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Educating Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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Membership Changes are Coming
New membership updates help local leagues
As approved by delegates to the National Convention in 2022, LWVUS is switching to a new member portal for all Leagues across the country. The new system will launch in January 2025. There is no action that members need to take right now, but we want to provide you with an overview of what these changes mean for you.
What you’ll see
Pay-what-you-can
Beginning in January 2025, dues will no longer be a fixed rate. The recommended dues amount for all members across the country will be $75, the same as our current dues, but members can pay any amount, with a minimum of $20.
National system lightens local work
In addition to the new dues structure, the LWVUS will be launching a new internet portal to manage memberships and renewals. There will still be the option to renew by check for members who don't use the internet, but members who are able to access the portal and renew that way are encouraged to do so.
Though National delivers our dues, we’ll welcome direct local support
Under the current system, LWV of North & Central San Mateo County pays a fixed rate per member to LWV of California and to LWVUS (called our “per-member payments”). Under the new system, LWVUS will manage the process for us, and dues will be split as a set percentage between LWVUS, LWV of California, and our League. This means that when you renew, if you would like to make an additional contribution directly to our local League, as some members choose to do, you will need to complete a separate transaction. In the new system, a higher dues payment benefits the League as a whole and allows us to offer the option of lower dues to increase our member base but does not exclusively support our local League.
The intended effect
For our League, this new system will substantially lighten the load on our Membership Committee volunteers. On a member level, we hope these changes will make managing your membership easier. On a League level, this is expected to increase membership around the country and increase our ability to empower voters and defend democracy. We will keep you informed as we have new and relevant information. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact us at president@lwvncsmc.org or membership@lwvncsmc.org
Margaret Lukens, president, and Tina Doede, membership chair
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May General Meeting
California Redistricting—The League of Women Voters at Work
Join us for this important meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from noon-1:30 p.m., via Zoom. Register at the link below.
NOTE: This meeting was rescheduled from April. If you registered for the April meeting your registration was moved to the new date in May.
California Leagues are leading the fight for fair and transparent redistricting. With ‘At Large’ elections being increasingly replaced by district elections, Leagues across the state have stepped up to ensure that redistricting is being done fairly and with transparency. Our League was deeply involved in the most recent redistricting of San Mateo County Supervisor districts. Last year, at County League Day, both Leagues adopted redistricting as an issue for emphasis, in part because of the lessons learned from that experience.
Please join our meeting on May 21 to hear Helen Hutchison, a past President of the League of Women Voters of California and its current Program Director. Helen will showcase the redistricting work the League has been doing at both state and local levels. Gain insights on driving effective change in San Mateo County.
Linda Jansen, program planning
Graphic attribution: Elkanah Tisdale (1771-1835) (often falsely attributed to Gilbert Stuart)[1], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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New League Website ISO Early Reviewers
Coming soon: a new website for our League; one that makes updating easier and information more dynamic. Seeking testers for our beta site: 1-4 hours in May, flexible schedule. Interested? Please contact Gail Whipple by email (gail.whipple@lwvncsmc.org) or text/call 650.7974084) by May 5.
Gail Whipple, vice president
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New (& Not So New)
Member Orientation
Thursday, May 9, 7–8 p.m. via Zoom
Click here to Register
or
Saturday, May 11, 10–11 a.m.
Plus optional social hour, 11–11:30 a.m.
at our office
444 Peninsula Avenue, Suite 1
(email membership@lwvncsmc.org to RSVP)
Welcome to our new members! Please join us for new member orientation to:
- Learn about the League and find answers to your questions
- Meet other League members
- Discover how you can get involved
Whether you’re a new member or have been a member for a while and would like to reconnect, everyone is welcome. Prospective members are also welcome, so bring a friend.
Tina Doede, membership chair
“Welcome to California” photo credit: Tobias Müller (Twam), www.twam.info, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Housing Caucus
Monday, May 20: Regular Meeting, via Zoom
Many who work in our County cannot afford to live here. Join the Housing Caucus, committed to engaging and educating the Local League about our region’s affordability crisis. Register at the link below.
If you are new to our Caucus, please watch our 2023 General Meeting, Affordable Housing in San Mateo County: Behind the Numbers, to better understand some of the challenges and roadblocks our cities face, as they plan to reach the State's target of 48,000 new housing units--nearly 20,000 of which should be affordable--by 2031.
We meet monthly, on the third Monday at 5 p.m. Next month's meeting will be on June 17.
Elana Lieberman, co-chair, Housing Caucus
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Climate Change Caucus
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 22 at 5 p.m.
Click on the link below to register for our next Climate Change Caucus meeting.
Join us as we work to raise awareness and help League members and San Mateo County residents make informed choices on social, political, and personal decisions that impact climate at local and global levels. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
We hope to see you then!
Tina Doede, board member
Gail Whipple, board member
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In-Person Annual Meeting
Saturday, June 22
2024 League of Women Voters of North and Central San Mateo County Annual Meeting
What does effective voter mobilization look like?
Please be sure to join us for this year’s annual meeting.
In-person meeting
Saturday, June 22
San Mateo Senior Center
2645 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo
9:30 Registration and continental breakfast
10:00 Speaker, followed by our annual business meeting
12:00 Adjournment
Our speaker will be Dr. Melissa Michelson, Dean of Arts & Sciences at Menlo College. As a political science professor, her research and publications have focused on effective voter mobilization. She will give us important insights about how to get voters to the polls, especially from communities that are traditionally underrepresented. An important and timely topic for the League in this election year!
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July Book Discussion
Is it asking too much for a book to address transportation, land use issues, housing affordability and the environment AND be a witty and fascinating beach read? We’re happy to say, it IS possible.
Join us for a book discussion of "Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World" by Slate staff writer Henry Grabar.
Named one of the best books of 2023 by The New Yorker and The New Republic, "Paved Paradise" manages to be both highly entertaining and seriously informative. You will never look at the humble parking spot the same again.
You don’t need to read the entire book to join the meeting. Whether you’ve finished the book, read only part, or haven’t turned a single page, you’re welcome to register. We believe you’ll still find the discussion time well-spent. Everyone is welcome.
There’s also an excellent audiobook version available through local libraries or audiobook suppliers.
The discussion will be led by Linda Jansen, LWVNCSMC member.
Our book discussion will take place Wednesday, July 24 from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom.
Margaret Lukens, president
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Urge Congress to Address the Climate Crisis and Protect Our Youth
The League of Women Voters believes that climate change is a serious threat facing our nation and planet. Please help amplify climate goals and policies consistent with the best available climate science to ensure a stable climate system for future generations. Click here and let your congressional representatives hear from you.
Edith Jones, Advocacy and Action
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US: Many Threads, One Fabric
To represent everyone in our democracy we need to know what our neighbors value. With that goal, we offer cultural insights prompted by monthly events.
May 21:
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Development and Dialog
Since 2002, this annual United Nations sanctioned observance celebrates the richness of the world’s cultures and the role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development: “With 89% of all current conflicts in the world occurring in countries with low intercultural dialogue, to forge effective cooperation and sustain peace, strengthening intercultural dialogue must be a priority.”
Soccer exemplifies international respect even among opponents, and counts more than half the world’s population among its fans. Music transcends origins, with jazz an ultimate example. The roots of this distinctively American style of music include many Afro-American folk music traditions, such as spirituals, work songs, and blues. Film and literature increasingly introduce modern Asian perspectives. Indian cinema has become a subculture of its own, with international status for its actors. African authors share their emotional and civic truths in each story.
Local ethnic restaurants offer opportunities for us to experience some of the rest of the world: a Palestinian restaurant in Foster City is around the corner from Thai, Korean barbecue, and Japanese “street food”; Russian in San Carlos; Persian in Belmont; Greek in Burlingame; Filipino in San Mateo… and every city has enough Chinese restaurants for debate about which is best.
Our region abounds in the diversity of the world… which offers us rich opportunities to acknowledge similarities among us.
Marlene Sulitaneau, member
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The Wednesday Caucus
Wednesday, May 29, 10-11 a.m.
This informal meeting is all about conversation and camaraderie. Ask questions, share what you're working on, and gather inspiration.
All are welcome. Register here.
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Welcome to Our New Member
Cynthia Becker
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Stay Informed
Stay informed with updates and alerts from your state and national Leagues. Use these links to register:
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For California League updates, sent monthly: LWVC
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For national League updates, sent twice a month: LWVUS (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for e-mail updates).
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Subscribe to Bay Area Monitor Notes here
Keep an eye on our website, https://www.lwvncsmc.org, for the latest on upcoming events.
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Join the League
We love having new members join us and help with the important work we are doing. Click here to join online or print out a mail-in form. Scholarships are available for new members. Please contact us at membership@lwvncsmc.org.
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