The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences

public policy through education and advocacy. LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice.

Hello Friends –

Those of us that traveled to U.C. Santa Barbara to hear award-winning author Dr. Jill Lapore, left feeling envious of the Harvard students lucky enough to attend her lectures. Dr. Lapore, the author of 14 books, many of them focused on American History, incorporated audience engagement quizzes, a story Paul McCartney, a children’s classic book, and her good sense of humor into a potentially dry subject -- our effectively unamendable U.S. Constitution.

Dr. Lepore had us stumped by questions like these: How will you do on our True or False Quiz? (Answers at the end The Voter):

1. Of 12,000 proposed amendments to the US Constitution, 29 have passed?

2. The 26th Amendment was passed 1984 and was the Equal Rights Amendment?

3. The Equal Rights Amendment was amendment #28?

We are quite sure you will enjoy her writing style and intellect. Her latest book, titled The Deadline, is a compilation of her New Yorker essays on a variety of subjects. Check it out at your local library and/or check out her newest audio book, Who Killed Truth. If you prefer, support your local bookseller by purchasing her book online here.

Due to the relatively new district system for local elections and low-voter turn-out, it can take only a handful of votes to decide outcomes. Voters may live in as many as 12 different voting districts. I was recently educated on this point by LWV member Judy Frost. She sent along this VERY HELPFUL link. Try it out and be surprised by the variety of distinct districts and taxing areas that may appear on your ballot in 2024.

Finally friends, we hope to meet up with you to make new friends and share some holiday fun at our Holiday Luncheon Gathering on Saturday, December 9th, at Trattoria Uliveto in Old Orcutt. Music, prizes and an informative speaker will be on tap. Watch for an email with details on the event and how to reserve your spot.

Stay positive and keep smiling!

Sincerely,



Virginia

Housing is one of the top priorities for the LWVSMV and our Housing Committee meets to review and discuss the issues in Santa Barbara County. Recently an important report was released by the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) after an almost year-long project to look at housing needs in our County.

Along with a 40-person advisory committee, SBF held focus groups, interviews and listening sessions, and conducted extensive research to put together opportunities for grants and investments focusing on housing innovations, land use, public will and financing sources.

According to Noozhawk, Cassandra Benjamin, who wrote the report and is the founder and principal of CSB Consulting, hopes the report will open people’s eyes to the number of ways to tackle the county’s housing crisis. Benjamin said "the first half of the report looks at ways multiple organizations and groups can come together to make solutions happen while the second half focuses on philanthropic solutions to the housing crisis."

SBF understands that it will take the entire community to address this issue and has committed to these actions:

● SBF will form a funders’ collaborative for housing affordability through which donors can pledge, match, or pool their resources with SBF

● SBF will track opportunities for funding in this area and share with donors to maximize support

● Philanthropic opportunities will include grants and impact investments

● We aim to reach an aspirational level of $10 million in 5 years in pledges, grants, and investments for Santa Barbara County

Read a summary or the full report here.

If this is an issue that speaks to you, join the LWVSMV Housing Committee by emailing us here.

NOVEMBER

7: The LWVSMV Women’s Healthcare Committee will be meeting at 5:15pm on Zoom. For Zoom link, email Chairperson Sara Macdonald here.

8: The LWVSMV will hold its monthly Board meeting from 5:30-7pm on Zoom. For Zoom link and Agenda, email us here.

13: The Immigration Interest Group Steering Committee of the LWVUS is presenting an informative session discussing migrants along the Southern US Border. Hear from two leaders of organizations who provide humanitarian assistance in this area. 4pm. To join the meeting on Zoom, click here.

13: Celebrate World Kindness Day! This international holiday was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. It’s devoted to promoting kindness throughout the world, understanding the positive potential of large and small acts of kindness, and unifying together as human beings. Pledge to yourself that you will do at least one random act of kindness each day.

16: The LWV Santa Barbara’s Overlooked Book Club will discuss the National Book Award-winning, “All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, A Black Family Keepsake,” by Tiya Miles. This non-fiction book on the realities of American slavery by a renowned historian, traces the life of a single object handed down through three generations of Black women. The sack is on display at The Smithsonian Institute. 1:30pm. Join on Zoom here.

DECEMBER

9: Join us at Trattoria Uliveto in Old Orcutt for our Holiday Gathering. We’ll be serving up a special luncheon, plus music, prizes, and an informational speaker you won’t want to miss. We’ll email you with all the details soon so you can reserve your spot.



Our Voter Service and Program Committees are busy planning for the upcoming election cycle -- from voter registration tabling events to issue and/or candidate forums in multiple North County Santa Barbara County locations to inform and educate voters like you.

Won't you join u? We have much work to do and we need you. Join or renew online by clicking here and then pay online or by mailing your check to LWVSMV, P.O. Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456. Scholarship funds are available and dues are waived for students of any age.

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