2015 is rapidly drawing to a close as we both reflect back on the year soon to pass and look forward to the new one.  This has been a very good year for the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, a very productive year.  We had our best ever Women who Shape Santa Monica event during Women's History Month and plan another at the same venue on March 24, 2016. 

This past fall we participated in two national studies, both related to Money in Politics and possible action related to Citizens United. One dealt with possible ways to amend the federal constitution and the second with ways campaigns are funded and possible changes.

The new year looks active and informative. February will be Luncheon with the Mayor, with our new mayor, Tony Vasquez. We hope he will tell us about his recent time in Paris for COP21 as Climate Change continues to be a League priority at the local, state and national levels.

Later in the spring will be two meetings around the LWVC study of Public Higher Education in California. The first will be an informational meeting about where we are now with Senator Ben Allen keynoting the panel, followed by the consensus meeting later. Watch for more information on both meetings.

But, first, we invite you to stop by our table at the MLK Day Involvement Fair on January 18th. We will have information on all our upcoming events.

Those are just for the first three months. We are already thinking ahead to the fall election season. It looks to be a full ballot with a possible 15-20 state initiatives alone. Lots of opportunities for members to get involved.

This level of activity doesn't happen without funding.  We are frugal, probably to a fault, but there is still a demand for printed material, which we respect. Each piece has a cost, and the League does not solicit campaign donations.  There is still a cost, albeit a lesser one,  for electronic communications such as this and the election information you will receive for both June at the state and national levels and November general elections.

 This is the one time a year we reach out to all of you, both members and readers, for your tax deductible contribution.  Thursday is the last day to make that count for this year's tax return.  Make your donation the the LWVSM Education Fund now while you are thinking about it.  Either hit the donate button to your left for a Paypal donation or send a check to the address at the bottom of the page. Please note that your contribution, to be tax deductible, is to the LWVSM Education Fund. It is donations, like yours, that makes our work possible.  Every contribution  helps and is appreciated. 

If you are a member of the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica and have not renewed your membership, please do so now.  Just click on the "join" link to your left and renew right now using Paypal.  Or you can mail your check to the address below. If you are reading this and not a member, consider yourself invited to join. If you have not renewed, you will be removed from our active membership list in January. Our members are our strength.  Make your voice count.