SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NWMC CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday November 16th, 3:30 till ………

Linda &T Napier’s home 13537 West Gable Hill Drive Sun City West

      One block south of Stardust off 135th

Parking – please drive with someone if you can.

T’s famous homemade chili, there’s even a vegetarian version. Drinks provided by NWMC. 

The Christmas Party is a time to celebrate who we are as a League of Women Voters and the good work we do. Get to know your Board of Directors, all our new members and reconnect with friends. Be comfortable! See you there!

Please RSVP Here  

NWMC ANNUAL BOOK DRIVE

We will again be collecting books for the Dysart Community Center in El Mirage. Books should be purchased by 12/31/23, so we can deliver them in January. Members can contribute in three ways:

• Order books through the Amazon link, 2024 NWMC Annual Book Drive List.  They will be delivered directly to Tina Mollica. 

• Purchase books from the list at your favorite bookstore and bring to the December meeting. 

• Donate money and the NWMC Education Team will purchase the books for you.

NWMC JANUARY BOOK CLUB

Submitted by Bonnie Saunders

At our November Book Club meeting, we discussed 15-20 different books that people had read and we talked about a lot of really good-sounding books that we might well read over the next year.  At the suggestion of several people, we decided to read two books about two very strong women for our next meeting on January 22, 2024 at 3pm on Zoom (no meeting in December).  

The first book is The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore, a dark and dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women's rights and exposed injustices that still resonate today.  Bestselling author Kate Moore brings her sparkling narrative voice to an unputdownable story of the forgotten woman who courageously fought for her own freedom—and in so doing freed millions more. Elizabeth's refusal to be silenced and her ceaseless quest for justice not only challenged the medical science of the day, and led to a giant leap forward in human rights, it also showcased the most salutary lesson: sometimes, the greatest heroes we have are those inside ourselves.

The second book is The Other Einstein by Marie Benedi, which offers us a window into a brilliant, fascinating woman whose light was lost in Einstein's enormous shadow. This novel resurrects Einstein's wife, a brilliant physicist in her own right, whose contribution to the special theory of relativity is hotly debated. Was she simply Einstein's sounding board, an assistant performing complex mathematical equations? Or did she contribute something more?

I wish all of you a happy holidays for any and all that you celebrate in the next month or so.  I will send you a reminder about these books (which you might receive during one of those holidays!) after January 1st.  I hope many of you will read one or both and come to our discussion on Zoom at 3:00 p.m. (AZ time: some of us are in other time zones so we'll have to figure the time out!) on Monday, January 22, 2024.  But come even if you don't read them or finish them -- our discussion might make you want to read them later.

SIGN UP FOR 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Note from Judy Moor—This is sponsored by the Sierra Club and is included in this VOTER as Climate Change is listed in the Tier I priority issues for LWVAZ for 2024.  This message is from Sandy Bahr, Chapter Director of Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter.

Environmental Day at the Capitol is January 25th from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, so sign up now so you get all of the important preparation information leading up to the day. You can come for all or part of the day. We hope you can make it, but if not, we will be livestreaming portions of the program to YouTube so you can view it there.

This year, our theme is Save Water, Save Life. We will be focusing our lobbying efforts on water, although we will also include a few other issues, including key democracy bills.  You will hear from some great speakers, learn about what advocates from around the state are working on, and meet with legislators.  Leading up to the day, we will be hosting workshops, including one on volunteer lobbying and one that provides an overview of water. See details on those below. More are being scheduled.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. No experience is needed and all are welcome! Bring a friend!

Environmental Day at the Capitol
Thursday, January 25th
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Wesley Bolin Plaza
Phoenix

ARIZONA FOR ABORTION ACCESS CAMPAIGN AND LEAGUE INVOLVEMENT

About the Campaign

Arizona for Abortion Access is a coalition of reproductive health rights and justice organizations working to ensure Arizonans can make the decisions that are best for them and their families — free from government interference.  This proposed ballot initiative, if passed in November 2024, would amend the Arizona Constitution to add a right to abortion thus protecting abortion access in AZ.  See these two websites for more information:

Arizona for Abortion Access Website  

Petition I-05-2024 Arizona Abortion Access Act

The League’s Role

The League of Women Voters of Arizona has committed to obtaining a minimum of 10,000 signatures supporting the Arizona for Abortion Access ballot measure. The deadline for submitting signatures to the Arizona Secretary of State is July 3, 2024. The League petitions are identified by numbers within a range. For the League to get credit for the signatures, we urge our members to seek out a League location (see below) and sign our petitions.

Learn More About Circulating Petitions

To get an idea about what is involved as a circulator, access the AZ Secretary of State website:  SOS Circulator Portal and Arizona Petition Circulator Training Guide

Distributing and Collecting Petitions 

Attend a school board meeting in DECEMBER

Agua Fria Union High School Wednesday, 12/06 @ 5:30 pm, 1481 N. Eliseo Felix Jr. Way
Avondale Elementary Tuesday, 12/12 @ 5:30pm, 295 W Western Ave
Buckeye Elementary Monday, 12/4 @ 5:30pm, 25555 W. Durango Street
Buckeye Union High School Monday, 12/11 @ 6:30 pm, 902 East Eason Avenue
Deer Valley Unified Tuesday, 12/12 @ 7pm, 20402 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix
Dysart Unified Thursday, 12/14 @ 6pm 15802 N Parkview Pl, Surprise
Glendale ES Thursday, 12/14, 7301 North 58th Avenue
Litchfield Elementary Tuesday, 12/12 @ 6pm, 255 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park
Morristown Elementary Monday, 12/11 @ 5:30pm, 25950 W Rockaway Hills Rd, Morristown
Nadaburg Unified Wednesday, 12/13
Peoria UnifiedThursday 12/14 @ 6pm, 6330 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale
Tolleson Elementary Wednesday, 12/13 @ 6pm, Arizona Desert,  8803 W. Van Buren St.
Tolleson High School Tuesday, 12/12 @ 6pm 9801 W. Van Buren Street

HOBBS GIVES BOOST TO ARIZONA'S 2023 ABORTION ACCESS INITIATIVE

Excerpts from AZ Republic article, 11-29-23

At a media event outside the state Capitol, Gov. Katie Hobbs added her signature to a petition for a statewide ballot initiative that in November 2024 could enshrine the right to an abortion in the Arizona Constitution.

Arizona for Abortion Access, which is supported by the ACLU of Arizona, Arizona List and Planned Parenthood of Arizona, among others, spearheaded the ballot initiative, which would both expand and protect abortion rights in Arizona through a constitutional amendment.  The campaign needs to gather at least 383,923 valid signatures from Arizona voters by July 3, 2024, but the aim is to gather about double that number, organizers have said.

Hobbs on Tuesday, flanked by supporters holding signs with slogans that included "Republicans for Katie Hobbs" and "Veterans for Katie Hobbs," said that abortion rights are not a partisan issue. "I'm signing this petition for my daughter and for the countless Arizonans across the state who believe in our fundamental freedoms and believe that we should be able to make our own health care decisions without the government or politicians dictating when or whether we choose to start a family," Hobbs said.

A MESSAGE FROM LWVAZ PRESIDENT

Submitted by Michele Garrick Nave

First, a giant thank-you to all the members who volunteer their help and services in making the state and local leagues so productive. Next, an acknowledgement that the help and services will continue to be greatly needed as we handle the challenges that continue in Arizona.  Here is a list of LWVAZ Board officers, members, and committee chairs.  See further comments below.

HERE’S AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LWVAZ BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
     Central Yavapai County:  Cory Shaw and Bobbi Boyd
     Greater Tucson:  Emily Bridson and Theresa Riel
     Metro Phoenix:  Kara Pelletier and Gitelle Seer
     Northern Arizona:  Maryann Kenney and Vicki Biscay
     Northwest Maricopa County: Bonnie Jackson
THESE ARE YOUR BOARD OFFICERS:

     President:  Michele Garrick Nave 
     President Elect:  Pinny Sheoran
     Secretary:  Connie Cornelius
     Treasurer:  Theresa Riel

THESE ARE THE CHAIRS OF THE LWVAZ COMMITTEES
     Advocacy:  Pinny Sheoran and Gitelle Seer
     Bylaws: Kate Robbins
     DEI:  Victor Bowleg
     Finance & Development:  Dave Ashby
     Historical:  Cory Shaw
     Public Policy Positions:  Emily Bridson
     Membership: Connie Cornelius
     Voter Services:  Kara Pelletier

ADVOCACY & ACTION NEWSLETTER

The advocacy committee Publishes Advocacy and Action weekly during the legislative session and monthly or as needed when the legislature is not in session. The Advocacy Issue Teams do a great deal of research on the new bills introduced and considered. The weekly newsletters provide guidance and recommendations for action on those bills. (We can't take positions on any legislation unless we have a formal Public Policy Position on the topic.)
The Advocacy and Action newsletter is a terrific resource. It provides the names of legislators promoting such legislation and includes live links to members on the committee dealing with the legislation, so as individuals you can contact them to voice your support or opposition to legislation. LWVAZ is well respected and the opinions of our members can be very persuasive. It’s well worth reading the Advocacy and Action newsletter and expressing your opinion to legislators.

LWVUS TRANSFORMATION 

Here is an update on the transformation LWVUS is enacting. Currently, the transformation phase, Framing the Future has a three-pronged approach: 

1. Rights and Responsibilities of the league members to the league and the league to the members. 

2. Upgrade the platform for membership data and dues collection. The new platform selected by LWVUS is ChapterSpot. 

3. Increase State League effectiveness - LWVUS is evaluating state capacity. 

FUNDRAISING

A concluding topic is fundraising. The Development committee is looking into ways for LWVAZ to do fundraising and I encourage all local leagues to decide how they want to raise funds.  While the new dues and their collection won’t start until after the 2024 election, we’re aware that fundraising will become extremely important as a way to make ends meet and allow LWVAZ to provide Vote411, candidate debates, billboards encouraging people to vote, texting programs that allow us to urge voters to vote and the other programs that help get people voting. 

LWVAZ PRESIDENT ELECT NOMINATIONS

Opportunity for a Passionate Activist!
Be on the forefront of empowering voters and defending democracy!
Nominations are currently being accepted for the office of President Elect of LWVAZ.
Applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have experience in leadership, advocacy, business, government or non-profit work, and will have served as a League member in good standing for a minimum of one year. You can nominate yourself or another League member.  This position provides the opportunity to apprentice to the President in 2024-25 with the support of an experienced Board of Directors for one year before ascending to the role of President in 2025-26.  The application deadline is February 15, 2024

Read the LWVAZ President-Elect Job Description

For over 100 years, the League of Women Voters has been a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots, national organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.  Your gift will help support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts at the local, state and national level, including voter services and education, outreach at collaborative nonpartisan events, team meeting activities, speakers and newsletters. 
You do not have to be a member to donate. We appreciate all donations!  The LWV is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions, gifts, and dues to the NW Maricopa County LWV are not tax-deductible.  

Donate to NWMC LWV