THE VOTER
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE MIDLAND AREA
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Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. |
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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. |
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NEW LOOK - The Voter has a new look due to software upgrades at Constant Contact. It is still being refined. |
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Video Conferencing via Zoom for League activities. |
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The LWV of the Midland Area will continue to hold board meetings and events online via Zoom until the COVID crisis has resolved and it is safe to gather in person. Zoom links will be sent out the day before each event. |
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Tera Moon, LWVMI DEI Director, Explains DEI and other LWV Positions on Jan 20 at 7 pm on Zoom. |
The LWV has always believed in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”), but over the years, the follow-through has not been very strong. This is changing and on Wednesday 1/20/21 at a 7pm Zoom presentation we are featuring a talk by Tera Moon, State DEI Director. She will talk about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion being a practice, a continuum. She will focus on this at the state and local levels.
The link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to members on 1/19/21.
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Program Planning - January 28, 7pm, Zoom |
What is PROGRAM? Program has a unique LWV meaning at the League. Simply put, Program is education and advocacy. Education is the first step of advocacy. It can include studies by which LWV’ers reach consensus on the issue or by concurrence where members take advantage of a study done by another League by using their background information and concurring with their position. It is those positions and the LWVUS principles on which all advocacy is based. No advocacy can be undertaken without a supporting LWV position. We speak with one voice and never work against a position, although some levels remain silent on specific positions.
Our Local League will be planning our program for 2021-22 in a Zoom meeting on January 28, 7:00 pm. All members are welcome to participate. The draft Program will be submitted to the membership for approval at the annual meeting. The current Program Planning document is on our web page.
This is your opportunity to add your voice to the development of Positions of the LWVMI.
Zoom link will be sent to membership on Jan 19.
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LWVMI study on Lame Duck Sessions in the Michigan Legislature.
At the 2019 LWVMI Convention, the membership approved a new study on the:
“Structure and Process of the Michigan Legislature limited to exploring the ramifications on democracy, if any, posed by lame duck sessions and developing guidelines, if warranted, regarding the type of bills and how such bills should be handled in a lame duck session.”
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In February, the LWV of the Midland Area will be having two meetings to review an LWVMI (state) study on the Lame Duck sessions in the Michigan Legislature. A Lame Duck session is the session in late November and December after the election of new Representatives. Any representatives who have not been reelected are Lame Ducks in that they can vote on legislation, but have no "iron in the fire" so to speak. Their term is over on January 1. Many states do not have legislative sessions between general elections and the inauguration of the new representatives.
The first meeting, the week of February 15 at 7pm on Zoom. This meeting will feature a local speaker who can explain the ramifications of the Lame Duck session. A second meeting, the week of February 22 will be held to provide our consensus on the questions from the LWVMI.
Details of these two meetings will be in the February newsletter and on the webpage. |
Keeping up with the League's Advocacy Program |
The LWV of Michigan has a newsletter called League Links sent to all members after each monthly state Board meeting.
Part of the League's advocacy program is to encourage members to contact their representatives when the League asks so that government representatives are aware of constituent's opinions. It is important to keep up with League positions and respond to requests.
Both organizations send out periodic updates when there are urgent messages and an immediate need for a respons.
Please look for LWV news in your email.
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Upcoming dates: (Zoom links will be sent out the day before each event.)
January 20, 7 p.m. - Terra Moon, League of Women Voters of Michigan (LWVMI) will be the presenter on the topic of the LWV DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) priority.
January 28, 7 p.m. – Program planning and review of State and Local Positions.
February 16 or 17, 7p.m. – LWVMI “Lame Duck” Study part 1 - presentation by Political Science Department of SVSU or Delta on topic of Michigan Lame Duck sessions.
February 22 or 23, 7 p.m. – LWVMI “Lame Duck” Study part 2 – to discuss study materials and respond to consensus questions.
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The board meets the First Thursday of each month at Creative360, 9:30-11:30. The Board intends to meet via Zoom until further notice. All members are welcome.
Treasurer - Karen Sherwood*
Director, Voter Service - Sue McCollister
Director, Natural Resources - Carole Swinehart
Director, Natural Resources - Sandy Collinson*
Director, Education - Terry Townley
Director, Sandy Haughton*
Director, Sharron Such
Director, Kathryn (Kathy) Miller
Director, Cindy LeVasseur
Director, Anne Wallin*
*elected for 2020-2022 terms
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P.O. Box 1203
Midland, MI 48641-1203
(989) 859-5597
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