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MEMBERS MATTER NEWSLETTER
JULY 2023
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July 4 holds significance both for our nation's independence and in relation to the broader ideals of equality and democracy. As we celebrate Independence Day and reflect on the meaning of this important day, it is essential to consider the significance of voting rights and women's rights. While the Declaration of Independence declared the independence of the American colonies, it took many years and continued struggles to extend the promises of democracy and equal rights to all citizens, including women.
Freedom and liberty are fundamental principles that are deeply ingrained in the American ethos. In the context of July 4, voting rights carry particular significance as they symbolize the ideals of freedom and self-governance that the United States was founded upon. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the importance of citizens having a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Voting is a fundamental pillar of democracy and a vital tool for citizens to participate in shaping the direction of their nation.
Over the course of history, the United States has strived to expand voting rights to ensure broader inclusivity and equality. Initially, suffrage was limited to white male property owners, but through various amendments and legislation, the franchise has been extended to include African Americans, women, Native Americans, and young adults aged 18 and older.
However, it is crucial to recognize that challenges to voting rights persist, and the fight for full access to the ballot continues. Efforts to suppress or restrict voting, particularly impacting marginalized communities, demonstrate the ongoing need to protect and expand voting rights for all citizens.
On July 4, celebrating the principles of liberty and democracy should serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and strengthening voting rights. It is a time to reflect on the progress made and to recommit to ensuring that all eligible citizens can freely and equitably exercise their right to vote. By promoting access to the ballot, fostering civic engagement, and advocating for an inclusive democracy, the promise of July 4 can be realized, and the democratic ideals of the nation can thrive.
While many of you will be holidaying in places across our state, the nation and the world, in this issue we invite you to include a journey on board LWVMP’s new website (lwvmetrophoenix.org). You will benefit greatly from learning about our new vehicle for communicating activities, events, and League information. We also invite you to join our newly-established LWVMP Education Issues team.
In League Service,
Pinny Sheoran, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
480.540.4934
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Save these dates!
Click on the links to register...
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Growing our Membership and League Power
Please welcome our New League Members who joined in the month of June!
Aliza Akhter, Peggy Coniglio, Rob Gordon, Jessica Lehmann
Thank you to 25 Renewing Members!
Gitelle Seer, Diana Nashban, Alice Stambaugh, Mary Tripp, Janel Kerby, David Hyson, Mary Westeimer, Kevin Caron, Jeanne Devine, Zach Brooks, Nancy Brooks, Patty Palombo, Gerrly Corey, Charles Daschbach, Consuelo Leon, Eadie Rudder, Brandy Reese, Judy Lohr-Safcik, Lynn Hoffman, Cherie Stafford, Mollie McCurdy, Candace Hughes, Sandra Kaszeta, Carol Poole, and Dale Domzalski.
Save the Date!
Sunday, July 16, 1-2pm - New Member Welcome Call. We invite all new members to participate. This is a great way to get more information about our organization and the work we do, as well as meet current Leaguers and other new members. We’ll be joined by LWV MP President Pinny Sheoran, who will give us the latest and greatest information on League activities and the critical work ahead as we ramp up for 2024!
Register in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
League Trivia!
Test your Knowledge. Impress your friends! Did you know…
In 1972, shortly after congressional passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), LWV voted officially to support “equal rights for all regardless of sex.” The League followed this vote with a nationwide pressure campaign that continued through the 1970s. That national campaign ended in 1982, but LWV continues to push for ERA ratification today. |  | | Prepare for National Voter Registration Week
Greetings all, the Voter Services team is using the summer to brainstorm and plan for upcoming activities in the fall. At our July 18 meeting, we will continue to work on planning events for National Voter Registration week September 18-24. The August 15 meeting is open to all for voter registration training and the September 7 meeting will be to finalize details for voter registration week. Below are links to register for meetings.
Link: VoterServices Tue Jul 18, 5:30 pm (National Voter Registration Week planning)
Link: VoterServices Tue Aug 15, 5:30 pm (Conduct voter registration training)
Link: VoterServices Thur Sep 7, 5:30 pm (Coordinate National Voter Registration week events)
Look for volunteer signups in the future on our new website (lwvmetrophoenix.org) for September 18- 24 National Voter Registration Events and Phoenix Pride tabling event October 21-22. Be sure to attend one of the website training sessions being offered in July.
Thank you and please feel free to reach out with any comments, suggestions, or questions at voterslwvmp@gmail.com.
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Advocacy in Action: Education
LWVMP is starting an Education Issues team, and you’re invited to get involved!
Advocating for strong public schools at the local level is a powerful way to contribute to education for all the families in your community. The LWVMP Education Issues team will follow these proven steps for effective advocacy:
1. Research and understand the issues: Familiarize yourself with the current state of your local schools including data and statistics.
2. Build relationships: Establish connections with key stakeholders in your community, such as parents, teachers, school administrators, school board members, local elected officials, and community organizations in order to educate yourself and understand their perspectives.
3. Identify your goals: Determine what you want to advocate for in your local schools, consistent with LWV policy.
4. Decide on course of action: Possible actions include educating membership, asking members to contact their school board members on a specific issue, hosting issue forums, collaboration with school leaders, League leadership voicing position on an issue via social media, letter to the editor or at a school board meeting, etc…
Advocacy is an ongoing process. We need to stay informed, remain persistent, and build coalitions to ensure a sustainable impact on education in our local communities. If you are interested in helping launch this new team please email Leslie Hanson, MP Advocacy Chair at advocacylwvmp@gmail.com | |
Observer Corps
Help us stay informed! If you attend your local school board, town council or other governmental meeting (regularly or occasionally) the Observer Corps would like to hear from you! The information you share can help guide the Advocacy committee in its work. Attend a meeting and report your feedback in a simple form. If you have any questions please email Leslie Hanson at advocacylwvmp@gmail.com. Thank you! |  | |
Get Onboard the LWVMP Website!
Join your LWVMP conductor for a journey through the new MP website lwvmetrophoenix.org and learn to navigate the quickest route to your destinations. The new website is our ticket for switching from an old steam locomotive (our old website) to a bullet train! Getting all our members onboard is vital to our League’s growth and effectiveness. This 60-minute tour will introduce you to everything you need to know:
- How to get to the station (that is, how to find the LWVMP website)
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Do you have your ticket? (or, how to log in)
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What to do if you lost your ticket? (change your password)
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How to set your route (quickly find what you’re looking for)
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What are the sites to see? (the website has new tools and services, including current activities/events, volunteer signup, membership renewal, and more)
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Customize your trip (use your personal profile, and make the website work for you!
You can choose from four different dates and times to best fit your schedule. Please register in advance here.
Sunday, July 16 – 3 pm Register now
Wednesday, July 19 – 2 pm Register now
Saturday, July 22 – 10 am Register now
Thursday, July 27 – 7 pm Register now | |
LWVMP Community Teams
The Scottsdale Community Team has started meetings – some on Zoom and some in person. Other teams continue to connect through digital platforms, email and, when possible, as small groups. The continued presence of COVID can be a cause-for-pause among some League members regarding meeting in person. We are asking team leads to be mindful of member concerns as they plan in-person gatherings of the community teams. If you want to find out more about community teams, contact the team leads or liaisons listed below:
Central Phoenix Team: infolwvmp@gmail.com
East Valley Team - Gitelle Seer: gitelleseer@gmail.com
Scottsdale Team - Team leads are Doris Perlmutter, Mary Beth Tripp, Lezlie Gordon, Beth Ballmann, Jean Conway, Pinny Sheoran. They can be reached at infolwvmp@gmail.com
If you are interested in assembling a community team, please email us at infolwvmp@gmail.com
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LWVMP Scottsdale Community Team Events
Hurray! We have now had two Scottsdale Community Team meetings, one in person and one via Zoom. Events hosted by the Scottsdale community Team are open to all LWVMP members.
With the success of our first two meetings, the Scottsdale Community team has organized in-person and virtual monthly events from now through the end of the year.
Invite a guest! Every guest is a potential new member!
Any League member (or guest of a League member) is welcome to join us at both in-person and Zoom events, however, all must register. We urge you to register now and join us at these events, expand our League community, network with other League members, and learn more about issues that are important to us.
In-person event registration is facilitated through the LWVMP new website. Please read the Communication Team report in this newsletter to learn how to log in as a League member.
Please put these dates on your calendar and invite a friend to join you.
Sun, Jul 30, 11 am Panera at Gainey Village Event Registration link Education - Issues and challenges faced by East Valley School boards
Wed, Aug 23, 7 pm Zoom Registration Link Understanding Voting Patterns in East Valley Cities: Understanding East Valley voters: Profiles, trends in voting and voter registrations, youth voters, and low propensity voters.
Wed, Sept 27, 7 pm Zoom Registration Link Gun Safety: How do these city ordinances align with state law?
Sun, Oct 22, 11 am Panera at Gainey Village Event Registration link Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights Local challenges: What services are available to women in the East Valley? What kind of antagonism is being faced in the East Valley?
Sun, Nov 12, 11am Panera at Gainey Village) Event Registration link Social event. Sunday brunch
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LWVUS RESOURCES FOR LEAGUE MEMBERS
League Management Site | An internal resource hub for League members that is distinct from the public part of LWV.org. Please avoid sharing LMS pages with the public.
Newsletter Signup | LWVUS sends a bi-weekly (every other week) email newsletter to all state and local League presidents, and other engaged League leaders may sign up to receive this newsletter using the form below. Includes important information about grant opportunities, communications resources like graphics and talking points, information about upcoming webinars and trainings, surveys for Leagues to give feedback to help LWVUS better serve them, opportunities for action around priority issues, and more.
League Lingo | Glossary of terms that are unique to the League of Women Voters
Calendar | Upcoming events and trainings from LWVUS
Guide to LWVUS Services | Description of services LWVUS provides for local and state Leagues and the work LWVUS does at the national level
Introducing League in Action by OutreachCircle | League In Action is the League’s digital organizing platform where anyone who believes in our mission and values at a click of a button can directly connect and take action on issues impacting their communities on the local, state, or national level.
Impact on Issues 2022 – 2024 | Help League members use LWVUS public policy positions effectively at the national, state, local, and regional levels. The intention is to inspire Leagues to use national positions to act in their own communities.
LWVUS Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation Member Rights and Responsibilities | A policy that defines what it means to be a League member.
Structure Transformation Plan | A multi-faceted, long-term initiative to address the League’s organizational capacity at all levels. Framing the Future is the current phase of the League’s transformation journey.
Evaluation Training Series | Comprehensive training on how to collect and use data, with specific examples and surveys created by Leagues | |