LWV-Wake Update 10/16/2023 |  |  | Dear ~~first_name~~,
Greetings from LWV-Wake.
Mission: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Vision: We envision a community in which LWV-Wake is a trusted source of information, empowering everyone to participate fully in our democracy.
Leading up to municipal elections, we've been carrying out our mission and applying our vision of empowering voters at several events. We spent last Thursday registering voters and playing 'Spin to Win' with students from Wake Tech during their FallFest. Students learned election vocabulary, such as the term 'buffer zone', as well as measures that NC State Board of Elections takes to ensure election security. This is the work our volunteers love (myself included) and is some of the most gratifying work in the League.
A huge THANK YOU to our Voter Services volunteers who assisted with this event. Speaking of Voter Services, don't forget the next Voter Services meeting is tomorrow at 5pm. Register on our website to receive the Zoom link.
As LWV-Wake continues to develop a Youth Engagement program, we are looking for members who have contacts with local sororities and/or fraternities. Activities we'd like to pursue include: voter outreach at campus events (like Wake Tech's FallFest), voter registration, speaking engagements and opportunities for community projects related to the mission of LWV-Wake. Please email Judee Lonnee if you have contacts to share.
We've Got SWAG!
LWV-Wake has a new store on Zazzle! A huge thank you to member Mike Warner for getting our store up and running! While we have just a few products available, we hope to grow our product line.
We are looking for members who have graphic design skills (or contacts with these skills), who would be willing to donate their time and expertise to the League. We are looking for designs that use the LWV logo and or/promote themes of democracy, voting, women's suffrage, women's empowerment, etc. There are dozens of products (ex.Christmas tree ornament) that Zazzle offers that can be created for our League to sell and we receive a portion of the sales. If you or someone you know can help us out, please send an email with details.
You can visit our store by clicking on the 'Merchandise' link on our home page or by clicking below:
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- October 19th 12noon-1:30pm - Timely Topics: Article 5 and the Threat to the US Constitution - Join us IN PERSON at Highland Methodist Church as we welcome guest speaker Dennis Burns, chairman of the State Advisory Board for Common Cause NC. For more details and to register, click here.
- October 27th 11:30am-1:00pm - Affordable Housing presents Guest Speaker Mr. James L. Joyce, Associate Professor of Public Land and Government, UNC School of Government will speak on land use regulations and affordable housing, including discussion on inclusionary zoning, rules on the “missing middle”, and the pluses and minuses of deregulation. This event is open to all members and to the public but registration is required. To register, click here.
- November 11th 10am-12pm - League 101 - We are excited to offer League 101 again! League Membership Committee members Karen Ferguson and Judee Lonnee look forward to guiding you through an interactive session with time for mingling. This is a great opportunity for new and new-ish members to learn more about the League, make new friends and find out how to get more involved. This is an in-person event at our League office. To register, click here.
- November 14th 10am - Field Trip to NC Freedom Park - Join fellow Leaguers on a narrated tour of NC Freedom Park. Freedom Park is a historic 1-acre green space located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Registrants can indicate their preference to join the group for lunch after the tour at The Station, 701 N Person St. To register, click here.
- November 16th 12pm-1:30pm - Timely Topics Turning the Tide: HB 28 and the Fight Against Plastic Pollution - LWV-Wake’s Environment Committee, in collaboration with Toward Zero Waste, will host a discussion about plastic pollution in North Carolina and recent efforts to combat this problem. Guest speaker is Grady O'Brien, policy associate at NC Conservation Network. For more details and to register, click here.
- December 6th 11:30am-1:30pm - Meetup at The Daily Planet Café Join our Membership Committee members and meet new and old friends at our next LWV-Wake casual get-to-know gathering. For more details and to register, click here.
|  | | Volunteer Leaders Needed
Our organization's success relies on the work of volunteers. As we approach an important election year, we NEED leaders. Several board members (including me) will be stepping down at the end of their terms in May.
In addition, we have several positions within the League that have gone unfilled or will need new Chairs or Co-Chairs this year. These include: Development & Fundraising, Finance, Women's Equality Day and Communications. Members (and interested nonmembers) with nonprofit accounting/treasurer experience are especially needed as we will need to fill our Treasurer position next year.
Even if you do not have experience but a willingness to help organize and lead projects, WE NEED YOU!
Please reach out to members of our Nominating Committee to let them know of your interest. Job descriptions are available upon request. |  | | Membership Potluck October 26th
The Membership Committee’s first potluck of the year will be in Wake Forest on Thursday, October 26, from 6 - 8 p.m. This is a chance to get acquainted in a member's home, with stimulating conversation and good food. Any member may attend. It's a great way to connect and learn what has drawn others to join, especially if you're new.
We keep these events small - just the number that fit around the host's table – so there aren't a lot of seats. If you want one, sign up ASAP.
Here's how it works: The host provides an entrée; those attending bring an item to share. After you sign up, you'll receive an email with the host's name and address, the entree they're providing, and suggestions for what you might bring.
To sign up: email Karen Ferguson. She'll let you know right away if you have a seat or are on the wait list.
Hosts Needed
More hosts are needed to hold future potlucks around the county. If you’d like to open your home to guests, all we ask of you is to set your table and prepare an entrée to feed them. Your house, your choice: a date that works for you; brunch, lunch, or dinner; meat or vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. We’ll promote it, register guests, coordinate their potluck contributions, and provide a facilitator.
Interested? Contact Karen Ferguson with your name, how many can sit around your dining table, and what part of Wake County you live in. Thank you! |  | | City of Raleigh Residents Invited to Participate in the FY25 Budget
From now through December 31st, the City of Raleigh is asking residents to choose their favorite projects ahead of the 2025 budget.
In addition, the city is hosting several in-person and virtual budget listening sessions to gather input in order to provide an equitable city budget. Registration is required. Members are encouraged to share this information with Raleigh friends.
For more information and the schedule for the upcoming listening sessions, click on the link below. You will be redirected to the City of Raleigh's website.
To register for an upcoming budget listening session, click here. You will be redirected to a City of Raleigh online registration form.
To complete the budget priorities survey, click the link below. You will be redirected to the City of Raleigh's website to choose your district.
|  | | NCGA Legislative Update
NCGA votes to override Governor Cooper's veto of several bills
Last Tuesday, NCGA voted along party lines to override SB 747(voting rights) and SB 749 (BOE selection), in addition to bills related to the environment and separation of powers. This action was expected and two lawsuits were immediately filed challenging provisions of SB 747. Read more about the veto overrides and the subsequent lawsuits from AXIOS. For detailed information from Democracy Docket about the DNC lawsuit, click here.
Redistricting Update:
NCGA is still accepting public comments regarding redistricting. The public comment portal can be accessed here.
ICYMI: LWV-Wake provides redistricting public comment at NCGA
Board member Mary Lelik provided public comments on behalf of LWV-Wake during the September 27th redistricting public hearing. Comments included the need for meaningful public input and for hearings to occur before AND after maps have been released. You can read Mary's comments here.
The work of LWV-Wake will continue to be very important as we work to educate voters about the new voting restrictions leading up to the 2024 election. We encourage our members to become active in the League and help us to strengthen our organization to fulfill our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.
| League Advocacy
Encouraging effective advocacy on issues that align with our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy is the heart of what we do. And while we can send emails and provide public comment, we must also advocate to our family, friends and neighbors, social groups, etc. and encourage them to contact their representatives as well.
Find your representatives here.
Find 2023-2024 NC House Leaders here.
Find 2023-2024 NC Senate Leaders here.
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Looking for information from a past newsletter? Previous League Updates can now be viewed on our website's home page. Look for the "League Updates" blue tab on the top menu.
Thank you for continuing to support the League of Women Voters of Wake County.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Tung
President | | The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. | |