Thursday, April 19, 2012
The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle.
The League began as a "mighty political experiment" designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. It encouraged them to use their new power to participate in shaping public policy. From the beginning, the League has been an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy. It was then, and is now, a nonpartisan organization. League founders believed that maintaining a nonpartisan stance would protect the fledgling organization from becoming mired in the party politics of the day. However, League members were encouraged to be political themselves, by educating citizens about, and lobbying for, government and social reform legislation.
This holds true today. The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. The League has a long, rich history that continues with each passing year. -----LWVUS
A fundamental principle of the League is that we are a non-partisan organization. "Non Partisan" is not just empty words. These words say who we are, and what we should look like to the people we reach out to. It is a unique feature of our organization, as opposed to the other organizations in the political arena, and we should be proud of our nonpartisan status, and not allow any candidate for office or political party to get special treatment from us.
We stand by our commitment of not bringing campaign literature to our meetings and the wearing of political buttons. By the way the Veterans Centers standing rule of no political or religious literature in their building is strongly enforced. Our roster is confidential. While wearing of the League outerwear, pin, hat, or working in any League endeavors to bring a bias or personal preference of those running for office. What an individual member participates in politically is their choice as long as they keep it separate from the function as a member of the LWVM.
Our members are our greatest strength. It is important that every member practices the principles that are the bedrock of what the League stands for. When we keep true to the principles of our organization, we are at our best.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
CO-PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
April Presidents Remarks
SERIOUSLY, we are in dire need of your help. We are having a great concern in having all our members attend the Saturday, April 14th, 2012 League of Women Voters of Mesquite Annual meeting.
Four of the League’s Board members are committed to either scheduled training classes or in functions in Making Democracy Work issues and have been granted an absence.
We ask that all LWVM members PLEASE attend this most important meeting for the adoption of the distributed revised bylaws that our Bylaws Committee created and the election of the incoming 2012-2013 new League Board members that our Nomination Committee diligently put together. These items need a quorum to be accomplished.
Your attendance is required to take a forward step in our League business. Without your attendance at our meetings and not making the numbers for a quorum we are stifled in our works that so many have spent hours of their volunteered hours to put together.
Please mark your calendars.
Plan on being there, we sincerely need you there.
SERIOUSLY, we are in dire need of your help. We are having a great concern in having all our members attend the Saturday, April 14th, 2012 League of Women Voters of Mesquite Annual meeting.
Four of the League’s Board members are committed to either scheduled training classes or in functions in Making Democracy Work issues and have been granted an absence.
We ask that all LWVM members PLEASE attend this most important meeting for the adoption of the distributed revised bylaws that our Bylaws Committee created and the election of the incoming 2012-2013 new League Board members that our Nomination Committee diligently put together. These items need a quorum to be accomplished.
Your attendance is required to take a forward step in our League business. Without your attendance at our meetings and not making the numbers for a quorum we are stifled in our works that so many have spent hours of their volunteered hours to put together.
Please mark your calendars.
Plan on being there, we sincerely need you there.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
CO-PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
March2012, Co-president’s Message:
Good News - Most of our 2012 projects are progressing. The fashion show plans are almost complete. Now, we have to diligently pursue the sale of the tickets. 200 were printed, wouldn't be great to sell them all? Also any gifts for the raffle need to be recorded by Rosemary by Mar.15 so please let her know by then.
Our By-Laws committee has finished its work. Please read the document so that you will be prepared to vote at our April meeting. We know that the IRS has received our 501c3 application. We are awaiting further direction from them. It is a slow process. We may not get approval for a few months.
The Voters Guide committee is busy gathering information for distribution. The events committee may hold a meet and greet day for the candidates. The Education committee will try to register senior High School students in April. Project Feel Good collected several bins of toiletries. Last day to collect is March 15.
The Sponsored Membership project has already received $20 in donations. Remember donations may be made at any time. The nominating committee will announce their slate of officers in April. The membership will vote for officers at that meeting.
I would like to thank all the members for their efforts this year. Bravo to you all!
Good News - Most of our 2012 projects are progressing. The fashion show plans are almost complete. Now, we have to diligently pursue the sale of the tickets. 200 were printed, wouldn't be great to sell them all? Also any gifts for the raffle need to be recorded by Rosemary by Mar.15 so please let her know by then.
Our By-Laws committee has finished its work. Please read the document so that you will be prepared to vote at our April meeting. We know that the IRS has received our 501c3 application. We are awaiting further direction from them. It is a slow process. We may not get approval for a few months.
The Voters Guide committee is busy gathering information for distribution. The events committee may hold a meet and greet day for the candidates. The Education committee will try to register senior High School students in April. Project Feel Good collected several bins of toiletries. Last day to collect is March 15.
The Sponsored Membership project has already received $20 in donations. Remember donations may be made at any time. The nominating committee will announce their slate of officers in April. The membership will vote for officers at that meeting.
I would like to thank all the members for their efforts this year. Bravo to you all!
Friday, February 3, 2012
CO-PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Co-presidents Report:
Before the date of February 2, 2012 becomes a distant memory I would like to share several milestones that the LWVM reached on that date. The reason for doing so goes back to memories of last spring when before Ginny and I accepted the positions of Co-presidents we discussed what we wanted the League to be. Does that question sound familiar to some of you? For those who might have forgotten or are newer to our roster let me explain briefly that it was the question asked for our May Installation luncheon program. We wanted to know your thoughts of what your vision might be too.
Your voices expressed time honored traditions being maintained and actions of voter education and voter registration were to be utmost the goals. That became our challenge to marry new ideas with traditions.
We believe Membership is a key component. With every new member brings the possibilities of new ideas to the table. So on February 2, 2012 our once future voter Vanessa Giebink became our 37th League member. We are honored to have proudly registered her to vote as she turned 18 as well and look forward to the promise of what her membership will become. Later that same afternoon to add to our excitement Pat Schaller became our 38th member to join our League.
Next we believed we needed to become a 501( c)(3) tax exempt entity to not only maintain goals but to expand on our Voter Education and Voter Registration. It was time in the growth of this League to now do so. So formally on February 2, 2012 your Board took Minutes of the First Meeting of the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters Educational Project. We formally disbanded the 501( c)(3) Committee for the completion of that undertaking as we now await in good faith the Declaration from the IRS. Thank you to those committee members, Ginny Loomis, Rosemary Gary, Gracie Toval, Mina Stone in helping to take on this project. The new directors of the LWVMEP are Carmel Piquette and Ginny Loomis, Co-presidents, Anne Miranda, Vice-President, Gracie Toval, Treasurer and Mina Stone, Secretary. Their term of office ends on January 31st, 2013.
Another milestone was in the Board’s unanimous approval and acceptance of a new Committee called the Sponsored Membership Program with a mission to administer a partial monetary assistance for those needing a financial remedy towards the LWVM membership dues. Details on how it is funded will be discussed and voted on at the next general meeting.
Not bad for Ground Hog Day, 2012.
Carmel Piquette
Before the date of February 2, 2012 becomes a distant memory I would like to share several milestones that the LWVM reached on that date. The reason for doing so goes back to memories of last spring when before Ginny and I accepted the positions of Co-presidents we discussed what we wanted the League to be. Does that question sound familiar to some of you? For those who might have forgotten or are newer to our roster let me explain briefly that it was the question asked for our May Installation luncheon program. We wanted to know your thoughts of what your vision might be too.
Your voices expressed time honored traditions being maintained and actions of voter education and voter registration were to be utmost the goals. That became our challenge to marry new ideas with traditions.
We believe Membership is a key component. With every new member brings the possibilities of new ideas to the table. So on February 2, 2012 our once future voter Vanessa Giebink became our 37th League member. We are honored to have proudly registered her to vote as she turned 18 as well and look forward to the promise of what her membership will become. Later that same afternoon to add to our excitement Pat Schaller became our 38th member to join our League.
Next we believed we needed to become a 501( c)(3) tax exempt entity to not only maintain goals but to expand on our Voter Education and Voter Registration. It was time in the growth of this League to now do so. So formally on February 2, 2012 your Board took Minutes of the First Meeting of the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters Educational Project. We formally disbanded the 501( c)(3) Committee for the completion of that undertaking as we now await in good faith the Declaration from the IRS. Thank you to those committee members, Ginny Loomis, Rosemary Gary, Gracie Toval, Mina Stone in helping to take on this project. The new directors of the LWVMEP are Carmel Piquette and Ginny Loomis, Co-presidents, Anne Miranda, Vice-President, Gracie Toval, Treasurer and Mina Stone, Secretary. Their term of office ends on January 31st, 2013.
Another milestone was in the Board’s unanimous approval and acceptance of a new Committee called the Sponsored Membership Program with a mission to administer a partial monetary assistance for those needing a financial remedy towards the LWVM membership dues. Details on how it is funded will be discussed and voted on at the next general meeting.
Not bad for Ground Hog Day, 2012.
Carmel Piquette
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
CO-PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
CoPresident’s message:
As we start this new year I hope this will be the best for you personally
and for the league as well. Although we are only half way through our
fiscal year in the league. I’m so proud of the achievements made so
far. Some of the goals yet to be achieved are: completion of our
501c3 status, registration of senior H.S. students as well as new
residents to our community,and amending our by-laws so that they
comply with our growth as a league. We are always looking to increase
our membership as well.
The fund raising committee has been very busy . They will need all
of us to help with the fashion show. Please volunteer your assistance.
The education committee is looking for additional members as well. We
will need to form a by- laws committee to help with the needed
revisions. I envision a busy but fruitful new year.
May 2012 bring you good health and much happiness in all you do!
Respectfully,
Ginny Loomis
1/6/12
As we start this new year I hope this will be the best for you personally
and for the league as well. Although we are only half way through our
fiscal year in the league. I’m so proud of the achievements made so
far. Some of the goals yet to be achieved are: completion of our
501c3 status, registration of senior H.S. students as well as new
residents to our community,and amending our by-laws so that they
comply with our growth as a league. We are always looking to increase
our membership as well.
The fund raising committee has been very busy . They will need all
of us to help with the fashion show. Please volunteer your assistance.
The education committee is looking for additional members as well. We
will need to form a by- laws committee to help with the needed
revisions. I envision a busy but fruitful new year.
May 2012 bring you good health and much happiness in all you do!
Respectfully,
Ginny Loomis
1/6/12
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