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We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Catherine E. Hackney, Ph.D., due to pancreatic cancer on December 28, 2024. A graduate of Kent State University, she obtained her master’s degree from Cleveland State University and her doctoral degree from Georgia State University. She is survived by her loving husband, James R. Hackney, along with many family members.
Cathy was 1st Vice President of LWVCC, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Health Committee, and a key member of the Education and DEI committees. Cathy had a genius for organizing events and inspiring collaborative action. Her intelligence and sense of humor pervaded her work.
To know Cathy was to experience love in action. Cathy’s compassion and sparkling
personality touched those who knew her, from family members to colleagues to health care and service providers. Throughout her career as school principal, professor, and higher education administrator, she exemplified the exceptional leadership that she wrote about and taught. We will miss her unique ability to generate collaborative discussions, to recognize multiple viewpoints, and to nourish collective action.
A memorial service for Cathy will be held in Spring 2025. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Catherine E. Hackney Endowed Scholarship Fund, and sent to the Greater Naples AAUW Foundation, PO Box 9742, Naples Florida, 34101 or through the AAUW Foundation webpage. All donors should click on the yellow “donate” button and enter “Hackney Fund” in the notes section of the donation form that next opens.
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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.
| LAST CHANCE TO SIGNUP UP FOR DEI 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. | JOIN LEAGUE MEMBERS TO
CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
January 20 @ 8:30-12:00
On January 20, our LWVCC will again participate in the MLK Parade in downtown Naples. Opportunities for volunteers include Marching in the parade with signs provided and tabling at Cambier Park following the parade. Organization begins at 8:30 am concludes at noon. Contact Cynthia Cromwell to participate. |  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.
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Please join us at the home of Sara Werder on January 24th, 9:00-10:30 AM for an opportunity to meet fellow members, connect with the Board and LWVCC leadership, and explore volunteer opportunities. Address and parking info will be sent when you RSVP. Please register at the LWVCC website on the Event Calendar page. This is a member and guest only event, so you must log in to register.
| COMMUNICATION WITH A DIFFERENT LENS
February 14 @ 9:30-11:30
Finemark Bank
How do we converse with those who think differently from us? How do we not react strongly to a different viewpoint? How do we support our democracy if we don’t talk with our neighbor?
Come to FineMark Bank, 800 Laurel Oak Drive from 9:30-11:30 AM on Friday, February 14, 2025, to learn about speaking with differently minded folks. The workshop is sponsored by the Social Policy and the Juvenile Justice Committees. Janet Hoffman, co-chair of the Social Policy Committee, will lead the workshop. Registration is necessary to help us determine the quantity of refreshments needed and for the interactive part of the workshop.
REGISTER
| FLORIDA LEAGUE'S VOTER FIGHT AGAINST
VOTER INTIMIDATION HIGHLIGHTED BY LWVUS
The national LWVUS has recognized the League of Women Voters of Florida for its fight against voter intimidation and other forms of voter suppression.
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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 14 @ 11:45-3:00
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Naples Pride Tour
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January 20 @ 8:00-12:00
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Martin Luther King Day Parade
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| January 23 @ 11:00-5:00 |
Airboat Tour of the Everglades
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January 24 @ 9:00-10:30
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New Member Coffee
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February 14 @ 9:30 AM-11:30
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Communication with a Different Lens
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February 18 @ 10:00-12:00
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SoE Transparency Tour
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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. | 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
| Development & Outreach Committee Meeting
January 10 @ 10:00-11:30
Zoom
| 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
| Board Meeting
February 5 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Clubhouse
| Plastics Task Force Meeting
February 6 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom | 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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