LWV Masthead_2
July 2012
Calendar of Events
No Wholesale Voter Roll Purging In Oklahoma

In light of the recent national controversy over purging voter rolls in Florida and Texas, the Tulsa League has received several queriesNo Vote button questioning how Oklahoma maintains its voter rolls.

We asked the Oklahoma State Election Board. Kathy Walker, a Board information officer, said there is no wholesale purging of voter lists in Oklahoma.

Practices in maintaining these rolls vary from state to state, but must be in compliance with the 1993 Voter Registration Act.

Read on for more detailed information, including Oklahoma's purging process and reports of purges in other states.
2012 Pathfinder Honoree: Nancy McDonald  

 

Nancy McDonaldEducation. Empowerment. Equality. Voice.

For our Pathfinder committee, these four key words helped describe the career and contributions of our 2012 Pathfinder Honoree Nancy McDonald. Many of you know this longtime League member from her years of service to our community, ranging from her four decades working with Tulsa Public Schools to her commitment to the mission of the Oklahoma Equality Center. Nancy's work and her advocacy in so many areas has touched many lives in our community.

It is our honor to say, "Thank You, Nancy!" Join us to celebrate her work. Mark your calendars today for Tuesday, October 2. Look for a Save-the-Date notice, followed by your formal invitation in the coming weeks.

 

Listen to an extensive interview with Nancy, recorded in 2010 as part of the Voices of Oklahoma project. 

National Privatization Position Approved 

Delegategovernment is closeds to the LWVUS national convention in June approved a new position on privatization of government services. The position is based on responses received from the 227 Leagues across the country that participated in the Privatization Study. It describes the elements and processes the League feels must be in place to ensure that government functions and services are privatized in a way that maintains transparency, accountability and preservation of the common good. 

  

The Tulsa League was one of the participants in this study. Unit Meetings focused on privatization during the winter months of 2011/2012. In addition, we held a general meeting March 4 featuring a panel of privatization experts. A consensus meeting of Tulsa League members was held April 10. The responses to the consensus questions from that meeting were reported to National.   

  

This new position on privatization gives Leagues across the country a foundation for taking action when attempts are made at the local or state level to privatize government services and functions. Read the full position here.     

 
LWVUS convention banner National Convention: A Great Experience!
Over 800 League members from across the nation gathered in Washington, D.C., in June for the 50th annual national convention. Oklahoma sent six delegates, including two from Tulsa. It was packed with high-level speakers, lots of action on League business, as well as plenty of time for fellowship.

Below are links to some of the top speakers. Click to watch U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder praise the League's efforts in opposing Voter ID, as well as discuss U.S. efforts on that front. There are many more videos available: Pollster John Zogby tells delegates if we want progressives to win, we must engage 19 to 29-year-old voters. The Annenburg School's Kathleen Hall Jamieson talks about the millions of dollars being poured into misleading, negative political advertising and what we can do to combat it.
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In This Issue
Nancy McDonald is Pathfinder Honoree
Privatization Position Approved
National Convention Wrap
League Hires Development Consultant
Help Us Register Voters
Morton Health Partnership
Meet Our New Development Consultant   Cristina Smith Williams
We are proud to announce
Cristina Smith Williams has joined the Tulsa League as a paid consultant to lead our fundraising efforts. Cristina brings 20 years of solid development, management and leadership experience to the League at a crucial time when we have the opportunity to increase our membership and our impact.
 We're lucky to have her and are looking forward to this time of growth.

The League is Building a Pool!

We need a pool of trained voter registration volunteers.

As requests for voter registration events increase, the Tulsa League needs trained volunteers to help.

A training will be held at the League office
Saturday, July 7,
10-11 am.

Even if you can register voters for only an hour a month, please come for the training. We need you!

if you can attend. More trainings will be scheduled as needed.
Morton Health Center Partnership

 At the request of new League member Laura Dempsey-Polan, we have begun a partnership with Morton Comprehensive Health Services to help them create a voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote program.

We had voter registration tables at their all-employee staff meeting in early May. Morton staff will be trained to handle on-site registrations for their clients. The League will set up registrations at their various community health fairs.

Thank you Laura, Gloria Caldwell, Sheila Swearingen and Blanca Zavala for making this happen!
Join Us Today!

Invite your friends to join the Tulsa League of Women Voters! We're always looking for civic-minded individuals who want to help make a difference. Our membership dues is the best deal in town: $55 a year for an individual member and only $25 more for another member in the same household. Forward this newsletter to your friends. Ask them to be a part of something special. Ask them to help you make democracy work!
Read on for detailed membership information and to join online.