• President's Message
• Mark Your Calendar
• Year End Review
  
• Voter Services
• Advocacy
• Membership
  
• Vote411 Updates

Celebrating Our Achievements 

Our impact in Arizona and Metro Phoenix contributes to the whole as we reach out to register voters year round. Last year, members of LWVMetro Phoenix volunteered a record-breaking number of hours, valued at $1,059,371.  We are able to accomplish this with our partnerships on coalitions.  Thanks to everyone for continuing to support our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy! 

Celebrating our Volunteers

Thank you to all for helping the Voter Services Committee contact voters throughout the Metro Phoenix area. You participated in over 100 outreach shifts, for more than 320 hours of volunteer time.  Those hours resulted with over 100 voter registrations as well as interacting with over 2600 people.  

All that hard work helps the League with its mission to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy.  We will continue this work, especially during this very critical election year where democracy is truly at stake.  We have some exciting events coming up in the next couple of months and will be planning more especially for National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday September 17, so please save the date.  

Youth Voter Program Update

A state Student Ambassador Club and Advisory Committee  has been approved by LWV AZ to proceed with the concept by engaging local leagues and current student members to participate in building out the program.

Community Partner Outreach 

Lutheran Social Services request to provide monthly voter registration, rights restoration, and ID information with I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) at sites throughout the valley.  This will be a great opportunity for each community team to provide volunteers as a much needed resource for the community. 

Key Campus (previously Human Service Campus) has requested volunteers to assist with voter registration at their downtown campus in April or May.  If you are interested in assisting at the Key Campus please email voterslwvmp@gmail.com.  

Student Events at ASU - On April 8, LWV MP Student Members attended “Are you ready to vote?”  at the ASU West Valley Campus to provide voter and election information (VOTE411), registration and information on LWV AZ Internships.  

Delivering Democracy 2024 Community Resource Fair (Pilgrim Rest  Baptist Church campus) 

Join us on Saturday, April 13, 2:00-5:30 pm, to hear guest speaker, Charlayne Hunter-Gault.  LWVMP members will provide voter education and registration materials to attendees at this event. 

ASU Phoenix Campus - Join us for a tabling event on April 16, 1- 5 pm.  This is an important new community partner for LWVMP and provides access to thousands of Arizona youth who are eligible to register to vote.  We will be located in the corridor of the University Center building downtown as classes let out swarms of students. University Center, 411 N Central Ave #400, Phoenix, AZ 85004.  Please email voterslwvmp@gmail.com if you are interested in assisting with this event. 

Voter Services Committee Meetings

At our April 16 Voter Services meeting, a representative from VOTERIDERS will be there to provide information on what their organization does and how it can assist voters and future voters who need assistance with their identification in Arizona, as well as ways we can maximize their assistance. Register Here. 

The Tuesday May 21 Voter Services meeting will focus on planning and brainstorming tabling events for Voter Registration in September and October of this year, as well as a voter registration refresher training.  Register Here

Also, THANK YOU for signing up for the Celebrate Mesa and Naturalization Ceremony events.  All volunteer slots are now full!  For future events, please check the Events page or Volunteer Opportunities on our website. Please email us if you have questions:  voterslwvmp@gmail.com.   

Help Host School Board Debates

The Education Team is planning to host local school board candidate debates this Fall. The League has a strong history of providing voters the opportunity to assess the qualifications, experience and priorities of their local candidates.  Debates highlight the issues facing our communities and can serve as a catalyst for addressing these issues.  If you are interested in joining this effort, please email advocacylwvmp@gmail.com to volunteer!

Advocacy Committee - A Look back

This year the Advocacy Committee focused on two areas:  Criminal Justice and Education. 

The Criminal Justice Issues Team, headed by Kat Jutras with support from Abdi Lopez, hosted two public community conversations: “Barred from Voting:  The Effort to Restore Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals” and “Alternatives in Community Safety:  Restorative Justice”.  Both these conversations have led to important discussions about the League’s role in making our communities more inclusive and better able to ensure that all people are given the opportunity to vote. The Criminal Justice Issues team also met this year with the Director of the Phoenix Office of Accountability and Transparency, who provided the team insight into their work and the challenges they faced. The issues team has also been providing support to the work of LWVAZ’s Criminal Justice team as the League prepares for a busy election season. 

The Education Issues Team is new this year and is devoting time learning about the critical issues facing our local school districts. They are planning to host School Board candidate forums this fall and they are led by Susan Hillabold. 

Also under the umbrella of the Advocacy Committee is the Observer Corps, which coordinates MP league members who observe their local governmental board meetings. If you would like to know more about the work of the Observer Corps or join an Issues Team please email us at Advocacylwvmp@gmail.com 

Growing our Membership and League Power

And every month we continue to welcome new members.  In March, we embraced  five New League Members:   Alison Goldstein, Amy Knox, Madison Nastri, Sudharani Uppala, and Anne Watson.

And, thank you to our five Renewing Members:  Beatrice Allen, Gautam Sheoran, Lauren Sheoran-Spenceley, and Pinny & Yogi Sheoran.

Engagement Highlights

League members contribute in many and varied ways. Whether you serve on a committee, hold a leadership position or simply spread the word about the League’s good work empowering voters and defending democracy, we appreciate you. Please continue to take the time to encourage people who share our vision for an engaged electorate to Join the League. 

Annual Membership Meeting
April 28, 2024, 1:00-4:00 pm

This will be a time to reconnect, celebrate our year’s successes and prepare for the year to come. Registration is required to attend the meeting.  Register Here. Do not share your registration link. As members will be voting on business matters, each member must join using their own unique link and ensure their name is displayed accurately during the virtual meeting.  Members joining the meeting should use  a computer to connect to the ZOOM link provided in the confirmation email you will receive after you register. Voting during the business meeting requires a computer or a smartphone.

During the business portion of the meeting, members will have the opportunity to vote on:

• Proposed Bylaws amendments 

• Proposed budget for 2024-2025

• Elections of President-elect, Treasurer, and two open elected board of director positions

• Proposed local public policy studies for which there are at least three committed members who will undertake the study.  Proposals for studies should be submitted in writing to infolwvmp@gmail.com including the names of the three league members who are willing to conduct the study. The proposals for public policy positions must address local issues, not state or national issues.  

Member involvement is our priority, so please come prepared to participate fully. 

• We will conduct all business in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. 
• Pinny Sheoran, LWVMP President, will officiate our annual meeting.
• All comments or questions from the floor will be addressed to the officiant, Pinny Sheoran. 
• Please note that no new amendments will be permitted. All members were previously invited to submit recommendations to the bylaws committee through notices in Members Matter. 
•  Motions to amend cannot change the basic premise of the proposed amendment offered in the original motion. If, after discussion, you do not agree with the proposed change, simply vote against the motion. Please prepare a written copy of any motion to amend a proposed amendment to the bylaws if you wish to do so during the meeting.  Amendments to the proposed bylaws must be in writing and submitted via email to the secretary at infolwvmp@gmail.com  no later than 5:00 pm on April 22.

Documents to be downloaded in preparation for the meeting:

• Bylaws (Proposed redlined amendments and explanation)

• 2024-2025 Budget – Narrative and budgets for Operations (501(c)(4)  and LWVMP Education funds (501 (c)(3) 

• Nominating Committee Report and Slate of Nominees

ADVANCING EQUITY ● EMPOWERING VOTERS ● DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

The 2024 State Council is hosted by LWV of Arizona and LWV of Greater Tucson. Conventions promote education, networking, community building, and efficient league business. Amid critical elections, our mission is clear to empower voters, defend democracy, and prioritize equity by focusing on women voters, underrepresented groups, and inclusivity. This year's Council allows for electing a President-Elect for 2025-2026, approving budget adjustments from May 2023, revising LWVAZ Education policy, and amending bylaws for LWVUS compliance. 

Registration Fees: $250 for all attendees.  Included meals - Friday Lunch, Saturday Breakfast and Lunch, and Snacks and drinks throughout the event.  Deadline to register is May 1, 2024. 

No refunds on cancellations or no shows.  Registration is transferable to another delegate or league member.

Pre-Council Virtual Workshops:  May 13-15,  12 -1 p.m.  One registration link for all the virtual zoom workshops.

REGISTER  HERE  
Use your LWVMP website login credentials to register for this event.

Who can attend:  Open to all current  members of the LWV of Arizona (You're automatically a member of the state league and national league when you join a local league in Arizona). Non-member guests require an invitation and approval from the state organizing committee.

 Special Activities:
Friday May 17:  “Dinner & Night at the Casino” For dinner, we will meet at a local casino and enjoy a buffet together.
Saturday May 18:  Pre-council morning activities, 7- 9 a.m.  Explore Tucson’s Turquoise Trail (2.5 mi) or hike Tumamoc Hill (3 mi) with friends

Lodging Options:
Casino Hotels close to the venue include Casino Del Sol or Desert Diamond Casino
Check out hotel options at www.visittucson.org, or  Airbnb

LWV Metro Phoenix Board of Directors

 Officers
President and LWVAZ State Board President Elect:  Pinny Sheoran
President Elect:  Marcia Barry
Secretary:  Vacant
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