Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

As the holiday spirit fills the air and we gather with loved ones, we're reminded of the warmth of community and the power of shared purpose. The season of giving and togetherness inspires us to reflect on our League's mission and the positive changes we can create together.

Looking ahead to 2025, we're excited about our key focus on Electoral College reform. We'll be developing a community education initiative to help citizens understand the historical context and current implications of our presidential election system. This important work will begin with training our members to deliver informative presentations to local groups.

We're also transitioning to ChapterSpot, a new membership portal that will streamline our renewal process and provide members with more flexibility. While a detailed explanation appears elsewhere in this newsletter, we want to highlight that this change will make engaging with the League easier and more convenient.

We're preparing for our bi-annual program planning and a new federal legislative study (see below for more details) in January, and we invite all members to participate and contribute their insights.

We look forward to continuing our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. We hope you'll join us for our upcoming events, including our regular Happy Hours, both in-person and on Zoom.

Wishing you joy, peace, and hope this holiday season!

Warmly,

Kathy Morgan and Susan Roth

Co-Presidents

2024 ELECTION IMPACT REPORT

This year’s election saw high voter turnout with pivotal elections happening at the federal, state, and local levels. Leagues in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, mobilized to ensure that all voters had the information they needed to make informed decisions at the polls.  Read more about it with the above link.

In the United States, women are still not guaranteed equal rights. We have seen the devastating consequences of this reality. Yet, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which will update the US Constitution to protect the equality of rights under the law regardless of sex, can be added to the Constitution with one action.

December 2024 marks 101 years since the ERA was first introduced in Congress. The Amendment was fully ratified in 2020.

Leading up to Women’s Equality Day, the League of Women Voters of the United States and League chapters from all 50 states and the District of Columbia sent a letter to the White House and members of Congress urging action for the immediate publication of the ERA in the US Constitution. With just months left in office, we are urging President Biden to act to ensure that the ERA is published. 

Read more about the ERA through this link.

Federal Judiciary Study: Call for Interested Members

LWVUS is launching a comprehensive national study of the Federal Judiciary, examining the Supreme Court and all federal court levels. A kickoff webinar on November 20, 2024, outlined plans for local leagues to participate in consensus meetings this spring. Each meeting will last approximately 90 minutes, with specific discussion questions provided to guide the process.

More information on how members can get involved with be available in January.

New Membership Model - How it Will Affect Our League

In 2025, LWVUS will implement significant changes to League membership and dues structure. LWV is switching to a new member portal for all Leagues across the country. There is no action that our members need to take right now, but we want to provide you with an overview of what these changes mean for you. The new member portal will launch January/February 2025, using the ChapterSpot platform. 

ChapterSpot, the new League membership platform, will provide a centralized portal where any person can join the League or renew their membership, regardless of which League they are joining. This will improve the member experience by making the joining process consistent across Leagues and will allow new members to join their local League from LWVUS. This change is intended to make membership accessible to those who currently find dues to be a barrier to joining. There will still be the option to renew by check for members who don't use the internet.

Membership Fees Structure:

In the new system, dues are set as follows: 

• ‘Pay what you can’: Any individual may join the League for one year by paying any amount equal to or greater than $20. 
• The suggested amount will be $75. 

Member Types: 

• There is no longer a Household membership type - only Individual (Primary) Member. 
• There is no longer a Student Member type. Like any other member, they must pay at least $20, unless the local League subsidizes them out of their local League budget 
• Persons who have been members for 50 years are Life Members and will continue to have their member dues waived. 
• Auto-Renew: Members will be encouraged to register their financial information to sign up for automatic renewal. 

Launch is still on track for January/February 2025 for everyone.

FROM LWVVC

As a League member, you're not just a supporter – you're a catalyst for change. The 2025-2027 Program Planning process is your unique opportunity to directly influence our community's most pressing issues.

The Preliminary Planning Session kicks off in early December, with our collective recommendations due to LWVC by the end of February. This isn't just another meeting – it's your chance to:

• Identify the critical issues that demand our attention
• Spotlight the conversations our community needs to have
• Guide where we focus our collective energy and passion

We're not just an organization – we're a movement powered by engaged citizens like YOU. Your perspective matters. Your ideas can spark real transformation.

Watch for upcoming e-Blasts about online and in-person sessions. These are your forums to:

• Share your insights
• Challenge our current thinking
• Shape the League's strategic direction

Don't sit on the sidelines. Step up. Speak out. Be the change you want to see.

Your membership isn't a passive role – it's an invitation to lead.

When:        December 7, 2024

Where:       Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant, 1620 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA        

Menu:         Salad; choice of four main entrees; dessert; coffee, tea, or soft drink included.

Cost:          $40.00 per person

Time: Mingle 12:00–12:30p.m. (Cocktails available from waiters on a cash basis.)

                  Lunch served at 12:30 p.m.

RSVP:       Pat Butler or though Signup Genius.

Wednesday, December 4th, 5:30pm - Happy Hour at Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001 - RSVP to Matty Park.  

Saturday, December 7th, LWVVC Holiday Party at Ottavio's Italian Restaurant, Camarillo - RSVP Here.

Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30pm - Happy Hour on Zoom 

Saturday, January 18, 2025, Time TBD - Community Outreach (Tabling) Plaza Park, Ventura - Contact: Pat Butler to sign-up.

Be a Part of the Greater League

Participate in LWVUS and LWVC. Sign up for Updates and League Groups -

Open to all League Members

Join by signing in at: Join an Online Discussion Group and work with other leagues, LWV California staff and LWV US staff.

Additionally, the LWVVC has several interest committees - see details below.

This fall 69 volunteers visited 90 classrooms in 6 school districts across the county - Conejo Valley, Moorpark, Oak Park, Ojai, Oxnard, and Ventura. We tabled at all three community colleges, encouraging students to register and vote. We had a team of volunteers, assembling the packets of materials we gave every student and had at our tabling events.

Also, we wanted to give members a heads-up about future training for volunteers interested in Voter Registration activities. Our next trainings will (tentatively) be during weeks of Jan 6-11 and Feb 17-22. More specific info to follow but if you are new or have not attended a training session, please email Betsy Patterson.

Community Outreach Committee (Tabling)

The LWVVC Observer Corps observes county and city meetings of governing boards and councils. Please reach out to Carol Lindberg if you are interested in becoming a part of the Observer Corps. You can participate as your time permits and will be providing a great service to the other League members.

Future dates for County Board of Supervisors meetings include: December 10 and 17, and 2025 dates include January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25, and March 11 and 18.

Scholarship applications are open at each of our 3 community colleges. Things will be quiet for awhile. Want to thank all of you who support our scholarship endeavors!

More to come in January 2025.

In the meantime, scholarship donations, of any size, are very much appreciated!! If anyone has questions for us about our meeting or would like to join us, please contact Kay Armstrong.

As our committee’s focus is on racial and social justice we looked to see if there were an issue happening in our community that we might research and address.

The Social Justice Committee had a lively meeting on Nov. 21. We have been exploring low level traffic stops and are planning on having a guest from the DA’s office in January to explain their position.

In discussing new business there was discussion regarding ICE Out of Ventura and what the new year may bring to immigration issues and DEI formats. We decided to meet in December and not go dark for this month.

Please contact Kay with any questions or to obtain a link to a future Social Justice Committee meeting.

The November election results are already causing a wave of questions over the future of DEI. Currently, we are witnessing large corporations already rolling back their DEI policies, while others are actively maintaining and even strengthening their DEI commitments. In a recent State DEI Meeting, our Committee agreed not to subscribe to the fear while we wait and see what happens after January. Instead we received direction to remain steadfast in our advocacy work and take action to protect our democratic institutions. 

As we move into 2025, we can surely expect DEI to undergo significant adjustments to a new political landscape, but for now there is an urgent call to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, as mentioned above in this newsletter. Our call to action is to urge President Biden to instruct the US Archivist to certify and publish the ERA in the Constitution, as mentioned above the ERA was ratified in 2020. Please use this link for more information from the LWVUS on submitting your letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris. Encourage those in your social circles to do the same. Equality cannot wait!

To join the DEI Committee, please email Laura Hernandez.

Notice: We will not be meeting in December but will resume on January 12, 2025 (the 2nd Sunday).

The Housing & Homelessness Committee invite you to join us at our meetings. We are open to ideas on how we can help in supporting housing of all types as well as prevention.

Some of our members attended the Farmworkers Housing Forum, November 22, 2024. We will provide a report next month. 

There is a Housing CA Conference March 5-7-25 in Sacramento.

This is some of the information we are tracking:

• Waiting for update on Ojai Encampment status and affordable housing
• Waiting for update on Santa Paula’s lot for 10-20 people
• Ventura Update: Valentine Road project funding includes four different buildings, two buildings are under construction;
• The La Quinta motel purchase, 40 motel rooms are available for Project Room Key folks; everyone will be able to relocate to permanent housing; services provided include four case managers

Senior housing and homelessness is an issue that is growing. We will be looking at Rehousing and Refurbishing programs to keep seniors in their homes and prevent homelessness. We will also be researching funding sources for these programs.

Rebuilding Together located in the Bay Area, provides life-changing reports for low income seniors. This article in The Mercury News focuses on National Rebuilding Day and supporting low income seniors. Habitat for Humanity in Ventura County already provides support to seniors.  

Check out Ventura County Continuum of Care Alliance website. Look under COC Agenda- COC Board meeting Agenda-11-13-24. You’ll be able to see the requests for proposals from organizations that have been vetted to submit to get an idea of some upcoming projects. This is a great site for information on Housing and Homelessness as they are the umbrella agency for this area in the county.  

We wish you all good cheer for the Holidays and the New Year.

We welcome the following new members:

• Ventura - Donna Beatty
• Oxnard - Christina Nicoloro-Moore
• Santa Rosa Valley - Marsha Morrow



NEW MEMBERS: Please contact any officer, board member, or committee chair to volunteer for the activities that spark your interest. You can be partnered with an experienced member if you like. We will help you learn what you need to know. And please sign up for whatever committees you would like to participate in by contacting the committee chair to be invited to meetings. Do as much or as little as you like. We look forward to your participation.

RENEWING MEMBERS: Many thanks and gratitude to our members who have renewed their membership and to those who have made an additional contribution toward the expenses of operating the LWVVC and towards the scholarship fund.

To join or renew your membership: find our membership form and the online payment option here, or send a check to P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006.

Your support is critical!

1^st Wednesday @ 5:30pm, IN PERSON

Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S California Street, Ventura, CA 93001.

Please RSVP to Matty Park.  

3^rd Wednesday @ 5:30pm, on Zoom. Please RSVP to Kay Armstrong.

Happy hour events are not just for new members – everyone is welcome, including guests. Join us for an informal conversation about all things LWVVC. Interested in becoming more involved in our mission of "Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy"? Come, learn about what we're doing, and how you can help.

You don't have to be a League member to join us for happy hour. Come for five minutes, the whole hour or anywhere in between. We hope to see you there! You are welcome to attend either or both Happy Hours. Please register with the host in advance. If you would like to have an in-person Meet the Members in your area, please let us know. 

For all relevant news about the County of Ventura: https://www.ventura.org/  Find out how to view Board of Supervisor agendas, documents, broadcasts, and videos. Connect with County services.  

The dues rates for 2024-2025 are: 

Individual Membership                  $75.00

Student Membership                     $25.00

Family Membership                      $125.00

Associate Membership                   $25.00

OR make your check payable to LWVVC and send it to

P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006

Membership Scholarships available with the approval of the Board of Directors.

   Donate 

Tax deductible donations may be made to:

•      General Fund

•      Scholarship Fund

•      Ann Gist Scholarship Fund  

•      Ann Gist Voter Education Fund

 OR make your check payable to LWVVC and send it to

P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006

If you wish to donate in remembrance of someone, please include their name and a few lines about their life. Please specify the fund you want to support.

Thank you  

Raise Awareness of the League 

Email: info@lwvVenturaCounty.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LWVVenturaCounty  

Mailing Address: LWVVC, P.O. Box 6786, Ventura, CA 93006 

Phone Number: (805) 303-1476 

  Facebook: @lwvventuraco

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LwvVentura

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lwvofventura/

The League of Women Voters of Ventura County is a 501(c)3 organization.

All contributions are tax deductible.  

The League of Women Voters, a grassroots non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose candidates or political parties.