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.

Hello Friends –

July 4th is a special month for LWVSMV. We can all celebrate in two important ways! First, by lighting a sparkler to remember the courage and intelligence of the drafters of the Declaration of Independence.

Second, by renewing your LWVSMV membership at the highest level possible this year (dues are due and payable July 1st of each year). YAY!! And THANK YOU! See dues levels below or click here to renew/join online or mail a check to: PO Box 1388, Santa Maria, 93456. Questions? Email us at lwvsmv2012@gmail.com.

As we celebrate this July 4th, we recommit ourselves to the job of providing factual information to voters for the upcoming election cycle in 2023-24! Your board has planned 7 forums and numerous tabling and voter registration experiences at events in all parts of North Santa Barbara County. This past year we have collaborated with the Santa Barbara LWV and are now working within some of their more experienced Committees on advocacy and education. Zoom has made this activity possible.

BTW, if you missed the fabulous Breakfast Annual Meeting in Guadalupe, you will not want to miss the replay of Gregg Hart’s Housing speech and the Guadalupe Innovative Leadership awards to Mayor Julian Ariston and Police/Fire Chief Michael Cash…no kidding! Watch the video here in English and here in Spanish. And see below for photos and important updates on League Officers and Committees for the upcoming year.

We look forward to YOUR participation through dues paying, interesting committee work, and/or attending our events this coming year! Want to get out and know your community better? Join us!

Vote Local -- Your Vote Counts More!

Sincerely,

Virginia

Welcome to new and current members from your Membership Committee Co-Chairs, Judy Garrett and Pam Gates. June was a busy month for tabling at various events (see photos below) with people stopping by to request information and sign up for the newsletter. We’ll be reaching out to you to answer any questions you may have.

July 1st starts a new year for our League with plans in the works for voter registration tabling events plus 7 issue and/or candidate forums to inform and educate voters as we enter the upcoming election cycle.

It also means it’s time to renew your annual membership. We have much work to do across all of North Santa Barbara County and we need you. You can pay online by clicking here or mail your check to LWVSMV, P.O. Box 1388, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

It will take many, many member Volunteers to accomplish all that we have planned. We’ll be highlighting each Committee during the year BUT THE WORK STARTS NOW! Take a look at the Committees below and let us know which ones interest you. All members are asked to join at least one Committee. Email your choice to LWVSMV2012@gmail.com.

We’ll be planning some Get-Togethers for Members as well and look forward to meeting and volunteering with each of you.

Judy and Pam

Co-Chairs Membership Committee

As reported by Secretary Sandra Boyd, our Annual Membership Meeting was held on June 10th at the Riverview Townhomes Community Room in Guadalupe. Members and guests enjoyed complimentary breakfast burritos, doughnuts, and coffee and juice, with time for socializing. President Virginia Souza introduced 37th District Assemblymember Gregg Hart who spoke on the lack of affordable housing in our County. Member Mireya Pina then presented our Innovative Leadership Award to Guadalupe Mayor Julian Ariston and Police/Fire Chief Michael Cash. You can watch the meeting videos here for English and here for Spanish (Thank you to Jose Farias for interpreting.)

2nd Vice President and Program Planning Chair Tracy Beard called the Business Meeting to order at 10am and the following slate of Officers was ratified: President – Virginia Souza; 1st Vice President, Voter Service – Alison Wales*; 2nd Vice President, Programs – Tracy Beard; Secretary – Sandra Boyd*; Treasurer – Lisa Thornhill*; and Outreach-Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) – Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt*. (* indicates newly elected officers; others are serving remainder of 2-year term.)

Members also voted to continue the LWVSMV’s focus topics for another year -- Housing, Making Democracy Work, and Water -- as well as our commitment to DEI in all our work. Women’s Health was added as a new focus topic.

JULY

4: Family-friendly celebrations including parades, music, food, and fireworks are planned throughout North Santa Barbara County.

Lompoc: The City is hosting a free Family Fun Day at Ryon Park (800 W. Ocean Ave.) with an 11am bike parade, music at noon, plus food trucks, inflatables, and face painting.

Santa Maria: The Recreation and Parks Department has planned a Star-Spangled Jamboree from Noon-4pm at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center (600 S. McClelland St.). Food trucks, vendors, and free activities for all ages.

Solvang: The Solvang Rotary and The Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley are hosting a Star-Spangled Celebration, starting at 11am with a parade and BBQ in Solvang Park, followed by a festival from 12-10pm and a 9pm fireworks show at Old Mission Sant Ines.

6: Join the LWVUS and its partners for a virtual panel discussion, “Amplifying Democracy: The 26th Amendment & the Power of Young Voters.” 2-3pm. This Amendment lowered the voting age to 18 and the youth vote continues to impact elections. To register, click here.

7: Santa Maria Downtown Fridays is the place to be for families, fun, and community camaraderie featuring live music, food trucks, farmers’ market, and kids’ activities. 5:30-8:30pm, Fridays through September. Santa Maria Town Center West.

12-16: “Adventure Awaits" at the 130th Santa Barbara County Fair. Rides, musical entertainment, petting zoo, exhibits, livestock auction, and plenty of your favorite fair food. 3-10pm, Wed-Thurs; 12-10pm Fri-Sun. Santa Maria Fairgrounds (937 S. Thornburg St.).

26: Lompoc Empty Bowls 2023 demonstrates the value in nourishing one another. Each guest takes a bowl home as a reminder of the need to provide healthy food for those facing hunger. Seatings are at 11:30am and 12:30pm. Dick DeWees Community Center (1120 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc). Tickets are $25; purchase here.

30: Obon Festival: The Guadalupe Buddhist Church invites you to join in their annual Festival honoring ancestors who share their compassion and wisdom with us. This GBC festival has been held annually before and since the Japanese-American community returned to this area after World War II internment. Free, family-friendly event featuring dancing, Japanese food, and a silent auction. 12-6pm at Minami Community Center (600 W. Enos Dr., Santa Maria). Click here for information or call 805-343-1053.

AUGUST

3: LWV-Santa Barbara's Overlooked Book Club selection is ”Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design,” by Charles Montgomery. Email here for Zoom link.

19: CAUSE Action Fund’s 2023 North County Reception is a fun way to gather and celebrate CAUSE’s work for quality schools, workers’ rights, affordable housing, clean air and water, and more. 2-4pm, Blosser Urban Garden (915 S. Blosser Rd., Santa Maria). The event is free but please RSVP by clicking here.

Friendly Faces

June has been a busy month for Members who tabled at our Annual Meeting in Guadalupe, the Juneteenth Celebration in Lompoc, and the Santa Ynez Valley Pride Festival. It's a fun way to meet people in the community while answering questions, registering new voters, and spreading the word about our activities.

Thanks to Committee Members joyce ellen lippman (Voter Service), Laura Selken (Communications), Sara Macdonald (Women's Health), Alison Wales (1st. Vice President and Voter Service), Lisa Thornhill (Treasurer and Water), and Sandra Boyd (Secretary).

Broadband for All

Having the internet is critical to getting a better education, landing a job, accessing healthcare, and increasing civic participation. Yet millions of Californians don’t have access. The California State Digital Equity Plan will ensure vulnerable communities have the access they need. You can join the effort here.

Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt, Tracy Beard, joyce ellen Lippman, and Sara Macdonald recently attended a Broadband for All meeting to speak on behalf of seniors, women, and all underserved communities.