League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
May VOTER

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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.

May 5, 2015

FIRST CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING

June 20, 2015 10:00a.m.

The Annual Meeting is the only business meeting of the year where the entire membership votes. Member participation is important because this is where we set the direction for our League for the next year. All members in good standing are considered delegates.

At this meeting the members will approve the budget, elect new officers and directors, and consider a program of study and action for the year

Guests are welcome, although they may not vote.

The Annual Meeting Kit will be mailed to all members by May 20th. If you are member and have not renewed this year, please do so before May 10. Stay tuned for more information as to location, etc. for visitors.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

For those who do not follow us on Facebook, this is Ann on Denim Day

Annual meeting is coming soon, and we get to start planning for next year - two national studies, one state study and plenty of opportunities to engage our community.

But none of this will happen without a lot of work. There's always room on our board and on our committees for our members who want to get more involved.

This coming year, we especially need volunteers to manage our membership records, our website and arrange venues for our many meetings and forums.

And the League has a multitude of positions we've reached by consensus on areas like the environment, good government, social welfare...the list goes on and on. We already have a Director of Housing - maybe there's some area you'd like to explore as an active volunteer within the structure of League.

So think about how you'd like to pitch in - we'd love to have you! And join us June 20 at our Annual Meeting.

LWVC NEWS

The 2015 State Convention

is less than two weeks away and things are getting exciting. Besides the usual business of budgets, program adoption, elections, etc. we also have an exciting group of guest speakers including Secretary of State Alex Padilla, LWVUS President Elisabeth MacNamara and Jessica Levinson from Loyola Law School.

Late and one day registrations are still available, although some workshops are sold out. For more information go to the Convention blog.

LWVUS NEWS

Two LWVUS Studies

Two studies this year are providing us with lots of reading material:

Money in Politics Review Committee Recommended Reading

The MIP Review Committee has added two books to the Suggested Reading List

: Corruption in America: From Benjamin Franklin's Snuff Box to Citizens United by Zephyr Teachout and

Buying the Vote by Robert Mutch. Leagues are encouraged to use these and other suggested readings to get a head start on the MIP Review.

Constitutional Amendment Study Committee Offers Additional Background Reading

The question of how an Article V Constitutional Convention would actually be conducted, and what limits, if any, there would be on its ability to offer amendments to the Constitution is a hotly debated topic. The Constitutional Amendment Study Committee has put together a list of opinion pieces on both sides of the issue of whether a U.S. Constitutional Convention can be limited to one topic. Leagues can use these opinion pieces as background reading.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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
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!

DID YOU KNOW

Today is Cinco de Mayo and Teacher Appreciation Day. Saturday is Santa Monica Festival at Clover Park. Sunday is Mother's Day. May is a busy month just getting started.

Did you ever wonder who landscapes the City of Santa Monica parks, sweeps the streets, supplies the city with fresh, clean water, or picks up the trash and recycling each week? These and many other important jobs are done by the City of Santa Monica Public Work Department employees, who in celebration of National Public Works Week invite the community to attend the Annual City Yards Open House on Saturday May 16, from noon to 3 p.m. The full story.

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