Date: 1/1/2026
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins

Happy New Year from the League of Women Voters of Orange County!

As we welcome the New Year, we thank you for being part of a community committed to informed participation, civic engagement, and a stronger democracy here in Orange County.

The year ahead will bring important conversations, critical decisions, and new opportunities to make our voices heard. Together, we will continue to educate voters, advocate for good governance, and empower our neighbors with the information they need to participate confidently in our democracy.

We’re grateful for your support, your curiosity, and your belief that democracy works best when everyone is informed and involved.

Here’s to a New Year of learning, listening, and leading—together.

*Take time to view our short video filled with a year's worth of memories HERE on YouTube. Also, a bonus recap of our successful year of Hot Topics programs HERE.

MUCH APPRECIATION to the last of our generous 2025 donors:

Stephanie Garber and David M. Collins Susan Morris

Gloria D. Pickar, Giving Society in honor of Lee Rambeau Kemp

Anonymous, in memory of former Co-President Carol Davis

Lawrence M. Epstein Elizabeth K. Bosserman, Giving Society

Lynn C. Hartle

LWVOC offers multiple ways to $upport our non-profit with giving preferences such as "planned giving" as well as our "Giving Society". Explore these and more on our Giving page HERE Contact Lee Rambeau Kemp. if you have questions.

And we're off to a busy 2026!

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

Scott Feneck

Share this newsletter and encourage your friends and family to JOIN HERE

SAVE THE DATE!!

We'll be discussing League options for advocacy in 2026. Add your VOICE to these important conversations.

Muzzled: A Siege on Speech
HOT TOPICS, January 14

Register HERE
Free speech doesn’t feel as free anymore. The news media are becoming shackled by a lack of funding, direct attacks from public officials and a loss of support from the business community. Among the issues to be discussed at Hot Topics:
--How federal funding has been eliminated for public television and radio stations and what Central Florida Public Media is doing to cover that gap.
--How media can gain the trust of readers and viewers.
--Legislative initiatives this year that aim to speed up requests for public records and reverse or curb book bans in public schools.
--A pattern of state agencies and companies holding employees accountable for social media comments considered offensive.

The moderator is Charley Williams, a former president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County. Panelists include Judith Smelser, president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media (formerly WMFE); Bob Shaw, a retired editor for the Orlando Sentinel who serves on the board of directors for the Florida First Amendment Foundation, and Greg Herbert, a Greenberg Traurig attorney who specializes in media law.

Calling all NEW members as well as Leaguers who would like a "refresher" course on League advocacy opportunities. Join the Virtual New Member Orientation on JAN 7, 6pm. Log into the system and REGISTER HERE.

Save the date: Jan 17 from 1p-4p
Join League members and others in celebration of Dr King's dream and spirit of the Eatonville community as we march in the 49th annual MLK Parade. More information to follow.

Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community and we have a range of sponsorship levels available. To further explore how to become a sponsor, please contact LWVOC Vice President and Fund Development Chair Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE

Also, check out our NEW Fund Development Committee page if you'd like to become more involved in our efforts.

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