Feb. 4 all-member meeting, upcoming speakers & events and more

Serving the people of San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill & Gilroy

February 2023

The VOTER

Message from the President

It's time to decide on our priorities

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the League will holds its annual Program Planning meeting to determine its priorities for the coming years. It is one of two times each year that we ask all members to participate in a meeting to take care of League business.

Will you be there?

In response to requests for more in-person League activities, the Program Planning meeting will be held in the Community Room of Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose. Refreshments will be available and there will be time for casual get-acquainted or catch-up conversations among members.

If you are new to the League, this is a great opportunity to meet more members and become more familiar with League activities. Each of you brings a new perspective, and we want to hear from you.

If you have been a League member for awhile, we also need your experience and knowledge to help determine how we focus on our time in the coming year.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

There are many interesting League activities coming up including great speakers at Lunch with League, a special reception with elected officials at the Capital Club in downtown San Jose, the annual Bay Area Education Day and more. We hope to see you at many of these events and, of course, you are also welcome to attend our monthly Board meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. Email me for the Zoom link.

Diane

Diane McNutt

Diane.McNutt@lwvsjsc.org

Virtual Lunch With League

"The Climate Change Crisis Has A Remedy . . . If We Act NOW"

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

12 noon-1 p.m. via Zoom

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has declared the climate crisis is a "code red" for humanity and that urgent action is needed before it is too late. Pollution kills nine million people each year. Dozens of species are going extinct. Sea levels are rising and increasing temperatures will be vast stretches of the planet unlivable by century's end. What are the remedies to avoid a planetary cataclysm? How long do we have?

Rod Diridon, Sr., Mineta Transportation Institute Executive Director Emeritus, will discuss this lightning rod topic at the next Lunch With League on Thursday, Feb. 16. Rod is a well known and respected public figure who chaired the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and Transit Board six times during a 20 year tenure.

A longtime environmental advocate, he chaired more than 100 local to international transportation and environment programs during his time in office. He also chaired the National Research Council's Transit Research Board and a 1996 research panel on "Combating Global Warming with Sustainable Transit Policies."

Virtual Lunch With League events are FREE and open to all members of the community. Please invite people you know to attend.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

March 16: Ryan Skinnell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing, San Jose State University on "Words Matter: Democracy's Rhetorical Failure(s)"

April 20: San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata on "State of the Department: My Vision and Priorities"

Program Planning Meeting

Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-12 noon

Vineland Branch Library,

1450 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose

At this meeting, our League members discuss local issues of and propose priorities for our League activities for 2023-2024. Our proposals then go to the Board for review and then to the Annual Meeting in June for acceptance by the League membership.

In addition, this year our task is to suggest up to three issues for emphasis for the League of Women Voters California. The LWVC Board will review all suggestions and prepare recommendations for the 2023 State Convention in May. REGISTER HERE.

State Senator Josh Becker

Friday, Feb. 17 via Zoom

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

In these days of cynicism about politics, voters need to hear about how our legislators overcome political constraints to make policies for the common good. LWV of the Bay Area is presenting a conversation with State Senator Josh Becker to discuss what he and his Senate colleagues are doing to fight voter cynicism, listen to the voices of diverse, sometimes conflicting interest groups, and negotiate those differences to craft legislation. REGISTER HERE.

Join LWV of the Bay Area for our annual League Education Day. The program will feature presentations on the Bay Area Equity Atlas and equity issues in health, land use and transportation.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

MORE EVENTS

Legislative Interviews

February

Legislative interviews of our State Assembly and Senate representatives are continuing, some in person and some via Zoom. They must be completed by the end of this month. We are particularly in need of members to participate in interviews with Assembly members Marc Berman (23rd District) and Alex Lee (24th District) and Senator Aisha Wahab (10th District). If you live in one of those districts, please consider volunteering to meet with your representative as part of an interview team.If you are interested in participating, please contact coordinators Vicki Alexander or Kathleen Muller for information.

LWVUS Legislative Office Hours

Thursday, Feb. 9 or Feb. 23, 12 noon Pacific

The national advocacy team holds virtual office hours for members to ask questions on federal legislation. Sign up HERE.

Statewide League Interest Groups

Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m.

Learn about the purpose and operation of LWV of California interest groups and how they provide a forum for members to support and explore advocacy/educational work. Sign up HERE.

Women's History Month Celebration

Wednesday, March 15, 6-7:30 p.m.

Silicon Valley Capital Club, 50 W. San Fernando St., San Jose

LWV of SJ/SC is partnering with the Business Forward, Dynamic Women and the LBGTQ+ Councils of the Silicon Valley Capital Club to honor elected officials in our area including those from the City Councils of San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Gilroy, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and state officials. This FREE event includes hors d'oeuvres, wine, and networking. Underground garage parking at no cost. Mark your calendars now and watch for a special e-blast invitation with registration information. coming soon!

Is voter registration important to you?

When asked why they joined the League, many of our members say how concerned they are with making sure that all eligible citizens are registered to vote. They understand that voting is the foundation of democracy and the best way for people to feel empowered about their community, their nation and their future.

Do you share these feelings? Finding volunteers to staff voter registration tables has been a relatively easy task, but what we really need now is members who are willing to step into a leadership role for this crucial committee to serve as Chair or Co-chair.

Your duties would include identifying potential voter registration sites, organizing volunteers and keeping track of supplies. Training and support is available.

How important is voter registration to you?

Will you answer this call for help?

Please contact Voter Service Chair Sandy Mory for more information.

The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

QUICK LINKS

League of Women Voters of the U.S.

League of Women Voters of California

League of Women Voters of the Bay Area

League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters

Join the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara HERE

Donate to the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara HERE