What is Program Planning and Why Do We Do It?

Program Planninghelps our League decide how to allocate our precious resources of volunteer time and funds. It helps us formulate a budget and determines the work plan for our committees.

Our annual program planning meeting is also our chance to decide what input we want to make on how our resources should be used at the State and National levels of the League. That planning alternates between local leagues giving input to the National League one year and then to the State League the next year following a 2-year cycle.

The decisions we all make at our March 5^thmeeting will determine our League’s input to the National League for discussion at their convention this summer to plan for 2022-2024.

In addition to the local Areas of Emphasis, which you will read about in the Advocacy article, on March 5^thwe will be considering three National level issues: Immigration, Health Care Reform and The Abolishment of the Electoral College. Issues like these are debated at the National Convention because they are issues that impact our nation as a whole and cannot be solved at a local level.

Immigration: The California State League (CLWV)has asked local leagues to include "Immigration" in their recommendations to the National League. The CLWVis requesting thatimmigration reform be a part of the program goals of the National League for 2022-2024. On March 5^thafter hearing from the Advocacy Committee Chair, Leona Judson, you will vote to decide if we will make that request.

Health Care Reform Concurrence:We received an inquiry from the LWV of Marin County and from LWV - New York asking for our support for a revised health care position to be made an agenda item at the 2022 National Convention. Again, you will be voting on this after you hear the Advocacy Committee’s recommendation.

Abolishment of the Electoral College:We received a request from the LWV of Deerfield/ Lincolnshire, IL requesting that we add “Abolition of the Electoral College” to our area of emphasis recommendations to the National League. The Advocacy committee is not recommending that we approve this request. Instead, the Committee is recommending that the National League focus on the National Popular Vote Compact. The National Popular Vote Compact is supported by the National League, but is not a current priority.

TheNational Popular Vote Interstate Compact(NPVIC) is an agreement among a group ofU.S. statesand theDistrict of Columbiato award all theirelectoral votesto whicheverpresidential candidatewins the overallpopular votein the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The compact is designed to ensure that the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide is electedpresident, and it would come into effect only when it would guarantee that outcome, which means that there would need to be 270 electoral votes among the states. As of January2022, fifteen states and the District of Columbia have adopted it. These states have 195 electoral votes, 72% of the 270 votes needed to give the compactlegal force. The reason it has not yet been implemented is that not enough states have adopted the legislation for it to take effect. The billwill take effect when enacted by states possessing an additional 75electoral votes.

Advocacy Committee is recommending that our League ask the National League to make passage of the National Popular Vote Compact an area of emphasis for 2022-2023 and target the states where is has not yet passed.

To learn more about the National Vote Compact go tohttps://www.nationalpopularvote.com/state-status

If you would like to have more in depth information before voting on this complex issue, we have a video available. LWV of Sonoma & LWV of Marin did a join presentation on the National Popular Vote movement last year as a part of our Making Democracy Work series. The guest speaker was Scott Drexel, Senior Advisor to the National Popular Vote organization. The video also has a brief description of how the Electoral College currently works. So if you want more information, please watch the YouTube video of the 60-minute presentation athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIGuZWGOgO4&list=PLPuWiPCggJDW5y_wrJFIpLmz82ix0iy8d&index=4

We are very lucky to live in a county that is progressive in its voting rights. The Voter Choice Act is only in 22 counties right now and Sonoma is one of them. Deva Marie Proto, the Registrar of Voters will be our guest speaker on March 5^thto explain what this optional law means. Join us via Zoom at 832 0064 7154 with the password 000754. More information is found in this newsletter and on our website. Let us know if you need help accessing zoom.

Our county’s progressiveness, however, could also lead to complacency. The League encourages people to register and vote but also to run for local offices. There are multiple boards, commissions and task forces that you could get involved in. They are foundhttps://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Board-of-Supervisors/Boards-Commissions-Committees-and-Task-Forces. You can also join our Observer Corps, which monitors meetings and politicians throughout the county. Meetings are shown on the LeagueEvents calendar on ourwebsite.

As citizens there are many issues that we are concerned about and yet, sometimes we feel there is not much we can do individually to change them. Our power for changes comes from joining together as League members. The League’s power is in its non- partisan stature, its longevity, and its number of members. Every two years, the National League asks all of us for feedback on areas on which they should focus our limited resources. Our Program Planning meeting on the 5^thwill be your opportunity to give input on the priorities for 2022-2023. The proposed areas of emphasis as well as proposed national issues can be found on our web site member resource/ references/ member references/ program planning kit. Please come together on March 5^thto provide input and vote on our priorities.

The Planning session will be from 10:30 – 12:00.

“We cannot do nothing and expect change to happen. We have to stay engaged. We have to work on policy. We have to talk to people who will listen to us.” Catherine Coleman Flowers

Our committee is hard at word putting together our list ofrecommendedAreas of Emphasis ahead of the annual program planning meeting on March 5^th, wherewe will discuss and vote on what wewillwork on for the coming year.The Advocacy Committee is recommending our local league focus on the followingareas of emphasisduring 2022-2023:

• Making Democracy Work
• Climate Change, including water
• Criminal justice
• Transportation
• Housing & homelessness
• Childcare

We have alsoreceived requests fromthe LWVC and other leagues to consider advocatingfor the National League to focus on theissuesduring 2022-2023:

• Immigration reform (LWVC)
• Healthcare Reform- (NYS league)
• Abolish the Electoral College (LWV- Deerfield, IL)

Commissions we are following-Several of our members are nowattending these Zoom meetings. We will try to report on them for points of interest to our members. Here is a summary of recent meetings.

• Santa Rosa city Climate Action Subcommittee attended by Jan Randall. A spokesperson from Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) gave an overview of their progress that began in 2014. They currently have about 228,000 customers in Sonoma & Mendocino counties.They offer two levels of renewable service to their customers: CleanStart, which is 93%:carbon-free, and Evergreen, which 100% renewable. The city of Santa Rosa recently upgradedto 100% renewable toresult in 35% reduction in carbon emissions. SCP has recently opened their Advanced Energy Center on 4th St. featuring the latest energy saving devices for the home.
• IOLERO Community Advisory Committee (CAC) attended by Carrie Anabo – The former director of IOLERO, Karlene Navarro has left to take a judgeship. An interim director has been appointed, Garrick Byers, who does not plan to apply for the permanent position. A national search begins in March & community members will be involved with the interview process.the BOS will make a decision this summer.The public can contact the BOS if they want to volunteer to participate in the interview process. A resolution was passed to not allow any law enforcement agency to have input in the hiring process.

   

• Childcare Planning Council attended by Paula Hawkes. There was a presentation on research by a Sonoma State University on the adverse effects on children with disabilities and their families in the 2017 wildfires. Such families frequently are dealing with poverty, unemployment and other health issues. Adults tend to underestimate the stress and overestimate resiliency of their children. There is a need for more education on disaster preparedness for families and training for teachers in grief counseling.

Learn with the League-Mark your calendar.We will be putting on our second public forum on April 13th at 6:30PM on the role of the DA’s office ahead of the election.

Advocacy Meeting Date Change- Our monthly meeting will change from the first Tuesday of the month to the first Wednesday of the month at 10 AM. Come join us. Next meeting is March 2nd.

Here We Come!
LWV Observer Corps

Are you worried about our Democracy? Being a good citizen is about learning about the issues and candidates, voting, and knowing what is going on in your local government. Don’t wait until something happens locally that alarms you. Come watch the wheels of government with the League.

We do it together, so it’s fun. We explain the background of what is being discussed, so you’ll understand. While there is danger of COVID, we do it on Zoom, so you don’t have to drive. We make it easy. Stop taking your democracy for granted! Register on our Event Calendar now! Bring a Friend! It’s 3 session (2 requisite training sessions and then the Monthly Local Government Review). They are the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^thFridays of the month at 10:00 AM on Zoom (so that’sMarch 11, 18 & 25 and April 15, 22 & 29).

You can register here:Events Calendar

For more information, email Judie at:observer@lwvsonoma.org

LWV-Tucson Takes LWV-Sonoma Observer Corps Training.

We had a great time with the Observer Corps from LWV-Tucson who came (on Zoom) to take our Observer Corps training. We all learned a lot from each other and it was fun talking with members in another League in another state.

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Local Government:

Santa Rosa:Dianna MacDonaldchosen to replace Jack Tibbetts in City Council District 3 until November elections.

WINDSOR TOWN COUNCIL FORUM

Election season is just around the corner! The first election forum of 2022 is scheduled for March 3, 2022 at 6:30pm. Three people are running for the vacant seat on the Windsor Town Council to be decided by a special election in April 2022. The candidates are Stephanie Ahmad, Evan Kubota and Mike Wall. The forum will be available via ZOOM, Facebook and YouTube.

Look for information on upcoming forums later this Spring.

February 2022

About Voter’s Edge California

Where is that email with the Zoom Sign-in?

If you find yourself asking this question often, here are some tips to quickly find the Zoom sign-in for League meetings.Go to the League websitewww.lwvsonomaand go to the calendar. Click on the meeting you want to attend and voila there is the Red Zoom link button. Click on the button and it will take you to the Zoom meeting.

Most past email, including past issues ofThe Voter,can also be found on our website also under News & Events.

Another option is to create a folder in your email application called “Zoom.” Whenever you get an email for a meeting, and it has the Zoom sign-in information, store the email in your “Zoom” folder. On the day of your meeting open the Zoom folder and scroll down until you find the email with the meeting you want.

A third option is to do a search in your email application. Most email applications have a search feature. Enter “Zoom sign-in” in the search box and click the magnifying icon to search. It should bring up all your emails with the phrase Zoom sign-in.” You can scroll through the search results until you find the meeting you want to attend.

Check theOnline Calendarfor the latest schedule

and for location or links to virtual meetings.

Link to Calendar

• Observer Corp , MostFridays, 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Check calendar for meeting that apply to you and to register..
  
• Bay Area League Day, February 19, 2022, 10:00AM until 2:30 PM. (See above)
  

• Windsor Town Council Forum,March 3, 2022 at 6:30 PM

• Program Planning,Saturday March 5, 10:30--Noon

Standing Meetings

• Board of Directors,1st Saturday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon
  
• Advocacy Committee-1st Wednesday of the month from 10:00 AM to Noon
• Voter Service Committee- 1stThursday of the month from 2:00 to 3:00 PM
• Book Group: 3^rdThursday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon

Check theOnline Calendarfor the latest schedule

and for location or links to virtual meetings.

Link to Calendar

• Observer Corp , MostFridays, 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Check calendar for meeting that apply to you and to register..
  
• Bay Area League Day, February 19, 2022, 10:00AM until 2:30 PM. (See below)
  

• Windsor Town Council Forum,March 3, 2022 at 6:30pm.

• Program Planning,Saturday March 5, 10:30--Noon

Standing Meetings

• Board of Directors,1st Saturday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon
  
• Advocacy Committee-1st Wednesday of the month from 10:00 AM to Noon
• Voter Service Committee- 1stThursday of the month from 2:00 to Noon
• Book Group: 3^rdThursday of the month from 10:30 AM to Noon.

Presented by the League of Women Voters Bay Area

Solving for Housing

The Nexus of Housing Policy and Climate Policy

February 19, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Zoom Webinar

As wildfires worsen, temperatures peak and air quality decreases, Bay Area communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. These challenges directly impact the calibre and number of houses available and to be built. This year’s LWV Bay Area annual educational day explores how we build more housing that is affordable while protecting critical natural and working lands. A resilient Bay Area requires the implementation of strategies at local and regional levels that can achieve multiple benefits.Solving for Housingwebinar will take a holistic look at land-use strategies and decision-making involved in placing housingtodayat the federal, state and regional level.

Hear experts discuss critical actions we need to take right now to address climate challenges while increasing housing affordability and availability for all. Learn how leading environmental and housing advocates are coming together to create a more resilient California with nature-based solutions for how we use our land and equitably grow our cities. In one panel calledSave the Planet with Land Use!—Alliance for Housing and Climate Solutions,speakers include Sarah Karlinsky, SPUR author of Housing as Infrastructure; Amanda Brown Stevens, Greenbelt Alliance Executive Director and author of Resilience by Design-Resilience Playbook; and Graciela Castillo-Krings, Sacramento Advocates and advisor to Alliance for Housing; moderated by Melissa Breach, COO of YIMBY. See interactive resilience demonstrations and more.

Recognizing that Bay Area is in the midst of a severe housing shortage and climate crisis underscored by inequities, and that cities and counties must update their Housing Element strategies in 2022, it is an opportune time for League members to learn more about tomorrow’s landscape for housing-resilience decision-making and what we can do be part ofSolving for Housing.

Register at

http://tiny.cc/2022BayAreaLeagueDay

Check out Monitor Notes and LWVBA websitehttps://my.lwv.org/california/bay-area-leaguefor more breaking news about speakers and full agenda.

February 18, Moderatedby Judie Coleman

Mindf*ck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America.by Christopher Wylie, 270 pages, 2019.

This book will blow your mind. It details how the power of social media manipulation has been used to topple government, to be the deciding influence for Brexit, to help Trump get elected, and to destroy America's democracy. Data manipulation in social media can result in the bloodless takeover of governments. The author, Wylie, is one of the founding fathers of this new style of mind manipulation and walked away when he realized that he had helped to open Pandora’s box upon the world. He educates us on how it works and concludes with some concrete and realistic suggestions for how social media can be regulated. It’s well written and will hold your interest all the through. Even if we don't pick it for the book club, this should be required reading for everyone.

How To Lose The Information War: Russia, Fake News and the Future of Conflict
by Nina Jankowicz. 288 pages, 2020

Disinformation and Fake News is the new form of war. The US has finally begun to wake up to online threats and the disinformation attacks from Russia. The question: what can they do about it? Ms. Jankowicz takes us through five Western governments’ responses to Russian information warfare tactics – all of which failed. She shows us how these campaigns are run, the motivations behind these attacks, and, most importantly, how to beat them. This book shows what is at stake: the future of civil discourse and democracy, and the value of truth itself. Judie’s note: fascinating and very readable book. Disinformation and social media manipulation are the two most important and most powerful factors impacting our world right now -- in our politics, in whether or not we believe in getting vaccinated and wearing masks -- it could even cause a civil war in our country, etc., etc. The biggest problem is that we barely understand it. We are going into an election year, and both books are critical to both helping you to recognize these mind and emotional manipulations when you see them and to be savvier about a lot of techniques that will be used on us and others.

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