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Date: 8/8/2024
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins


And they’re off! The Florida Primary is upon us. Voters are headed to the early voting sites, drop boxes, and mailboxes.  (Alert: today is the LAST day to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot.)
VOTE411.org is live and the League is in its element.

No sooner will August 20th pass than we will be sprinting toward November 5th . It will likely be barely a month before the Supervisor of Elections office begins sending out Vote-by-Mail ballots.
 
Now comes perhaps the biggest challenge of all... being civil in our civic life. In our excitement, our anxiety, and our advocacy can we resist the temptation to throw cheap shots and instead stay on the high ground.

We might remember the old adage, variously attributed and often to Socrates, to be sure that our words are true, kind, and necessary…. or at least two of the three. Even considering the filters can help me better choose my words and the tone they set.

Our Hot Topics next week, Civil Discourse or Civil War is a perfectly timed refresher course for us all, reminding us that we can disagree without being disagreeable; we can speak our truth without diminishing the humanity of another.

Yours in Service,
Kathy
 
Want to see the candidates in action? View our candidate forums on our YouTube Channel:
 
 
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
LWVOC 1st VP Lee Rambeau-Kemp joined SOE Glen Gilzean and others at opening for early voting sites in underserved communities.  Read full transcript HERE and view event recording HERE on YouTube.
LWVOC attended the Back to School event at Union Park Middle School on 8/3/24. The Gun Violence Prevention Committee and Voter Services Committee joined forces to provide families with useful and educational information at this very well attended event organized by the Union Park Neighborhood Centers for Families. Shown top L-R: Saudi Ellis and Susan Sussman VS members joined Linda Coffin, Gun Safety Chair, and members Jill and Paul Heroux.

A three-year effort to honor four impactful residents of Hannibal Square culminated in a monument unveiling ceremony on the morning of August 3rd with the Shady Park Pioneer Memorial Dedication.  LWVOC 1st VP Lee Rambeau Kemp emceed the joyous celebration.  Winter Park Mayor (and League member) Sheila DeCiccio commented about the memorial.... "stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of those who come before us."  Shown left, front three L-R, Leaguers: Fairolyn Livingston, Mayor Sheila DeCiccio, Lee Rambeau Kemp; the project was approved while Phil Anderson served as WP Mayor (shown right, Leaguers Phil and Jennifer Anderson)
BE VOTE READY
Early Voting Locations will be open from August 5, 2024, through August 18, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily.

Secure Ballot Intake stations will be available outside of ALL locations during early voting hours.
 
Don't forget your Photo ID with signature.
 
Visit ocfelections.gov/early-voting for locations.
TODAY is the last day to request a VBM (Vote-by-Mail) ballot for Aug 20 Primary Click HERE to request a ballot.

Your vote-by-mail ballot will not count if the signature on the return envelope does not match the signature on file. Signatures often change due to age, injury, or illness.

To update your signature, complete a Florida Voter Registration Application (English PDF, Division of Elections Website).
Download a Florida Voter Registration Application (Spanish PDF, Division of Elections Website)

If you have questions, contact the Supervisor of Elections office: (407) 836-8683
With the primary and presidential elections around the corner, we hope you have plugged into the power of your vote to protect democracy. 

Jennifer and Phil Anderson are back! Thanks to their generosity, we are pleased to announce that any gift you make by November 5 will be doubled by a matching grant up to $25,000.

Click to DOUBLE your gift
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug 10, Sat, 10am-2pm
Gun Violence Prevention Comm. Smart Lock Giveaway
Location:
 4801 W Colonial Drive
Aug 14, Wed, Doors open EARLY 10:30AM
Hot Topics: Civil Discourse, not Civil War
$30 Members  $37 Guests
Winter Park Events Center
HOT TOPICS will open doors EARLY at 10:30am

Register for AUG 14 Hot Topics

Due to the large number of registrants, we will be opening the doors EARLY at 10:30am next Wednesday. With the presidential tickets now confirmed, it also means new targets for ugly rhetoric. There is another way. Join us for the Aug. 14 Hot Topics discussion, “Civil Discourse — Not Civil War.”

 
The moderator is Teresa Jacobs, chair of the Orange County Public School Board. Panelists include former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who served Florida’s 7th congressional district for six years; Dick Batchelor, political consultant and author of Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times; Dr. Joel Hunter, chair of The Pledge of Central Florida campaign; and Dr. Haley Winston, director of the UCF offices of Civil Discourse and Engagement and Public Policy Events within the Ginsburg Center for Inclusion and Community Engagement. Extended biographies are available on the Hot Topics webpage.
 
Lora Fegley
 
Share this newsletter and invite your family and social circles to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Orange County!
Thank you for the generous donation to the LWVOC Fund:
 
Barbara Shell
 
Lisa A. Mausner
 
Anonymous
 
Anonymous
 
Visit our Donor page to see the many different ways you can support the League of Women Voters of Orange County.  Double Your Gift Campaign happening now!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Special Alert!  The Voter Services team is fielding multiple requests for Leaguers to "table" at community events with voting information and they invite all members to join their efforts!
 
To register voters, members must pass the certification test and then they can volunteer at events. Certification training and testing information can be found on the Voter Services Committee page CLICK HERE
 
New Voter Services members will be partnered with experienced members at tabling events and community activities to learn how to engage citizens as well as become familiar with the various policies and procedures we must follow. Click on the committee link above or reach out to our Co-Chairs if you'd like to learn more:  Kathy Sheerin or Gina Hall 
SIGN UP HERE!  Members, be sure you're logged into the system and visit our site page for ALL the available openings.
ADOPT-A-PRECINCT
LAST PUSH!  Just 5 more spots to fill! Adopt-a-Precinct League volunteers spend LONG hours staffing precincts on election day and it's not convenient for them to dash out to grab food.  Instead, we have another team (hopefully, you'll be a member of it) that brings in snacks, drinks, and meals for them.  Here's the precincts that we're staffing on AUG 20.  Sign up today:
Feed Our Precincts-#202   *1 spot open
Contact Anne Coppenhaver
ccoppenhaver@me.com if you have questions.
QUICK FACT:  Between spring 2020 and June 2024, our 220+ precinct volunteers have clocked in 4400+ hours.  By volunteering that work, our volunteers have raised $55k+ for LWVOC!   A round of applause, please, for these phenomenal volunteers as well as the teams who feed them.  Use the information above to join their efforts!

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.

Why Give?  Your financial support fuels our mission to educate, empower, and advocate for informed and active voters. As we strive to build a democracy that works for everyone, your donation becomes a catalyst for positive change. Your gift supports:

Voter Empowerment: We are dedicated to providing unbiased and comprehensive information to voters. Your donation bolsters information and education initiatives, allowing voters to make more informed choices at the ballot box.

Civic Engagement Programs: Our community outreach and educational programs encourage active participation in civic life. Your support helps organize events and community forums that foster dialogue and engagement among community members.

Advocating for Democracy: The League of Women Voters of Orange County is a relentless advocate for policies that enhance democracy and protect the rights of all citizens. Your gift adds your voice as an advocate for positive change.

Accessible Elections: We work tirelessly to ensure that elections are accessible to all citizens. Your gift helps eliminate barriers to voting and promotes fair and inclusive elections.

 Ways You Can Make a Difference

One-Time Gift: A single gift has a significant impact on our programs and initiatives.

Sustaining Gift: Join our community of sustaining donors by making a monthly, quarterly or annual commitment to support our goal for a vibrant democracy.

Corporate  or Individual Sponsorship: Partner with us to promote social responsibility and contribute to the betterment of our community.
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