|
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Your Vote is Your Voice
|
|
The Voter
February 2025
The official Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County.
Volume30, Issue 2
|
|
|
February 24th, 11:30
In Person
Finley Community Center
|
|
|
|
You may ask - what is Program Planning?And what does it mean for me? Every February, Leagues across the country hold a Program Planning meeting. It is an annual meeting where our members can weigh in on what areas of emphasis our league should focus on in the coming year and what we want our state league to work on as well. It’s an opportunity for members to see where they might fit in to accomplish the work of our league.
As you are no doubt aware our democracy is very much under threat at the national level, which will very likely impact us at the state and local level. If there is ever a time to step up to take measures to protect our democratic institutions, it would be now. To that end, we are rolling out a new project calledStand Up for Democracy. Lynn Dooley is spearheading this effort. Please see the related article for details in this issue. We will be highlighting this project at our upcoming program planning meeting with the expectation that you, our members will want to be involved in this exciting project.
So, come join the discussion about what areas of emphasis should be our focus in 2025 and how we can defend democracy, by joining us in person on Monday, 11:30 AM on February 24that the Finley Community Center in Santa Rosa. Bring some food to share and enjoy meeting your fellow league members.
|
February 26that 2pm
In-person
League Office Conference Room
|
|
|
|
In these challenging times, there’s a new LWVSC committee that aims to give you a way to defend democracy.After all, empowering voters and defending democracy is the League’s mission.We believe that engaging our community in local government is the best way to begin this effort.
Our aptly named committee,Stand Up for Democracy, is focusing on sharing basic civics lessons with the community.Our committee members are gathering civics information on federal, state and local government as our first step.
Another way our committee is engaging the public in local government is by sharing information about openings on local city and county Boards and Commissions.Joining a city or county Board or Commission is a great way to combine a passion with civic action.
The most important part of this work is to engage the community.We need to make themwantthis information.We need to encourage them totake action themselves.
The focus of our next meeting will be how we will market this information.
If you want tomake a difference, to actuallydo somethingto defend democracy, come to our meeting:
Wednesday, February 26that 2pm
In-person at the League office conference room
555 Fifth Street, 3rdFloor, Santa Rosa, CA.
We invite you to join us andSTAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY.
Contact Lynn Dooley at Standup@lwvsonoma.org.
|
|
TheFederal Judiciary Study Moves into the Consensus Phase
March 17, 10:00 am
|
|
|
|
Mark you calendar! To prepare for the meeting, please go to the Study Website and review as many of the materials as possible as you have time for.
Judiciary Study Website
Because of the current focus of events on the Judiciary, delegates at LWVUS Convention 2024 voted to proceed with a study to develop a position on the federal judiciary as an essential component of US democracy. The study's purpose includes addressing concerns and clarifying judicial accountability. The study committee has pulled together information about this issue and created a website (see link above) where you can find this and information about the study.
There you will also find a recording of a town hall where you can listen to experts speaking about the judiciary.
Link to Town Hall
What is a Study, and Why Do One:
AStudyin League parlance is the process by which the League develops aPositionon an area of particular concern. APosition, again in League parlance, forms the basis for any League action on an issue. This process can happen at the local, state, or national level, depending upon the application and scope. The process is bottom up in developing consensus, but is applied from the top down. A national position applies to all Leagues; a local position only to the Local League, although a local position may form the basis of developing a higher-level position.
Consensusis different from voting. What the League is looking for is the general view of the membership, not just what the majority wants, or what is unanimously held. You can get a sense this by looking at the report that will be submitted by the moderator after the consensus meeting.
Link to Questions
Please plan to attend our consensus meeting. If you have questions, you can contact Juanita Roland atcommunications@lwvsonoma.org
|
|
Russian River and Well Ordinance Update
By Leona Judson
|
|
|
|
The LWV Advocacy committee had an interesting presentation from the staff of the Russian Riverkeepers organized by the environmental activist and League member, Rue Furch. Why is the League interested in this subject? Climate change is one of our areas of emphasis and water is big part of that. In fact, the water wars have been a part of California history almost since we became a state.Most recently the growing realization that ground water is not an infinite resource is another chapter in that story.
Our own Russian River has had its own battles with water rights over the decades, which is what the presentation was about, and is now posted on our YouTube channelYouTube. Russian Riverkeepers & the California Coastkeeper Alliance sued Sonoma County for violating the public trust ordinance as it relates to rivers & its tributaries. Such violations threaten aquatic species, erosion of riparian environment and causes wells to run dry! For now, new well permits are on hold. Breaking news, the judge has just denied the county’s request for a new trial. We will wait for further developments. Meanwhile, check out the YouTube to learn about what we have been following.
|
|
Petaluma Teacher Honored
By Robyn Bramhall
|
|
|
|
Kevin Jackson and his wife Shereen were among the first to buy tickets to our 6thStreet Playhouse outing on January 27th, and they arrived at the theater that afternoon thinking that the play would be the highlight of their day (see the separate article about the play by Donna Roper). As the sole teacher of government classes at Petaluma High, Kevin (or Mr. Jackson, as we call him in the classroom) has hosted LWV’s Youth Outreach (YO) teams for voter education and registration presentations to hundreds of seniors over the past three years. Not only is he an engaging and participatory host, Kevin is also a passionate supporter of the Constitution, often gaining additional experience and education to enhance his knowledge. In 2024, he was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Collaboratory for Justice Education at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in Philadelphia, which “envisions a criminal justice system that treats everyone with fairness and dignity.” In recognition of his strong support for our in-school program and his commitment to LWV’s mission, YO co-chair Chris Riesenman and I presented Kevin with a certificate of appreciation during the pre-play reception. He also received a copy ofWinning the Vote: The Triumph of the American Woman Suffrage Movementby Robert Cooney, Jr. for the Petaluma High School Library. The smile shown in the photo shows his delight and surprise in the honor, and his brief statement of thanks confirmed his intent to continue his good work and partnership with the League. Thanks, Mr. Jackson!
|
|
What the Constitution Means to Me
by Donna J. Roper
What a delightful time we had at 6thStreet Playhouse watching “What the Constitution Means to Me”. It was a unique way to learn about the Constitution, Women’s Rights and the relevance of political decision making on us citizens. We also took the opportunity to socialize and recognize our high school partner Kevin Jackson. I hope those who attended were as moved as I was by the actors – especially the young 15-year-old.
I was thinking more about this when I heard a news piece from a woman lawyer of some of the January 6thdefendants. She said they clearly had no idea about the constitution, the rules they were breaking nor the ramifications of their actions. This leads us to the current Democracy work that is being developed by our League – Stand Up for Democracy – lots of information, education and involvement in our local political community. You can hear more about this at our February Member Meeting and elsewhere in this newsletter.
On February 24 at 11:30 am, we’ll also be discussing League policy and positions at the state level. Where should the League focus its energy over the next two years? What are the issues of concern to us here in Sonoma County? Where is there a need for legislative activity and other advocacy, both in Sacramento and in our city or county? I hope to see you there!
|
|
Welcome New Members
It's great to have you on our team.
Aubrey Deuel, Rohnert Park
Diane Griffeath, Sonoma
Sherie Hintereder, Santa Rosa
Sydney May, Petaluma
Marilee Shipment, Cotati
Sarah Swinerton, Glen Ellen
|
|
|
|
Membership Portal
February 3, 2025
|
|
|
|
LWV Membership Portal
The new LWV Membership Portal was released at the beginning of this month. From now on, you will need to use that site to update your contact information or renew your membership.All other functions on our website will remain the same.
LWV Sonoma Website
You can get to the new portal at the link above or at anytime from our website using the tabLWV Member Portal.
Note:While you are welcome to go there now, please be aware that some problems are still being worked out. Once they are ready, letters will be sent to members inviting them to go to the new site to verify their information on answer some additional questions.
From now on, the League will have only two types of membership, primary membership or life membership.If you look at your profile, you may notice that your membership type has been changed.Another major change is to the dues amount and the way those dues are shared across the national, state, and local levels of the League. Dues of $75 is still suggested, but of course we still welcome more, and if you cannot manage the higher amount, you can choose to pay less. Whatever is paid will be shared on a percentage basis across the three levels of the League, rather than the flat fee (PMP) that was paid before.But whatever you pay, you will still have the same primary membership type, which was really the practical situation even before.
Donations:You will note that if you pay a higher dues fee, that is split. If you wish to donate to our local League directly, you can do so at a separate spot as you renew, or you can donate via our website at any time. Note that our local League is a 501C3 organization, so donations to the local League, as well as the part of your dues paid to the local League may be tax deductible. Your payment statement will break that out for you.
Household Members: While this is going away as a member type, you will still be able to enter two members together on the new portal. What you will need is a unique email address for each member. If your household does not have a second email address and you cannot get one, we can discuss how to handle that.
If you would like to learn more about the changes, you can find a write up and FAQs in the member references section. Remember that since this is a members section, you will need to be logged in to get there. Here is the link.
Membership Transformation
You can contact Juanita Roland atcommunications@lwvsonoma.orgif you have questions.
|
Feb 20 (read one of more)ModeratorMary Fricker:
- Taming the Street: The Old Guard, The New Deal, and FDR’s Fight to Regulate Capitalism,by Diana B. Henriques, 2023, 464 pages.
Taming the Streettells the dramatic story of Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s battle to regulate Wall Street in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing Great Depression. As inequality in 2024 once again reaches Jazz Age levels, Henriques vividly brings to life a period in American history when the system ultimately worked. It raises an urgent and troubling question: What does capitalism owe to the common good.
“This compelling, brilliantly told story of the fierce battle to rein in Wall Street excesses in the FDR era couldn’t be more timely.”—James Steele, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and co-author ofAmerica: What Went Wrong?
“Diana Henriques’s gripping narrative of unbridled capitalism in the Jazz Age and its consequences is beyond timely—it’s urgent.”—James Stewart, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist.
- Makers and Takers: How Wall Street Destroyed Main Street,by Rana Foroohar, 2016, 400 pages.
Inequality in America has skyrocketed in recent years.A key reason, says Foroohar, is the fact that Wall Street is no longer supporting Main Street businesses that create the jobs for the middle and working class. She shows how “financialization” – the way that finance has come to dominate every corner of American life – is threatening the American Dream.
- America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens,by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele, 2020, 295 pages.
The1992 edition of America: What Went Wrong? was one of the most important works of journalism in the 20th century. This updated edition is even more compelling, as it lays bare our nation’s shameful drift over the past three decades to an even more inequitable, unfair and unjust society. Barlett and Steele tell us not only what went wrong, but what’s still going wrong and how only we, the citizenry, can fix it.
March 20,ModeratorJan Randall:
The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins and the Fight for Women in Scienceby Kate Zernike, 2023, 424 pages
The origin of this book is a story that Zernike wrote forThe Boston Globe. (She later was on a team at theNew York Timesthat won a Pulitzer for explanatory reporting.) From a review inScience: “With support from the dean of science and MIT’s president, both men, Hopkins then led a committee that gathered data on metrics including women’s salaries, lab space, teaching assignments, and grants relative to men. The resulting report found that the MIT faculty women often received less of everything compared with their equally accomplished male colleagues and that, in 1994, the percentage of women science faculty at MIT—8%—had not changed appreciably for 20 years”. Eventually MIT admitted fault and became a “pacesetter for promoting gender equality.”
|
|
Board Briefs Feb 2025
6th Street Playhouse Event:The money received for tickets to our 6thStreet Playhouse event covered all the costs of the event, including food & beverages.It was a sold out event. The Petaluma teacher who was honored at the 6thStreet Playhouse event was thrilled to be recognized and supported.
Dues & Donations:With the change to the National League collecting dues and donation, there may be a change in deductibility.The National League is a 504 organization due to the political activities comprising more of their work.This will need to be sorted out as more is known.We encourage members who wish to make donations to make the donation directly to our local League.
National League Education:Our local league donated $1000.00 to the National League Education fund.
Legislative Interviews:The interviews will be held this month.
Transparency:Sometimes the Board of Supes is not releasing background information and reports on agenda items before their meeting.And therefore, the public is not able to know the details. The League’s Executive Committee approved sending a letter to the Board of Supervisors on transparency.
Fire Safe Roads: VP, Advocacy, Jim Masters, will be scheduling meetings with individual Board of Supes members to give them our input and to request some changes in how they deal with this issue.
Membership:We currently have 196 members.
What’s Up:Juanita is continuing to put out these email blasts.
Newspaper articles:The Gazette continues to welcome articles from the League.Lynn is mentoring SophiaMacAlleron writing articles.The next one will be on the electoral college.
Youth Committee:Robyn Bramhall and Lauren did a great job on the Electoral College presentation at the SRJC.Watch the YouTube video of the presentation athttps://youtu.be/GrCk28LUDek
There will be more training on the classroom presentation during February.In March and April, we will be back to classroom presentations at the local high schools.
Two new student members from SSU met with Chris at SSU about what they can do to support student involvement
Stand UP for Democracy:We had 21 people attend our most recent meeting. The group decided to focus on two areas:Basic civics information and encouraging local citizens to serve on Boards and Commissions. Our target audience is everyone in our community.Under “Civics” we want to teach people how federal, state and local government works.
The next meeting of the committee is Feb 26th at2 pm at the League office (in person).The focus of the meeting will be the “How.”How do we get information out to people and how do we get them more involved in democracy?
Run for Office:There will be a training on How to Run for Office on April 28th.
Program Planning:The focus will be on what our local priorities will be moving forward and a brief report on Stand UP for Democracy.
|
|
Connect with the League
We want to hear from you!
|
|
LWVSC Board of Directors
and Other Officers
Donna Roper, President
Robyn Bramhall, VP Administration
Jim Masters, VP Advocacy
Debbie McKay, Secretary
Linda Rosen, Treasurer
Iris Levitis, Gayle Peterson, Membership
Open, Community Outreach
Open, Voter Service
Leona Judson, Programs
Juanita Roland, Web/Communications
Lynn Dooley, Member at Large
Chris Riezenman, Member at Large
Linda Robinett,VoterEditor
|
|
Some Useful Links
LWV Members Portal:
|
|
|
|
BecomeaMember
League of Women Voters Sonoma County
The most direct way to join your membership is to go to the LWV Membership portalMembershipPortal.You may pay your dues online, or you can print out your invoice and send it along with your dues to our office at the address below. You can also get to the membership portal from our website at
|
|
Here are some links of interest.
|
|
555 Fifth Street, Suite 300-O
Santa Rosa, CA 95401-8301
(707) 545-5943
www.lwvsonoma.org
|
|