MARCH LUNCHEON & GENERAL MEETING
March 10 @ 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club
SAVING KIDS FUTURES
The Continuum of Juvenile Justice
presented by
 
Lt. Thomas Wedlock & Caren Langevin
Collier County Sheriff's Office
The CCSO is a leader in developing and implementing programs for our vulnerable youth. Learn about the Continuum of Juvenile Justice to prevent delinquency and transition kids who get into trouble back into the mainstream and responsible adulthood.
| 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, March 4 @ 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 | AMENDED BYLAWS FOR VOTE AT MARCH LUNCHEON
The Transformation Plan by LWVUS that went into effect on February 1, 2025, changed our dues structure so that more of our dues are allocated to the State Leagues. This will provide State Leagues with much needed resources to staff and engage in both lobbying and litigation on our behalf. As a result of the Transformation, the Board has approved a change to LWVCC’s structure, and LWVCC members will be asked to vote on this change at the March 10th General Meeting and luncheon. Our League currently has two entities: a 501c4 for the General Fund and a 501c3 for the Education Fund. After careful consideration, your board has voted to approve a merger of our 501c4 General Fund into the 501c3 Education Fund, effective April 1, 2025. After April 1st, the Education Fund will be our League’s only entity. Having a single entity will in no way change the work the League does, whether we are educating voters or advocating for issues that are important to the citizens of Collier County.
A simplified structure of LWVCC will provide a clearer financial picture of our League and allow our volunteers to devote more of their time and treasure to the causes we care about deeply. As a side benefit of the national Transformation, dues paid to local leagues are now a tax deductible contribution! We will distribute the proposed amended Bylaws electronically by February 21st. At our March 10th meeting, Ellen Hannan, our treasurer, will be on hand to answer any questions.
| LWVCC RECEIVES PROCLAMATION FROM BoCC
On Tuesday, February 11th, the Board of County Commissioners approved and presented a proclamation commemorating the League of Women Voters of Collier County's 50th anniversary and declaring February 27, 2025 as "League of Women Voters Of Collier County Day". Joining LWVCC President Diane Preston Moore, who accepted the proclamation, were League members: Liz Mao, Katie McNutt, Cynthia Cromwell, Teresa Stohs, Susan Golden, Julie Wade, Beth VanDamme, Libby Bramson, Stacy Vermylen, Pat Aiken-O'Neill, and Paula Schwerin. Thank you to the Board of County Commissioners for recognizing this milestone event.
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TRIBUTES
Want to celebrate the league with a tribute? Here is your chance to say how you feel about a member (past or present), a League committee, or LWVCC as a whole. This is our 50th anniversary year, so shout it out. For a donation of $50 you can make your tribute that will be in the Celebrate the League program (if received by Feb. 17), and/or on our website throughout the year.
MAKE YOUR 50THE ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Here’s a sample:
In gratitude for Past Presidents of the LWVCC: With heartfelt thanks to the Past Presidents of the LWVCC, whose shoulders we now stand on. We appreciate you.—Teresa Stohs
 FANTASTIC SILENT AUCTION
Susan Sonnenschein and Craig Olson, auction co-chairs, have been working hard behind-the-scenes to assemble a great silent auction for the Celebrate the League event on February 27. Here’s a sample of what you can expect:
- Private VIP tour of the Naples Botanical Gardens on golf carts for 4 and lunch afterwards at the Fogg Café.
- Arsenault Gift Basket including calendar, notecards, and book.
- Ridgway Bakers Lessons for 4
- Conservancy of Southwest Florida family membership and a trip for two on the Good Fortune.
- Sunset Sightseeing for 4 aboard Miss Naples.
 CORK PULL FUN
Sure Winner! Purchase a $25 ticket and come away with a bottle of wine worth $20 - $65. A few bottles to win:
- Hall St. Helena California, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Patz & Hall Sonoma California, 2018 Pinot Noir
- Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley California, 2022 Merlot
- Loveblock New Zealand/Marlborough, 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
- Mumm Napa California, Sparking Brut Prestige
- Ratti Italy, 2016 Barolo Marcenasco
|  WE HAVE A VOICE IN THE LWVUS FEDERAL JUCICIARY STUDY
The League currently does not have a position on the Federal Judiciary. At the LWVUS 2024 Convention, delegates voted to proceed with a study on the federal judiciary. The study’s purpose includes, but is not limited to, addressing concerns and clarifying judicial accountability, transparency, independence and ethics. The scope addresses the Supreme Court as well as other Article III federal courts. This study is the first step towards crafting a position. As a LWVCC member, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the study and determine what, if any, position the LWVUS adopts. Stay tuned for more information on informational sessions and a consensus meeting, all happening in March 2025. For more information and resources about the Federal Judiciary Study, please go to the LWVUS 2024-2025 Federal Judiciary Study Process, Committee, and Resources. You must be a member of the League to participate in the Study and to access the study materials. | LOBBY DAYS 2025
The League's Lobby Days are scheduled for March 11 & 12 in Tallahassee. On March 11th, the LWVFL will host training sessions that include valuable information on the legislative environment and tips on how to lobby effectively. On March 12th, LWVCC delegates will visit with legislators. If you're interested in serving as a Lobby Days delegate, please contact Diane Moore. | KNOW YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT
OUR 42nd YEAR
This exciting program is co-sponsored by the LWVCC Education Committee, Collier County 4-H, and the Collier County Public Schools. CCPS high school students spend 3 days learning how government works in Collier County, visiting agencies, meeting administrators, commissioners, and observing the court room and a Commissioner’s meeting. If you would like to interact with civic-minded high schools students and see part of County government you may not have seen before, you can volunteer to chaperone. Field trip days are Wednesday, February 12, Tuesday, February 25, and Tuesday, March 25. If you would like to volunteer, please sign up HERE [NEED LINK TO SIGN UPS]. We are looking forward to an educational and fun day!
|  CREW LAND & WATER TRUST
CREW LANDS IN EASTERN COLLIER & LEE COUNTIES
Presented by Robert Lucius, Ph.D.
Executive Director of CREW Land & Water Trust
Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
February 13 @ 10:00-12:00
Collier Community Foundation
Join Bob Lucius, the Executive Director of CREW Land & Water Trust, to learn 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. He will discuss the importance of ecosystem services provided by this natural infrastructure and how the partnership among CREW Trust, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) supports the long-term protection and stewardship of CREW’s water resources and natural communities. Bob will also detail many of the recreational and educational programs available at CREW. | 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
| AIRBOAT TOUR RESCHEDULED
February 17 @ 10:00-4:00
The Betty Osceola Airboat tour of the Everglades has been RESCHEDULED to February 17th! Please join now or re-register if you want to attend. Betty will identify Miccosukee sites in danger from water issues in the Everglades among other issues the tribe is experiencing. Sponsored by our DEI Committee. We will meet at the East Trail Fresh Market at 10:00 am and carpool to the site for the 12:00 tour, which lasts 90 minutes. Cost is expected to be $50 per person paid at the entrance. Date and Time Monday, February 17, 2025, 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM Location Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tour 29701 SW 8th Street Miami, FL
|  NEW MEMBER TRANSPARENCY TOUR
WITH MELISSA BLAZIER
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
February 18 @ 10:00-12:00
All members, but especially new members, are invited to join Voter Services for a Transparency Tour at the Supervisor of Elections offices. Melissa will take us to the Operations Building to see exactly how each ballot is tabulated and the checks and balances that ensure our elections are free, fair, accurate, and transparent. Please join us on Tuesday, February 18, at 10 a.m. at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 3750 Enterprise Avenue, Naples, FL.
|  PASS ON PLASTICS IS PICKING UP STEAM
Our Plastics Task Force (part of the LWVCC Environmental Affairs Committee) is rolling out our 2024-25 “Take a Pass on Plastics” presentation in Collier County and making an impact! At Environment Day for the Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) 2024-25 Master Class, Joanne Huskey and Laura Hansen Reynolds highlighted the issues with ever-increasing worldwide production of plastics and its environmental impact. Particularly single-use plastics packaging, which is stacking up in our landfills, incinerated at waste-to-energy plants, and recycled (less than 10%). They shined a spotlight on the impacts to our air, water, soil and human health. Introducing the 4 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, attendees were asked to consider personal reductions in the amount of single-use plastic packaging they purchase. Alternatives to plastics packaging were introduced and “Yes I Can” cards distributed, which will guide them in those efforts. Our next audience was the Men’s Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples presented by Loralee LeBoeuf and Vicki Stoller. The “Plastics Alternatives Products” table was a big hit! Our presentation was so well received, the Men’s Council committed to “Take a Pass on Plastics” by eliminating plastics use at their meetings.
|  SOCIAL POLICY WELCOMES A NEW CHAIR
We would first like to thank Linda Scherzinger for chairing the Gun Violence Prevention Committee from its very beginning in our League. She chaired very ably and energetically. Carolyn Alden has graciously agreed to take this over. She feels this is an imperative committee to have with firearms being the number one cause of death for children. The Gun Violence Prevention Committee will hold its next meeting on February 19 at 10:00 AM using Zoom.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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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 17 @ 10:00-4:00
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Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tour
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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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March 10 @ 11:30-1:30
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Luncheon & General Meeting
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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. | 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
| Gun Violence Prevention Subcommittee Meeting
February 19 @ 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
| Board Meeting
March 5 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Clubhouse
| Plastics Task Force Meeting
March 6 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom | Education Committee Meeting
March 12 @ 2:00-3:30
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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