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MEMBERS MATTER NEWSLETTER
May-June 2025
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| Quick Links to Articles in this Issue
| Dear ~~first_name~~,
I’m thrilled to introduce myself and our new 2025–2026 League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix Board:
Executive Committee
President – Kara Pelletier President-Elect – Open
Secretary – Gretchen Bolderjack Treasurer – Cricket Mitchell
Board Members
Advocacy – Mark Giles Budget – Pinny Sheoran
Bylaws – Marcia Barry Communications – Connie Cornelius
Finance & Fundraising – Cricket Mitchell
Membership – Emra Muslim Nominating – Suzanne Miller
Voter Services – Dawn Reeths State Liaison – Gitelle Seer
This is my ninth year as a member of LWV MP and my second time serving as your Local League President. I’m honored to be stepping into this role again and genuinely excited about the incredible group of leaders on this year’s Board. We have a wonderful mix of seasoned members, new faces, and first-time leaders who are all stepping up to serve.
Many of us recently gathered at the LWV AZ State Convention on May 17–18 at the Cambria Hotel in Phoenix. LWV MP had the privilege of hosting this year’s event, and our Host Team—Connie, Marcia, Cricket, Gretchen, Mark—did a phenomenal job. They managed every detail to ensure a convenient, comfortable, and affordable experience, creating the perfect setting to focus on the content, panels, and presentations provided by LWV AZ.
The Convention Workbook is available for all members to review. It includes essential information about our organization’s structure and the important work being done across the state. I encourage you to take a few moments to read through it—you’ll come away inspired and better informed about how our League is organized and how you can make an impact.
This month’s Members Matter newsletter includes additional articles and highlights from the Convention, showcasing the contributions of our League, other Local Leagues, and LWV AZ.
Looking Ahead
Over the next year, LWV US and LWV AZ will be sharing campaigns, resources, and actions that empower us to stand up for democracy. Our League—LWV MP—has a vital role to play. With experienced leaders and many new, eager members, we are well-positioned to amplify this important work.
One of the most powerful aspects of LWV is its legacy: Over a century of committed volunteers Defending Democracy and Advancing Rights. This is where meaningful change happens—and you’re in the right place to be part of it.
At the local level, we’ll be prioritizing two major goals:
1. Growing our Membership
2. Strengthening our Fundraising
To help us launch these efforts, your new Board will be participating in a retreat this June to develop our roadmap for the year ahead. Being financially sound is essential to our mission, so we’ll need everyone’s energy and engagement. Watch for more
information about how you can get involved.
 Finally, I’m always available if you have any questions, ideas, or feedback. Feel free to reach out to me at kara_pelletier@yahoo.com or 480-578-4092. Thank you for all that you do to protect democracy.
In League Service,
Kara Pelletier, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
| LWV Metro Phoenix Members Attending the
2025 LWV Arizona Convention
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Convention Highlights
In case you didn’t attend the LWV Arizona Convention, here is what you missed:
Media Panel: “Truth, Trust, and Threats to the First Amendment and Freedom of Press - How is it Impacting Their Work?”
Panel: Jen Fifield, Votebeat
Caitlin Sievers, Deputy Editor, Arizona Mirror
Camaron Stevenson, Chief Political Correspondent, The Copper Courier
Camryn Sanchez, Investigative Reporter, KJZZ
Keynote Presentation: “The Labor Movement and Responses to the First 100 Days of the Current Administration”
Speaker: Briona Parkinson, Political & Legislative Director
American Association of State, County & Municipal Employees Arizona
Youth Panel: “Rights, Resources, and Representation: Youth at the Crossroads”
Panel: Mikah Dyer, ASU
Jesus Rendon-Silva, ASU
Marlee Valenzuela, ASU
Emma Claus, ASU
Mihika Gadagkar, Basis High School
Keynote Presentation: “Libraries:The Third Space for Democratic Dialogue and Civic Participation”
Speaker: Erin MacFarlane, Library Services Director, Phoenix Public Library
and Advocacy Chair for the American Library Association
Plus a number of breakout sessions for in depth discussions on matters of interest. | |
LWVAZ Awards
We are so proud of these LWVMP Members who were recognized by LWVAZ and received the following awards:
Skeet Blakeslee Award for excellence in State Advocacy:
Defending Democracy
 
Mark Giles Cindy Walsh
Skeet Blakeslee Award for excellence in Voter Services:
Mobilizing Voters
 
Gretchen Bolerjack Kara Pelletier
President’s Award for Outstanding Emerging Leader
Emra Muslim, Gracemarie Theesfeld (LWVGT), Sarabeth Spencer
Advocacy Champion for Making Democracy Work
Pinny Sheoran
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Support “Education for All”!
Come & Stand for Students at the Higher Education Rally on Monday June 2, 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the State Capital. The League will be tabling at the Wesley Bolin Plaza during the event. All are welcome to join the rally to Stand for Students. |  | |
Voter Registration Training
The team that manages the Deputy Registrar Program at Maricopa County Recorder's Office (MCRO) are running Zoom training sessions over the summer for anyone wanting to brush up or better understand "The legislation & best practices for Voter Registration". The training lasts approximately 1 hour, with 40 minutes of instruction and a Q & A session afterwards.
This training is perfect for those that would like to register people to vote, but haven't done so since the changes in the legislation and new registration forms went into effect. You do not need to be a Deputy Registrar to attend. If you're interested, email Voter Services at voterslwvmp@gmail.com and we will coordinate a date for you with the folks at MCRO. | |
Thank you to everyone who participated and took action these last two months!
Here are some highlights of how our members took action in April and May:
Watch for more events like this and make your voice heard.
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LWVMP members called their representatives to stop the SAVE Act. You can still take action by urging your Representatives to stand up for Democracy. Use this easy form.
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LWV of Arizona, LWVAZ Education Fund, and LWVUS joined NAACP, Hispanic Federation, OCA—Asian Pacific American Advocates, and Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote to file a federal lawsuit, arguing that President Trump’s Executive Order 14248, violated the constitutional separation of powers and federal law. Read the full story here. See other LWV relevant legal case updates here.
Upcoming Advocacy in Action
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Join the Advocacy Committee meeting to Engage in Advocacy—Register for our Zoom meeting on Tuesday, June 10th at 5:30PM to learn more about our advocacy efforts; discuss the Survey results; discuss the Observer Corps and how to get more engaged!
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Join the “Rise for Freedom” online weekly training series every Thursday at 5:00 pm. Learn how to organize and use the tools to build pro-democracy power. Each week, new topics are covered. Created by LWV US and our partners, it is an excellent training for everyone. Learn More and Register Here
Any questions or help needed with LWVMP Advocacy, please email: AdvocacyLWVMP@gmail.com or text Mark at 707-701-339
| Growing our Membership and League Power
Please join us in welcoming five New League Members who joined in the month of November: Bridget Doyle, Marie Gant, Karen Hodges, Juliana Metcalf, and Rebecca Wallace
And, thank you to all 15 Renewing Members: Eric Ehst, Doreen Feldberg, Jan Felton, Monica Goddard, Terry Goddard, Julie Gunnigle, John Gunnigle, Candace Hughes, David Hyson, Janet Kerby, Karen Nally, Brandy Reese, Eadie Rudder, Gitelle Seer, and Kathryn Wilke.
Engagement Highlights
Help us grow our League power by inviting friends, neighbors, and democracy allies to Join the League today | LWV METRO PHOENIX BOARD OF DIRECTORS | LWV Metro Phoenix Board of Directors
Officers
President: Kara Pelletier
President Elect: open
Secretary: Gretchen Bolerjack
Treasurer, Finance/Development Committee Chair: Barbara Cricket Mitchell
Board of Directors
Advocacy Committee Chair: Mark Giles
Communications Committee Chair: Connie Cornelius
League Representative to State Board: Gitelle Seer
Membership Committee Chair: Emra Muslim
Nominations Committee Chair: Suzanne Miller
Voter Services Co-Chairs: Dawn Reeths & Jackie Giles
Contact us at InfoLWVMP@gmail.com | |
LWV Metro Phoenix, 3219 E Camelback Road, #187, Phoenix, AZ 86018 | 858.220.0655
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved | |