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MEMBERS MATTER NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2024
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In the days following the 2024 election, know that we share in a deep concern about our collective future. We need time to digest results and navigate our emotional responses; and we are grateful for the support of our like-minded friends.
It is important to recognize our successes and celebrate the extraordinary work of our League Members. You have supported Arizona voters with countless hours of phone and text banking; writing thousands of reminder postcards sent to our target voter population; participated in numerous voter education events; and made the deep dive analysis of propositions to create succinct and understandable voter information
The question many ask is “Where do we go from here?” The answer is that we MOVE FORWARD with a clear view of obstacles and challenges, with a renewed commitment to our core values and principles. Specific data about the election is still being analyzed and more accurate information will be forthcoming over the coming weeks.
Just as prior to Nov 5, there is still much mis/dis-information, with pundits broadcasting their views on the results without substantiating rationale. Once accurate information is available, we will begin mapping out specific “next steps” to put into action.
I look forward to collaborating with all of you as we stand firm to further the century-long work of the League - to support our rights, our voices, and our democracy. To continue this work we will need every League Member to participate. In this season of giving, please consider a financial donation to this effort along with your continued membership.
In Solidarity,
Marcia Barry, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
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Monday, Jan 20, 8:45 am: Everyone come join us at the Martin Luther King March! The March is about two miles, beginning at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (near the 12th St Light Rail stop) and culminates with a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. Members and non-members welcome in this important time of unity and support. Link to register: Martin Luther King March
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THANK YOU for your engagement in Advocacy Activities
Many of the Metro Phoenix members, in coordination with LWVAZ teams, helped us reach out to voters in numerous Advocacy and Get-Out-The-Vote activities. Some Examples:
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Hosted several candidate debates published on YouTube for all voters; these allowed voter questions to be posed to all of the candidates in the race
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Our Texting and Phone Banking reached over half a million women voters, providing them with voter information and encouraging them to vote early - many thanked us for reaching out!
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Over 25K Postcards were sent to targeted voters who had not voted, encouraging them to vote
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A Nonpartisan Ballot Analysis was provided to VOTE411.org to allow all voters to make informed choices. A summary version was printed and distributed at centers throughout Maricopa County.
There is more work to be done - this is a time to double down! Our Advocacy work continues within the League, at Metro Phoenix, State, and National levels. In collaboration with the state advocacy committee, we are reviewing the priorities that our members see for advocacy - we need your help in two ways:
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Submit your view on ‘go-forward priorities’—complete the survey, see more details at the end of this Members Matter newsletter, or click this link. We will be building our priorities with our members' views and priorities in mind, so make your views known!
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Attend one of the upcoming “LWVMP Advocacy Office Hours” sessions, via zoom. Are you new to advocacy or the League and want to learn more? Have Feedback? Come and share your thoughts on Advocacy in Metro Phoenix. To register, click your preferred time: Join us on Thursday, Nov 21, 9:30am or 5:00pm
For any feedback or issues with Advocacy, contact Mark Giles at AdvocacyLWVMP@gmail.com |
Donate through Fry’s Community Rewards
Fry’s Community Rewards makes donating to the LWVAZ Ed Fund easy. Points are accumulated based on the shopping you do at Fry’s Foods, one point for every dollar spent. Once you link your Fry’s Shopper Card to LWVAZ, all you do is swipe your Fry’s Shopper Card at check-out!
Here is how to add the League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund to your Fry’s Shopper Card.
- Sign in to your Fry’s account at www.frysfood.com
- Go to Community Rewards www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards to search for League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund
- Enter the name of the League or NPO number (UK303).
- Select the League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund from the list and click “Save.”
The League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund will now display in the Community Rewards section of your account. You can always find these reward point details under your Fry’s Account details.
Any purchases using your Fry’s Shopper Card will be applied to the program at no cost to you. Fry’s donations are paid quarterly to the League, based on the total points accumulated for LWVAZ. Remember to present your Shopper’s Card at the check-out register in order for your purchase to contribute toward the program. Get started today!
| LWV Partners with Girl Scouts of America
 The LWV US just announced a new, 2-year partnership with Girl Scouts to support their “Promote the Vote” program which provides civic engagement opportunities for Girl Scouts across the country. (Girl Scouts Promote the Vote)
Our Voter Services team jumped into this new program by inviting a Girl Scout Troop from Chandler to join the LWVMP register voters at ASU for the New Generation Voter Forum. The troop leaders were ecstatic at the invitation to bring their girls to ASU and help us at this event. The girls, dressed in their uniforms, learned about the League’s work to Make Democracy Work for all Americans. They learned how to registered to vote, got stickers, and fully participated in the event. And ASU provided lunch too!
The collaboration between LWV and Girl Scouts of America is a natural one and benefits everyone. The girls learned about democracy, voting, public engagement and gained a sense of civic duty. Our volunteers interacted with the young voters, sharing our mission while making it fun and accessible. We are now networking with more Girl Scout Troops, exploring more ways to provide experiences for the Girl Scouts to participate in our mission.
A special shout out to our League members who volunteered for this event and made it super fun for the Girl Scouts to hang out with the League: Linda Holman Bentley, Beth T., Dawn Reeths, and Kara Pelletier!
We are always recruiting volunteers for our youth program. Express your interest by emailing Kara Pelletier at kara_pelletier@yahoo.com
| We Need You to Step-up and Serve
As we start the new year, we are looking for tabling captains for some of the larger festivals. Before we can commit to the events, we need to have leaders identified. You will be fully supported, there are checklists, and most of the needed equipment can fit into a rolling case or wagon. We will also be providing training on tabling at the Voter Services Committee meeting Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Register Voter Services Jan 2025 MTG.
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Volunteer for the MLK Festival
Our first large festival is the Martin Luther King Festival (Margaret T. Hance Park, Monday, January 20, 2025, 8 am - 4:30 pm). We need two tabling captains, one for set up and another for tear down; however, if you are willing, one person can volunteer for both. To volunteer go to: MLK Festival Tabling CPTor email us at voterslwvmp@gmail.com.
Opportunity ends Dec 10th. | |
2024 Voter Services Election Work Summary
Your Metropolitan Phoenix League had a very busy election season registering voters and providing election information to literally thousands of people.
From June through the Nov 5th General Election we had 25 events involving 83 members, interacting with over 3,000 people. Outreach activities were held at eight college/university campuses, three festivals, three churches, an At Risk Center, libraries/bookstores, and one concert. We focused on engaging youth voters and marginalized communities, expanded our community partners and made a difference in the election.
Thanks to all the LWVMP Member volunteers who made this impact possible. Now, more than ever, we need our Members to get involved in activities and events for 2025. Use the League to channel your energy, and help keep our Democracy strong for our children and neighbors. Send an email to infolwvmp@gmail.com today and let us know you’re ready to help in 2025! | |
Attend our Voter Service Meetings
The next Voter Services meeting is November 19, at 4:30 pm. Register Voter Services Nov MTG. We will review and get feedback for the previous month's events and also go over and get feedback for what is ahead in 2025.
There will not be a Voter Services meeting in December. The first meeting of 2025 will be January 14th at 4:30 pm, so mark your calendar. The agenda for that meeting will be how to be a tabling captain and also review general guidelines for tabling at various events. Register Voter Services Jan 2025 MTG. | |
We are Thankful for our Members!
Please join us in welcoming seven new League Members who joined in the month of October: Linda Roberts Casper, Julie Hall, Laura Jones, Shauna Schmidt, Cleo van der Veen, Kim van der Veen, and Dr. Grace Wright.
And, thank you to all six renewing members: Evelyn Araneda, Marcia Barry, Merilyn Donnelly, Paula McKey, Sarabeth Spencer, and Elizabeth Thelen
Engagement Highlights - Help us grow our League power by inviting friends, neighbors, and democracy allies to Join the League today | |
The LWVMP Nominating Committee is seeking an additional committee member. This committee plays a vital role in shaping our future by identifying and evaluating members who are prepared to assume leadership roles. Our report recommending a slate of nominees for all open positions must be submitted to our members 30 days before our annual meeting in April.
Please contact Jean Conway, Nominating Committee Chair at calif.conway@gmail.com if you are interested or want additional information. | |
Urge President Biden to Publish the ERA now!
We urge our members to contact federal and state leadership to pressure President Biden to publish the ERA to ensure that the protection it affords women is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution before he leaves office. Please send an email to our leaders! See the suggested script and contact information below.
Subject: Publish the ERA NOW
This is a five-alarm fire. The election results have shown us that we cannot wait for Congress—this moment demands immediate action. The President has both the legal authority under the U.S. Supreme Court's broad construction of Article II of the Constitution and the responsibility to publish the already-ratified Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) now.
This is for 51% of the people in the United States. It’s for your mother, wife, daughter, and all the women in your lives and in ours.
We cannot go back 120 years, leaving women without protections under the 14th Amendment. Without the ERA and with the impending Project 2025, the rights of women will be dangerously eroded. The President has nothing to lose and everything to gain by securing this critical amendment.
Don’t leave this ratified amendment locked in a drawer. Protect the rights of American women—publish the ERA NOW.
President Biden https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/share/
Vice-president Harris https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/vicepresident
Senator Kelly https://www.kelly.senate.gov/contact/contact-form
Senator Sinema https://www.sinema.senate.gov/contact-kyrsten
Senator Schumer https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/message-chuck
Representative Jeffries https://democraticleader.house.gov/contact | |
State Advocacy Priorities 2025 Survey
Link to Advocacy Priorities Survey
Your input is vital to the League’s mission-driven work of defending democracy and empowering voters. We need each of you to complete this survey to guide our state advocacy priorities for 2025-2026. Your feedback will directly influence priority recommendations to the state board and determine which issue teams we form.
To fully achieve our mission, we need your active participation. Issue teams with too few members heavily burden League resources and those involved, so we strongly encourage you to join and support our efforts.
Issue teams are essential in advocacy at both state and national levels. Advocacy thrives on the strength of our issue team members, who bring expertise, develop new skills, and amplify our voice on critical issues. No experience? No problem! Teams work collaboratively, and we provide training, tools, and support every step of the way.
Here’s what you can expect as an issue team member:
State Level: As part of our Legislative Analysis Team (LAT), you can help read and summarize bills, monitor bill progress, update our legislative tracker, and draft testimony. Going beyond LAT, you can help draft articles and letters to officials, conduct research, manage social media, create podcasts, and organize our advocacy materials.
National Level: Issue teams support LWVUS by responding to requests on critical legislative and regulatory issues and legal matters.
Please complete the survey by Dec. 9, 2024, and help shape our 2025-2026 advocacy roadmap. | LWV METRO PHOENIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS | LWV Metro Phoenix Board of Directors
Officers
President: Marcia Barry
President Elect: Kara Pelletier
Secretary: Gretchen Bolerjack
Treasurer, Finance and Development Committee Chair: Barbara Cricket Mitchell
Board of Directors
Advocacy Committee Chair: Mark Giles
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! Feel free to share your feedback, ask questions, or request additional information about the League. You may email me at infoLWVMP@gmail.com
In League Service,
Marcia Barry, LWVMP President | | | |
LWV Metro Phoenix, 3219 E Camelback Road, #187, Phoenix, AZ 86018 | 858.220.0655
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | |