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League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
VOTER

January 2015 

January 13, 2015
LWVSM 80th Anniversary Logo
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Our Mission
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Diversity Policy
The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica in both its values and practices, affirms its belief and commitment to diversity and pluralism, which means there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the LWV on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability.

Before you receive another message from us, we will participate in the city-wide remberance of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  That may seem a strange way to start a League newsletter, but nothing is higher on our agenda than many of the things he fought for, especially the right to vote and have your vote counted.  

 
The League. as usual, will have a table in the involvement fair and representation at the Friday morning breakfast.  Stop by and say hello. Full information on all the weekend events is available on their flyer here.
 
Other upcoming events are:

January 25, 11:00a.m. Program Planning Brunch, see below for details
January 26, 6:30p.m.  Monthly board meetings have been moved to fourth Monday.  All members are welcome.  Call or email for location
February 23, 6:30p.m. Board Meeting
February 28, 11:30.a.m.  Lunch with the Mayor with our new mayor, Kevin McKeown.  Details to follow.
March 26, 7:00p.m. Women Who Shape Santa Monica again in the beautiful penthouse at Ocean House.

Mark your calendars and save a few dates! 
PRESIDENT'S CORNER

It's always fun to take a break during the holidays, to be close to family and friends and take stock of where we've been and where we're going.

 

As the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica celebrated with a "Holiday Friendraiser," I was reminded of the old Girl Scout song "Make new friends and keep the old," as we welcomed new friends into our League circle and toasted the year past and the year to come.

 

So what's to come? Well, some "old friends," like Luncheon with the Mayor in February and Women Who Shape Santa Monica in March, and some "new acquaintances," including a forum on the politics of California water use and one on higher public education. You'll hear more about these and other upcoming events in this and future newsletters.

 

Our local League isn't alone in thinking of the past and looking toward the future. Elisabeth MacNamara, President of the League of Women Voters of the United States has published a must-read article in Huffington Post called "How the League was Busy Making Democracy Work in 2014.

 

President Helen L. Hutchison lets us know about the League of Women Voters of California's plans for 2015 in this fundraising letter.

And here in Santa Monica we'll have a chance to impact future state League activities by participating in the program planning meeting on January 25.  See below for details.

From the top levels to the grassroots, from past to future, the League of Women Voters is busy making democracy work. We're glad you're a part of it.

 

Ann Williams, President 

 

p.s. Do you want to get together to talk about all the League has to offer in 2015? Meet us for cocktails on Wednesday, January 14 at 6 p.m. at Bar Chloe, 1449 2ndStreet. Make new friends and keep the old!

  

PROGRAM PLANNING
Sunday, January 25th, will be our State Program Planning brunch.  This is real grassroots League. It is where we look at what our positions currently are and decide where we think LWVC should put their energy over the next two years.  Background information, positions in brief and how they have been recently used is available hereAlso a flyer with more information including RSVP.

If you would like to know more LWVUS is sponsoring this webinar.  We encourage member participation.

Sign Up for Program Planning and Support Webinar!
The LWVUS Program Planning and Support (PP&S) Committee will put on a webinar January 21 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST. Chair Chris Carson will outline the basics of the League's program process. The webinar is designed to help Leagues understand League program from A to Z, including how to use national positions to take action locally. You can register for the webinar here

 

BE A LEAGUE HELPER

The Thank You Edition

 

Usually in this space I offer suggestions for how you can help the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica strengthen democracy in our community.

 

This month, I have the pleasure of offering a heart-felt thank you to two members who've decided to be League helpers.

 

You already know Natalya Zernitskaya's work - every time you receive one of these newsletters, see one of the fliers for our events or log onto our website, you see her excellent design and technological know-how. Now we're receiving the benefit of her financial expertise, as she takes on the job of Treasurer for the LWVSM. Anyone who's presided over a volunteer organization knows how vital it is to find someone with Natalya's abilities and dedication. Thank you Natalya!

 

And new member Janet Carter has offered to take on membership duties, including maintaining the national database listing of our members. Janet is a librarian, which makes her the perfect choice for organizing our most vital statistics - our members. Her enthusiasm for the League is a breath of fresh air. Thank you Janet!

 

Together, Natalya and Janet are a great example of "being League helpers."

 

If you want to join them, please contact  [email protected]

 

DID YOU KNOW?
What is next for the Civic?
Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1 is a two part workshop that will focus on the capital and operational cost needed to bring the Civic back to life.  Both meetings will be in the East Wing at the Civic.  More information to come at santamonicacivic.org

League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
P. O. Box 1265
Santa Monica, CA 90406
Phone: 310-692-1494
www.lwvsantamonica.org  

 

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