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MEMBERS MATTER NEWSLETTER
February 2025
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The Power of Community in Turbulent Times
This February, we find ourselves navigating political uncertainty and unrest. In moments like these, it’s easy to feel isolated, but let’s not forget—we are part of something bigger. As members of the League of Women Voters, we stand together, a dedicated community with a collective voice strong enough to make a difference.
Our Legacy of Advocacy
This month, we celebrate the anniversary of the League’s founding. For over a century, the League of Women Voters has remained steadfast in its mission to protect and expand voting rights, standing as a bulwark against those who seek to weaken our democratic processes. That dedication continues today, stronger than ever. We invite you to be part of this year’s initiative, Women Defend Democracy, the League’s 2025 campaign. We are moving forward in solidarity, working to make our country a stronger and more equitable, multi-racial democracy.
Honoring Black History Month
February also brings an important moment for reflection and action Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald Ford called on Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, we recognize and stand alongside the Black community in the ongoing fight against voter suppression and in defense of the right to full participation in democracy.
Get Involved!
This month’s newsletter is packed with ways for you to engage with the League and make your voice heard. Here are a few highlights:
2025 All Member Meeting– Join us in person on Saturday, February 15 to connect with fellow League members, hear from League leaders, and learn about their impactful work.This event is free to attend—don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation!
Legislative Advocacy – Whether virtually or in person, this is your chance to engage with state lawmakers and deepen your understanding of key legislative issues. State League Leaders are hosting learning opportunities and direct discussions with legislators.
The strength of our democracy lies in the active participation of its people. As League members, we don’t just witness history—we shape it. Let’s continue to raise our voices, take action, and stand together for the values we hold dear.
In League Service,
Marcia Barry, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
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Saturday, Feb 15, 2:00-4:00pm - LWV MP All Member Meeting
Make plans now to attend the 2025 LWV Metro Phoenix Meeting. See old friends and meet new members. Find out about: Implementation of LWV Transformation, Advocacy Priorities for 2025, New Youth Ambassador Program, and how to find the tools to stay informed. This meeting is free to all MP members and guests. Please Register here.
LWVAZ Legislative Lunch & Learn Sessions “Legislatively Speaking: Empowering Voters to Participate and Defend Democracy”. Virtual sessions held daily at noon, Feb 24-28. Registration required.
Monday, February 24, 12:00-1:30 pm - “Federalism & States’ Rights: Intersection of Federal & State Laws and the Impact on Arizonans” Register here
Tuesday, February 25, 12:00-1:30 pm - “Funding the Future: Strengthening Public Education in Arizona” Register here
Wednesday, February 26, 12:00-1:30 pm - “Drought & Debate: The Legislative Landscape of Arizona Water Policy” Register here
Thursday, February 27, 12:00-1:30 pm - “Ballots & Bills: The Legislative Fight for Voting Rights in Arizona” Register here
Friday, February 28, 12:00-1:30 pm - “Navigating the Legislative Landscape: Trends & Challenges” Register here
Saturday, March 1, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm: Buffalo Soldiers Music Festival, El Reposo Park. Enjoy live music, food and fun. Register here
Saturday, March 1, 1:00-2:30 pm: LWVMP Public Policy on Housing Study Report, Pyle Center, Tempe
Thursday, March 6, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm: LWVAZ Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol, 1700 W Washington St. This event is for members only, $25/person. The last day to register is February 26. Register here |  | Call for Nominations for the Offices of LWVMP
President-Elect, Secretary, and Three Board of Director Positions
We encourage you to put yourself forward as a possible nominee to the LWVMP Board of Directors to be part of a dynamic group of people empowering voters and defending democracy!
President-Elect
Nominations are currently being accepted for the office of LWVMP President-Elect. This position provides the opportunity to work with the President in 2025-26 with the support of an experienced Board of Directors for one year before becoming President in 2026-27. The President-Elect position ensures continuity in the event of a vacancy in the presidency and to allow for a smooth transition and continuation of essential actions and policies approved by the current board. To learn more about this vital leadership role, please read a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities here.
Secretary
The Secretary shall take minutes at all Board and general membership meetings, record other special events and meetings as requested by the President or Board, and shall perform such duties as customarily pertain to the office as required by the President and the Board. To learn more about this vital leadership role, please read a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities here.
Board Director
Three elected positions are open for the 2025 - 2027 term. General responsibilities include understanding and maintaining the Leagues’ nonpartisan policy, attending all Board meetings, assisting in overall planning and decision-making, explaining and promoting League activities, and carrying out specific assignments, which may include chairing a committee.
The Application Process
Applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be League members in good standing. Please submit a brief personal biography including any relevant experiences and skills to Jean Conway, Nominating Chair, calif.conway@gmail.com, no later than Friday, March 7, 2025. Each candidate will be interviewed by the Nominating Committee via Zoom. | |
Introducing: The Youth Ambassador Corps
What is the most critical thing in a healthy Democracy? An informed electorate that actually votes is one answer.
Who among us has the most to lose, if our Democracy fails? The young people who will not know their Rights to the fullest as prior generations have enjoyed.
If young people can connect with their rights and responsibilities, they'll be better equipped to safeguard them for future generations. We imagine this program will not only give them valuable leadership skills but also deepen their understanding of political systems and civic engagement.
Your Local League is developing a new program called the Youth Ambassador Corps to recruit, train, and provide substantive experiences to our youth communities. We are in the design phase and moving fast to be in a position to recruit youth participants (ages 18 -29) by the Spring of 2025 and beyond.
Please join us at the All-Member Meeting on February 15 to learn more, engage with some of our current youth members (whom we hope to recruit into the Corps) and what you can do to support this effort in a variety of ways. Please send your email interest to kara_pelletier@yahoo.com
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Step up to Table Captain!
Here is a great event coming up for Voter Services, but we need Table Captains before we can commit to the event. Would you be interested in volunteering or helping organize this?
Rainbow Festival & Street Fair
Date: Saturday and Sunday, April 5 & 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Heritage Square Park, Downtown Phoenix
Need: 4 Tabling Captains (2 for each day, with an opening and closing Captain)
Deadline to sign up: February 20, 2025
Description: Annual street fair with lots of festivities. The venue provides the canopy, table, and chairs. Exhibit material in a rolling cart.
Sign up here: Volunteer Rainbow Festival
If you're interested or know someone who might be, you can sign up through the provided links. If there are any questions, the contact email is VotersLWVMP@gmail.com | |
Opportunities for all Members to Engage!
Advocacy: Public recommendation of, or support for, a particular cause or policy
Contact Arizona Legislators NOW
February is the time Arizona Legislators hold hearings on bills. We need you to submit your comments through the LWVAZ Request to Speak (RTS) program and call legislators with your concerns or support for new bills before they become law! You can also email committee members and request your testimony and statements be entered into the public record. See the weekly LWVAZ Call to Action newsletter listing committee hearings on proposed bills and read the Leagues’ recommendations. If you need help using RTS, go to Introduction to RTS.
Attend the LWVMP All Members Meeting, Saturday, February 15
Join us at Madison Center for the Arts, Phoenix, 2:00 to 4:00 pm for our annual in-person meeting. We will share the Advocacy focus areas for 2025 and have a table dedicated to answering your questions and getting you the necessary tools. This is a great place to learn more about our work in Advocacy and free to members and guests.
Volunteer for Observer Corps
We need more members to follow the discussions and decisions made by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. This can be in-person, via zoom in real-time, or after the event. Volunteers document and report on Board action items to our Advocacy teams for further action as needed. Learn more about the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Email your interest to AdvocacyLWVMP@gmail.com or text Mark at 707-701-3399
Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol, March 6
Register here to attend the 2025 LWVAZ Lobby Day, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. This is for members only, and the $25 fee covers breakfast and lunch. League policy handouts provided prior to meetings with Legislators. This is your opportunity to advance League advocacy work and priorities during your meetings. Registration closes February 26.
Legislative Week Lunch and Learn, February 24-28
Prior to your visit to the Capitol, sign up for the LWVAZ Lunch and Learn sessions to stay informed about the latest legislative initiatives and how they impact you. You will find informative, engaging, and inspiring series of midday discussions focused on the critical issues facing our state. Each session will feature expert speakers, interactive conversations, and practical steps you can take to make your voice heard. New topics every day, so sign-up for all five sessions, held daily at noon. Registration required.
February is Black History Month
We are paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled through adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. Black culture has been instrumental in driving social movements and activism, fighting against racial injustice and promoting equality. To celebrate this month, you might consider volunteering for our exhibit at the Buffalo Soldier Music Festival on March 1, 11 am - 4:00 pm. Volunteer here.
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LWV New Procedure for Joining & Renewing
Joining the League is a great way to play an active role in your community and in our democracy! Everyone is welcome – membership in the League of Women Voters is open to anyone 16 years or older. Beginning in February 2025, the League has standardized the dues structure and the process of joining/renewing, regardless of which local league you belong. All local leagues will be connected to the LWVUS Member Portal for processing membership and payments.
When you join the LWV Metro Phoenix, you are also joining the national and state Leagues. Your dues payment will be divided among the three league organizations as follows:
LWV-US 33%
LWV-AZ 47%
LWV-MP 20%
Joining/Renewing
To join or renew your membership, go to www.LWVMetroPhoenix.org and click on Join Today or Renew Membership buttons on the home page, or go directly to the Get Involved tab and click on Join. This page has links for New Member Signup as well as Renew Membership.
New Dues Structure
While the league provides a discounted option of $20/year (minimum) for those who cannot afford the full amount, the recommended dues are as follows:
Individual Membership: $75 per year; This rate applied to additional family members. Each membership requires a unique email address.
Life Members: In appreciation of those who have been members for more than 50 years are exempt from membership dues.
Renewal Period
All members will receive a renewal reminder email 60 days before their expiration date. Members who do not renew in response to the first email will receive a second reminder email 30 days before their expiration date. Any member who does not renew will receive a final reminder email 45 days after their expiration date. There is a 60-day grace period after a person’s expiration when they are still considered an active member of the League, after which they are considered inactive.
If you have questions, review the answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Thank you for your membership in the League of Women Voters Metropolitan Phoenix and your ongoing support for our activities. | |
Growing our Membership and League Power
Please join us in welcoming five New League Members who joined in the month of January: Bunny Bernstein, Jessica Couleur, Andrew Jenkins, Anna Jenkins, and Michael Kline
We would also like to recognize and thank 13 Renewing Members: Maureen Delaney, Jackie Giles, Mark Giles, Jean Conway, Carla Freeman, Greg Freeman, Polly McMullen, Anna Jenkins, Andrew Jenkins, Kathleen O’Brien, Bruce Mosby, and Peggy Deming.
Engagement Highlights
Make plans now to attend the 2025 LWVMP All-Member Meeting, Saturday, February 15, 2-4pm.. See old friends and meet new members. Find out about: Implementation of LWV Transformation, Advocacy Priorities for 2025, a new Youth Ambassador Program, and how to find the tools to stay informed. This meeting is free to all MP members and guests. Please Register here.
| MISSION:
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Step up to the front line and help at the State level!
Your state league needs YOU. If you have served as a League member in good standing for a minimum of one year, then you are eligible to hold one of the following open positions (Click on the title to see the job description):
President-Elect (May 2025-2026, President May 2026-2027)
Treasurer (May 2025-May 2027)
Secretary (May 2025-May 2027)
Nominating Committee Chair (May 2025-May 2027)
The successful candidates will have experience in leadership, advocacy, business, government or non-profit work. Applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. You can nominate yourself or another League member.
Use this QR code to access the Application Form
The application deadline is March 1, 2025
| If you are interested in learning more about the LWV AZ Board, the nominating committee will be holding an informal questions and answer virtual session on February 12, 6:00 pm. This will give you an opportunity to ask current board members questions on the positions and general information on being on the board. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86037636255 |  | Join Us for a Dynamic Week of Legislative Lunch & Learn Sessions!
Theme: "Legislatively Speaking: Empowering Voters to Participate and Defend Democracy"
Why Attend?
Stay Informed: Learn about the latest legislative initiatives and how they impact you.
Get Empowered: Discover new ways to participate in the democratic process and stand up for what matters to you.
Build Community: Connect with fellow voters who are passionate about driving positive change in our state.
We encourage you to share this invitation and bring a friend—the more voices we have, the stronger our democracy becomes. Let’s work together to stay informed, engaged, and ready to take action. |  | |
On March 6, LWV Arizona is hosting Legislative Lobby Day at the Capitol.
This event is only for members. Please ensure that your membership is current and your league affiliation is accurate. Inactive members' registration will be canceled; The last date to register is February 26th.
Registration fees for LWVAZ Legislative Lobby Day - $25.00 per person. No refunds given.
Details for Day at the Capitol:
Date: March 6th
Time: 9:00 - 3:00 p.m. (check-in and breakfast); Program begins at 10:00 a.m. (please be seated by 9:45)
Venue: Arizona Capitol, 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Meeting Location: Breakfast & Lunch - Conference room first floor; Program presentations, 2nd Floor Governors conference room
Parking: West side of the Capitol campus
Speakers: TBD
Meet Your Legislators:
The registration form includes a spot to request appointments with your state senators and representatives. League interns will schedule the appointments. In the spirit and purpose of Legislative Lobby Day, we ask all members to advance league advocacy work and priorities during meetings with legislators. League policy handouts will be provided before the meetings.
For transportation arrangements, contact local league leaders regarding carpooling or other logistics.
Cancellations, Registration fees are non refundable. So that we don't waste food, please cancel February 18th if you do not plan on attending the event. Our catering arrangements will need to be adjusted accordingly. Email us at lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com if you will not be attending. | 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 Fundraising 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 2023 All Rights Reserved | |