FEBRUARY 2025 LUNCHEON & GENERAL MEETING
February 3 @ 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Housing Matters
presented by
Michael Puchalla
Executive Director/CEO
The Housing Alliance
| 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
Tuesday, January 28 @ 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
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HELP CELEBRATE THE LEAGUE
WITH A CORK PULL
Come join in the fun of the Cork Pull at Celebrate the League on February 27. Above are samples of the wines donated and purchased last year. We will be taking wine donations at the February luncheon, or you can arrange a pick-up or drop-off by contacting Teresa Stohs. We ask that wines have a $20 value or more.
 BIDDER BIDDER!
The Silent Auction is taking form for the Celebrate the League event on February 27. Here are just a few of the items you can expect:
- Handmade girls dress size 3T by member Judy Hushon
- Godfather Dinner for 8 by members Paula Scherwin and Susan Sonnenschein
- Getaway at Vanderbilt Beach Resort for 2 nights plus gift card for The Turtle Club by member Diane Preston Moore
- Giftcard to Altavilla for dinner and a bottle of wine by member Tina Palmese
- Boat ride for 6 with Picnic Lunch by members Craig Olson and Susan Sonnenschein
|  TODAY
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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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.
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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.
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WALKING TOUR OF ST. MATTHEW'S HOUSE
The Social Justice Committee has planned a tour of St. Matthew’s House, 2001 Airport-Pulling Rd on Friday, January 31 at 10:45 AM. St. Matthew’s fills many needs in our community, providing food, temporary housing, job training, rehabilitation for substance abuse and more. The tour will be approximately one hour. Those who are interested may stay for lunch at Lulu’s Kitchen, 2125 Airport-Pulling Rd. S. The restaurant is part of St. Matthew’s social enterprise model. It allows St. Matthew’s to be self-sustaining by earning revenue to offset their overhead costs.
| DIVE DEEPER INTO THE LEAGUE:
ATTEND LEAGUE 101!
February 11 @ 3:00-4:00
ZOOM
Calling all LWVCC members and interested guests!
The League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) is hosting a special event, League 101, designed to introduce you to our chapter and its vital work. This informative session is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about the LWVCC, its connection to the state and national Leagues, and how you can get involved.
Here's what you'll gain from League 101:
- Understanding our mission: We'll explore the distinction between non-partisan and political, explaining how the LWVCC approaches important issues.
- Committee involvement: Discover the various committees within the LWVCC, the issues they tackle, and how your contributions can make a difference.
- Education and advocacy: Explore the LWVCC's dual role of providing voter education and advocating for positive change in our community.
Whether you're a seasoned member or simply curious about the League, League 101 is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and engage.
Please note: attendance at League 101 is a requirement for the LLP leadership program.
Don't miss this chance to learn more about the LWVCC and how you can be a part of our mission to empower voters and promote informed democracy.
| 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
| NAPLES PRIDE CENTER TOUR
HELPS UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNITY ISSUES
Members of the DEI committee met at the Naples Pride Center for a tour of its site. Director Cori Cracium explained the history of the Pride Fest and the Center. She explained her work to retain the Pride Fest despite challenges from protesters. The Pride Center provides mental health counseling and educational support for the parents and family of LGBTQ+ children. She noted that there is a 45% chance of suicide when LGBTQ+ family members are not supportive. Many of those in attendance agreed to attend the Naples City Council hearing on January 15 to support the Pride community and allowing the PrideFest to continue in June 2025. President Diane Moore spoke on behalf of the LWVCC at that hearing. The City Council voted to retain the PrideFest in Cambier Park but the drag show is to be inside at another location. | LWVCC TURNED OUT STRONG
FOR MLK DAY PARADE
The annual parade to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 20th in downtown Naples was a grand success for the LWVCC! As led by our DEI Committee, over 20 enthusiastic members and guests carried commemorative posters and marched alongside Diane and Mick Moore’s “Hot Music” truck and new member Ronna Hoffberg’s “Frango” golf cart. Everyone was festive and enthusiastic as they marched, waved to the parade watchers, tossed candy, and handed out flags to the children. Following the parade, Tina Palmese ably coordinated members for the tabling event during the bandstand program hosted by the local NAACP. Tina’s comment said it best “what a great way to start the year for LWVCC!”
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SCENES FROM PAUL ARSENAULT'S PRESENTATION ON HIS 50 YEARS IN COLLIER COUNTY
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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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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January 31 @ 10:45-12:00
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St. Matthew's House Tour
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February 3 @ 11:30-1:30
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Luncheon & General Meeting
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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. | 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 | Education Committee Meeting
February 11 @ 2:00-3:30 NOTE DATE & LOCATION CHANGE
ZOOM
| Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
February 13 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation
Guest Speaker Bob Lucius, Executive Director of CREW Land & Water Trust, will speak about the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) and how SWFL’s largest, intact watershed impacts our community’s economy and quality of life while providing habitats for over a thousand native plant and animal species, many of which are threatened or endangered. | Development & Outreach Committee Meeting
February 14 @ 10:00-11:30
Zoom
| DEI Committee Meeting
February 19 @ 2:00-3:00
Zoom
| Affordable Housing Subcommittee Meeting
February 20 @10:30-12:00
Moorings Park Building O Social 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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