January 2017Newsletter
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Dear LWVFC Members,
It is a busy time of year for the League, as we get ready to run events for the public in January, February, March, and April, and at the same time, start planning for the next League year, which begins on July 1, 2017.
Many of us in the DC area hear and talk about national and international politics, and it is easy to forget how many important decisions are made by state legislatures and local governments. These decisions affect the way millions of people live their daily lives. Please consider taking part in a Virginia League initiative to have our voice heard in state and local government. We have an excellent opportunity, thanks to a grant, to advocate for automatic voter registration with promotion of redistricting reform and no-excuse-needed absentee voting (NEAV) as an added benefit. This grant provides funding for LWVFC to support members who want to go to Richmond for one of the LWV-VA hosted Women's Legislative Round Tables (WLRT), help every Wednesday from January 18 through the end of the Legislative Session in February. LWVFC will reimburse you for mileage and hotel expenses. The January 17 Sips and Civility event will include a description of how to take advantage of this opportunity; you can also reach out to anyone on the Management Team (Martha Cooper, Wendy Frieman, Linda Garvelink, or Judy Parente) and see the article below for additional information.
Our
Program Planning Meeting
will take place on
February 4 (rescheduled from January 14). We are still confirming the location, but the meeting will start at 9:30 am (coffee and light breakfast will be provided) and there will be a no-host lunch afterwards at a local eatery for those who are interested. At this meeting, we will discuss not only programming for our next League year (positions, studies, voter education and outreach), but also any recommendations we have for the LWV of the National Capital Area. After the Program Planning session is complete, there will be a short board meeting and a scholarship fund meeting. We will conclude by 11:30am. Stay tuned for an out-of-cycle email with more details as the date gets closer.
Please consider volunteering for a board position or nominating someone for board membership. The LWV can be a truly rewarding experience when you get involved and play an active role. Please send your name to the nominating committee through
Linda Garvelink.
Hope to see you all soon at one of the many upcoming events.
Try to stay warm!
And Happy New Year To All,
The Management Team
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PROMOTE ELECTION MODERNIZATION
LWV-VA has received a grant sponsored by The New Virginia Majority and others to promote Election Modernization, focusing on Automatic Voter Registration as well as no excuse absentee voting, redistricting and other legislation that will improve the election process and encourage more citizens to participate. LWV-VA is passing grant monies through to the local Leagues, LWVFC's initial participation is $600, but we can ask for more after we've used this first tranche.
What are we going to do?
LWVFC is going to use the money to sponsor members to promote League of Women Voters positions during the Virginia General Assembly session by doing the following:
1. Fund members to come to Richmond for at least one of the WLRT days--Jan. 18 and 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15,--the night before, as they start at 8:30 a.m. You will have a special rate at the Berkeley Hotel (804.780.1300) and $10 valet parking. Come to a "strategy session" (with heavy snacks) between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. at our new office board room, 1011 E. Main St., one block from hotel. If you arrive by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, visiting the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee (P&E) Meeting is a valuable experience as they deal with election issues and it can earn you more money.
2. Attend the WLRTs, before or after which you visit your Delegates and Senators (should definitely make appointments ahead of time), try to see the Member in person but at least the Legislative Aide, and leave behind the materials provided. At the training session, LWV-VA will provide you FAQs to help with your conversations. This may take only a few minutes. Definitely try to schedule a meeting before 8:30, though some legislators have committee meetings at 7:30 or 8:00. *The location of the WLRT may not be known until the day of. Ask the ladies at the information desk where you enter.
3. Attend either a committee meeting (see P & E above) or observe the legislative session at noon. (Morning committee meetings end in time for legislators to go to caucus at 11:30.) You can buy a lunch in the deli one level up and eat in House Room 3 on the main floor of the Visitors Center and watch the session with other Leaguers and compare notes. You cannot eat in the Senate room across the hall but the Senate session can be viewed there.
4. LWVFC is required to complete the simple online survey forms as soon as we can after our members' Captial visits. So you need to report back to the Leadership Team as soon as possible after your visit.
To advise that you want to visit the Capital, to obtain funding from the grant (on reimbursement basis) and to check on carpooling, please contact Linda Garvelink (703-853-0766/ [email protected]). You also will need to sign up for the WLRT om www.lwv-va.org and make hotel reservations at the Berkeley Hotel (no later than the Friday before the event you plan to attend)**.
We have plenty of resources for many LWVFC members to go to Richmond to advocate for Election Modernization. Note: we prefer to fund hotel expenses on a "double-occupancy" basis; however, if you prefer a single room, we expect we'll have sufficient funds. Staying with another League member is a great experience, we highly recommend "double occupancy."
**Hotel Reservations: The Berkeley Hotel, 1200 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219, has a special room rate for members of LWV-VA who attend the WLRT, including $10 valet parking for those who stay at the hotel. Their website is http://www.berkeleyhotel.com/. Their phone number is Phone 888.780.4422 | 804.780.1300. You must book at least five days in advance for the rate. The Berkeley Hotel is located one block from the LWV-VA office where the strategy sessions will take place.
WOMENS MARCH -- NEEDS VOLUNTEER MARSHALLS
If interested, please email:
Provide your name, email and cell phone number. Training will be provided the morning of the march (you will be asked to arrive earlier). Because this is all coming together so quickly, please be patient as it relates to the flow of information, and flexible on the day of the march.
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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.
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| 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
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
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Tuesday, Jan. 17
6:30 p.m.
Sips and Civility on Women and Political Leadership
Mad Fox Brewing Company
444 West Broad Street
Falls Church
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
LWV Lobby Day
Virginia General Assembly
State Capitol
Richmond, VA
Saturday, Feb. 4
Program Planning Meeting
LWVFC
9:30 a.m.
The Party Room at The Byron
301 W. Broad Street
Falls Church
(Park in Garage - 3rd Fl.)
Friday, February 10
6:30 p.m.
LWVNCA Hosted Reception with LWV National 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
Tuesday, March 7
Consensus Meeting on Fracking
5:30 p.m.
Viget Conference Room
105 W. Broad Street
Falls Church
Sunday, March 19
Film Screening & Panel Discussion Fundraiser
Thomas Jefferson High School Auditorium
6550 Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA
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INVOLVEMENT IN LWVFC - HAS AN IMPACT
At last year's LWVFC Annual meeting, I had a brief conversation with Del. Marcus Simon about the need for Virginia to recognize and honor other states' Do Not Resuscitate Orders.
I just received word this week that his office will be introducing that legislation.
When relocating my father from South Carolina to an assisted living facility in Falls Church. Even though we had a DNR signed by my 91-year-old father's physician of the past 25 years, I discovered it could not be recognized in Virginia. The assisted living facility insisted that only the Virginia DNR form could be recognized. As a result, he was listed as a "Full Code" on his care plan - meaning he would have been subjected to full resuscitation efforts against his wishes - until I could arrange for a local physician to evaluate my father and sign a Virginia DNR form. Given the complexities of switching his Medicare HMO coverage from SC to Virginia, cleaning out and selling his home in SC, it was several weeks before I could arrange to complete that process. Because of the timing of the insurance transfer issues, he ended up paying nearly $200.00 out of pocket for an "out of network" visit to have a physician - who had no familiarity with him other than a one-time conversation - sign a Virginia DNR.
Fortunately, for us, he remained healthy during that "gap" period so, it was not an problem. However, it seems as though Virginia should be able to recognize other states' DNR orders when they meet the same standard of having a physician's signature.
Thank you Del. Simon!!
- Mona Johnston
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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."
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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.
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