship Village Kiva Room, on the importance of biodiversity and of birds. In one hour, we learned a lot about the history of extinction and of threatened populations of bird species, and we also learned some hopeful stories such as that of the Kirtland’s Warbler, almost extinct until measures were taken to improve conditions for the species in Michigan.
Survey responses showed that most attendees will be more willing to address problems associated with biodiversity loss. Attendees expressed appreciation for the League’s work on environmental education and made many recommendations of other organizations the LWVKA might partner with on these issues.
Earlier, the League was one of the organizations providing an information table at a screening of Troubled Water, a film about the Great Lakes highlighting the environmental harms and the need for protection.
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GOTV Postcard Campaign
Aimée Bedard
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Our League in conjunction with other LWVs across Michigan will be sending Get Out the Vote (GOTV) postcard reminders to potential voters for the August Primary and November General Elections. Research has shown that handwritten postcards to voters has a positive effect on voter turnout. When non-voters were asked why they didn’t vote, many responded that they weren’t aware of the election, or no one had reminded them. We will be holding a GOTV Postcard Writing Party on June 20th. You can sign up to attend here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAAAB2EA0FECE9-49761876-lwvaugust Volunteers can also pick up postcards and write them at home. Please click here if interested: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAAAB2EA0FECE9-49761953-lwvk We will share further information in September for our GOTV events for the November election. Thank you in advance for volunteering. | |
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A Note from the Development Chair
By Ken Manley
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By now you should have received our spring fundraising letter. I hope that you will consider helping us financially with the work of the LWVKA. We have exciting opportunities open to us, such as funding Digital Billboards promoting Vote 411. The need for support of our democracy is greater than ever! | |
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LWVKA Endorses the Kalamazoo County Senior Millage
Judy Sivak
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Utilizing our new process of bringing issues to support or oppose to the Advocacy Committee, the Board voted in favor of the committee’s recommendation to support the senior millage renewal which is on the August 6 ballot. It is estimated that $3.7 million will be raised yearly with a millage rate of .3462.
Six years ago, the senior millage was a new request and passed with an overwhelming majority of voters who recognized the importance of providing needed services to enhance the quality of life for adults 60+ and caregivers. Last year alone, the millage reached 10,500 seniors living in every township, village, and city in Kalamazoo County. Forty-five different services were available through 27 contracted service providers. Services range from home delivered meals, wheelchair ramps, in-home care, and adult day services to a dedicated advocate for residents in licensed long-term care facilities.
The Board asks that you vote YES on August 6 for the Kalamazoo County Senior Millage and encourage others to do the same. If you would like additional information, want a speaker, or a yard sign, contact Judy Sivak, Say Yes To Seniors Chair, at judysivak@gmail.com.
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Summer Time Voter Education Opportunities/Venues
Barb Dircks
This summer there will be voter registration and League promotional tabling arranged at new places. We are a trusted resource and appearing in places where there are larger crowds, mixed ages and multiple interests provides a further opportunity to raise awareness of everything the League offers. Exposure increases membership as it engages voters.
We will be present at three different Farmer’s Market events (see calendar) throughout the summer as well as having a presence at the Art Hops in downtown Kalamazoo. Barb Dircks, in collaboration with two artists from MRC Industries, Joan Ruiz and Tanesha Wright, created a VOTE feather banner. (see article above) It was on display at the May 5th Art Hop, a wonderful evening of conversation as people stopped to talk and meet the artist. Watch and find the banner on display at future events!
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Election News
Shardae Chambers
The May Special Election went well. We were able to keep workers and voters safe, even under a tornado watch. Our board of canvassers certified the May election with no issues.
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Membership
By Jennifer Snyder
Congratulations to Paula Manley, our newest 50-year member! LWVKA is thrilled to make Paula a Life Member in recognition of this achievement. We are grateful for her continuing contributions of time, energy, institutional knowledge and invaluable perspective.
Our membership renewal process will be changing in the future, making it especially important that we have accurate contact information for our members! Contact Membership Chair Jennifer Snyder, jsyndergaardsnyder@gmail.com, if yours
has changed.
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Voter Registration Update
Aimée Bedard
We are heading into our busy summer season of Voter Registration Events. For those looking for a quick refresher on the voter registration process here is a short video that provides an overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4nZKG7H35s
We are ending May by registering new voters at local High Schools. We will once again be tabling at Kalamazoo Pride on Saturday, June 8. You can sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAAAB2EA0FECE9-49786287-lwvk. Information on opportunities to Educate and Register New Voters at the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market, Art Hop and WMU’s Bronco Bash will be provided throughout the summer. Be on the lookout for Volunteering Opportunity Emails and feel free to contact me with any questions or event ideas.
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