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Since last week's newsletter, we've been busy! Make sure to scroll all the way down because it's PACKED with important information!
Although we came away with hope after last week's Immigrant Rights Hot Topics, the sobering facts keep us grounded in the work moving forward. From our Hot Topics reviewer: "Quietly and steadily, Florida has become the nation’s leader in immigration arrests. Why is that? Florida has taken an aggressive approach to deportation and has deputized multiple state agencies like the Highway Patrol and Fish and Wildlife officers with authority to make immigration arrests. State law also requires local officials and sheriff’s offices to cooperate with deportation efforts." ~JH
Our full RECAP is live now to continue reading this review. Also, you'll find a YouTube link for the recording, a photo album as well the panelists' bios and calls to action. Below, follow up and answer those calls to become more informed and be a voice for the voiceless. | | Tues, April 21, 9AM
It's time to turn advocacy into ACTION!
Join fellow Leaguers at the BCC (Board of County Commissioners) to advocate for a "best efforts" clarification lawsuit regarding state law and ICE efforts.
The Coalition is urging the County to:
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Terminate the IGSA Agreement: Ending the practice of housing ICE detainees in the Orange County Jail.
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Dissolve the 287(g) Agreement: Ensuring corrections officers are no longer required to act as an arm of federal immigration transport.
MARK your calendars, pull out your purple, and let's make a "Sea of Purple" in solidarity!
| | | Karen Patricio of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) will be presenting a comprehensive training on the basic rights under the Constitution and civil rights laws. You must REGISTER HERE to gain acceptance into the online training.
| | Immigration and the workforce math we can't ignore
"America has a worker shortage. The only question is whether we are willing to deal with it honestly."
Kam Shenai often writes for ACT (AAPI Coming Together) or the LWVOC, but this piece is for the public at large and was featured in the Orlando Sentinel last week coinciding with our Hot Topics program.
| | |  |  |  | It's official! Our NEW Board of Directors, elected and appointed, has been installed. Get to know them by visiting the Board of Directors page here. Also, check out the great photos from Saturday's Annual Business Meeting in Carol Wonsavage's HERE.
Experienced Leaguers as well as new faces will help guide us through this historic election year, ensuring that we'll be empowering voters and defending democracy! Shown above:
Exec. Board members SEATED l-r: Janet Ziomek, Lee Rambeau-Kemp, Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Kathy Sheerin, Kay Hudson, Saudi Ellis
STANDING front: Carol Wonsavage, Jean Yglesias, Candice Hoke, Margo Hamel, Marilyn Baldwin, Gina Hall, Melva Bentley-Ross, Jennifer Willman, Winnie Hogue, Barbara Lanning; STANDING back: Diana Smith, Melinda Wright, Jane Hursh, Mira Tanna; NOT Shown-Cassandra McAdams |  | | Much appreciation is extended to our outgoing Co-President Jane Hursh for her busy year of service! Jane isn't going far though...she's the Membership Chair and would love to have your help for this VERY active committee. Learn more. |
 | | Co-Presidents Kathy Schmitz and Kathy Sheerin have a lot in common besides their League enthusiasm. From their initials to their petite stature, same color hair and eyes...we don't blame you if you get confused sometimes. It's Kathy x 2 and this editor may simply refer to them as RevK and PrezK but we're open to your suggestions.... |
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 | | Kathy Sheerin is our new Co-President but she's held League leadership positions for a while now with Voter Services. Kathy joined a decade ago when NOT "doing something" wasn't an option. Be like Kathy and find your niche to empower voters. Explore our Committees. |
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| Voter Services continues educating young voters. This team above was at Edgewater High School last week. First shift left: Foreground Kathleen Cavanagh; L to R: Government teacher Ms. Alvino, Kathleen Skambis, Betty Saulpaugh, Melinda Wright, Penny and Esther from the SOE, Ilene Haney. Second shift right L to R: Bobby Sena, Mary Ann Coffey, Esther and Penny from the SOE, Margo Hamel, Mary Montanus, Gina Hall, Steven Hamel. | | The LWVOC was at Keiser University's Spring Career Day on April 15th, dispensing important voting information to students.
Pictured L Lelia Allen, R Lauren Houk
Keep scrolling to our "Take Action" section and join these busy teams! | | | | Louis Ingenthron
Saremi, Deborah
Susan Sharp
Terri Falbo
Melahn Murphy
Share this newsletter and encourage your friends and family to JOIN HERE
*Current members, don't forget that you'll be renewing through our national LWVUS site! Watch your email for reminders! | | | | Our moderator will be Bill Cowles, former SOE Orange County!
It's one of our most requested topics! Redistricting and gerrymandering redraw electoral maps in ways that pack minority voters into a single district to limit their broader influence or spread them across districts to dilute their collective power. The result can be that millions of votes carry significantly less weight than others. These tactics raise the question of whether the rules governing who can vote — and how much that vote counts — reflect the will of the people … or those who seek political power.
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If you'd like to join them, click on the link above and get started with a fulfilling and inspiring advocacy journey. |  | Join Global Peace 360 at the Winter Park Library during National Library Week for a special Indie Lens Pop Up screening of The Librarians, a film directed by Kim A. Snyder that shines a spotlight on the importance of public libraries in our public discourse.
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>>Click How to Volunteer video for easy instructions! Volunteer opportunities are open to League members only.
Hot Topics Merch Table
Once a month, come a little early to Hot Topics to set up and manage a table selling our League branded merchandise. Upcoming opportunities in MAY.
Hot Topics Audio/Visual and Photography Help
The Hot Topics Committee needs your technical expertise. If you're comfortable (or ready to learn) using programs that control audio/visuals, we need you. Our current guru has done the hard work already and he can teach you how to manage the programs on a League laptop during Hot Topics.
PHOTOGRAPHER needed for Hot Topics! Once a month, we need your photography skills (hobbyists are welcome)!
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Voter Info/Registration Community Events
Observer Corps
Volunteers observe council meetings (via Zoom or in person) and submit for Gov. committee. Check the Volunteer page for Apopka.
NEEDED: Voter Outreach volunteers who speak Spanish or Haitian Creole!! Please contact>> Saudi Ellis
Speakers always needed to handle our public outreach. We offer different topics and our Speaker's Bureau committee is happy to train you. For more information, contact Chairperson Jean Yglesias lwvocspeakers@gmail.com
| | | | | Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community and we have a range of sponsorship levels available. To further explore how to become a sponsor, please contact LWVOC Vice President and Fund Development Chair Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE
|  |  |  |  | LWVOC is a 501(c)(3 )tax-exempt organization and your gift is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a gift as a deduction on your taxes, please keep your email gift receipt as your official record. The receipt is sent to you upon successful completion of your donation.
A copy of the official registration and financial information for LWVOC, a Florida based nonprofit organization (Registration No. CH26900) may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free 1-800-435-7352 within the state or visiting their website at fdacs.gov/CONSUMERSERVCES. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. | |