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Date: 9/19/2024
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins


Author E.B. White wrote “… I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” With respect, I disagree with Mr. White. I am finding great joy in participating in the work of empowering voters and defending democracy. How fortunate we are to have the LWVOC and its partners, which allow us to find companions with whom we learn, have fun, and receive both encouragement and inspiration.
To find your place of joy, League members can check out Volunteer tab on our website. Others, why not join or support us and find your joy as well!
Yours in Service,
Kathy, LWVOC President
(shown below right at a recent tabling event)
 
 
LWVOC at Orlando Shakes
Join our League President and others on Friday, October 4 for Opening Night of What the Constitution Means to Me at Orlando Shakes. We will be tabling before and after the performance for which we have a block of ten seats ($30 pp tickets.) For more information and to claim a ticket contact president@lwvoc.org. (Note: Performance is at Edyth Bush Theatre while Shakes gets a new roof.)
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER
Janet Ziomek, Treasurer
Janet has over 40 years of finance and accounting expertise in both corporate and non-profit organizations.  Janet has held roles as Senior Manager with Ernst and Young, Chief Financial Officer of a publicly held healthcare company, Senior Vice President of Human Capital for a division of a Fortune 50 company and Senior Vice President of a Boston-based technology firm. She is retired and currently serves on a part time basis as Senior Financial Advisor and Project Manager at the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange.
Click HERE for more bio information on all our LWVOC Board members.
Also, we want to thank our previous Treasurer, Karen Willis, for the innumerable hours she's volunteered to keep our finances on track.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept 25, Gun Violence Prevention Mtg Zoom
SPECIAL guest: Dr. Phyllis Ottley
Asst. Director of Nat'l CDC Division of Violence Prevention; Contact Linda Coffin for admission to meeting: lcoffin@bellsouth.net
 
OCT 15, Fall League Showcase, 6PM
New Member Welcome to the League
Winter Park Community Center
Orlando Super Saturday Canvass on September 21st, this Saturday, at 10 am at the First Unitarian Church off of Robinson Event link: https://www.mobilize.us/yes4florida/event/685537/
For all their events: https://linktr.ee/yes4florangecounty

TONIGHT!
Politics on Tap at Rollins College, hosted by Democracy Project
SEPT 19 Thurs,  6-7:30pm at Dave's Boathouse
Subject for panel discussion: Populism and Polarization.
All Leaguers are welcome!

PRIDE PARADE OCTOBER 19  SAVE THE DATE

LWVOC will march around Lake Eola again in Orlando’s Pride Parade on Saturday, October 19 at 4 pm.  The DEIA committee invites you to “Come Out With Pride” as allies of the LGBTQ community, celebrating our healthy democracy that requires all voices to be included, respected and heard.  Sign-up and details will be in next week’s newsletter. Questions, TEXT Summer Ellis at (703-244-1231)
Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Sept 15-Oct 15 and we're recognizing it by hosting our second annual Hispanic Heritage themed Hot Topics.  Register early HERE as we expect this to be another highly attended event!  Visit our Hot Topics page for all the details including bios of our panelists.
Join the DEIA Committee in honoring the contributions and accomplishments of the Hispanic community by celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15). It's an opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy the  rich and complex cultures that make up the Hispanic diaspora. We know that nearly 35% of central Florida's population identifies as Hispanic or Latinx and represents one of the fastest growing communities in the United States. 
Follow the link to learn more about local festivities, dining and exhibits: visitorlando.com/blog/post/hispanic-heritage-month-orlando/: 
BE VOTE READY
Orange County Charter Amendments
LWOVC supports all 10 Orange County Charter Amendments. Many thanks to Kay Hudson (Natural Resources) and Karolyn Campbell and  Sandy McAdams (Government) for bringing together a group to study the 10 proposed Orange County Charter Amendments. The group made recommendations to the Board and began crafting informative language for our VOTE411.org team to make available to all Orange County voters. The Board is grateful for the recommendations which they reviewed and accepted, including a recommendation to create a LWVOC Redistricting Task Force if the amendment triggering redistricting passes.

Be sure to prepare! This November’s ballot will be 5 pages long. There are lots of ballot questions. 6 for the state. 10 for the Orange County Charter. And…. More!
Even if you’re already registered, it’s a good idea to CHECK your registration. Visit VOTE411.org/check-registration by OCT 7 to confirm your registration information in case you need to update it.
WATCH the candidates on the LWVOC YouTube Channel HERE. From recorded candidate forums, you can watch the candidates in action to help you make your final ballot decision.
Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney  Candidates: Andrew Bain and Monique Worrell
Orange County Supervisor of Elections  Candidates: Karen Castor Dentel, Dan Helm, Wes Hodge, Sunshine Linda-Marie Grund
Ninth Judicial Circuit Judgeship Group 15 Candidates: Jeff Ashton and Alicia Peyton
District 5 Orange County Commissioner Forum Candidates: Steve Leary (did not participate in forum) and Kelly Semrad
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Marilyn Baldwin accepts the Proclamation of Disability Voting Rights Act Week from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Marilyn, a Co-Chair of LWVOC's DEIA Committee is joined by (shown L-R)  LWVOC President, Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Marilyn, Mayor Demings, and 1st Vice-President, Lee Rambeau Kemp.
VOLUNTEERING & GOTV
Sara Rich volunteered at a tabling event recently with the League of Women Voters; it was also a lake/park clean up event with Keep Orlando Beautiful and she brought along her daughters.
Make it a family affair the next time you want to teach the values of volunteerism and VOTING!
LWVOC was at last Saturday's Ballots & Bites, a voter outreach hosted by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority at the Dr. JR Smith Neighborhood Center in Orlando. Leaguer Denise Burton opened the program with Decision 2024, our state amendments presentation, and a panel discussion followed with local voting advocates including Desmond Meade of FRRC. Tabling was provided by LWVOC volunteers Saudi Ellis, Mary Horne, Nancy Trulson, and Melinda Wright.
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.  The system has been updated and you will see at the top right the toggle to ALL 3 pages of volunteering opportunities.
 
Ina Denton

Stanley Stewart

Nancy Bardoe
 
Share this newsletter and invite your family and social circles to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Orange County!
Karen Castor Dentel,  in honor of her mother Betty Castor, a longtime member of the League, who showed her the importance of being civically engaged.
 
Rachel Allen
 
Karen L. Broussard
 
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!
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

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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