|
Serving San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill & Gilroy
January 2025
| |
President's Message
Perhaps you, like me, thought that with the election behind us League activities would slow down. In fact, the next 2-3 months are going to be very busy for the League with numerous events and opportunities for involvement.
In addition to the monthly Lunch with League in January, members will be invited to participate in the annual Program Planning meeting where we discuss priorities for 2025-2026 as well as input to LWV California.
Legislative interviews with two State Senators and six Assembly members are getting underway, and plans are firming up for an educational event about the importance of tree canopy in fighting climate change. We will also be monitoring the national study on the federal judiciary, the Nominating Committee is starting its work on seeking candidates for next year's leadership team, and a Bylaws Committee is reviewing our legal document to identify changes that need to be made at the Annual Meeting in June. Whew!
On top of this whirlwind is the transition to the new membership procedure that goes into effect on Feb. 1. You can read more detail about this in an article below but suffice to say we know change is difficult and that we will need to allocate resources to make sure the transition is smooth for all of our members.
Diane
Diane McNutt, President
League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara
Diane.McNutt@lwvsjsc.org
| |
Welcome new Board members
At its December Board meeting, the officers and directors of LWV San Jose/Santa Clara voted to appoint three members to fill open director positions for the remainder of the 2024-2025 year which ends in June. We are thrilled that these individuals are able to serve and add their talents and experiences to the leadership team. Please join us in welcoming and thanking:
Elizabeth Marquez Bernardino
Elizabeth Chien-Hale
Michelle Fernandez
| | |
|
In-Person Lunch with League
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Navigating Change:
Reproductive Health in Post-Roe America
Join Stacy Cross, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the largest Planned Parenthood affiliate in the country, for a non-political and informative discussion on the evolving landscape of reproductive health in the U.S. In her talk, Stacy will provide updates on the legal, medical, and social changes that have emerged since the reversal of Roe v. Wade, offering insights into how individuals, families, and communities are navigating these shifts. Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged.
Save the date and watch for an e-blast with registration instructions.
| |
Watch for email from national League
about new dues procedures
All League members will receive an email from LWV U.S. in January detailing the new membership procedures that go into effect on Feb. 1. After that date, new and renewing members will pay dues directly to the national League, rather than to the local League. You will also be asked to set up a profile in the national database.
Our local League will receive a percentage of the dues and will have access to the member database. We will send you more information and help you navigate the changes in the coming weeks.
| |
|
2025 Legislative interviews starting soon
Legislative Interview co-chairs, Kathleen Muller and Kathy Sutherland, are currently setting up appointments with our local state legislators for January and February. Some of these meetings will be held at the state senator or assembly member’s district office; others will take place over Zoom. The meetings last just one hour (often less), but they provide us with a unique opportunity to learn each representative’s priorities and share with them the issues we think are important going into the new year.
If you would be interested in starting off the League year by participating in one or more of these interviews, we would love to have you! Email Kathleen at Kathleen.Muller@lwvsjsc.org to express your interest or find out more about the process. Our first priority will be to place you in an interview with your own representative to the State Senate or Assembly, but that isn’t always possible and you may also choose to participate in an interview with one of the others. The goal is to speak directly to all of those who have been elected to represent our league’s members in San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy.
Our interview list includes Senators David Cortese (S-15) and Aisha Wahab (S-10), and Assembly members Marc Berman (A-23), Alex Lee (A-24), Ash Kalra (A-25), Patrick Ahearns (A-26), Gail Pellerin (A-28) and Robert Rivas (A-29).
Please consider this singular volunteer opportunity to engage with leaders in our state government! We would appreciate your participation.
| |
|
Fighting climate change with trees
Our Climate Change Committee has been an active voice in raising awareness of the impacts of rapid global changes due to excessive fossil fuel use and the changing environment. We were an early advocate for the City of San José's adoption of its Climate Action Plan and lobbied City Hall to move toward community choice energy, which later resulted in Clean Energy San Jose.
We have also been active in supporting open space, and have long advocated for saving Coyote Valley and the multiple benefits it provides for climate adaptation, including flood control and water quality, carbon sequestration, watershed and water storage, aquifer recharge, wildlife habitat, and recreation. (See LWVSJSC position on Coyote Valley..
This year, the Climate Change Committee is focusing attention on the value of trees. Trees, collectively called the “urban forest,” play an important role in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and to create a more livable environment.
It is a simple solution but one that is gaining increased attention.
Three years ago, the League commented on the City’s draft Community Forest Management Plan, and has been following its revisions and adoption. In 2025, an educational workshop under development will take a close look at its progress and a similar Santa Clara County urban forestry plan. We will take a deep dive in understanding the value of a tree canopy, and how to ensure equity in managing our urban forest. For an interesting report, see this article about “Re-oaking the Silicon Valley” from the SF Bay Estuary Institute.
Our League is engaging community partners to work with us, such as City of San José and other nonprofit and like-minded organizations. We need League members to help plan the workshop and to develop outreach and program elements. If you are interested, please email Virginia Holtz or Gloria Chun Hoo.
| |
|
|
|
League members, save this date
for Program Planning
Our annual Program Planning meeting will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-12 noon at Santa Teresa Branch Library Community Room, 290 International Circle, San Jose.
You will receive an e-blast invitation with all the details in early January. If you have any immediate questions, please email Linda.Marquez@lwvsjsc.org.
| | | |
National Federal Judiciary Study
At the national League Convention in June 2024, delegates voted to proceed with a study on the federal judiciary. It will be on a fast-track timeline for a position to be announced by June 2025.
The study's purpose is to address concerns and clarify judicial accountability, transparency, independence, and ethics. The scope addresses the Supreme Court as well as the other Article III federal courts.
Local and state Leagues will receive a study guide and consensus questions to use in special meetings held in the spring. Watch for more details in future issues of The VOTER.
| |
|
|
LWV Bay Area
LWV's annual League Day in 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Zoom. The focus will be on "Regional Government: Does It Affect You?" and will include a keynote address and an update on LWV Bay Area's regional government and land use study underway. More details and registration will be available in February. If you have suggestions or comments, contact Co-Presidents Roma Dawson and Marieann Shovlin at lwvbayarea@gmail.com.
And congratulations to LWV Bay Area and eight East Bay Leagues for receiving the Global Citizen Award from the United Nations Association East Bay for their efforts in making democracy work! It is gratifying for the Leagues to be acknowledged for their hard work and positive impact in the community.
LWV California
The state League has published its Democracy Works newsletter that reviews the accomplishments and challenges of the year, including advocacy for legislation and voter education and outreach in 2024.
LWV U.S.
Impact on Issues 2024-2026 is now available online as a free PDF download and as a paperback volume that can be purchased on Amazon.com for $6.99. The 185-page publication serves as a guide to the public policy positions of LWV U.S. -- a resource to help Leagues at all levels to effectively advocate, litigate, education and take action to ensure accountability at all levels and in all branches of government. It is fascinating reading.
| |
Holiday Memories
We were so happy to see many of you at our annual Holiday Party at the historic San Jose Clubhouse. It was a great evening to become better acquainted with each other and with the League. There will be many more opportunities to gather in person in 2025, and we look forward to seeing you! Here are a few photos taken by Vickie Mueller Olvero of this wonderful event.
Special thanks to the Membership Committee for their hard work in organizing a festive evening full of seasonal goodwill and joy! The merry elves included Robert Scobar and Danette Green for decorations, Sharon Sweeney for centerpieces, Julie Boaler for the music playlist, Linda Marquez for wine, Carol Watts for champagne, Mary Gardner for sparkling water, Roma Dawson and Charlene Siddens for set up and take down, and co-chairs Gloria Loventhal and Carol Watts for their vision. What a team!
| | | | |
