The Voter

June/July 2024

President's Remarks

On May 18th, we held our annual meeting luncheon at Malcolm’s Grill in Daytona. It was terrific to see so many members there to conduct the League’s business and to enjoy our fabulous guest speaker, Claire Metz. During the meeting, we elected a slate of new officers including 2nd vice president Nancy Vaughn, secretary Deb Ulmer, treasurer, Ken Fischer, director Olga Hernandes, and two first-time board directors Debbie Parker, and Sandra Jones. I also want to recognize current board members Clay Meek and Nancy Nusbaum who are stepping away from their board responsibilities. Clay has served as our 2nd vice president, legislative chair, and budget chair. Nancy has served as our fearless voter service chair. Many thanks to Clay and Nancy for their dedicated service to our organization. Both have assured me they are not wandering far and will stay involved in our work.

In July, the 2024-25 board will hold its annual planning retreat to set the direction for the coming year. As part of that meeting, we will make decisions about program topics and speakers and we welcome member input and ideas. If you have suggestions, please email Carla Christianson at reclaim4all@gmail.com.

To end our fiscal year, we are planning two exciting events in June. Volusia Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis will be our guest speaker on June 25th. On June 7th, members are invited to join us for an evening sunset boat tour on the Indian River Lagoon. For more information, see the events section in this edition of the Voter.

Of course, our main focus for summer and fall is the election. Our election related services include preparation of our Vote411 voter guide, voter assistance tables at events throughout the county, speakers bureau presentations on election readiness and the proposed constitutional amendments, and candidates forums including a school board forum co-sponsored by the League and the African American Leadership Council. These activities are only possible through the commitment of our volunteers. If any member is interested in helping in any of these activities, please contact me at president@lwvvc.org.

As we close out the year, I am grateful to our members for always stepping up to support our work whenever the need arises. Your membership is critical to our organization and as a reminder, it is time to renew our dues, if you have not already done so. To renew your dues, go to our webpage and click the JOIN button on the top of the page where you can renew via PayPal or send us a check at the address provided on the website. Again, it is a privilege to serve as your president and I thank each of you for being part of the League.

In League,

Nicki Junkins, President

Nonpartisanship Policy

As we focus on this year's elections, it is important for us all to keep in mind that The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization. You can read about this policy in detail HERE.

Jean Anne Snyder passed away on Easter morning at home surrounded by those who loved her. Jean was a WAC Women’s Army Corp sergeant and reporter. She worked 30 years at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with students from all over the world, and she was a proud League of Women Voters of Volusia County member and activist. Jean served as Natural Resources Chair, was on the Board of Directors, and served as President from 1998-1999. Her infectious enthusiasm and passion for nature and people in general was an assistance to people and our league. Rest in peace, Jean. You’ve earned it.

On May 18, LWVVC held its annual meeting luncheon at Malcolm's Grill in Daytona. This is our only business meeting with members during the year. During the meeting, attendees heard an update on the League's work from President Nicki Junkins, voted on a 2024-25 budget, program position changes, and elected a slate of officers and directors. Newly elected board members include Nancy Vaughn, 2nd vice president, Deb Ulmer, secretary, Ken Fischer, treasurer, Olga Hernandez, director and two first time directors Debbie Parker and Sandra Jones. Following lunch, guest speaker, Claire Metz, veteran WESH 2 journalist, was the highlight of the day!

Please join us for an informational evening with Lisa Lewis, Volusia County Supervisor of Elections!



We are fortunate to have Ms. Lewis during this busy time. She is an excellent speaker and the most knowledgeable about the League’s main focus—voting!

This is our chance to learn about:

   This election cycle progress

   Impact of new regulations

   Possible concerns about Vote by Mail

   Expectations about Early Voting and

   Election Day

   What we can do to help the SOE office

   Answers to your questions

The League of Women Voters mission is to educate voters so we encourage you to bring a friend or neighbor to our meetings!

WHEN - Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

WHERE - Port Orange Public Library, 1005 City Center Circle, in Port Orange

Optional Dinner - Houligan's, 1396 Dunlawton Avenue, in Port Orange

RSVP by June 22 to Jeane Tanke - jeanne622lwvvc@gmail.com

Friends and neighbors are welcome. Be sure to let Jeanne know you are coming and if you want to join us for dinner

Indian River Lagoon Sunset Boat Tour

Explore the Lagoon with the League!

The boat is filled - join the wait list below!

Travel the Indian River Lagoon in the comfort of a 40-passenger Discovery pontoon boat and explore the variety of species that call the lagoon home. Our tour guide on the 2-hour journey will be one of the friendly certified Florida naturalists. As your captain skillfully navigates the backwaters of the lagoon, you will experience Florida’s natural beauty while learning about conservation efforts to preserve and protect North America’s most biologically diverse estuary.

Dolphins, sea turtles, and a wide variety of bird life are often seen during these tours. You may even see manatees and our rookery islands are alive with bird nesting activity.

The boat is handicap accessible. The tour is 2 hours and you will not be leaving the boat.

WHEN - Friday, June 7, 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Boat departs at 6 pm. Please arrive by 5:45 pm

WHERE - 116 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach

Cost: $25 per person (Special LWVVC price, normally $35), Snacks and beverages provided!

The boat is filled. If you want to be on the cancellation list, please email

Carla Christianson reclaim4all@gmail.com

What to Bring: Your camera! Water, soft drinks, and light snacks will be provided but feel free to bring (non-alcoholic beverages) something if you prefer. This is a covered boat with open sides. Dress for the weather; a windbreaker or light sweatshirt is always a good option.

Membership Outreach Team

Are you a new member of the LWVVC?  I want to talk to you!

I look forward to giving you a thorough orientation to our wonderful League of Women Voters of Volusia Country. We can do it over the phone, meet for a cup of coffee, or gather several new members from the same area together.  

This meeting will help you to learn about all the ways that you can get involved, the various educational programs, and ways to join a team. You will also hear about how you can become a part of the Local Leaguers group closest to your neighborhood. You joined the League for a reason, now let me help you find your perfect spot! We are happy you have joined, and I would like this opportunity to welcome you personally. 

Call, text, or email me and I will set this meeting up at a time that works for you.

Local Leaguers Get Ready! 

Watch your emails for an invitation to upcoming June/July and August Programs. The topic will be the Florida Amendment 4, Right to Abortion Initiative (2024) These will be offered to encourage small group discussion and important initiatives the League has taken. This will be offered to all 4 Local Leaguers groups.

Bonnie Friedman, Membership Outreach Chair

407-312-4944 bonnietunes@yahoo.com

Education Action Team

Members of the Education Action Team had an important well-attended meeting with the Volusia Schools Chief Financial Officer, Todd Seis, on May 20^th at the District offices on Olson Drive. The meeting was at the request of the team with specific questions submitted in advance.

Members were very concerned about school staffing changes following the district rezonings that affected 22 schools. The League had expressed concern about the schools being able to successfully reconfigure the student body in some schools, especially those with large numbers. School principals will already be challenged to accomplish this without a major realignment of staffing.

Mr. Seis explained the rationale for the staffing changes and the move to school-based decision making. The shift to school-based funding is a major change in school leadership authority and responsibility. The Ed Team members, especially those who have many years of school experience, asked questions, and listened to answers.

Volusia Schools were historically staffed using district funds in excess of those provided by the state. The new formula uses the state Base Student Allocation and staffing model as the foundation for allocations of personnel.

In addition to Mr. Seis, Kristy Castellanos, Elementary School Specialist, and Dr. Julio Narrio-Valle, Chief Academic Officer, were there to answer our questions. We learned about the budgeting and staffing allocations as well as how it was applied at identified schools. Team members wanted to know that art, music, and media services were available at all elementary schools. And how much were principals allowed to vary the offerings?

We expressed concern about some school populations needing special resources and community support. We agreed that we will revisit this topic and the success of the changes around the same time next year.



Ed Team members were very appreciative of the time that Mr. Seis and district staff spent answering our concerns.

For information: patddrago@aol.com Join us!

Pat Drago - Chair

Women's Rights Action Team

Growth Management Action Team

Thank you to the Growth Management Action Team members who participated in our planning efforts this past year, particularly those who helped formulate the changes to our League’s local government program position. 

I am pleased to report and appreciative of our membership’s vote of approval at our annual meeting. This will be helpful as we continue to monitor our county’s and cities’ resiliency efforts. Enjoy summer and let’s hope for a safe and uneventful storm season!

If you would like to be involved with the GMAT, please contact saraleemorrissey@gmail.com

Chair - Saralee Morrissey

Natural Resources Action Team

The Natural Resources and the Growth Management Teams had a great turnout for our presentation “Volusia’s Beaches: Past, Present, and Future” on April 25th. It was standing room only as we heard presentations detailing how beaches naturally work, ways stop erosion, and the funding and plans Volusia County has for beach restoration. The video of the event will help us to understand our beaches and what we want them to be.

SPEAKERS: Suzanne Konchan, Volusia County Deputy County Manager; Jessica Fentress, P.E., Director of the Coastal Division of Volusia County; and Dr. Kevin Bodge, senior vice-president, and co-principal engineer of Olsen Assoc. Inc., specializing in coastal and oceanographic engineering.

If you were unable to attend this live program, you may now view the video recording HERE

Reach out to Nancy Vaughn to get involved and with questions: nancyvaughn411@msn.com

Nancy Vaughn - Chair

CALLING ALL SPEAKERS FOR THE SPEAKERS BUREAU TEAM

The League of Women Voters of Volusia County Speakers Bureau is gearing up for a very busy summer and fall. We will be helping out Voter Service with Candidate Forums, Amendment Presentations, programs about voting, as well as our other topics such as Civics and Critical Thinking, Voter Empowerment 2024, What is the League of Women Voters and more. 

Recently we have had numerous requests from groups wanting to know who we are and what we do. Lately, groups want to know about the amendments, and we will be involved, so far, in two candidates forums. 

Do you have a desire to join our team? We have training, usually have at least two people at every speaking event, provide you materials and support. This is a critical year, and everyone is asking about issues and voting. 

Call me if you’d like to help. I can be reached at 386-235-3957 or email at ahsmith5@bellsouth.net.

Ann Smith

Speakers Bureau Chair

Observer Corps Reports

We need more Observers! Please consider becoming an Observer at one of our municipal or county meetings in Volusia County. You can share the responsibility with another LWVVC member. The function of the Observer Corps is to attend and observe meetings, and submit short reports for The Voter.

If you want to become an Observer and learn what this responsibility entails, please contact Susan Bayley at susancbayley@gmail.com. 

To view a PDF of the observer reports submitted by the Observer Corps members, please click HERE. You can download and read at your leisure.