Jump for the Vote, a media event on Saturday January 28, 2012, at 2 PM will be the kickoff of our Voter Service projects and events for the 2012 election year.

At the skydiving location in Wellington, several League members will perform tandem skydives. Video of the jump will publicize our election year theme: "JUMP INTO ELECTION YEAR 2012 WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PBC!"

Because there is limited space at the jump site, a party in early February will serve as the full-blown member launch featuring the video of the actual jump.

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Dear Members and Friends,

I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. I hope you all had great holidays to end 2011 with family and friends.

LWV Florida has created a new logo, specific to Florida. You'll be seeing it in our letterhead as well as in all mailings from state League and other Florida local leagues.

In December, we held a successful Holiday Party. See the article later in this issue.

Several Leaguers attended the Women's Foundation (a group of nonpartisan organizations, including LWVPBC) annual meeting on upcoming legislation concerning women's issues. Representatives Lori Berman and Mark Pafford were in attendance, as well as aides to Senator Nelson, and Representatives Abruzzo and Clemens. They were all able to discuss bills they are championing for the 2012 session.

There has been some progress on redistricting: both the State House and the State Senate released first drafts of maps for their bodies and for Congressional districts, and the Palm Beach County School Board and Commission districts should be finalized by the time you see this.

The Privatization Study committee met to start work on privatization of prisons. Although the study is still waiting for materials from LWVUS, there is lots of information available on this topic. If you are interested in working on this, contact Sally Robinson.

Upcoming this month: Volunteer Fair and Program Planning meeting on the 21^st at the Delray Beach Public Library. Short-term or ongoing opportunities to participate in the many Voter Service areas in 2012 will be available, as well as in our other varied activities. In preparation for the program planning aspect of this meeting, please look for "Impact on Issues" here to review our current national positions. We will discuss whether any positions need updating and if there is a need for any new study at the national level.

Stay tuned for more information on our "Jump for the Vote" event on Saturday January 28. This involves skydiving!

Click here for a pdf copy of the calendar 

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

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Karen Wilkerson at piano, Sue Litchfield and Cynthia Forman Glatt in the background

Our December Holiday Party attracted about 40 people, who enjoyed the ambience of the art gallery, and the conversation. McCall Credle Rosenthal arranged the venue and assisted with the plans. Unfortunately, due to family commitments, she was unable to be there for the event. Thank you to: Karen Wilkerson for entertaining us at the piano with a lovely musical selection; Marcia Halpern and Sally Robinson who talked about their recent League trip to Cuba - at least one person in the audience is ready to sign up for the next trip; Patty O'Connor, Sue Litchfield, and Alice Finst who helped with setup and food. We welcomed back Janet Silvers, a former member who now resides in Maine, and Pat Pearcy who is now a snowbird. Two new members, Marcia Merritt and Barbara Fabricant attended as well. More photos can be found by going to facebook.com/lwvpbc our Facebook page. (You do not need to be a Facebook user to access this.)

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New Member Profile - Maxine Perry-Dupont

Maxine Perry-Dupont

Maxine, a thirty-year member and President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, has a unique and important job within the court system of Palm Beach County: she works with Justice Moses Baker as the Court Education Liaison. Maxine is employed by the county school district and in this capacity she reviews academic records of juveniles who are adjudicated or entering the system.  

Some youth may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony because of behavioral issues or crime. Did you know that in addition to suspended students having to attend special classes at their school, there is a program that actually brings the students to the court house and exposes them to a real court setting and what actually happens in jails? Maxine says that this experience is a real "eye opener" for most youths. She would love to see individual counseling available to help these young people. She states, "in spite of efforts to ensure that the youthful offenders get educated, in the after school hours the youths often return to dysfunctional families and destructive environments." Paying attention to youths when they are still able to change their lives and become productive adults is a wise and money-saving investment.  

Look for Maxine, and I know you will find her to be a very interesting and genuinely concerned woman.  

Maxine, a native of Boynton Beach is a graduate of both Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlantic University.  

Membership Orientation Sessions

Are you are a new League member, a seasoned Leaguer who would like to reacquaint yourself with League process, or would you like to bring a potential member to an orientation session? Then you will now have an opportunity to do just that. The orientation sessions listed below will be two hours in length. Of course, there is no charge but reservations are necessary.

• January 28, afternoon at the home of Nancy Cohen, Palm Beach Gardens
• February 23, early evening at the home of Nancy Gau, Wellington
• April 26, morning at the home of Heather Cohen, Delray Beach.

An orientation is also planned for next summer.

We urge members to attend meetings in their area and take this opportunity to welcome new members and refresh themselves on the League's processes and procedures. Please call call 561-276-4898 for details.
  .

Help Wanted

Your LWV Membership Committee is looking for members who can:

1)     Assist with registration at meetings. Job involves welcoming attendees, assisting with name tags, etc. Contact Linda Sorenson at info@lwvpbc.org . Great way to meet people.

2)     Telephone potential and enrolled members. Job involves reminding people about meetings, identifying their areas of interest, etc. Can be done from your home. Contact Karen Wilkerson at  info@lwvpbc.org  

3)     Serve on hospitality committee. You will set up and bring refreshments (home-made or store bought) to meetings. Contact Helene Roach at info@lwvpbc.org.

4)     Join the Membership Committee. There are a wide variety of activities including recruiting and forming area groups. Contact Karen Wilkerson at  info@lwvpbc.org  

5)     Plan luncheons, wine & cheese parties, orientation events, etc., working as liaison to other service groups. Contact Elayne Goodman at info@lwvpbc.org 

6)     Work with school and college teachers. We especially are looking for those of you with education backgrounds. Contact Karen Wilkerson at  info@lwvpbc.org  

All of these jobs are essential to creating an enthusiastic League chapter. Time commitments vary from a few hours to several days. Join a great group dedicated to League principles.

When:    Monday, January 23 - 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Where:  "505" Teen Center, 505 SE 5^th Avenue, Delray Beach

Topic:    Great Decisions 2012 Book Distribution and 2012 Planning

Meeting Dates for 2012 are:

      Monday, January 23rd - Book Distribution and Planning Session

      Monday, February 27th - Middle East Realignment

      Monday, March 19th - Promoting Democracy

      Monday, April 16th - Mexico, presented by Donna Haltman

      Monday, May 21st - Cybersecurity

      Monday, June 18th - Exit from Afghanistan and Iraq

            No Meetings July and August

      Monday, September 10th - Indonesia

      Monday, October 15th - State of the Oceans presented by Joan Davis

      Monday, November 19th - Energy Geopolitics

Great Decisions 2012 already appears to be an informative, interesting, and perhaps, at times, controversial year. For example, with the United States exiting Iraq in December, there should be many unexpected results which will be grounds for discussion by June. That subject could also be visited beginning in February with "Middle East Realignment." "Cybrsecurity" could be addressed by a number of our own Great Decisions members whose computers have been hacked within the recent past.   On and on, we can come to understand that each 2012 topic has past, present and ongoing relevance to all Americans, not only Great Decisions members!  

Please come to our meetings! Join Great Decisions for a year of international learning and understanding. Your intellectual contributions to great discussions are very welcome.

MORE ATTENDEES, MORE THOUGHTS, MORE IDEAS!!!

Great Decisions 2012 Briefing Books may be ordered by contacting:

info@lwvpbc.org

NOTE: Anyone not in attendance at the November meeting who would like a beautiful and free 2012 Calendar from the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge on which to list their Great Decisions dates, please send Joan Davis an email or call her at 561-276-4898

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Miriam (Mimi) Klein, a long-time member of our League, passed away in December. Our condolences to her family and friends.

Donations

A big thank you to the following for their generous donations:

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In searching for that unique gift, why not consider giving that special person the gift of a League membership? A membership is perfect for the first-time voter, the person who wants to be informed about government activities, or the person who is interested in becoming active in his/her community. For only $55.00 ($85.00 for a household membership) a year, the recipient will receive the Palm Beach County chapter newsletter and notices, the State of Florida newsletter, and even communications from the national organization. In addition, the membership entitles the person to attend all League meetings and participate in the many meetings and programs the League sponsors. Perhaps you want to give a league membership to a grandchild, a neighbor, your local politician, or a recently retired friend. How about a busy mom, a teacher, a college student, a young professional?

Complete this form and mail to LWVPBC, P. O. Box 6208, Delray Beach, Florida 33482-6208. We will send a letter to the recipient informing them of your gift. Please enclose your check with the form. Easy shopping! For only 15 cents a day, you will be giving the gift of knowledgeable participation in democracy.

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