 | | It was wonderful to be with some of our newest members at Tuesday’s League Showcase and New Member Welcome. The desire to make a difference in this community and the world is striking. It gives me hope! As we lean into the second half of our Mission, Defending Democracy, there are many ways to engage. Some of us want to go to public events like rallies, protests, and marches. Some are working on the legislative angle, in both Tallahassee and D.C. Some are tabling, offering education, becoming educated, registering voters, working with our young people, writing post cards, coalition building, and more. There is no one way to participate. Do what you can do with joy and commitment and be sure to check below for opportunities available to both members and not-yet-members.
As a reminder, we have opt-in alert and sharing lists (scroll down to Civic Engagement) available to members and friends who would like to keep up to date with events and actions that are either timely or beyond the scope of newsletter. Two events planned by 50501 that may be of interest more broadly are:
• On Saturday, April 5 there are rallies for democracy planned across the nation. Locally, an event is planned at Orlando City Hall at 2 pm that day.
• On Saturday, April 12, there will be an Assembly for Action. It will be at First Unitarian Church of Orlando (1901 E. Robinson St) from 4-7pm. I will be offering a workshop on avoiding burnout.
Meanwhile, we have an opportunity to help shape a new national League position. At the LWVUS 2024 Convention, delegates voted to move forward with a study on the federal judiciary. The goal is a position that outlines the values – the standards and norms – the League of Women Voters should use in evaluating proposed changes to policies, laws, and regulations about the federal judiciary. We have scheduled a local discussion for local members via Zoom on Tuesday, April 8. Please register HERE to receive the information packet with background materials to review ahead of time.
If you have questions or concerns about any of the above or brilliant ideas to share, let me know at president@lwvoc.org
Yours in Service,
Kathy
Enjoy the Spring Showcase Photo Album HERE; collage shown below includes volunteer all-stars, committee info tables, new and seasoned Leaguers enjoying the evening and winning raffle prizes.
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MAR 28, 8am
Women's History Breakfast
Virtual attendance available
APR 8, 6pm
Federal Judiciary Study
Zoom mtg.
Members Only
APR 9, 11am
LWVOC Annual Meeting
Special presentation & business meeting
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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
Also, events on APR 12, 18, & 26 available.
| | |  | | 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.
|  | | James Hathaway
Susan Rose
Carla Bitterling
Kismet Kohn
Gay Erwin
Not a member yet? Visit JOIN HERE and learn about becoming a Leaguer! |  |
REMEMBER, if you're joining or renewing on the national site, COME BACK and
Explore the many ways you can $upport LWVOC.
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| What happens when bridges are built between generations? Inspiration happens! The LWVOC joined with the LWV of UCF for an evening of engaging conversation this week to celebrate women pioneers. As to the future, these young women will LEAD the CHARGE for #votes4all #empowerment You'll recognize some of our pioneering Leaguers including Joan Erwin, Ann Patton, Adrienne Katz Katz, Mary Montanus, Kelly Semrad, and more!
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There's a new "letter to the editor" today by Judi Hayes!
These are timely commentaries (personal submissions) authored by Leaguers featured recently in local news outlets.
TOPICS include immigration, democracy, election law...basically, EVERYTHING that the League is fighting FOR and AGAINST!
Click on the link above to hear the voice of Leaguers!
| | | The March Hot Topics "Unsheltered: Criminalized and Cast Aside" continues to resonate. Full recap HERE. STAY INFORMED about the unsheltered crisis. 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. | 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 | |