LWV-Wake Update 4/28/2025 | Welcome back to your exclusive, bi-monthly newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Wake County. If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to become a member, just click here.
|  | Dear ~~first_name~~,
Greetings from LWV of Wake County. We continue to celebrate April as National Volunteer Month. I am so honored and grateful to serve alongside all our members who choose to volunteer with the League. Whether registering voters, sending emails to welcome new members, creating images and content for this newsletter, or donating to the cause, the wheels of progress at LWV-Wake are powered by members who want to “do something” to signify their dedication to our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy. We are thankful for your service.
We have numerous events and activities scheduled for May and June. While these are busy months for travel, I hope you will review the calendar of events and find opportunities to stay active with the League, including attending our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 17. This is an opportunity to spend time together and discuss priorities for our upcoming fiscal year, which begins on Tuesday, July 1.
As a reminder, we elect our LWV-Wake Board of Directors and approve the 2025-2026 LWV-Wake Proposed Budget via electronic ballot before the annual meeting. The nominating committee report, along with the proposed budget and ballot link, will be emailed to every active member on Saturday, May 17, thirty days before our annual meeting, as stipulated by our bylaws. We encourage everyone to review these materials, participate in the voting process, and attend our annual meeting.
On a Personal Note
Last, I’d like to share some personal news. Since June 2024, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as your president for the League of Women Voters of Wake County. After careful consideration, I have decided to step down from this position in June. While I had intended to serve for a two-year term, I need to focus more on my health and wellness. I will complete my work as president by the end of the League’s fiscal year on June 30th.
Now, more than ever, we need all hands on deck, and I’ll be right there with you! In the 2025-26 year, I look forward to continuing as co-chair of Voter Services with Johanne. I also hope you’ll join me in volunteering to help with Women’s Equality Day on Thursday, August 21, our League’s largest single fundraising event of the year!
I want to thank each of you so much for all your work this past year (and your past years), which made this a banner year for LWV-Wake. We could not have done it without all the volunteers and leaders we have here at Wake. I look forward to continuing to work alongside you as we move forward with important work in the years to come.
In League,
Helen Zimmerman
| | Nominations for LWV-Wake Board
The Nominating Committee has been hard at work identifying candidates to fill Board seats that will be open for the 2025-2027 terms. In light of Helen's decision regarding the second year of her term, her seat will also be open.
Like other incoming Board members, the next president will serve a two-year term, 2025-2027. The Board has so far received one nomination for president. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else (with their permission) for president or any Board position, please email Cheryl Tung.
All nominations must be received by Monday, May 5.
| | | LWV-WAKE FUNDRAISING APPEAL |  | Please Support Our Outreach Efforts!
During our 2023-2024 fiscal year, LWV-Wake received a $12k ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) pass-through grant to hire a communications contractor. Our goal was to increase our social media presence, recruit new members and engage our existing members. These efforts have been a huge success.
We retained this contractor in 2024-2025 through a one-time use of reserve funds because the board realized her value and the importance of social media during an election year to amplify our voice and provide voter education. During this time, our social media director, Breanna Benz-Santos, created League accounts on TikTok and BlueSky and attracted over 1.4k followers, many young voters, by providing voter empowerment messaging!!
Next year, we must raise money to continue this type of community engagement. We do not have volunteer engagement to provide this type of ongoing support, and we rely on the expertise of a communications professional to ensure effective messaging.
We have additional financial concerns that stem from our new membership model. Please take a moment to read and understand them here. Please note: You will be asked to log in first, then redirected to the document.
We hope you understand our need for support at this time and head to our General Fund Donation Page to make a tax-deductible donation to LWV of Wake County. Please also share this message with friends who are interested in Defending Democracy and Empowering Voters!
Thank you for your continued support of LWV of Wake County! | | SURVEY: Share your thoughts on critical issues facing the nation
NC Senator Thom Tillis sent an email on April 17 asking residents of North Carolina to complete a survey on a variety of national issues. We want to make sure that EVERY resident has an opportunity to share their thoughts with Senator Tillis, so we've included a link below.
If you haven't already, please complete the survey AND forward this survey to your North Carolina family and friends. Note that this link takes you straight to the survey's website.
|  | | Nominating Committee Members Needed
Do you have an interest in assisting a nonprofit organization? Do you have previous nonprofit board experience and/or recruiting skills? LWV-Wake needs YOU! Our nominating committee is responsible for:
- Recruiting potential Board members and committee chairs,
- Assisting the Board with succession planning,
- Overseeing Board self-evaluations.
To learn more about the vital role nominating committees provide for an organization, click here. Previous experience is not required and training will be provided. Nominating committee members may serve one or two-year terms.
If interested, please email Nominating Committee Chair Cheryl Tung.
|  | You're Invited to Dram & Draught Tuesday, May 13
Join LWV-Wake members and friends for a chance to talk about the League and what the various committees are doing now. We’re gathering at Dram & Draught, in Fenton, Cary, on Tuesday, May 13 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. If you’re new to the League, this is a great way to meet other members and learn how you can get involved. If you’ve been a member for a while, this is chance to share your experience with new members as well as meet League friends. Feel free to bring a friend!
Depending on the weather, Membership Committee members will be found at a table on the rooftop or safely tucked away on the main floor. Before or after joining us, you’ll have the opportunity to browse the shops of Fenton. Dram & Draught is easily reached from the parking lot at the top of the hill, behind the stores.
No sign-up needed, but if you register, you will receive updates.
Come join the conversation!
|  | Join LWV Members for Ice Cream Thursday, June 5
As we enter the summer months, what could be better than an opportunity to gather with your friends at LWV-Wake, sit on a porch, and enjoy ice cream? Join us for an informal gathering at Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery, 100 Dairy Lane, Raleigh. Bring a friend or come and make new ones.
Representatives of the Membership Committee will be there to welcome you on Thursday, June 5, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and answer your questions about what the League is doing now and how to become more involved in League activity.
The Dairy Center is in southeast Raleigh, near Historic Yates Mill Park. Lots of easy parking.
Note, the ice cream is card only; they do not accept cash!
No sign-up needed, but if you do register, you’ll receive text reminders. We hope you’ll join us!
Questions? Email Pauline at paulinehoulden82@gmail.com
| | |
 | Annual Meeting Tuesday, June 17 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at NCSU University Club
All LWV-Wake members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting to learn election results for our LWV-Wake Board of Directors and 2025-2026 LWV-Wake Annual Budget, as well as recognize outgoing board members. This is also a time to socialize with other League members and discuss League priorities for the coming year. As a reminder, our organization's fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
PLEASE NOTE: Election materials, including the nominating committee report, 2025-2026 LWV-Wake Proposed Budget, and electronic ballot link will be sent via email to EVERY member on May 17th. We encourage members to read the materials and vote electronically prior to the annual meeting.
There will be a cash bar, dinner and program. This year's cost is $45 per person and spouses/guests are invited! To view the menu and to register, please click on the link below:
|  | Timely Topics 2025-2026 Planning Meeting
All Committee Co-Chairs, League Leaders, and interested League members are invited to register for the first planning meeting for the new year’s monthly Timely Topics sessions. The meeting will be in the League office Tuesday, July 15 10:00 a.m. - noon.
Annette Green will be leading the charge for the year as TT Chair and asks that everyone register for the session. Bring ideas to the session for topics and speakers that would be of interest to League members and their guests.
Next year is just around the calendar’s corner so let’s begin planning!
|  | | VOTE411 Signs - Help Needed
For the upcoming election cycle, we would like to expand our reach with VOTE411 signage during Early Voting. Eleven municipalities will have elections this year.
We want to identify three highly visible and legal locations for VOTE411 signs in each of these Wake County towns - Apex, Cary, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. Our committee members have familiarity with Apex, Cary, and Morrisville, so the other municipalities are of higher importance.
Please review political sign regulations for Wake County here.
If you, or someone you know, has familiarity with one of these towns, and would be willing to assist in how to get the powerful tools within VOTE411.org to the voting public before they actually go to vote - please contact Sandy Hutchinson, LWV.shutchinson@gmail.com as soon as possible.
If we do this now, we will have a much more meaningful reach into smaller Wake County towns in the 2026 midterms! | | Tell NC Senators to Oppose Save Act
The SAVE Act, which requires proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections and threatens to disfranchise millions of voters, passed the US House of Representatives on Thursday.
What Happens Next?
The SAVE Act will now move to the U.S. Senate for a debate and vote. The SAVE Act passed the House in 2024 but failed when it reached the Senate.
LWV, along with many voting rights organizations, strongly opposes this bill. We are asking all members to contact NC Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and let them know you oppose this bill and ask them to vote NO.
For talking points, click here.
For contact information for Senators Tills and Budd, click here.
For direct links to Senators Tillis and Budd with auto-generated message, click here.
| Wake County Wants to Hear From You!
From April 2 to May 5, Wake County encourages any interested Wake County resident, business, farmer, and organization to complete a survey to gather input on water use, concerns, and strategies as part of its One Water Plan. Results will help shape the future of water in our community.
To learn more and complete the survey, click here. | 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,
Helen Zimmerman
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. | |