December 2016 Newsletter
MANAGEMENT TEAM LETTER

Dear LWVFC Members, 

When this League year began, the four of us began the transition to a new governance structure that existed in only the most skeletal form. We were not sure what was in store or what it would take to survive. It is a pleasure to be able to report to you that we did much more than survive.  

Among our accomplishments this year: 
  • We worked together to register, educate and get out the vote.  Two significant registration events: George Mason High School 81 registered in February and West Broad about 10 registered and 15 began the process. 
  • We prepared and distributed the Voters Guide on line, in The Falls Church News Press and distributed 1,000 at the polls, Farmers' Market, and in public places.  Eighty-five percent of the voters in Falls Church voted in this presidential election.  Twenty-five percent voted absentee. The Voters' Guide helped voters understand the issues and decide how to vote. 
  • We offered two excellent programs this fall: the constitutional amendment on the Right to Work vs a Union Perspective Forum and Oxford style debate on the library Bond issues.
  •  Amy Hjerstedt  launched our "Sips and Civility" series-gatherings that bring together people who have not been politically engaged and want to play a more active role.  
The League is more relevant than ever and, it is more important than ever to engage with diverse communities and maintain our non-partisan stance.

2017 will be an equally busy and productive year.

NOTE: Our annual program planning meeting on January 14 has been postponed due to a meeting with our Virginia legislators Sen. Dick Saslaw and Rep. Simon Marcus at the Community Center from 10 to noon. 

The date of our Program Planning meeting will be announced shortly.  A key purpose of the program planning meeting is to discuss LWVFC, LWV-NCA and VA and plans, positions and focus and to review the bylaws to determine if any changes need to be made.

Please plan on attending and making your voice heard, so that the year can be even more effective and exciting.  
Your management team wishes  you all a wonderful holiday season, and a happy, healthy 2017.

The Management Team

 
LOBBY DAY AND LEGISLATIVE ROUNDTABLES

Don't forget that your LWV membership includes access to LWV Virginia events, including informative roundtables during the legislative session, and Lobby Day on February 1. If you are not already receiving the Virginia Voter Express, which contains information about these events, please see the LWVVA webpage


FRACKING

LWVVA is preparing a fracking program for consensus that will culminate at LWVVA's June Convention. Hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a. fracking or fracing) is a method to release natural gas and oil trapped inside bedrock that could not be economically retrieved with traditional methods. Fracking is a fiercely debated political and environmental issue. Advocates believe it is a safe and economical source of clean energy that provides jobs, assures energy independence, and boosts the economy. Critics claim it pollutes the air and drinking water, affects health, promotes seismic activity, contributes to the greenhouse gases, and will delay the development of renewable energy sources.
LWVFC will hold a consensus meeting to discuss this important topic on March 7 at 5:30pm

SHENANDOAH RUN:
SONGS OF PROTEST, SONGS OF TRIUMPH
Friday, January 20
 Creative Cauldron
 7:30pm

Don't have an invitation to a Gala Inauguration Ball?  
Join us for a social night on January 20 at the Creative Cauldron, 410 S Maple St., in support of the LWVFC position on Arts in the City.  
To purchase tickets, scroll down to January 20 or call Creative Cauldron (703) 436-9948. Enjoy a fun evening with League members and others. This is not a fund-raiser for the League, it's purpose is a good time with friends. 
Creative Cauldron welcomes back Shenandoah Run for a special concert that celebrates the power of folk music and the healing power of art to bring people together. Let yourself be lured into a sing along with this talented nine piece folk ensemble as they perform songs that galvanized a generation, and profoundly changed the course of history at another time of deep division in our country. With their top notch musicianship and passionate performance, Shenandoah Run may just help us find some harmony.

In This Issue:

 

2016-2017 LWVFC Board and Off-Board Members 

 

Management Team

 Martha Cooper

Wendy Frieman

Linda Garvelink

Judy Parente

 

 

Programs Co-Chairs

Robert Crowe

 Johannah Barry

 

Local Affairs Chair

Wendy Frieman

 

Secretary

 Jody Acosta

 

Treasurer

Ruth Rodgers

 

Voter Service Co-Chairs 

Membership Co-Chairs

 

Liaison to NCA 

Ellen Gross

 

Administrative Team

Ellen Salsbury

Edith Holmes Snyder

Edith Snyder 

Special Projects

Madalyn Cafruny

Genie Flahie

Bunny Jarrett

Marty Meserve

Jane Scully

 

 

Communications

 

Webmaster

 TBD

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Program Planning Meeting - POSTPONNED
check the website calendar for an update by Jan. 3

CORRECTED DATE:

Saturday, Jan 14
10 a.m. - Noon
2017 Virginia General Assembly and Legislative Agendas Q&A
Meet with Virginia State Sen. Dick Saslaw and 
State Delegate Marcus Simon
Falls Church Community Center


Friday, Jan. 20
7:30 p.m.
Creative Cauldron
"Songs of Protest, Songs of Triumph"

Sunday, Jan. 22
4 - 5:30
Information Forum:
Ring Around Falls Church
Falls Church Community Center

Wednesday, Feb. 1
Lobby Day
Richmond, VA

Friday, February 10
6 - 8 p.m.
LWVNCA Hosted Reception with LWVUS Board
The Beacon Hotel
1615 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Sunday, Feb. 12
(Snow Date: 2/16)
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Community Forum:
Money in Politics
Falls Church Community Center

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ACCOMPLISHMENTS



As we prepare to close the book on 2016, we find ourselves reflecting on all the hard work the League has done nationwide and what it has accomplished.

Take a moment to look at this recap and see what the League is doing to defend the rights of voters.

UPDATED LWVFC VIDEO ARCHIVE AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

You can always view (or share) our programs from the videos housed on our website:


Either use the link above or, from the Home Page, select "Positions, News, Videos" from the left side menu, then select "Past Program Videos."   

About Us

The League of Women Voters Falls Church is a non-partisan organization that serves the citizens of Falls Church City through encouraging informed and active participation in government, working to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influencing public policy through education and advocacy.

A Voice for Citizens and a Force for Change in the United States.