 | JANUARY 2025 LUNCHEON & GENERAL MEETING
January 13 @ 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Reflections of Collier County:
A 50 Year Art Adventure
featuring
Paul Arsenault
Since moving here in 1974, Paul has pursued his passion of painting contemporary life in coastal communities. His paintings reflect his passion for history and his natural storytelling ability, and his presentations will include paintings and stories depicting his 50 years chronicling the landmarks and special places of Naples and Collier County. Paul and his wife Eileen have lived in their historic home on Gordon Drive for 42 years. Through their many fundraising exhibitions and events, they have supported environmental protection, humanitarian causes, and historic preservation.
REGISTER
If you are bringing one or more guests, please be sure to register them when you register yourself.
Registration and payment must be made online by January 7 @ 12:00 PM
Walk-ins will be seated in order of arrival on a space available basis
Late registration/walk in price will be strictly enforced
Did you register for the cancelled October 14 General Meeting?
If so, you were issued a credit in ClubExpress to apply to this or other future meetings.
VIEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING CREDITS
Let's Grow Together! Bring a Friend to Our General Meetings |
Big changes are coming soon! As part of the LWVUS structural transformation, the process of joining and renewing memberships will change in 2025. Beginning in February, a new software platform called ChapterSpot will be up and running. Members will be getting information from LWVUS in January about signing in to the new software.
If you are up for renewal prior to January 31, please renew promptly so that we can benefit fully from the support of your local league.
| HOT TOPIC: SAVING KIDS' FUTURES
Juvenile Justice Committee
Civil Citation Zoom
January 6 @ 6:00-7:00
True or False? One juvenile arrest for a misdemeanor offense results in a child having a permanent criminal record for the rest of his or her life? Unfortunately, this is true. Join us for a Hot Topic Zoom presentation on January 6, 2025, to learn what Civil Citation is, who is eligible, and how it gives kids a second chance for a successful future. With a recidivism rate of 4% - 5%, this is one of the most effective tools available to combat juvenile delinquency. Collier County is one of leaders in Florida in using Civil Citation but there remains further opportunity to expand its usage. To learn more, join us on Zoom, January 6, 2025, 6:00 PM.
|  IT'S TIME TO START READING
Book Club
January 23 @ 3:00-4:30
Did you notice that most of the campaigning took place this year in battleground states? Did you begin to wonder if your vote matters less, since our state is seen as overwhelmingly ‘Red”? Would you be surprised that voters and politicians of both major parties have questioned the current system over the years, even since the earliest elections in our nation’s history, and that in 1969 the United States House of Representatives actually voted to abolish the Electoral College, and the Senate came close to making that happen?
Join fellow League members on Thursday, January 23, at 3 p.m. to discuss this easy-to-read book. Come and share what you learned and what surprised you, and how your viewpoint may or may not have changed. Come to listen and learn, even if you didn’t read it. The discussion will be facilitated by Linda Denning.
For more information contact Ida Margolis.
| DEI COMMITTEE PLANNING EXCITING TOURS
 Two informative and enjoyable tours are planned by the LWVCC DEI Committee! We are looking for interest from ALL League members before finalizing reservations.
Rescheduled for January 23, 2025, we will take an airboat tour on Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours. Our impressive November speaker, Betty Osceola, will personally guide us with a 90 minute tour. We will meet at 11 am to carpool from the Fresh Market in east Naples. Cost is expected to be $50 per person. If you wish to join us, please contact Cynthia Cromwell or REGISTER.
 On January 14, 2025, we will visit the Naples Pride Center, with a tour and information from LWVCC member and Center Director, Cori Cracium. She will guide us through the Center Pride Center Tour and give further information about the permit issue as well as other issues the LGBTQ community is experiencing. Due to limited parking, we plan to meet at the Home Depot on Airport Road at 11:45 and carpool to the Pride Center. After Cori’s presentation, we will go to a nearby local restaurant, Sushi-Thai of Naples, for lunch. The DEI committee invites ALL league members to join us for our tour and luncheon. If you can join us, please contact Cynthia Cromwell or REGISTER. | PAULA SCHWERIN APPOINTED 2ND V.P.
At its monthly board meeting, the LWVCC Board of Directors appointed Paula Schwerin as 2nd Vice President to fill the officer position left vacant when Susan Pezzullo resigned from the Board. Because of this appointment, Paula has stepped down from her role as Voter Services Chair, and Laura Hansen Reynolds has graciously agreed to serve as Voter Services Coordinator. We congratulate both Paula and Laura on their new positions, and we are confident that they will serve LWVCC well. |
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT
The League of Women Voters of Collier County has ranked the following issues in the following order as legislative priorities for 2025. The issue of “Voting & Election Reform” is always and will remain the League’s number 1 priority. The other priorities were determined by submissions from LWVCC members. In determining the rankings, members have considered whether the issue is at a critical juncture, the potential impact our League can have, and whether other organizations are already addressing the same issue. The rankings do not mean that those issues falling further down the list are less important or meaningful to our community.
- Voting & Election Reform
- Reproductive Health & Justice
- Education
- Poverty & Affordable Housing
- Natural Resources
- National Popular Vote
- Gun Violence Prevention
- Health Care
- Clean Energy
- Home Rule/Preemption
- Juvenile Justice
Thanks to all who provided input!
| PLASTICS TASK FORCE PRESENTS
TO GRACE PLACE PARENTS
On October 23, 2024, members of the League’s Plastic Task Force delivered the “Take A Pass on Plastics” presentation to the parents of students at Grace Place for Children and Families. We were part of their Adult Education program which helps Grace Place parents acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to learn the English language and assimilate to the culture of the United States. Susan Pezzullo spoke Spanish for most of the presentation with Loralee LeBoeuf cheering her on by passing out prizes of bar soap to those who brought their own water bottles. The interactive presentation was well received and great fun. |  | ENDOWMENT FUND ADVANCES
We are thrilled to announce that the LWVCC Endowment Fund has reached over $43,000 where it is custodied, at the Collier Community Foundation. In recognition of the generosity of former President Helen Franke in donating the original gift which started our endowment fund, the LWVCC formed the Helen Franke Legacy Society, and all donors to the Endowment through the end of 2024 will become Charter Members of the Society.
Here are the Charter Members through November 15, 2024:
Patricia Aiken-O'Neill
Carolyn E Alden
Sarah Berg
Gloria Bailey
Linda Brandis
Libbie Bramson
Nancy Chism
Cynthia Cromwell
Katherine Doerr
Stephanie Dixon
Jan Eustis
Carissa Funk
Susan Golden
Cathy Hackney
Ellen Hannan
Melinda Heim
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Janet Hoffman
Ray Kalich
Joanne Huskey
Anna Christina (Paul) Kardon
Suzanne Low
Lynn Martin
Denise McLaughlin
Diane Preston Moore
Judi Palay
Tina Palmese
Sandy Parker
Susan Pezzullo
Martha Phillips
Pat Plummer
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Larry Polansky
Wendy (Susan) Riedel
Patricia Rodilosso
Linda Scherzinger
Betty Schwartz
Laura Scott
Karen Sendik
Connie Fako Shoemake
Elizabeth Smith
Susan Sonnenschein
Teresa Stohs
Lisabeth VanDamme
Stacy Vermylen
Diana Walsh
Anonymous (2)
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This distinguished group includes most of our Board members. We hope you will want to join these individuals who have “voted with their wallets” to ensure the League has a strong future defending democracy and educating voters in Collier County, regardless of economic, weather, political or other unforeseen events to come.
Ensure that you are on this illustrious list by making a tax-deductible gift to the Endowment Fund today! Donations may be made through the League website or by check mailed to PO Box 9883, Naples, FL 34101. Remember that if you qualify, you can make a tax-deductible contribution directly from your IRA even if you don’t itemize your federal tax deductions. Contact your tax advisor for more information about that option. If you want information about the LWVCC Endowment Fund, contact Endowment Chair Suzanne Low .
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HELP CELEBRATE THE LEAGUE
WITH A CORK PULL
While stocking up for holidays parties, buy an extra bottle or two, to donate to the Celebrate the League Cork Pull. We ask that bottles have a value of $20 or more. We will be collecting at our January & February monthly luncheons, or we can arrange a pickup or a drop off. Gayle Repetto is coordinating our Cork Pull this year. You can reach her with any questions.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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January 13 @ 11:30-1:30
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Luncheon & General Meeting
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January 20 @ 8:00-12:00
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Martin Luther King Day Parade
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January 24 @ 9:00-10:30
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New Member Coffee
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February 27
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2025 Celebrate the League
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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. | Development & Outreach Committee Meeting
December 13 @ 10:00-11:30
Zoom
| Board Meeting
January 2 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Clubhouse
| Plastics Task Force Meeting
January 2 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom | Education Committee Meeting
January 8 @ 2:00-3:30
Collier Community Foundation
| Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
January 9 @ 10:00-12:00
Collier Community Foundation
| DEI Committee Tour of Naples Pride Center
January 14 @ 11:45-3:00
Meet at Home Depot on Airport Road S to carpool to Center
| Afffordable Housing Subcommittee Meeting
January 16 @10:30-12:00
Moorings Park Building O Social Room
| Juvenile Justice Committee Juvenile Detention Center Visit
January 22 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier County Sheriff's Office, Government Complex
| Book Club
January 23 @ 3:00-4:30
The Vineyards, 5588 Hammock Isles Drive, Naples
| 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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