By Janice Garry
Dear Communications Chair,
Let’s call May “Motivation Month.” (I love alliteration!) There’s a lot to motivate us in May, both sticks and carrots. Let’s start with carrots.
On May 23 at 6 p.m. we will be having our Annual Meeting for the first time since COVID. Hurrah! We’ll get to chat and catch up, enjoy a tasty dinner and have our business meeting. It will be fun and gratifying to see the marvelous people who do the good work of the League and welcome new members and leadership. Can you tell I’m excited? Today's the deadline, so be sure to RSVP if you haven't already.
Now for sticks. On May 1, Florida’s six week ban on abortion went into effect. It is hard to fathom the effect that will have on so many women, their families, and our communities. On the November 5 ballot, we will have an opportunity to make abortion a constitutional right. Not only do we as individuals need to vote, we need to motivate all voters to return the right for women to choose their own reproductive care. Get involved with the Yes on 4 campaign, and vote yes on Amendment 4.
There’s another stick. As a reminder, in 2023, a state bill wrested local control of GRU to governor-appointed “Authority” members. On May 16 and 23, the city commission will be voting on an ordinance that would revoke the GRU Authority from the city charter. The ordinance requires a supermajority of six of the seven commissioners to pass at each meeting. If that happens, on November 5, Gainesville voters will have the opportunity to dissolve the GRU Authority and return the governance of our public utility to our LOCAL elected officials. Our league strongly urges voters to vote yes in the name of democracy and home rule.
Let’s end with a carrot. Your league is involved and will help you be involved. Frequently, on the Action Alert tab of our website, there will be information about a current, important topic followed by actions you can take in about ten minutes. I urge you to set your calendar for each Tuesday, to check the Action Alert page. Then share it with your friends. People do not have to be League members to be informed and act. Start now.
I hope to see your smiling faces on May 23.
In League,
Janice
janice.garry@gmail.com
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Annual Meeting: RSVP by 5/15 | |
LWVAC Annual Meeting
All LWVAC members are invited to our 2024 Annual Meeting on May 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville. The event will cost $23 per person. The deadline to RSVP is May 15. This is the most important event of the year - don't miss it!
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Nominees for LWVAC board
The Nominating Committee is offering the membership the following nominations for a vote at the Annual Meeting:
- Secretary: Diane Dimperio
- Elected director: Mickie Anderson
- Elected director: Diana Boxer
- Nominating Committee Members: Donna Waller, Elaine Francis, Candy Birch
Additional nominations from the floor will also be welcomed. The positions have two-year terms, which begin in June.
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Complete the EV Survey
The LWVAC Natural Resources Committee wants to improve our efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, or EVs. Please help us by completing this short, two-question survey:
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LWVAC is gearing up for an important and busy election year in 2024. We have created an Action Team focusing on Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. Please contact Janice if you would like to be involved.
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Meet & Mobilize Collaborative Initiative
This initiative was formed from the Meet & Mobilize event in January. The collaborative is made up of nonpartisan community organizations to create meaningful partnerships as we enter the 2024 election season through education, engagement and empowerment. Learn more here and if you would like more information or to join our mailing list, please send your email address to Yvette Carter and Gwendolyn Saffo.
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League at the Library needs helpers
League at the Library, a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiative, is currently tabling once a month for two hours at 10 Alachua County library branches. This program is increasing League visibility throughout the county while allowing us to engage with current and future voters in a relaxed atmosphere at their neighborhood library. More volunteers are needed to continue this outreach until the election in November. Can you spare two hours to table at a League at the Library event? Contact Voter Services.
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Why Florida Should Expand Medicaid
By Diane Dimperio
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed to improve the health of Americans. A key strategy in the law is improving access to health care which, in America, means providing affordable high quality health insurance. Florida Medicaid eligibility is limited to specific populations like pregnant women and children, but the ACA offers the opportunity to expand Medicaid to low-income adults. Florida is one of only 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid, so it should not be surprising that it ranked 47th in the percentage of residents with insurance and 48th in the nation for access to care. This article summarizes just a few of the many reasons Florida should expand Medicaid. Read more...
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The Economics of Climate Action Plans
By Hannah Wing, LWVAC Natural Resources Intern
Climate action plans (CAPs) are robust policy tools that outline the future of a community in the face of climate change. Research and focused case studies of Fort Collins, Colorado and Miami, Florida reveal that taking climate action can contribute to the growth of the green economy, avoid future losses in GDP, and reduce avoidable deaths due to air pollution and extreme heat. The economic costs are personnel and budget for creation and implementation, as well as the cost of shifting industries. By outlining small steps and quantifying savings for each initiative, cities can clear ambiguity and gain support for CAPs. Read more...
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Volunteer Appreciation Week was April 21-27
By Abbie Campbell, UF Student Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart and soul of any volunteer organization, and LWVAC is no exception. While some volunteers are visible in their roles as leaders, advocates, and organizers, many work tirelessly behind the scenes to make LWVAC run smoothly. During this Volunteer Appreciation Week, we thank all of our volunteers and would like to introduce you to just a few of them. Read more...
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Need a speaker? We've got 'em
The Speakers Bureau is ready and eager to speak to interested groups. Contact Candy Birch if you know of a group that needs our speakers. Nonpartisan, educational talks range from voter empowerment and voting in Alachua County to
National Popular Vote, "What Is the League?", and more.
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Santa Fe College Chapter
Linda Mussillo, LWVSF liaison/adviser
Caitlin Holmes, LWVSF chapter president
The LWV chapter at Santa Fe College had a rich April. Events included two days of tabling at the well-attended and popular Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival. An inspiring video featuring Santa Fe College students was completed in April by outgoing President Baylee Van Doran. New officers (President Caitlin Holmes and VP Gianna Rivera) are now in place for an exciting, full fall which will see a general election candidate forum and early voting at SF College, and lots of Get Out the Vote activities!
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University of Florida Chapter
Diana Boxer, LWVUF liaison/adviser
Stefanie Gadalean, LWVUF chapter president
The LWV chapter at University of Florida spent the month of April preparing for finals and will be taking the summer off while some members attend LWV National Convention and others participate in internships, etc. Contact Stefanie if you would like to get involved in the Fall.
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Contact: Gwendolyn Saffo
The Gun Violence Prevention & Safety Committee monthly meeting is set for Tuesday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. We have moved forward from our "Listen & Learn" series, and are ready to move closer to the action portion of this committee. We will discuss future speakers, upcoming events, and next steps. Come prepared to provide your ideas on how this committee can effectively move forward. Recordings of prior meetings are available for viewing on our website.
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Contact: Barbara Frentzen or Kim Walsh-Childers
The Health Care Committee met on 5/13 at Oak Hammock.
- Since UF Health has recently become an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) for patients with traditional Medicare, we are learning the background with an understanding of how an ACO functions. A speaker from UF will present their ACO to us at our June 10 meeting.
- Medicaid Unwinding has been extended by CMS until June 2025. A class action lawsuit against Florida’s handling of the unwinding was set to begin on May 13 but was postponed and has not been rescheduled.
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Candy Birch reported on a Yes on 4 rally she attended in Gainesville.
- We are planning to collect Medicaid Expansion petitions with tabling events by Voter Services and at League at the Library events. Diane Dimperio will lead the efforts to get petitions signed.
- We discussed the growing problems with Medicare Advantage plans and again confirmed our interest in educating the community about those potential problems. We would like to target persons close to retirement. After several suggestions were discussed, we decided to let the ideas percolate and revisit them in June.
Our next meeting is June 10 at 4 pm in Conference Room A at Oak Hammock. Everyone is welcome.
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Contact: Janice Garry
The Matheson Ad Hoc Committee met on May 2. While details are not yet settled, the League partnership with the Matheson is a unique opportunity to reach the broad public during the Voices and Votes exhibits. If you would like to help with planning or would be available from June 19 - October to attend Voice and Votes events, contact Janice. This will be a lot of fun and can help motivate people to vote this election season.
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Contact: Jay Rosenbek or Roberta Gastmeyer
At NR's last meeting, committee intern Hannah Wing presented her findings after studying the economic implications of Climate Action Plans. The presentation was both interesting and educational. You can read the full report here.
The NR committee's meetings occur in response to emerging threats to the environment or as special opportunities for education and advocacy arise.
While Jay and Roberta have extended their term of NR Committee leadership until May 2025, we are recruiting new committee leadership beginning in June 2025, and both Jay and Roberta will happily mentor the League member or members willing to step up. Contact Roberta or Jay if you would consider being the next leader(s) of the NR committee, want more information or have suggestions, questions or comments.
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Contact: Mary White
The May meeting featured Gwendolyn Saffo, LWVAC VP and chair of the LWVAC Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Committee and Rebecca Darnell, Legislative Lead for Moms Demand Action Alachua County with an update on Florida's gun laws and a brief overview of our League's work on gun violence issues.
Oak Hammock will not meet in the summer. Our next meeting will be in September. Watch for announcements.
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Contact: Diana Boxer or Gwen Wagner
Voter Services co-chairs Diana and Gwen will have completed their terms leading the committee by the end of May. They are turning over the reins to the capable hands of committee member, Dillon Boatner. Diana will represent the League for the upcoming primary and general election forums (6/23 and 9/22). Gwen will continue to manage our section of VOTE411. Best wishes to Dillon!!
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LWVAC T-Shirts Available
As part of our GOTV efforts, we are creating LWVAC-branded products for you to purchase and show your support of LWVAC while encouraging those around you to Get Out The Vote. The first products to launch are t-shirts. See the full selection of t-shirts here. Watch for more products in the future.
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Changes ahead for dues-paying process
Nothing is constant but change and that holds true for how LWVAC members pay their member dues too. The LWVUS will launch a new nationwide member portal in January 2025. We'll link to the new portal from the LWVAC website and you may still join or renew by mail, if that's your preference. Your dues expiration date won't change, but dues amounts and donation methods are expected to change. More to come!
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Re-request your Vote by Mail ballot
Please be aware that ALL Vote by Mail applications expired in December 2022. Now everyone must re-enroll in Vote by Mail every two years. The new state Vote by Mail form went into effect April 17. You can still sign up for Vote by Mail online. You can check your Registration and Vote by Mail status here.
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Important Election Dates
Municipal Elections
Aug. 20: Gainesville
Nov. 5: High Springs
Dec. 3: Waldo
Primary Election
Election Day: Aug. 20
Deadline to register or update party affiliation: July 22
Early Voting: Aug. 5-17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
General Election
Election Day: Nov. 5
Deadline to Register: Oct. 7
Early Voting: Oct. 21-Nov. 2
Learn more at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections website.
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LWV of Alachua County Leadership Team
President: Janice Garry
Vice-President: Gwendolyn Saffo
Secretary: Eileen Roy
Treasurer: Anne D’Amico
A full list of LWV of Alachua County Board Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.
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To avoid missing future LWV of Alachua County email, please add our email address to your Safe Senders List or add the From address (communications@lwvac.ccsend.com) to your Address Book or Contacts. | | | | |
