President’s Message
What a difference a month makes! We’ve seen our democracy challenged, tried and attacked – but it still held. We’ve missed the amazing triple conjunction of Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter because of all the clouds, but we still keep watching.
We have witnessed the most unusual inauguration event ever, but it happened with great passion and thoughtfulness. Someone asked me what my highlight was from the event. That’s tough to answer. Wasn’t Lady Gaga amazing? Loved the outfit, and oh, that voice! Amanda Gorman’s poem was splendid. All the ladies’ couture was beautiful and tasteful. President Biden’s speech was just what was needed at that moment. But, do you know what was really my highlight? It was the grace and class with which the former presidents and their spouses joined together. It was the diversity evident in the participants and the audience.
I was also moved by career firefighter Andrea Hall from Georgia who recited and signed the Pledge of Allegiance. The line, “and liberty and justice for all” really caught in my throat. Do we really mean that?
Where does this leave us now? Our job continues to be making our democracy work. Whether you are a new member or a seasoned member with League, we need your voice and your active participation. Our annual Positions and Priorities meeting will be Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m. via Zoom. At that time we will be reviewing both local and Ohio positions.
This is your opportunity to actively engage with the process.
- The outcome on our state positions is what the Lobby Corps uses when testifying on impending legislative issues.
- Our local issues are what we choose for study, education and action/advocacy.
- Last year we conducted a study about health equity which resulted in a new position at the state level.
- Currently we are embarking on a state-wide study about arming school personnel.
So please join your League for this important meeting. You will find a lot of information about each position through links in this VOTER. You can read through them so you are well informed for our discussions.
In the meantime, celebrate this democracy in which we live. Do everything you can to find common ground with others and seek to understand other perspectives. That’s the only way we are going to start to heal the deep divisions in our country. And, by the way, this month the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn, plus asteroid Pallas will all be clustered together in the sign of Aquarius, creating what's known as a stellium in astrology. (Bustle.com). Let’s hope for clear skies.
Stay safe, wear masks, socially distance, mind the curfew and look to the heavens!
In League and Unity,
Debbie
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Your chance to impact the direction of League
Online Discussion, Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m.
Once a year we pull out the formalized wording for the foundational positions that:
- Make us strong
- Make us formidable in a government hearing
- Make us credible in our state and community
We want positions to stay relevant at all levels of League.
To do that, we need your voice and views to maintain that relevancy. We need your presence at the annual Positions & Priorities meeting, online Sat., Feb. 6, at 9 a.m.
Each year we look at LWV Kent positions. This year we'll also review state positions. There's lively, insightful and respectful discussion about whether to keep the positions, do an update or retire them. This is the chance to make an impact! And it's an interesting way to learn how League works.
How to Prepare for the Meeting
Please review before the meeting:
Zoom Link for Meeting
Topic: Positions & Priorities Meeting
Time: Feb 6, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 846 7703 6658
Passcode: 076018
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84677036658#,,,,*076018# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,84677036658#,,,,*076018# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 846 7703 6658
Passcode: 076018
We'll be sending out the Zoom link again before the meeting, including the hour before the session starts.
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Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Online
THE CENSUS:
What now?
Want to know the latest and most local information about the 2020 Census? Join fellow Leaguers as we hear from Kathleen Clyde. Clyde is co-chair of the Portage County Complete Count Committee with Portage County Auditor Janet Esposito.
New Member Orientation at 6 p.m. See below for details!
Click here for the Zoom link & dial-in information. We'll be sending out the Zoom information again before the meeting, including the hour before the session starts.
Check out these upcoming meeting dates:
- Wednesday, March 17, 7 p.m. – Cancelled
- Join us online instead Thursday, March 18, 7 p.m., for the Arming School Personnel Consensus
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Attention, new members!
New Member Orientation begins begins at 6 p.m.!
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Join Membership Chair Sherry Rose for all you need to know about getting the most out of your LWV Kent membership. She also will answer any questions you may have. To join the New Member Orientation (followed immediately by the AMM), use the links above to join the zoom via video or phone.
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Arming School Personnel Study Materials now online; please take the surveys before March 18 consensus meeting! |
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Leagues across Ohio, including Kent, are now participating in a study to come to consensus on arming school personnel. Our local committee has prepared research materials and surveys to help you consider the many aspects of this controversial issue. Research and surveys are going out to members in segments via emails through March, the next one Sunday, Jan. 31. You can access the first email here or see all of the research and surveys here on our website.
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Real Talk program on diversity, equity and inclusion
set for February 17 and 24
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Real Talk is a multi-League (LWV Hudson, LWV Akron Area, LWV Kent, LWV Canton, LWV Greater Cleveland) diversity, equity and inclusion program designed to fully examine, dissect and dismantle systemic and institutional discrimination and oppression based on race, sexual orientation and gender identity, mental and physical ability, socioeconomic status, gender and age.
Feb. 17, 7 p.m.: Focusing on the history and content of the resolution. Presenters are the four authors of the resolution.
Feb. 24, 7 p.m.: Focusing on how individual school systems are implementing the resolution.
To register, click here. To see the events after the scheduled dates, head to the Real Talk website.
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How to Help the Kent League When You Shop Amazon |
If you are an Amazon shopper, did you know that each purchase you make can also contribute to the Kent League? Instead of logging in to “Amazon.com,” log in to Smile.Amazon.Com. When you do, choose the Kent League of Women Voters as your charitable donation recipient. From that point on, each time you go to Smile.Amazon.com instead of “Amazon.com,” our League will receive a small contribution. This will make absolutely no difference to your Amazon account or the amount you pay. It is simply their way of giving back to our communities. Please try it and tell your friends.
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Connect with us by email . . . and |
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