2024 ANNUAL MEETING
April 8 @ 10:00-11:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Please join us for the LWVCC's Annual Meeting on April 8th at 10:00 AM at Tiburon Golf Club. During the Annual Meeting, we will elect a new Board of Directors and Officers, vote on program plans and conduct other important League business. We also will recognize our Outstanding Community Partner and the LWVCC's "Unsung Hero". There is no cost to attend the Annual Meeting. The General Meeting & Luncheon will follow at 11:30 AM. We hope to see you there.
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CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2024
April 20 @ 10:00-3:00
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
On April 20, 2024 we will be celebrating Earth Day at The Conservancy. The event will be from 10-3. Our League will have a table showcasing the activities of the Environmental Affairs Committee, the Plastics Task Force and Voter Services. This is a wonderful event to meet the community and join League members discussing our activities. Please volunteer to join us at the table and spread the word. You can sign up to volunteer via the LWVCC website or contact lynnsmartin14@gmail.com with questions.
VOLUNTEER FOR 2024 EARTH DAY
| APPROVED: AMENDMENT 4 / 6 WEEK ABORTION BAN
On Monday, April 1, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s proposed amendment to limit government interference with abortion meets the requirements for placement on the November 2024 ballot. This was the right decision for Floridians who believe in a government of, by and for the people, where the people can bring issues before the voters.
Floridians will now have the opportunity to reclaim their bodily autonomy and freedom from government interference by voting for Amendment 4 this November. The amendment requires 60% of favorable support to pass. The League of Women Voters of Florida celebrates this approval and is committed to doing everything possible to see the initiative succeed and invites all Floridians to join in this important fight for reproductive freedom.
Tragically, the Florida Supreme Court also released a decision on the case Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, et al. v. State of Florida, et al., challenging the constitutionality of the 15-week abortion ban and has ruled to break with precedent and block the suit from continuing. As a result, the six-week ban is now expected to go into effect on May 1, 2024.
| RETURNING CITIZENS POSTCARD PARTIES
April 11 @ 1:00-3:00
April 18 @ 1:00-300
The League of Women Voters of Florida is committed to helping returning Citizens regain the right to vote after completing their sentence. The State is a founding partner in getting Amendment 4 on the ballot in 2018, which overwhelmingly passed with 64% of the Florida Electorate. The League helped reduce fees and administrative costs returning citizens were required to pay. Cecile Scoon, LWVFL Co-President, established a state program to identify and educate returning citizens of their rights and developed training for attorneys to work pro bono for those in need.
Now the LWVCC again needs your help! Our League is assisting LWVFL in mailing out postcards and we have 1500 postcards to write and mail for the month of April. We will have two postcard writing parties that we hope you can join: Thursday April 11th and Thursday April 18th from 1pm to 3pm. Please note that you will have to sign via Docu-sign a confidentiality agreement. Contact Tina Palmese for more information
For those of us that have been part of this, it is truly a rewarding experience!
|  COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON
HIGHER EDUCATION
April 17 @ 6:00
Facebook/LWVFlorida
A statewide Community Conversation on Higher Education, live and livestreamed, will be held on April 17 at 6 PM at the Portico in Tampa and on the LWVFL Facebook page: Facebook.com/LWVFlorida. The event will feature a panel discussion of stakeholders and community leaders. Panelists will share different viewpoints on the changing values of college degrees, legislation affecting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, curriculum changes, free speech and academic freedom, impacts on student enrollment due to legal decisions, academic priorities in Florida's public universities and colleges, and faculty retention. | ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL KNOW YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT!
The last of 3 days of KnowYour County Government (KYCG) was held on Tuesday, March 26. Fourteen students met with the County Manager, and attended a Board of County Commissioners meeting, where they heard issues debated, and accepted a proclamation recognizing the 41st Know Your County Government. This was followed by a presentation by the Clerk of Courts, Crystal Kinzel (a LWVCC member), and a courtroom experience presented by Judge Tamara Nicola. The day ended with a luncheon where students were able to sit with and speak to each of the County Commissioners.
KYCG is a collaborative effort by LWVCC, Collier County 4-H, and the Collier County Public Schools. It is a hands-on way for students, and League members who chaperone, to visit multiple County government offices, meet with County leaders, and learn how local government works.
We look forward to the 42nd year of KYCG next year! If you would like to participate in the planning, contact the Education Committee. Watch the Update for the opportunity to act as a chaperone next “season”. | EDUCATION COMMITTEE PROMOTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AS A PUBLIC GOOD
The Education Committee met on March 13 with Dani Henderson from Champions for Learning and Emily Budd-Schepperly, from Future Ready Collier, to identify our common interests and develop ways of working together. We intend to pursue the theme of public education as a public good in our next year’s activities. To continue our preparation, we will meet with Madelon Stewart, a key organizer of the Purple Group in Lee County, at our April 10 meeting. She will talk with us about coalition building to support public education. The meeting is at noon at the North Collier Government Center conference room, 2335 Orange Blossom Drive. All are welcome. |  GET IN LINE, DON'T WHINE!
Our Voter Services Committee started a social media campaign to engage young voters in the 2024 elections. Help us make our Get in Line, Don't Whine campaign successful by letting your friends and family know to share these posts far and wide.
Follow, like, comment, share!
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. To find us, search our username: lwvcolliercounty and give us a follow.
- “Like” content and reels posted. Click on the thumbs up or heart icons to show your friends what you like.
- Comment on content. Add a simple comment to get the word out, such as “Vote 24” or “Love to see young people excited to vote!”
- Share content and reels to your own personal social media pages or send to friends and family, specifically in the 18-40 year old demographic.
Still need help? Stay after our general meeting for assistance from LWVCC Social Media Manager, Jen Lapham.
| LWVUS CONVENTION JUST 3 MONTHS AWAY
June 27-30
Washington, DC
The LWVUS Convention will take place from June 27-30, 2024 in Washington, DC. This is an unforgettable opportunity to better understand how the national League works and to connect with Leaguers from across the country. If any member is interested in attending, please contact Diane Moore.
|  PLASTICS POINTERS
We bet you always remember to take reusable bags to the store! But are you ready to take the next step? Stop using those disposable bags in the produce department at the grocery store! Buy some reusable mesh produce bags and keep them with your grocery bags. Be sure to get some big enough for broccoli or a head of lettuce! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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April 8 @ 10:00-11:30
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LWVCC Annual Meeting
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April 8 @ 11:30-1:30
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April Luncheon & General Meeting
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April 17 @ 6:00
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Community Conversation
The State of FL Higher Education
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April 20 @ 10:00-3:00
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Earth Day Celebration
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April 29 @ 9:30-11:30
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Board & Committee Chair
Orientation
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Visit the LWVCC Calendar for event details
| ONLINE REIMBURSEMENT FORM IS NOW AVAILABLE
Board members, committee chairs, and others who need to submit reimbursement requests can now do so via our Submit Online Forms page. | UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Because LWVCC committee meetings are for members and their invited guests unless stated otherwise,
members should log in to the website to register
to get the Zoom links for committee meetings and other events. | Plastics Task Force Meeting
April 4 @ 3:30-4:30
Zoom | Education Committee Meeting
April 10 @ 12:00-1:30
North Naples Government Center Meeting Room
Guest speaker Madelon Stewart, a key organizer of the Purple Group in Lee County, will talk with us about coalition building to support public education
| Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
April 11 @ 10:00-12:00
Collier Community Foundation Board Room
| Gun Violence Preventtion Subcommittee Meeting
April 16 @ 4:00-5:00
| Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting
April 28 @ 10:00-12:00
Finemark Bank Waterside
| Board Meeting
May 1 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Conference Room
| MISSED AN ISSUE OF THE VOTER?
NEED TO CATCH UP ON THE NEWS?
Check out our updated News & Newsletters page, which has all our latest news and links to current and back issues of The Voter and The LWVCC Update.
| Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in Government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. Our goal is to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of Collier County does not support or endorse any candidate or political party.
| League of Women Voters of Collier County
P.O. Box 9883Naples, FL 34101
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