|
MEMBERS MATTER NEWSLETTER
January 2024
|
|
| Quick Links to Articles in this Issue
|
Happy New Year! We extend warm wishes for a prosperous and joyful 2024.
We eagerly anticipate your continued engagement throughout the year as we collectively strive to safeguard democracy and ensure the integrity of our elections. Your active participation in the democratic process and advocating for its fundamental values will contribute to building a resilient and inclusive democracy.
Join us in various activities, from rallying together and participating in outreach programs to registering voters, collecting petition signatures, and educating citizens for what may be the most crucial elections of our lifetime.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflect on Dr. King's profound impact on our nation and the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and unity. This year, we invite you to be part of MLK Day events and marches, honoring his legacy while continuing the journey towards a more just and inclusive society.
The Martin Luther King March is on Monday, January 15 at 8:45 a.m. Help carry our League banner during the march, starting at the parking lot of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (1401 E Jefferson St., Phoenix). Please use the light rail (12th St station) as parking is limited. Look for me, Pinny Sheoran (480-540-4934) at the staging area, between the Church parking lot and Eastlake Park. The march covers approximately 2 miles from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church to Margaret Hance Park, concluding with a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. No sign-up is required for the march, but we encourage you to register so we know to expect you. Martin Luther King March and Festival - 1/15/2024.
As the Arizona legislative session kicks off this month, stay updated by following our legislative calls to action and participating in our Request to Speak training sessions.
We continue to need volunteers to help us gather the 300+ signatures necessary to include the Arizona For Abortion Access Act on the 2024 ballot. Please attend our special webinar on this ballot initiative, scheduled for January 21, 3 pm. Extend invitations to your friends and neighbors!
I eagerly look forward to volunteering with you to Make Democracy Work in 2024.
In League Service,
Pinny Sheoran, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
480.540.4934
|
Click on the links to register...
Friday, Jan. 12, 5-6 p.m. Request to Speak (RTS) Training. RTS is an online real-time system that allows the public to register opinions on bills being heard in committee. Register here.
Sunday, Jan. 15: Martin Luther King March and Festival. The 2-mile March starts at 8:45 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Margaret Hance Park. Register here.
Sunday, Jan. 21, 3-4:30 p.m.: LWVAZ Update for Arizona for Abortion Access Ballot Initiative Campaign. Register here.
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 5-7:30 p.m.: LWVMP Public Policy Position Housing Study Education Series, Home is Where it All Starts Campaign. Register here.
Watch for Updates!
Monday, Feb. 19-Thursday, Feb. 23: LWV Arizona Legislative Week. Lunch and Learn virtual sessions.
Friday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Legislative Day at the Capitol. This event is for members only.
Sunday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: LWVMP All Member Meeting “League Passport to Election Engagement.” All members are invited free of charge.
LWVMP All-Member Meeting
"League Passport to Election Engagement"
February 25 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Please come to an extraordinary meeting for
every member of the Metro Phoenix League!
Enjoy a delicious brunch, hear exciting keynote speakers,
and learn about League plans for the 2024 election cycle.
Be a League member who makes a difference!
Free to LWV Metro Phoenix Members Only!
| |
Growing our Membership and League power!
Please join us in welcoming our two New League Members who joined in December: Candice Kemp and Tonya Reiner.
And thank you to our three Renewing Members: Shereen Lerner and Dorothy & John Meunier.
Engagement Highlights
In the new year, please take a moment to consider how you would like to make your biggest impact on the League. If you are looking for ideas, here are a few ways you can plug in to help make a difference:
Voter Services is registering voters at events throughout the year.
Advocacy is looking for volunteer lobbyists and signature gatherers for the Arizona for Abortion Access citizens’ initiative to protect reproductive freedom.
Membership is always looking for folks to help spread the word to friends and family members that anyone who joins the League helps further our mission with their support.
Your dues help make our work possible, and additional donations via our website are always appreciated! The more support we have, the greater impact we can make to empower voters and defend democracy. | |
Volunteer Opportunities
We have a lot of Volunteer Opportunities and still need volunteers for upcoming events, beginning with the Martin Luther King March and Festival!
Martin Luther King March and Festival 2024 on Jan 15: LWVMP will participate in the march and the festival. The 2-mile MLK 2024 commemorative march begins at 8:45 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and culminates with a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park! The festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We need a co-captain and at least 10 more volunteers for the festival. Activities include speakers, stage performances, poetry, and many booths, tables, and food vendors. Please sign up at the volunteer link below. You are welcome to sign up for the march and to staff the table. Sign up here: Martin Luther King March and Festival - 1/15/2024
Naturalization Ceremony on Friday, Jan. 19: League members who are trained Maricopa County Deputy Registrars will assist our newest citizens with voter registration. If you are a deputy registrar, please sign up and help us fill our slots from 9:15 a.m. to noon and 12:45-3:30 p.m.) Sign up here: Naturalization Ceremony Voter Registration - 1/19/2024
If you want to learn how to be a table captain, please join us for our next Voter Services meeting on Tuesday, Jan 23, at 4:30 p.m. We will also discuss the Energizing Youth Voter Program and how you can help with this program. Sign up here: Voter Services Jan Meeting
Willo Neighborhood Street Fair Sunday, Feb. 18. The League will share voter information at this friendly and well-attended event. This street fair is a great opportunity to engage with voters and introduce people to the League of Women Voters. Enjoy the live music, arts and crafts, and excellent food trucks! Please sign up for one of the two-hour shifts between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sign up here: Willo Home Tour and Street Fair 2024 - 2/18/2024 | |
Join Our Team!
Local government has a tremendous impact on our day-to-day lives. A strong presence is needed at the local level to ensure that the issues we care about are being addressed. The MP Advocacy Committee focuses on three areas: Housing, Education, and Criminal Justice. If you want to join one of these issue teams, please email Leslie Hanson at AdvocacyLWVMP@gmail.com. Our volunteers contribute in several different ways:
- Informing the League about what is happening in their community,
- Writing/editing newsletter articles,
- Securing speakers,
- Providing technical support at meetings,
- Observing governmental meetings,
- Brainstorming avenues for advocacy, and most importantly,
- Sharing and educating each other so we can make a difference in our local communities!
|
LWVMP East Valley Community Team
Moderates Tempe City Council Forum
The 2024 North Tempe Neighborhood Association (NTNA) & League of Women Voters of Metro Phoenix (LWVMP) Forum
will be held on Jan 16th from 6-8pm at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave, Tempe 85282.
The Forum will be televised live on Tempe’s Channel 11 and will be recorded and available to stream afterwards.
League Member Cindy Hans will be moderating the forum and other league members serving as time keepers. LWVMP East Valley team has submitted questions to NTNA.
All six Candidates running for Tempe City Council will be participating in the NTNA & LWVMP Forum, including five Council candidates and the un-opposed mayoral candidate. This should be a good opportunity for citizens to hear your questions answered by all candidates.
NTNA & LWVMP members invite all Tempe citizens who wish to participate.
| |
IMPORTANT - Please Review Proposed Bylaw Changes
The LWVMP Bylaws Committee (Jean Conway, Gitelle Seer, co-chairs, Karen Nally, Kara Pelletier & Mary Beth Tripp, committee members) has convened to review and propose recommendations for improvements to our Bylaws.
The Bylaws Committee welcomes substantive recommendations for improvements to the Bylaws from our members. Our Bylaws stipulate that proposals must be in writing at least four months before the annual meeting. The extended deadline for proposed recommendations is January 12, 2024.
Please submit any recommendations for improvements to our Bylaws by adding your comments to this document. Please add your name to your comment if you are not using Gmail. Proposed changes will be submitted to our membership at least thirty (30) days before the Annual Meeting in April 2024. Bylaws revisions require a two-thirds majority to pass.
Thank you for your interest!
Jean Conway & Gitelle Seer, LWVMP Bylaws Committee Co-Chairs | |
The Home Is Where It All Starts Campaign
Arizona, like many other states in the country, is facing a crisis with escalating housing costs and people being priced out of the market. These conditions contribute to increasing rates of homelessness, a strain on the social services system, and a barrier to economic development as businesses struggle to find workers. This crisis is being addressed by a range of stakeholders, such as local governments and developers.
The community can be an effective advocate or ardent critic of efforts to make housing more affordable. During this forum, participants will hear about efforts underway to partner with communities and residents through a new campaign, Home Is Where It All Starts. The goal of the campaign is to increase community support for affordable rents and mortgages by changing the way we talk about housing. The latest research will also be shared about how to address the challenges faced by housing developers and how to measure success in making housing more affordable.
Speakers include Alison Cook-Davis with the Morrison Institute for Public Policy of Arizona State University and Amy St Peter with the Maricopa Association of Governments. The discussion will offer ways community members can get involved in this work, as well as the next steps being taken.
The LWVMP Housing study team invites you to attend its second in a series
of presentations on housing issues on January 17, 6:00 pm.
Click on the image below or use the QR code to register for the event.
| |
LWVMP Housing Study Committee Survey
Rent has increased in the Metro Phoenix area by 68% in the past 5 years (2017-2022).
The median price of new homes has increased 2.5x in the past ten years and gone up by 33% in the past two years.
Arizona is ranked the 4th most undersupplied housing market in the United States.
The following short survey will give the committee a snapshot of the opinions and priorities of our membership as we begin to develop a position from which we can advocate. If you would like to join this important project or if you have any questions, concerns or comments please let us know at the end of this survey.
| |
LWVAZ Education and Training Events
Request to Speak (RTS) Training (Virtual) January 12, 5-6 p.m. Register here
Special Webinar: LWVAZ Update for Arizona for Abortion Access
Sunday, Jan 21, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Register here
Join the League for a lively and informative discussion on mobilizing Arizona voters to protect abortion access in our state. The presentation will include the history of abortion access in Arizona, the status of the Arizona for Abortion Access (AAA) ballot measure campaign, and lessons learned from the Ohio LWV’s involvement in the Ohio campaign to get a similar measure on their ballot. We will also share tips for effective signature gathering. 2024 will be the most important election of our lives, with democracy and personal rights in peril. Please invite your network of allies and supporters, family, friends and neighbors, and anyone still on the fence.
Panelists: Jodi Liggett, AAA Campaign Executive Board member, Julie Gunnigle, LWVMP member, Elisabeth Warren, LWV of Ohio
Moderated by Alexis Lane and Janet Kerby, LWVAZ AAA Campaign and Women’s Rights Issue Team leads.
LWVAZ Legislative Week - February 19 to 23, 2024
Mon - Thurs Virtual "Lunch and Learn" Meetings. Open to all.
Friday, Feb 23 - Legislative Day, onsite at the Capital. Members only event. | |
2024 Legislative Calendar
Monday 1/8 56th legislature, second regular session begins
Monday 1/29 Senate Bill Introduction Deadline (5 p.m.)
Monday 2/5 House Bill Introduction Deadline (5 p.m.)
Friday 2/16 Last day to Hear Bills in Committee in Chamber of Origin
Monday 2/19 Crossover Week
Friday 3/22 Last day to Hear Bills in Committee in Other Chamber
Friday 4/12 Last Day for Conference Committees
Saturday 4/20 Adjournment Sine Die (Sat. of the week in which 100th day falls) | |
Election Calendar Critical Dates
Tempe City Council and Mayor March 12
Deadline to Register: Feb. 12
Early Ballots Mailed: Feb. 14
Presidential Preference Election (closed primary) March 19
Deadline to Register: Feb. 20
Early Ballots Mailed: Feb. 21
Primaries August 6
Deadline to Register: July 8
Early Ballots Mailed: July 10
General Election November 5
Deadline to Register: Oct. 7
Early Ballots Mailed: Oct. 9 | | | LWV METRO PHOENIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS | LWV Metro Phoenix Board of Directors
Officers
President and LWVAZ State Board President Elect: Pinny Sheoran
President Elect: Marcia Barry
Secretary: Beth Ballmann
Treasurer, Finance and Development Committee Chair: Barbara Cricket Mitchell
Board of Directors
Advocacy Committee Chair: Leslie Hanson
Budget Committee Chair: Marcia Barry
Bylaws Committee Co-chairs: Jean Conway and Gitelle Seer
Communications Committee Chair: Connie Cornelius
Forums Committee Chair: Cindy Walsh
League Representative to State Board: Gitelle Seer
Membership Committee Chair: Alexis Lane
Nominations Committee Chair: Jean Conway
Voter Services Chair: Gretchen Bolerjack
Contact us at InfoLWVMP@gmail.com | I hope you have enjoyed reading this issue of Members Matter! As always, please feel free to reach out to me personally to share your feedback and League experiences. You can email me at infolwvmp@gmail.com or call 480.540.4934.
In League Service,
Pinny Sheoran, LWVMP President | | | |
LWV Metro Phoenix, 3219 E Camelback Road, #187, Phoenix, AZ 86018 | 858.220.0655
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved | |