Logo   
League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
VOTER  
 Join Us

Join the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica


Join Our List
Social Media

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter 

Donate

 

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.
 

October 6, 2015  

mountain-autumn-sm.jpg
Pictures like this are probably as close as any of us are going to come to wonderful fall color unless we travel in search of it. This is not just because of our location, many of us have found a street or neighborhood that "turns" each fall, albeit a bit later than what we remember back home. The reason those streets will be less colorful is our lack of rain. Leaves dry up, turn brown and fall without enough water. Some are already almost bare.

But, as a Facebook friend remarked today, this is the start of the three busiest months of the year. Halloween is everywhere, Pandora has started Christmas music, Thanksgiving is almost lost, and there are many other celebrations around the fading and return of the light.

With all of this happening, we still have a busy League calendar with two (2) national studies (see below) to finish before the end of the year.  
President's Corner
 
Just as I promised, we have two study meetings, just around the corner.
 
In just a few weeks, on Saturday, October 24, we'll be meeting to come to consensus on a national League study on Amending the U.S. Constitution. Did you know that Congress can call for a Constitutional Convention for the purposes of amendment? Well, we'll be talking about whether they should, and what the ramifications of such an action would be.
 
And why are we doing this now? Because a month later, on Saturday, November 14, we'll be convening to discuss campaign finance reform legislation, a topic that has been closely related to the constitutionality of campaign donations by various entities and the First Amendment.
 
So you see, it's all related, and all highly topical. We hope to see many of our members at our consensus meetings. If you're not a member, you can either show up for a good education or join now and participate in the actual consensus process.
 
And be sure to pencil in Friday evening, December 11 for our Holiday Friendraiser. We'll have a lovely time enjoying libations and treats at the home of one of our members - keep watching our weekly newsletter for details. And Thursday, March 24, 2016 is the date of our annual Women Who Shape Santa Monica event at the Ocean House Penthouse, so be sure to save the date!
 
See you soon!
 
Ann Williams
LWVUS News
Key Structures of Democracy
is the focus of two LWVUS studies this year.

The Constitutional Amendment Study
materials are all available at this link. This is not about one constitutional amendment, but the process, what we can and cannot support. Our meeting is coming up, October 24, more information below.

Money in Politics
builds on the Leagues current positions about Campaign Finance and will update the position. The consensus questions are now available, along with background material. This meeting is scheduled for November 14 and more information will be available soon.

These two important studies will inform the action we take as League regarding challenges arising from Citizens United action.
Local League Positions
League Positions and City Priorities
 
Last week, our editor pointed out that four of the five priorities for the City of Santa Monica that City Manager Rick Cole talked about at our Membership Meeting are actually topics of existing LWVSM positions.
 
For example, his top priority, transportation. Everyone can relate to this one - we've all had to sit in Westside traffic and watch the minutes tick by as we got later and later.
 
Well, in 2005, we saw it coming, and did a local study on Traffic Planning. Click here and scroll to Item 9, Traffic Planning, to see the results.
 
As you can see, we were right on target on some items - bike paths, light rail, fewer surface parking lots, the relationship of transportation with sustainable development, to name a few.
 
This year we'll be revisiting this and all our other positions at our monthly board meetings to see what, if anything, needs to be changed or dropped. Members are always welcome to attend these meetings. If you see anything that strikes your fancy just email Pres@lwvsantamonica.org to find where and when we'll be reviewing specific local positions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
October 24, 1:00p.m.
Consensus meeting on Constitutional Amendments
Meeting in private home.
RSVP for address and directions.

October  26, 6:30p.m. 
LWVSM Board meeting
Check for location 
      
November 14, 1:00p.m. 
Consensus meeting on Money in Politics
Meeting in private home
RSVP for address and directions

December 11, 6:30p.m. 
Holiday Open House

March 24, 2016, 7:00p.m.
Save the date, mark your calendar!
Women Who Shape Santa Monica 
Our Event-of-the-Year
 
DID YOU KNOW?
wire-bound-pad.jpg Santa Monica Public Library

The Main Library is offering a three part workshop, "Write Your Life's Journal" on three Fridays, 10:30-12:30, starting October 16. Check the link above for more information and to sign up.

horizontal_seamless.jpg    

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

 

Like us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter