Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | |
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The Voter
The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Ventura County.
January 2025
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We are hoping that everyone enjoyed the holidays with family and friends and are starting the New Year reinvigorated and ready to engage in all the activities we have planned for 2025.
Some of us celebrated together at the League Holiday party in early December. It was great to be together, reflect on our accomplishments of the past year and to relax and socialize. We missed those of you who weren’t able to attend and hope to see you at future events. The league is a grassroots organization and we need everyone’s input and participation! Please consider attending the upcoming Program Planning Meeting and other activities coming up in the next few months. You can find more details in this edition of The Voter.
With Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Engaged New Year!
Warmly,
Kathy Morgan and Susan Roth
Co-Presidents LWVVC
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Federal Judiciary Study: Call for Interested Members | |
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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.
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Just in case you missed this in the December issue...
New Membership Model - How it Will Affect Our League
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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 in 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 February 2025 for everyone.
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The LWVC Appoints Helen Hutchison as Interim Executive Director | |
Stephanie Doute stepped down as the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) Executive Director at the end of December to take a new position.
The LWVC is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Hutchison as Interim Executive Director. Hutchison, a longtime League leader and dedicated advocate for democracy, will guide the organization as it begins the search for its next permanent executive director.
Hutchison brings a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge to this role. As a life member of the League with over 50 years of service, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy. Hutchison has served on the LWVC Board of Directors, held the role of Board President, and previously stepped in as Interim Executive Director, ensuring stability and continuity during transitional periods.
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2025-2027 Program Planning: Your Voice, Our Future
This is YOUR moment to make a real difference!
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What’s on YOUR mind?
What local issues concern you? Is it local government reform – voting and elections – clean energy – water issues – housing affordability – homelessness – public safety – health care? Join us on Saturday, February 15th from 9:30 to noon to talk about it and plan our priorities for the next two years.
As a “grass roots” organization, the League looks to its members for guidance in how best to use our time and energy and allocate our resources. Whether it’s an educational effort or advocacy on a specific issue we depend on our members to identify the issues and carry out our program. So we need to hear from you.
On February 15th we’ll meet in person in Camarillo (specific location TBD) to:
- Review the status of the Program we adopted in June 2023 for the 2023 – 2025 biennium.
- Develop ideas for the 2025 – 2027 biennial program.
- Hear from you about your concerns and interests. What are the important issues in our community where the League can make a difference?
- And most importantly, get to know each other. We’ll break into small discussion groups to learn more about each other, why we’re all members of the League, and what we'd like our League to focus in the next biennium.
Planning the Program for the next two years is primarily the work of League members. However, guests are welcome to attend, observe the process, and provide important information and insights as we make decisions about what we want to accomplish over the next two years.
Light refreshments will be available.
Make your voice heard. Join us on Saturday, February 15th from 9:30 to noon.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 5:30pm - Happy Hour at Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001 - RSVP to Matty Park.
Thursday, January 9th, 11:00 - LWVVC Board Meeting, held at The Colleges of Law - Ventura, 4475 Market Street, Ventura.
Sunday, January 12th, 4:00 - Housing and Homelessness Committee - see below for more details.
Wednesday, January 15th, 5:30pm - Happy Hour on Zoom
Thursday, January 16th, 4:00 - DEI/Race & Social Justice Committee - see below for more details.
Saturday, January 18th, 9:00am - 2:00pm - Community Outreach (Tabling) - Plaza Park, 651 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura - Contact: Pat Butler to sign-up or look for the Sign-up Genius email.
Monday, January 20th, MLK Day - Community Outreach (Tabling) - Starts at 9:00 - Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030 (Tickets $10.00) Contact: Kay Armstrong to volunteer.
Thursday, January 23rd, 3:00 - Climate Change Committee - see below for details.
Save the Date Saturday, February 15th, 9:30 to noon - for the 2025-2027 Program Planning Meeting, Camarillo (specific location TBD).
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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.
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Voter Registration Committee | | |
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High School, College & Community Events
Contact: Betsy Patterson or leave a message at (805) 303-1476
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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) | |
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Let’s kick of the New Year with a march, Justice for All’s National People's March. We have new buttons to hand out and new flyers about One Person, One Vote. Read more about Justice for All in the article below.
When: January 18th, 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Where: Plaza Park,651 E. Thompson, Ventura
Please join me for a day in the park. Look for SignUp Genius in your inbox or contact Pat Butler.
We will also be celebrating MLK Day. Come and listen to the inspiring speakers.
When: January 20th
Where: Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030
Tickets: $10.00 at MLK Day 2025 - Oxnard, CA - January 20th
Want to help tell people about the League? Please contact Kay Armstrong.
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In 2017, in response to a wave of fear and anger about the previous November’s election, the Women’s March was born. In Ventura County, Justice For All Ventura County (JFAVC) planned the first Women’s March, in solidarity with the other millions of women and their allies who marched across the planet on that January day. In 2025, JFAVC continues that tradition by organizing the ninth annual Women’s March and Rally! We hope that you will attend and march with us on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Plaza Park in Ventura. Start time is approximately 10am- please check our website and social media accounts for more specific start times the week prior to the event. You can register at our website: www.justiceforallvc.org. We hope you will come with the intention to march, to meet new people, to find a cause that you can actively support over the next few years and lend your voice and voice to those that need it the most.
The original intent of the Women’s March was to give women a voice, to empower a feminist future and to rail against the injustices that we were sure were to come. Unfortunately, many of the fears we had were founded and the Federal government actively worked against women’s interests and needs, along with many other underrepresented and under resourced groups of people. In 2024, we unfortunately find ourselves in a very similar situation. Only this time, women’s rights aren’t the only things in jeopardy.
Our undocumented friends and neighbors are worried and scared about their futures. Our community’s seniors are concerned about their health benefits and Social Security due to talk of cutting significant amounts of funds from these programs. Those that get their healthcare services through public exchanges (the Affordable Care Act) are concerned that they could be severely cut back, due to the next Administration’s views.
In 2025, we look forward to our continued connections with the League of Women Voters and with all of you in the social justice communities of Ventura County.
In partnership, Shane Meserve, Board President, Justice For All Ventura County
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Become an Observer for Ventura County Government Meetings – including the Board of Supervisors
Contact: Carol Lindberg
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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: January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25, and March 11 and 18. | |
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We will be planning a meeting at the beginning of the new year.
Meanwhile scholarship applications are open at each of our 3 community colleges. Our funding of $2,500 for each school is being delivered between the end of this year and the beginning of next year. We have already received a gracious thank you letter from Peter Parker, Oxnard College. Oxnard college is unique in that with their swap meet proceeds they are able to match our donation!
If you are interested in learning more, please join us.
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.
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Meetings 4th Thursday of the month, 3:00pm on Zoom
Contact: Wayne Morgan
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Next meeting, we will discuss how to identify and counter misinformation and disinformation. It should be very interesting and useful to all! And new incentives for home efficiency and electrification are becoming available in the new year. Come and find out what's available to you.
The Climate Change Committee meets at 3pm on the fourth Thursday of the month unless it is a holiday, then meets on the third Thursday. The next meeting will be on January 23.
For more info, contact Wayne Morgan.
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DEI/Race & Social Justice Committee
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Our last meeting of the year was 12/19/24. Laura Hernandez gave a brief report on DEI and the challenges it may face in the months ahead.
We discussed implementation of it for us in the coming year. The rest of the meeting focused on our study of low level stops and on the possibility of threat to our local undocumented community. It has been suggested that we host a program on “ Know your Rights “. We would open this program to the greater community.
Also on our list for next year is to invite the DA or representatives from his office to discuss the above issues.
This next year may be a challenge but also an opportunity.
Please join us if you want to know more!
Please contact Kay with any questions or to obtain a link to a future Social Justice Committee meeting.
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We are happy to announce that the City of Port Hueneme has a new Mayor. Dr. Martha McQueen-Legohn was voted at the Tuesday, December 16th Port Hueneme City Council Meeting. Mayor Dr. McQueen-Legohn is the first African-American Female Mayor for the City. Please join us in congratulating Mayor Martha McQueen-Legohn!
The DEI will be doing some Goal Setting beginning in January. For those who would like to join the goal setting discussion and/or join the DEI Committee, please contact Laura Hernandez or phone.
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Housing & Homelessness Committee | | |
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Meetings 2nd Sunday of the month, 4:00pm on Zoom
Contact: Sharon Crane
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Next meeting will be January 12, 2025 (the 2nd Sunday).
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We welcome the following new member:
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!
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Happy Hour –
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
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Note date change for this month - January 8th @ 5:30pm (generally this event is held the 1st Wednesday), IN PERSON
Aloha Steakhouse, 364 S California Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
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3rd 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.
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VENTURA COUNTY INFORMATION | |
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. | |
ADDITIONAL LEAGUE INFORMATION | |
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The dues rates for January 2025 are - beginning in February we will switch to LWVUS Chapter Spot (see article above):
Individual Membership $75.00
Student Membership $25.00
Family Membership $125.00
Associate Membership $25.00
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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.
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Donate
Tax deductible donations may be made to:
• General Fund
• Scholarship Fund
• Ann Gist Scholarship Fund
• Ann Gist Voter Education Fund
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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
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Raise Awareness of the League
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Wear a LWVVC Shirt and show your support.
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL - in either blue or black
Donation of $20.00 or more requested.
Please contact: Karen Savitt
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