The March Hot Topics has resonated throughout the community. Read the full RECAP here of "Unsheltered-Criminalized and Cast Aside". This topic will remain at the forefront of the news cycle, not only because solutions to it are incredibly complicated but because local news outlets are committed to telling these stories.
STAY INFORMED by following the latest news about this crisis. (There's even a news article today in the Orlando Sentinel HERE.) For six months these news outlets will share and cross-publish their reporting to work toward creating a more informed and engaged Central Florida community. This collaboration is an ongoing effort, which additional news organizations may join over time. Read the full press release here from Central Florida Public Media.
| March Hot Topics photos shown above L-R (taken by Carol Wonsavage): Amanda Dukes, 1st VP Lee Rambeau Kemp; panelists, Zeynep Portway, Meghan Stokes, Mark Brewer, Martha Are, Mark Brewer; Leaguer-Carol Wonsavage and Central Florida Public Media President & General Manager, Judith Smelser.
| | MAR 25 ZOOM Meetings
12-1pm
Education Committee:To register for the EDUC Committee Zoom meeting, email Christine Bramuchi
1-2pm
Nat'l Popular Vote: To register for the NPV Zoom meeting, click below:
MAR 25, 6pm
Spring Showcase & New Member Welcome
APR 9, 11am
LWVOC Annual Meeting
| |
VOLUNTEER OPS
*We table and sometimes provide power points to provide voter registration and civic information at the following opportunities. You must have taken and passed the League voter registration test HERE
APR 3 or 4, begins at 7am
Lake Nona High School; student presentation & registration
APR 7, begins at 7am
Jones High School, student presentation & registration
| | | At our nearby college campuses, check out: |  | | MAR 26, 6-8pm, UCF
STUDENTS ONLY
Sand Key Meeting Room, Student Union Rm 220
LWV-UCF hosts a group of empowered leaders celebrating Women's History Month. Students can reserve their space on the "Knight Connect" app. |  | MAR 26, 6-7:30 pm, Rollins College
Open to the public
Bridging the Divide: How Politicians Navigate Conflict Respectfully
In the Galloway Rm. In KWR
In a time of deep political division, is it still possible to have meaningful conversations across differences?
Tico Perez and Dick Batchelor—two local government leaders—say yes.
| | |
| EVERYONE WELCOME!
At our Annual Spring Showcase, we'll be highlighting member accomplishments and sharing tips and tricks to becoming an involved Leaguer.
Whether a new member or "seasoned," join us for a short informative program and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded friends.
Refreshments provided. FREE parking at the Winter Park Community Center!
| | | | In lieu of Hot Topics, we will be hosting our Annual Membership Meeting at that time and space. SAVE THE DATE, April 9 and join us for a special presentation from newly elected SOE Karen Castor Dentel (also a longtime Leaguer) as well as our annual business meeting.
| RECOGNITION & APPRECIATION |  | | Marilee Emerson
Andrea Chirinos
James Erwin
Aubrey Demaray
Sunshine Grund
Emilie Joudi Vick
Sue Doty
Silvia Glidewell
Kimberly Fogle
Martha Harnit
Theresa OMara
Kathryn Ashby
Not a member yet? Visit JOIN HERE and learn about becoming a Leaguer! |  | Cynthia Mackinnon
Jean Iglesias & Tony Macchia, "In memory of my parents"
Randy S. Brown
Brenda G. Bartnick
Harold Rhoads, Giving Society
Visit the Donate page to explore the many ways you can $upport LWVOC.
| | |
 | | Voter Service's volunteers attended Lake Nona's Amnesty Int'l Club's Peace Fair sharing valuable voting and civic information. Shown l-r: Betty Saulpaugh and Renita Smith |  | | League volunteers were at a new event (Vintage Vibes Market) at the Elks Lodge property on Primrose. Pictured L-R are Sharon Weiss-Jacob, Michele Stone, and Emily Glickstein. Theresa Creighton, Margo and Steve Hamel also volunteered for voter outreach. | | |
SPECIAL "Take Action" Alerts Now Available from Pres. Kathy Schmitz
“Alert lists” are open to both LWVOC members and non-members. They are a way to share timely opportunities, for example, upcoming rallies, volunteer needs, or urgent legislative actions. To keep email volume down, only I, or someone I specify, will be posting to this list.
“Sharing lists” are an additional option for LWVOC members. Within guidelines that will be posted, anyone who joins one of these lists will be able to post. Guidelines will focus on posting actionable information, avoiding debate, and maintaining a respectful tone.
Current topics are Immigration, Housing & Poverty, Women’s Issues & Health Care, and Defending Democracy
To sign up for any of the lists, fill out this simple form HERE.
|  |  | Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community.
To further explore how becoming a Hot Topics Sponsor can align with your business goals, please contact LWVOC Vice President, Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE
A range of sponsorship levels are available. |  |  | | Statewide call to action: The League of Women Voters supports the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign, a citizens' initiative to amend the Florida Constitution with the right to clean and healthy waters. If our current laws were working, then we wouldn’t have manatees dying in record numbers, 80% of our 1000 springs impaired, and harmful blue-green algae and red tide in greater frequency and duration. A constitutional right takes precedence over legislation that permits pollution, restricts fertilizer bans, and allows radioactive materials to be used in our roads. Create a legacy for the future of our waters!
The Right to Clean Water! In support of establishing our basic right to clean and healthy water, LWVOC has committed to helping get this citizen initiative on the 2026 ballot. Please sign your own petition. Those who signed prior to 2024 will need to sign the new petition.
Learn how YOU can become an active volunteer here: https://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/resources | |