 |
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WESTCHESTER
Making Democracy Work |
|
|
LWVW Mourns Passing The League of Women Voters of Westchester marks with sadness the passing of our president Sharon Lindsay and lauds her commitment to our mission, as well as her contributions to the many community causes to which she devoted her passion, her talents and her broad experience. Serving as president at the Westchester County League for three years, Sharon possessed a leadership style that melded perfectly with the consensus-building values of our organization. She inspired self-confidence in others, promoting robust programing and enthusiastic membership participation. Sharon’s visionary efforts also resulted in a broad range of successes which she pursued to secure the organization’s future, including short and long term funding initiatives, a much-needed update of the League website, and a relocation to more appropriate office space. Sharon’s outlook was expansive and inclusive with a contagious can-do approach to almost everything. While her spirit was warm and supportive, Sharon also could, and would, adeptly separate fluff from substance, a trait essential in the League’s communications with officials, and the public. Articulate and seemingly unflappable, Sharon was a model for young and old alike. Her zest for life, often punctuated with her heart-felt laugh, will be missed by all who worked with her. We extend our condolences to her family, her friends and members of our community. Results of the League of Women Voters Education Foundation's Survey of Split Shifts for Elections Inspectors The League of Women Voters of Westchester (LWVW), a number of whose members serve as Election Inspectors (EIs), has for some time wondered if splitting poll-working shifts might not: 1) halt the drop-off of inspectors as they age and find the 16-plus-hour day too burdensome, and 2) attract much-needed new recruits. With these factors in mind and with the State having made split shifts legal, in mid-March 2014 we sent a brief survey (see attached) to a randomized sample of 1,776 of the individuals on the Board of Elections 2013 list of 4,440 EIs. We hoped for a statistically significant 20% return of 355, but as of April 25th, we had received 605 responses, or 34%, without correcting for the nearly 9% of pieces that were undeliverable. This response rate far exceeded our expectations. Moreover, nearly 64% of responders favor the option of split shifts. Read more on our Voter Service page> Download the statement plus survey responses Just Published: Updated Green Lawns Blue Waters Brochure Thanks to a generous grant from the Westchester Community Foundation, the Westchester County League of Women Voters Education Foundation has updated its popular 2004 brochure “Green Lawns Blue Waters.” This guide to safe and healthy gardening provides up to date, practical tips to cope with the effects of our changing climate. Free copies are available in bulk for distribution by emailing lwvwestchester@optonline.net or calling (914) 332-1301. Download the pdf of the Green Lawns Blue Waters. "Running and Winning" Workshop Encourages Young Women to Seek Political Office
Ten women elected officials from Westchester met with more than 46 young women from 19 Westchester high schools recently to share how they got interested in public issues and eventually run for elected office, encouraging the high school juniors and seniors to consider public office in the future. Read more with additional photos> League Commissions Report on New York’s Economically Recoverable Shale Gas(4/21/2014) League Supports Mass Transit on New Tappan Zee Bridge read the league's comments on the Mass Transit Task Force Report Videos Track Issues of Shale Gas Fracking in New York State's Marcellus Shale, a League Concern read more> LWV Responds to Algonquin Pipeline Expansion Project read the LWV's letter of Jan 14, 2014 to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission> Proposed 2014 County Budget Released LWVW Statement to Charter Revision Commission Nov. 2013 Read the statement on our County Government page> Housing Update: see LWV's FAQ for understanding the Housing Agreement and video of the Sept. 16 forum
LWV sponsors the Students In Albany Program LWV Westchester Issues Statement on the Westchester County Fair and Affordable Housing Controversy addressed to the County Executive, HUD, and the Board of Legislators Westchester County Charter Revision Commission Update The Charter Revision Commission met recently to discuss each of its four focus groups' reports. Read the League's response>
|
Sat. Aug. 2 LWV Workshop on Membership & Leadership Development for every ILO and local LWV board member, given by Carol Reimers, one of the developers of the LWVUS Membership & Leadership Development program, and Dare Thompson and Lisa Scott of the State LWV. 10am-3pm at Tarrytown Senior Center, 240 W. Main St., Tarrytown. Hosted by LWV Westchester. Lunch included. RSVP to Dare Thompson (darethompson@gmail.com) or Sept. 10 White Plains LWV Forum on Redistricting with NYState League President Sally Robinson speaking. 7pm, White Plains Library Oct. 22 Candidates Forum White Plains LWV, 7pm White Plains Library
To receive more info on LWV events around the county click here and give us your email address The New York State LWV's Newsletter is now available online. See other Leagues' newsletters New 2014 Directory of Government Officials Has Arrived Read more> Join the League! The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots organization which promotes informed citizen participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. League members make a difference in their community, statewide and nationally through active volunteering and/or financial support. Membership is open to all citizens of voting age. Non-citizens may join as associates. Students may join at a reduced rate. For further information on membership, contact a local League through the link on this page or e-mail lwvwestchester@optonline.net with your address and phone number and we will contact you with further information. County League Seeks Volunteers If you know of someone who may be interested in serving on the County Board or any of the committees, or if you have an interest in doing so, contact the League office: Tel: 914-949-0507; email LWVwestchester@optonline.net Voter Service Moderators Needed! Help Wanted! Want to Know What's Going on in Albany? Read the State League's revived blog, Capitol Beat Interested in NYS politics? Want to participate directly in the legislative process and development of policies? Join the new LWVNYS Lobby Corps The League of Women Voters of NYS is developing a Lobby Corps, similar to that of LWVUS. The purpose is to train a group of volunteers who will then communicate the League's position on proposed legislation in person directly to the members of the state Senate and Assembly. The volunteer lobbyists will receive background information, talking points and individual assignments of legislators. A meeting will be held prior to the start of the legislative session in Albany to train and brief the Corps. These volunteers are not to replace the Issue Specialists on whom the League currently depends for specific information, testimony and memos on particular issues as they are considered by the legislature. Instead, the Lobby Corps will be generalists who will provide the direct contact with the legislators on the key talking points. The Corps will also attend legislative committee meetings to report to the state League on important discussions and votes. It would be expected that the Lobby Corps volunteers would agree to lobby on a regular basis as assigned in Albany, for example, at least 2 days a month. The Corps will work very closely with the state League's Vice President for Issues and Advocacy, Sally Robinson, and our Legislative Director, Barbara Bartoletti. The volunteers will "shadow" Barbara to meet the legislators, become familiar with the capitol and the legislative procedures, and learn the aspects of good lobbying techniques, especially during the volunteers' first year. Come make a difference - and try something new in the League! For more info contact Laura Ladd Bierman, LWVNYS Executive Director, Laura@lwvny.org
|
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO WATPA AND THE WESTCHESTER LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR HOSTING OUR SITE.
WATPA Home Page 
Westchester Library System
Updated by Valerie Castleman July 11, 2014