Notes from the President
xxxLast month I referenced the old saying about March: “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” But it seems that Mother Nature decided to give those daffodils coming up a little white coating.
xxxNow unlike some of the issues the League of Women Voters is focusing on, we know that that little white coating on the daffodils will be gone very soon, and the daffodils along with all of natural will bloom again.
xxxThe League of Women Voters US newsletter had this quote in its last issue, “Never has there been a more urgent need for the reasoned, factual and civil voice that the League of Women Voters brings to our Community.”
xxxWhat we do, whether it is supporting the state and national goals of the League, or in registering eligible high schoolers to vote each spring, we work to be that reasoned, factual voice that can make a difference in our communities.
xxxThe conversation with the Honorable Mabel Mayfield on March 29 was a perfect example of bringing a “reasoned, factual, and civil voice” to our community. I am so glad so many of you attended the Zoom conversation and are willing to be involved in the work of the LWV.
xxxHave you seen the flyer from LWV Lake Michigan Region about the Kick-off to Earth Day 2022 Forum with Tom Skilling? It’s April 16, in person or virtual. The flyer will be on our website with details below as well for your reference. This should be a great event. I hope you can attend.
Action Areas for April
- Promote the Vote – We are joining a statewide coalition to gather signatures to get the "Promote the Vote 2022" proposal on the November ballot. LWVMI will be sending materials out soon, and you will be updated on how LWVBCC will be organizing and distributing the materials in the middle of April. Start gathering clipboards and pens!
- Planning educational forums for upcoming November elections
- Alerting members to volunteer activities in support of local clerks
- Planning for in person HS voter registration and supporting the schools that have registered for "MIVoteMatters High School Registration Challenge"
- LWVBCC Book Club – Monday, April 11 at Jane Raymond’s home. Please call or text to let her know if you are coming.
- Annual dinner meeting in June – so hoping it remains safe for us to meet in person.
xxxOne more quote that I found in the LWVKalamazoo newsletter: “The League is driven by its non-partisan mission, Empowering and Educating voters, and pursuing the expansive effort of Defending Democracy.” This says it all.
xxxII am looking forward to meeting with signature collection volunteers soon and with all of you in June at the annual meeting. Be sure to get in touch with me and out Board members with your programming ideas and suggestions: fschoon@mac.com.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxFaith Schoon – LWVBCC president
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History's Call for Today
At LWVBCC’s zoomed forum on March 29, the Honorable Mabel Johnson Mayfield reviewed the history of race in our country, brought it home through her family’s history, and issued a call for meaningful conversation now about the continuing role of race in 21st-century America.
The program began with a welcome by LWVBCC Board member Charmae Sanders, followed by Board member Dorothy Parker’s introduction of the speaker.
Judge Mayfield began her talk by pointing to central facts in the history of race in our country because, she maintained, a solution can’t be found until the problem is identified. Her own genealogy, she said, includes a great-grandmother, born a slave, whose father was her master and whose responsibilities included taking care of her father/master’s children who had not been born to a slave.
In light of this history, both nation-wide and personal, Judge Mayfield called for meaningful conversation about race as the essential first step toward solving lingering issues of civil rights and social justice. Toward that end, she encouraged everyone to read “The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth about Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations” by Robert Livingston.
Reading the book, though, should be a guide to addressing issues of urgency in a meaningful way. After that, the real work must begin: the conversation itself. On March 29, Judge Mayfield opened the door and invited us in. We need to walk with her on the path to positive change and justice.
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May 3 Cass County Election
info links:
xxxVoters can use the Michigan Voter Information Center (www.mi.gov/vote) to track their ballot and their application. All they need to do is click on “your voter information” and enter the required information. Another good source of information for Cass County is click here.