League of Women Voters of Santa Monica Last April Update
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Join the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
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Our Mission |
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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.
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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.
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What do you do when there is not an election?
This is a question often asked by people who value our election information but are not members. We learn, we share and we advocate.
These are three areas of activity that are each answers to that question. We do studies which lead to positons that allow us to do advocacy. We do citizen education/informational meetings. And we do advocacy, both during elections and at other times when the need arises. Right now, we are doing all three in some way.
Saturday morning we participated in a County wide training for League members on how to do local advocacy. Barbara Inatsugu was a presenter, talking about our part in the No on D/Yes on LC campaign last fall. Training to be effective advocates is an important part of League work. Our roots are in advocacy, the many years it took for women to win the right to vote.
Saturday afternoon was a very informative water forum, an informational meeting. More on that below.
And we will soon be forming committees to work with the information in the Study Guides and walk us through both a state study and two national studies. More information is in the articles below. So join us in whatever captures your interest.
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PRESIDENTS CORNER -- WATER FORUM
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Conservation is Key
It's no secret that California is in the grip of the worst drought on record and mandatory cut-backs are the order of the day.The State Water Resources Control Board has issued emergency conservation regulations and our City has mandated 20% water reduction for all residents.
At the League's water forum Saturday, Luis Cetina of the Metropolitan Water District and Roberta Borgonovo of the State League explained that droughts in California are cyclical and water management goals need to be ongoing, even in wetter years.
Use of local water, water recycling (reusing "gray water"), groundwater replenishment and behavioral changes are necessary. Cetina and Borgonovo emphasized that we are one state - what one area does to save water, helps every other part of the state, and that respect for the environment goes hand in hand with water conservation efforts.
"Toilet to tap" recycling, "desalting" brackish water and high rate increases may not be necessary if we all change our behavior. Conservation is the most economical and effective solution, according to both speakers
Tom Fleming of the City's Office of Sustainability pointed out that residential water use accounts for 69% of the water used in the city and one-half the single-family dwelling water use is outside. His office offers advice and rebates to help us all save water. Also a nice story from Santa Monica Next about the forum.
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LWVC NEWS | | Public Higher Education Study
At the LWVC State Convention in 2013 the delegates adopted a study of Public Higher Education in California with a focus on access and affordability. A formal study committee will be appointed after the annual meeting when a new board is in place and formal study materials will be available in late summer. For those who want to build background information links to related articles and discussion questions are available on line. If you are interested in being a part of the study committee contact Barbara Inatsugu. |
LWVUS NEWS
| | Two LWVUS Studies
At the 2014 LWVUS Convention delegates adopted a package of three issues that affect our core issues around elections and voters rights. Two are studies, first a study of a constitutional amendment--what is should and should not be and how it should best be done. Second is an update of our positions on Campaign Finance issues. Background reading materials will be linked to in future updates. As with the state study, study committees will be appointed after the Annual Meeting June 20th.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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May 15-17
LWVC State Convention in San Diego Much more information at the Convention blog
June 1, 6:30p.m.
Board Meeting Board meetings are open to all members. Call for location.
June 20, 10:00a.m.
Annual Meeting,
Details and speaker to follow June 29, 6:30p.m. First meeting of the newly elected board July 18, 10:00a.m. Popovers in Pasadena The traditional Summer County League Day Guest speaker, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl Save the date and reserve early. This will be a sellout!
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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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