This month we are holding our annual program planning membership meeting, February 26^thon Zoom at 11:30 AM. Please sign up through our website athttps://lwvsonoma.orgThe focus of the meeting is to discuss and vote on what issues should we devote our efforts to this year. Please take the survey to help us determine what our members feel is importantLink to Survey. Making Democracy Work is our core mission and with this being a critical election year, much of our attention will be devoted to that end. Still, there are other pressing issues that our league has been working on such as climate change, criminal justice, and the like. Our members will get a chance to vote on what our areas of emphasis should be this year. Please join us for discussion and to learn about other election related activities.

More on Program Planning

The League is a grassroots organization that sets its agenda through the “Program planning” process. This is a chance for League members and friends to help choose our priorities in education and advocacy and determine what we want for the future of California and our League.

In League, “Program” consists of the body of issues we choose for study, education, and action at local, state, and national levels. Program can include both education and advocacy work. Each League member has the opportunity to influence the selection of issues on which the local, state, and national League will focus time, talent, and money. It takes the enthusiasm and interest of our members to keep our program vital. We encourage a champion to take on any issue that is important in our community.

The Campaign to Make Democracy Work is always an area of emphasis but within that, what is most important to you? Voter registration? Redistricting? Passing the Voter’s Rights Act? This is your opportunity to make your voice heard.

Criteria to consider in choosing priorities.
● Is this an issue that would attract participation from the community and our members? Would it entice new members? Diverse members?
● Is this an issue on which legislative or regulatory action is needed? Will political realities permit effective government action during the next two years?
● Does this issue involve a need not being well met by other groups?
● Is there member interest and commitment to this topic?
● Could the League play a significant role in impacting community concern and/or public policy decisions on this issue? Does it further our long term vision and impact?
● Do we have the capacity (staff, members/volunteers, funds, project management) to take on this issue? Is it an issue that will attract financial support?
● If this is a topic for study, will the issue still be timely when the study is completed in several years?

Join us at 11:30 am on February 26, when we’ll 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?

It is with profound sadness that the League of Women Voters announces the passing of our esteemed president, Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, who passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from complications from a pulmonary embolism.

A fearless advocate for voting rights and women’s rights, Dr. Turner devoted her life’s work to impacting meaningful changes in the lives of voters across the nation. As the 20th president of the 103-year-old voting rights organization, Dr. Turner played a pivotal role in fighting for a more fair and representative union, while uplifting racial equity in the League’s mission work.

You can read the official statement on LWV.org here.

How Ideas Become Laws

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 6pm On Zoom (Free but Registration Required)

Laws reveal the values and beliefs of a society and set the protocol by how we treat one another. Since laws are so important in our lives, do you know how an idea becomes a law?How easy or hard is it to make a law? How are differences of opinion handled when making a law? It's time to find out! Sign up and let Pitts share his experience and knowledge of how laws get made in California. Free but registration is required. You can find the registration links onlwvsonoma.ORG

March Monthly Meeting-- Mental Health, a New Approach

In March, our Monday forum will focus on mental health and community outreach with Mary-Frances Walsh, executive director of NAMI & John Cregan, Santa Rosa police chief to discuss the InResponse street outreach program, how it’s grown and changed since its inception.

The goal of our Monday monthly league meetings is to educate our members and the public about issues happening in our community and some of the impressive solutions toward addressing these problems. These mostly virtual meetings generally take place on the fourth Monday of each month. Check out our web calendar for details.

Join fellow League members to view this free exhibit by a major female sculptor and a refugee from Germany during Hitler’s reign. An optional lunch at a nearby restaurant will be at your own expense.

MARCH 12^that 11:00 am. There is a parking fee on campus. In the Frank Doyle library.

March Election Pros and Cons are on YouTube!

Check out the pros & cons recordings of CA State Proposition 1 and Sonoma County Measure H, currently up on our Sonoma County LWV YouTube channel.

VOTER INFORMATION

The Sonoma and Marin Leagues joined forces to create first the scripts and then these recordings.In them you’ll see what a “Yes” vote means and what a “No” vote means.We also include the current situation of each measure, what would change if passed, who the supporters & opponents are as well as who has contributed financially to both sides.

This is one of the most fun of all the League short-term activities.If you like research, working with others, and/or being a presenter THEN THIS IS FOR YOU.We’re expecting to have more than 7 measures on the November 5^thballot as well as some county wide measures.The process spans from mid-August thru mid-October, 2024.We will need lots of help.Join our team!!Contact Lynn Dooley atprosandcons@lwvsonoma.orgtoday!!

The Youth Outreach Committee has been going back to school!!

Our terrific team ofHigh School In-Classroom Programpresenters have visited Laguna High, Casa Grande High, Petaluma High and Cloverdale High so far this semester.They are registering eligible Sonoma County students to vote while giving them some sound, non-partisan civics information.

During our in-classroom sessions, 160 students have signed up for election reminders.On February 5^th, these students were contacted via text or email to be on the lookout for their ballot.In this communication we included a list of trusted, non-partisan websites where students could research the info on their ballot.Our communication wrapped up with a warning to be on the alert for disinformation and gave some tips regarding how to recognize “fake news”.

On another note, the LWV Sonoma County Elections Ambassador Programis picking up steam.With interest now from Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College and a few high schools, this team is holding training sessions so students can register their peers to vote.

Special thanks to Robyn Bramhall and Chris Riezenman who are heading up the Youth Outreach committee temporarily.And a shout out to the presenting teams & committee members: Nan Butterworth, Elaine Covell, Paula Hawkes, Leona Judson, Nancy Lewis, Debbie McKay, Gayle Peterson, Theodora Pollack, Donna Roper, Martha Selig, Tessa Vandenberg and Connie Williams.You all are making a huge difference for Sonoma County youth!

Luckily, neither of these programs have to end with the March election!We can continue to visit schools throughout this semester and into the fall.The more participation we have from our membership, the more classrooms we can visit.

If you’d like to join this important committee, please contact Lynn Dooley atyouth@lwvsonoma.org.

February 3, 2024 Board Meeting

AdministrationThe League started accepting credit cards through the STRIPE program in December and is receiving a substantial number of transactions. This form of payment is offered as an alternative to PayPal.

AdvocacyThe committee recommended, and the Board approved the nomination of Kevin Hagerty, League of Marin County President, for a seat on the SMART Citizen Oversight Committee. The new Eel-Russian Project Authority was recently formed with Sonoma County, Sonoma Water, and the Mendocino County Water and Power Commission to negotiate with PG&E as the utility moves ahead with plans to surrender the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.

MembershipChanges to the national membership process are on the horizon in the coming year. Judie Coleman reported there were seven new members since the last report.

CommunicationsDonna Roper and Therese Scherrer were on the KBBF Women’s Spaces radio program, hosted by Elaine Holtz, in early February to discuss League primary elections work and the Civics Classes. Linda Robinett is working with Juanita Roland on theThe Voter. Lee Rosen and committee chairs will post events on the website.

Voter ServiceCandidate Forums, Pros & Cons, Voter Registration, Youth Outreach, and Vote411 are underway for the Primary season. Two virtual forums were conducted in January and February for the Board of Supervisors Districts 1 and 3. Pros & Cons for state Proposition 1 and county Measure H have been produced. Recordings of the forums in English and Spanish and Pros & Cons will be posted. The Voter Registration team has completed its review of the forms distribution locations and is considering a re-structuring in the coming year. Vote411, the new candidate information system, is up and running in time for the Primary.

Youth Outreach:Chris Riezenman and Robyn Bramhall are leading the In-Classroom Program coordinating visits to Casa Grande, Laguna, Petaluma, and Cloverdalehigh schools with increased numbers of youth being registered and pre-registered. The Student Elections Ambassador program which trains youth in registering peers is gaining momentum at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College.

Outreach & Program:The League will host its annual program planning meeting on Monday, February 26. Leona Judson sent a follow-up survey encouraging members to weigh in on program priorities for the coming year. In addition to selection of the areas of emphasis for 2024-2025, presentations will highlight the recent Legislative Interviews and Pros & Cons on Measure H and Proposition 1. Join the League for the three-session Civics Class Tuesdays in February and March. Local experts will present on State, county, and city government and the legislative process.