THE VOTER
 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA
January 2019
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The League of Women Voters is a national, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  The League is non-partisan and as an organization does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties.

New Logo - the LWV of the US has created new logos for all state and local Leagues. This is ours.
Invitation to Feb 12 event
A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the LWV of the Midland Area

Our League was established as a Provisional League in 1967, and recognized as a local League in 1969. This League has been involved in many community issues, such as the city and county government, the Midland Jail, public education, housing, youth services, voter services and voter education. 

RSVP by Feb 1 to Judy Donahue

486-9416
judydonahue57@gmail.com

Join us for fun, frolic, and cake!

RSVP REQUIRED
Program Meetings
State Program Meeting, 
Jan 16, 1:30-3:30 pm
Creative 360
This meeting has been changed: It will consider State Program from the LWV of Michigan. What is a Program meeting? This is the process through which we establish our Positions on public policy. In this meeting, we will be discussing Positions of the LWV of Michigan. Board members will read the positions beforehand, and offer suggestions. The LWV of Michigan has a set of questions for us to answer. Please familiarize yourself with the Positions - just read the summaries on this web page.

This is your chance to participate in the process!

The meeting is January 16, 1:30-3:30 at Creative 360.

Please RSVP to Katherine Redwine - 989859-5597 or KatherineTaylorRedwine@gmail.com 
Local Program Meeting
Thursday, March 14, 1:30-3:30
Creative 360
More information will be forthcoming, but we will be discussing Local Program and Positions.
ADVOCACY

LWV Logo From the LWV of the US
Support H.R.1 - Introduced in the US House of representatives. 
HR1 includes comprehensive reforms, like restoring the Voting Rights Act, improving Automatic Voter Registration, creating a public financing system through small donor matching funds, overturning Citizens United, ending partisan gerrymandering, and more! The League worked behind the scenes to influence the language of this legislation, including a push to include Same Day Registration.

This bill will make our elections fairer, put the power back into the hands of the American people, and it deserves bipartisan support.  We're asking all of our members and supporters to click here to call their Representative and ask them to vote Yes for HR1.

Census 2020

The goal of the US decennial census is to count every person.  The League of Women Voters of Michigan is pleased to be participating in the Nonprofit Complete Count Committee. The count from the 2020 census determines the number of Michigan Congressional delegates and also the amount of federal funding Michigan receives from many federally funded programs. It is estimated that each person counted generates $1800 in federal funds given to Michigan. Right now regional hubs are opening around the state.

The campaign is spearheaded by the  Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) with seed funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and support from the  Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF).

The Midland Area Community Foundation is the Hub organization for Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties. Katherine Redwine will be meeting with a representative in the near future to see how we may help.

If you are interested in volunteering or working for the Census, please see these web sites:

Upcoming Events

1/16 - State Program Meeting - Creative 360, 
1:30-3:30pm 

2/12 - LWV Midland 50th Anniversary Party - Creative 360, 7-9pm, RSVP REQUIRED

3/14 - Local Program Meeting - Creative 360, 1:30-3:30pm
 
Wed, 3/27 - Midland County Housing Panel - Creative 360 7-8:30pm  Please note date change.
 
5/15 - Annual Meeting - Midland Country Club

5/27 - Memorial Day Parade - Downtown Midland
 
6/18 - Pontoon boat ride and dinner at Sanford Lake bar and grill


LWV logo
Board Members
The board meets the First Thursday of each month at Creative360, 9:30-11:30. No meeting in June or July. All members are welcome. 

President - Katherine Redwine
Treasurer - Karen Sherwood
Secretary - Judy McDowell
VP Membership - Carol McPherson
VP Program -  Judy Donahue
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Voter Service - Kim Steinke
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Natural Resources - Sandy Collinson
Director, Sandy Haughton
Director, Webpage - Julie Schmidt
Director, Print Media - Cathy Heng
Director, Sharron Such
Director, Terry Townley
Director, Bay County Convener - Pam Saddler

Quick Links
LWV Forum
LWV-Bay County (geographical unit of LWV Midland Area)
LWV-Lake Michigan Region
City of Midland
Midland County
Grace A Dow Memorial Library
Midland Public Schools
Your Elected Officials, p.1
Your Elected Officials, p.2
vote411.org logo
In This Issue
Our Sponsors
When you visit our sponsors, please identify yourself as a LWV Member
Everett Carpet logo
Link to Space Studios_ Inc
business card for Shirlene_s Cuisine
business card for Partners in Change

Membership
Interested in Joining? 
Use this  here or email   Carol McPherson

League of Women Voters of the Midland Area
KatherineTaylorRedwine@gmail.com  
P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203