LWV-Wake Update 2/20/2023
| Dear ~~first_name~~,
Greetings from LWV-Wake.
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, check out Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's I Dream a World exhibit by photojournalist Brian Lanker. A beautiful collection of 14 photos taken in the late 80's, each image includes an accompanying essay that documents the historical and cultural contributions of these remarkable women.
Exhibit photos include:
- Tennis champion Althea Gibson who until 1950, was banned from competing by the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA). She went on to win the Grand Slam singles title in the 1956 French Open and six Grand Slam doubles titles.
- Singer/Guitarist Odetta, who became known as the “voice of the civil rights movement" through her soulful folk music.
- Actress Cicely Tyson, who would choose “to portray Black women who have made positive contributions to my heritage.”
|  | | LWV-Wake Needs YOU!
As we plan for our annual meeting in May, where we elect LWV-Wake Board of Directors and discuss other official League business, our nominations committee is beginning its work of determining board and leadership vacancies and identifying new leaders. However, we know there are members who may be interested in a board or leadership positions who have not been engaged in committee work, or may not be on the "radar".
If you are:
--passionate about advocacy work,
- committed to attending monthly board meetings,
- eager to help implement strategic priorities, and
- interested in learning more about becoming a LWV-Wake board member, we want to hear from YOU!
In addition to board positions, we also need individuals who are interested in chairing or co-chairing committees for the League. Please consider sharing your talents with the League and let us know how you can help. Click on the link below to complete our Board/Leadership Interest Form. The form describes current opportunities. However, if you would like more details, including job descriptions, please contact LWV-Wake Nominations Co-Chairs, Jackie Giordano or Judee Lonnee.
|  | | VOTER Girl Project
Saturday, April 1st 9am-4pm
The VOTER Girl Project, a one-day event where Leagues collaborate with their local Girl Scout councils to help girl scouts earn a Democracy badge, is coming to Wake County! The program consists of civic engagement, advocacy and voting projects designed for all scout levels- Daisies to Ambassadors, with a curriculum appropriate for each level. The curriculum guide provided by LWV of Kent Ohio, where the program was initially created, has been developed by teachers and communicators with backgrounds in diversity and elementary and higher education.
While this program has been successfully implemented with many Leagues and Girl Scout Councils around the country for several years, this is the first program collaboration for LWV of Wake County and Girl Scouts of Coastal Pines NC. We anticipate hosting as many as 120 Girl Scouts at our inaugural event on April 1st. Since this is our first event, we will initially focus on two age groups. The full-day event will consist of a morning program (9:00am-11:30am) for grades K-3 and afternoon program (1pm-4pm) for grades 4-8.
Program success relies on a large number of League volunteers as well as participation from elected/appointed government officials. We have started inviting local officials to participate and have had a fabulous response.
We Need Your Help!
We need League members wishing to use their knowledge of voting and advocacy to help scouts earn citizenship badges that promote the ideals that Leagues cherish. Laurel Voelker, VOTER Girl Project leader, has created an extensive list of volunteer opportunities with a variety of time commitments, from a just a few hours with simple tasks prior to the event, to part- or full-day participation the day of the event. These opportunities can be viewed here:
This is a great opportunity for new members, as well as those who want to re-engage, to get involved with the League!
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- February 21st 10am-11:30am - LWV-Wake Member Meetup - LWV-Wake Membership Committee is hosting an informal gathering at the Longleaf Hotel in Raleigh for ALL members. Leaguers are encouraged to bring friends interested in joining the League. The hotel’s specialty coffee station will be open for drink and pastry purchases. For more details, click here.
- February 24th 1:30pm-2:30pm - The Causes and Consequences of Eviction - Join members of the Affordable Housing committee as they welcome guest speaker Kathryn Sabbeth, Professor at UNC School of Law. This event is open to the public, however, registration is required. To register, click here.
- March 2nd 3:30pm-4:30pm - League Leaders Roundtable - At this month's roundtable, member Kirsten Howard will discuss how data can support the League's advocacy efforts. To register, click here.
- March 15th 5:30pm - Women's Rights Committee presents guest speaker NC House Rep. Julie von Haefen - Join us as we welcome guest Rep. Julie von Haefen, head of the Wake County delegation at the North Carolina General Assembly. She will speak to advocacy recommendations for maximum impact and share strategic and tactical advice. Register here.
- March 16th 12pm-1:30pm - Timely Topics: Improving our Democracy with Ranked Choice Voting - Join us IN-PERSON for a discussion about ranked choice voting with Better Ballot NC guest speakers, Lennie Friedman and Vicky Ryder. For more details and to register, click here.
- March 31st 1:30pm-3pm - Affordable Housing Committee - Join us as we welcome guest presenter Dan Sargent of Rebuilding Together of the Triangle. Mr. Sargent will discuss how Rebuilding Together is working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. This meeting is open to the public, however, registration is required. Register here.
- April-19th 5pm-6pm- Timely Topics: Why Are Library Books Making Headlines? - Join us for our last Timely Topics presentation of the (League) year. Guest presenters, Dan Brooks, Materials Selector Manager for Wake County Public Libraries and Michelle Underhill, State Librarian for the State of North Carolina, will discuss current trends and responses in making book selections for public libraries. This virtual event is open to the public, however, registration is required. Register here.
- April 25th 10am-12pm League 101 - We invite new and new-ish members to learn about League structure, our history, and how you can get the most from your membership. League Membership Committee members Karen Ferguson and Judee Lonnee look forward to guiding you through an interactive session with time for mingling. Register here.
| | LWVNC Convention
May 19th-21st
LWVNC’s 39th Convention will take place May 19-21, 2023 in Charlotte. We are excited to announce that Dr. Deborah Turner, the 20th president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, will speak at the Saturday evening banquet. The early bird registration fee (through April 15th) is $250. LWV-Wake will reimburse the registration fee for members who want to attend. We encourage any member who wants to learn more about the League to join us for a weekend full of fun and learning. Please email Cheryl Tung if you have registered so we can arrange reimbursement. Click on the links below to register and to make hotel reservations:
| To see all upcoming LWVNC sponsored events, please view their Events Calendar
| | Reproductive Advocacy Day
Tuesday, February 21st
Halifax Mall, NCGA
Join community members and a broad coalition of organizations at the NCGA to advocate for reproductive healthcare, including abortion. For more information and to register, visit Pro-Choice NC's website here.
|  | | NCGA Legislative Update
This legislative update for the week ending February 10th is provided by LWVNC 1st VP and LWV-Wake board member, Marian Lewin. Thank you Marian for providing us with this great overview!
As expected, the North Carolina General Assembly is moving quickly to consolidate its power base and to fulfill its legislative agenda. None of these issues are a surprise and have been widely telegraphed in the last session and in the media. Bills are introduced and quickly referred to Committees. Some controversial bills have made it to a floor vote already.
SB 49, Parents Bill of Rights, was introduced on Jan. 31 and passed the Senate on Feb. 7, 29-18 partisan vote. It has been referred to the House and is already moving through committee there.
HB 40, Preventing Riot and Civil Disorder, introduced on Feb. 1, heard in committees Feb. 8 and fast-tracked for House vote. Before 1 pm, it passed 75-43, with 5 Dems voting yes.
HB 17, Election of SBE, is moving to the House floor. This would have members of the State Board of Education chosen by partisan elections instead of appointed, and SPI becomes chair of SBE automatically. The concern is that this will further politicize the K-12 educational system in NC.
These controversial bills moved so quickly that advocacy groups were not able to effectively communicate opposition to these attacks on vulnerable populations. Here is an updated NCGA Bill Tracker. There are several more worrisome bills on the list than the ones we are specifically tracking. Remember that not all issues you may be interested in are included.
UPDATE: As of 2/19/2023
HB 76 Medicaid Expansion, passed the House 92-22 on February 16th and has been referred to the Senate.
SB 88 Election Day Integrity Act, was filed February 9th. This bill effectively shortens the date by which absentee ballots must be received to 7:30pm on Election Day. This is a very troubling bill.
SB 89 Prohibit Private Money in Elections Admin. was filed February 9th. This bill prohibits the State Board of Election from accepting private donations to conduct elections or provide temporary employment of individuals.
HB 99 Wake County Bd. of Comm. Elections/Nonpartisan, was filed February 13th by Wake Rep. Paré. This bill would make Wake County commissioner elections nonpartisan and establish single-member districts instead of the current at-large districts.
It is interesting to note there are no other nonpartisan commissioner races in NC, nor does the bill include any other county. LWVNC and LWV-Wake follow the LWVUS Impact of Issues for representative government and "encourage electoral methods that provide the broadest representation possible and are expressive of voter choices." We will be analyzing this bill.
| 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.
| 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. | |