URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL MWMC MEMBERS

FUNDRAISING APPEAL FROM  LWVNWMC FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION 2024

March 1, 2024

The biennial convention of the LWVUS will be held in Washington, DC in June 2024.  We will be sending Co-President Karen Devine and Treasurer Leslie Eaton to DC as our delegates.  This is a very expensive endeavor.  The Board of Directors is asking our members to help pay for this investment in our future.

Message from NWMC co-president Bonnie Saunders: 

“I have attended several national conventions over the years and want to share with you how important it is to have ‘boots on the ground.’  There are many changes coming to the LWVUS starting in 2025 in the Transformation process that was begun at the 2022 national convention, some of which will present challenges to our League.  We need our representative delegates to bring back important information for the future of our League.  These conventions are exciting, educational, and project the essence of the League of Women Voters.  I will send a generous donation to help fund our delegates at this LWVUS convention in June 2024.  I challenge all NWMC members to send a donation by check to help in the endeavor.”  

Here is a breakdown of the expenses for the Convention:

Registration: $550 x 2= $1100

Airline ticket:  $800 x 2= $1600

Hotel for 4 nights with double occupancy: $1100

Total for two delegates:  $3800

NWMC has pledged $2000 from our treasury.  We wish to raise an additional $1800.  We are so grateful for your attention and look forward to hearing from you.

Please consider a $50, $75, $100 donation or other.  We will accept checks only.  Make check payable to LWVNWMC.  Send your donation by March 31, 2024 to:

Leslie Eaton, Treasurer, 19116 N 93rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382

NWMC MEMBERSHIP MONTHLY MEETING: 

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ARIZONA HEALTHCARE CRISIS
Membership Meeting Presented by NWMC Healthcare Team
Join us on March 16 at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church for an exciting program featuring ASU president Michael Crow and AZ Board of Regents Chair Fred DuVal. They will share information about the creation of ASU’s newly announced, highly innovative, state-of-the-art Medical Engineering School that seeks to empower doctors and patients to revolutionize healthcare through technology. They will be joined by Suraj Puvvadi, a third-year undergraduate student in biomedical informatics at ASU.
ASU, ranked #1 in Innovation by US News, is leading the way in shaping the future of healthcare education. President Crow emphasizes the importance of empowering doctors with the latest technology. The program will include a video interview with President Crow and Mr. DuVal, as well as a live segment with Suraj Puvvadi sharing his personal experience as a student currently immersed in classes and projects pertaining to this forward-thinking health technology and how it is shaping the "innovative future" of healthcare.  Don't miss this informative and inspiring event! Invite your friends too!

NWMC MARCH BOOK CLUB

HEY NWMC MEMBERS—GET INVOLVED!

THINK ABOUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS AND CONTACT VOTER SERVICE CHAIR, BONNIE JACKSON @ jacksonb@outlook.com 

LET’S GET TO WORK! Feb. 17, 2024 MEMBERSHIP MEETING SUMMARY

Our main speaker at this meeting, Rey Valenzuela, Executive Director of Mail In Voting from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, shared lots of information about the many volunteer and paid jobs that will need to be filled during the election process.
REGISTER HERE to volunteer or get paid to work as an election worker.

If you like to write…

1. We can have a regular column of up to 600 words published in The Independent at no cost.  This would be a great opportunity to share needed information with voters.  The column could focus on LWV advocacy issues, women’s issues, important election process deadlines, legislative updates, etc.

2. LWV AZ has a podcast with a goal of fighting mis/disinformation.  They need help with researching and writing content, and with some of the technical aspects of production.

3. Vote411, our election website, will need to be continuously updated with information regarding the election.  The main thing is providing questions for the candidates to answer.  You can talk to your neighbors to find out what issues matter to them, then formulate questions for their representatives to answer.

If you like to inform voters…

1.  Volunteer to man a table at various events to answer questions about AZ’s voting process as well as the League.

2. Get trained as a Maricopa County Deputy Register and register new voters at the Naturalization Ceremonies.

If you like to do in-person presentations…

        We have been invited in the past to speak to groups on the election process and advocacy issues as well as referendums and initiatives that make it to the ballot.

If you like reaching out to voters from home…

1.  Participate in the training for Outreach Circle so you can set up events and/or send text messages to large groups of voters.

2. Participate in Request to Speak (RTS), an ongoing activity during the AZ Legislative session. You could host an RTS party! Or a KNOW YOUR BALLOT party near election time.

3. As we move closer to the general election, display a Vote 411 sign in your yard.  Also, you can help by posting these signs on the 4 corners of a major intersection near you. (Check with the rules of your HOA)

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD

Submitted by Susan Penner

The YMAD Award is presented every year at our annual meeting in April to an outstanding member of our local League. That person is chosen for the positive difference they made in both the community and the League through their work in supporting the purpose of the League and provide information to our citizens regarding issues that affect their lives.  The YMAD award is specific to our League and member driven. It is unique in that a member can only receive this honor once. Please think about the member you believe has made significant contributions to our League and its work then submit a nomination.

The following names are active members who have received the award in recent years:  Bonnie Saunders, Carol Mattoon, Lois Brechner, Bonnie Boyce-Wilson, Valerie Ellien, Susan Penner, Judy Dreskin, Martha Thompson, Linda Napier, Judy Moor and Tina Mollica. You must give examples/details /reasons for the nomination. Only one name nomination.  

Election Protection Arizona (EPAZ) helps at all stages of voting from registration to voting at the polls on Election Day. Join us in helping voters overcome any barrier from getting the right voter ID to voting from jail!   Sign up to be an EPAZ volunteer at allvoting.org/epaz2024. 
The Election Protection training schedule is:

• Wednesday, 3/6/2024 from 6pm-7:30pm MST
• Thursday, 3/7/2024 6pm-7:30pm MST
• Saturday, 3/9/2024 from 2pm-3:30pm MST
  

ATTEND A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Find your local school board meeting NW Valley Monthly Meeting Schedule.  Please check the school links for most accurate times and locations as events may change.
Watch this 60 Minutes segment on how one community pushed back against book bans after a South Carolina school district superintendent pulled 97 books from schools.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF UNITED STATES UPDATE

FEB. 22, 2024

This is a busy time for the League, with things moving quickly on the local, state, and national levels. On top of that, presidential primary season is already underway, with Leagues across the country gearing up for elections and caucuses.  LWVUS has several upcoming trainings and workshop for leaders and members to learn more about resources that can enhance your League’s work.  Whether it’s our monthly community call or a webinar on voter intimidation, there are opportunities for you to come together with other League members or ask questions to LWVUS staff. You can find the complete list of upcoming events under the webinars section of this newsletter as well as on the League Management Site’s calendar

Our League

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 voter services and education, outreach at collaborative nonpartisan events, team meeting activities, membership meetings, newsletters and more.

There are two kinds of donations that can be made.

1. LWVNWMC is a registered Arizona nonprofit corporation as a 501©(4) organization.  Donations to this entity may be used for advocacy and lobbying efforts to support our Public Policy Positions and are NOT tax-deductible.

2.  The LWVNWMC Education Fund it a tax-deductible 501©(3) charitable organization. Funds contributed to the Education Fund will be used for educational purposes only. To receive a tax-deductible benefit, you must address your check to LWVNWMC EDUCATION FUND.

All donations made by mail should be sent to our Treasurer: Leslie Eaton, 19116 N 93rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382 

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