APRIL LUNCHEON & GENERAL MEETING
April 14 @ 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Creating a Plastic-Free Florida
through
Community Action and Advocacy
presented by
Maggie Winchester-Weiler
Conservation Program Manager
Ocean Conservancy
Maggie Winchester-Weiler is a scientist and educator specializing in conservation and physiology of marine wildlife and is the Florida Conservation Program Manager for Ocean Conservancy. Based in Miami, Maggie coordinates stakeholders, governments and youth to advocate for policies that maintain or improve the health of the ocean and locally, Biscayne Bay. Leveraging her scientific background, she informs research and public awareness campaigns to improve water quality and reduce marine debris statewide. A formal and informal educator of 9 years, she manages the youth empowerment and plastic reduction program, Plastic Free Cities, across Florida. | MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
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, April 8 @ 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
Let's Grow Together! Bring a Friend to Our General Meetings | ANNUAL MEETING
April 14 @ 10-11:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Members, look in your email tomorrow morning for links to materials for the 2025 LWVCC Annual Meeting. They contain the nominations for League officers and board members, the 2025-26 program plans, and the proposed budget.
Note that the annual meeting precedes the April 14 general meeting and requires separate registration. | NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
At the Lobby Days Gala, LWVCC received a surprise award from LWVFL for Notable Achievements, specifically the development of the League Leadership Program. The LWVFL has now copied our program, and it is in its second year.
Creating a League Leadership Program for LWVCC was an idea that came out of a Strategic Planning Process in 2017-2018, a project that Charlotte Nycklemoe, then President, championed. We obtained a grant from the Community Foundation to collaborate with a consultant to develop a Strategic Plan. From that process it become clear that developing a program to prepare members for leadership positions within the organization was important for our long-term success.
A committee was convened to develop the Leadership Program including members Michelle Arnold, Jan Eustis, Robin Larkin, Ray Kalich, Sandy Parker and Diana Walsh along with Charlotte Nycklemoe. The first class began in the 2019-2020 season with 8 participants with 5 sessions covering national and state priorities, how the local league works, our community and who are the players, the Florida state League and its relationship to our local League, and a vision for the future our of local League. Our 6th class of participants is currently learning about the League and over the last 6 years of our “graduates” have moved into positions of leadership, have started new initiatives and are contributing to the vibrancy, success and positive impact of LWVCC.
 | LEAGUE LOBBY DAYS
Making our voices heard, Diane Preston Moore, Amy Perwien, Stacy Vermylen, Diana Walsh, Nancy Chism, and Teresa Stohs traveled to Tallahassee to attend League Lobby Days. In preparation for meeting with Legislators and key Legislative Aides, the group put together a list of Legislative Issues of Concern which included four voting and elections bills, and three education bills as follows:
- SB 396/HB831 Avoid placing undue barriers on voter registration.
- SB 396/HB1203 Allow Vote by Mail with no restrictions.
- SJR1454/HJR1263 Support local control on the choice to elect or appoint school superintendents.
- SB7016/HB1205 Oppose barriers to citizen petitions for amendments.
- SB1504/HB1009 Support separation of church and state, concerned about encouragement of religious expression during public school day.
- HB261/SB296 Support local control of middle and high school start times.
- SB1692/HB1539 Oppose revising legal definition of “harmful to Minors” to allow removal of instructional materials, especially ones used in National AP and advanced Language Arts classes.
We had a very good meeting with Zoraida Druckman, Chief Legislative Aide for Senator Kathleen Passidomo, who seemed supportive of most of our concerns. We also met with Representative Yvette Benarroch. While not supportive of our concerns about library instructional materials, she heard us out on all our concerns and made notes. We discovered that sometimes Legislators understand about one or two issues in a bill, they may not understand the full ramifications. At the conclusion of the event, we made a commitment to do a better job meeting with local officials at home.
|  FLORIDA CIVICS 101
presented by
SANDY PARKER
March 24 @ 1:30-3:00
Knowledgeable Florida voters know how their state government is organized, who their representatives are, and how they can best participate in the political process.
Have you recently moved to Florida from another state? Are you a long-time resident who needs a refresher? Then Florida Civics 101 is for you!
You might be surprised by what you’ll learn about Florida's part-time legislature, “weak” governor, voting for judges, the state’s political environment and how your party affiliation determines (limits) the elections in which you can vote.
Join us for Florida Civics 101, a presentation by Sparker's Soapbox publisher and past LWVCC President Sandy Parker.
The Collier County Public Library does not sponsor or endorse this program. | DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
March 29 @ 9:30-11:30
Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Naples
Our democratic republic requires deliberative dialogue. Citizens need to be able to communicate with each other and with government officials. Between COVID and political strife, we have distanced ourselves from each other. How can we build connections, so needed for a healthy society and government?
Come to “Communication with a Different Lens” on Saturday, March 29 from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Unitarian Universalist’s Thomas Hall on 6340 Napa Woods Way. The workshop will provide knowledge from research, guidelines and practice in conversations that build connection. The more we practice, the easier it gets. Registration is required.
| CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2025
April 12 @ 10:00-3:00
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Celebrate Earth Day with the League at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. We will have a table showing the activities of Voter Services, Environmental Affairs and the Plastics Task Force. I am looking for volunteers to help at our table. It’s a fun day and a great way to meet other League members. Please sign up for an hour or more!
For questions, please contact Lynn Martin.
The festival includes a variety of vendors and environmental exhibitors showcasing fun, educational and entertaining family activities, experiences and resources. Enjoy local entertainment, keynote lectures, conservation speakers and children’s presentations. Eat, play and learn while experiencing the Conservancy Nature Center buildings, electric boat rides and nature trails.
|  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LWVUS
FEDERAL JUDICIARY STUDY
How do federal judges/justices ensure their impartiality in high profile cases? What role does partisan politics play in the selection of federal judges/justices? If you are interested in discussing issues like these, please mark your calendars and participate in the Federal Judiciary Study, which is being undertaken by LWVUS in an effort to develop principles and positions about this important branch of government. Currently, LWVUS has positions and principles regarding the legislative and executive branches, but not the judicial branch. Our local League will have input on important issues involving the federal judiciary such as ethics, recusal and term limits.
Join us for a Zoom session for members to learn more about the substance and the procedure of the national Federal Judiciary Study. Members of the LWVCC Federal Judiciary Study committee will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. The sessions will be identical in content, so you only need to choose 1 session. Please register for the Thursday, March 20th session from 10 AM until Noon.
REGISTER FOR THE MARCH 20 SESSION
The consensus meeting is for members only, so you must log in to the LWVCC website to register. | RETURNING CITIZENS POSTCARD WRITING PARTY
April 10 @ 1:00-3:00
Altavilla Pizza & Trattoria
We are once again organizing postcard writing parties for Returning Citizens. The League of Women Voters of Florida continues its effort to help Returning Citizens regain the right to vote after completing their sentence. The State League is a founding member in getting the 2018 Amendment on the ballot which overwhelmingly passed with 64% of the Florida Electorate. The League helped reduce fees and administrative costs that 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 to work pro bono for those in need.
Now we again need your help as LWVCC assists LWVFL in mailing postcards. Our goal is to do 500 per month. We will host monthly writing parties the next of which is April 10. In the past few years we have written and provided the postage over 15,000 cards!
For those of us that have been a part of this, it is truly a rewarding experience. |  LWVCC BOOK CLUB
March 20 @ 3:00-4:30
Discover the unlikely friendship that shaped a nation! The League of Women Voters of Collier County Book Discussion Group invites you to explore The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
This timely story delves into the extraordinary friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, two women who fought for justice and equality despite facing prejudice and opposition. Their shared passion for women's rights and education makes this book a perfect fit for League members.
Join us on Thursday, March 20th at 3:00 PM to discuss this fascinating story. Share your insights, learn from others, and explore the line between historical fiction and non-fiction. Even if you haven't finished the book, join us for the conversation!
Facilitated by Ida Margolis and Linda Denning. For questions, contact Ida.
| 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 and commissioners, and observing the court room and a Commissioners' 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. The final trip days is Tuesday, March 25. We are looking forward to an educational and fun day!
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| March 20 @ 10:00-12:00 |
Federal Judiciary Study
Information Session
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| March 20 @ 3:00-4:30 |
March Book Club
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| March 24 @ 1:30-3:00 |
Florida Civics 101
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| March 26 @ 10:00-12:00 |
Federal Judiciary Study
Consensus Session
|
| March 29 9:30-11:30 |
Communication with a Different Lens |
| April 12 @ 10:00-3:00 |
Earth Day Celebration
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| April 14 @ 10:00-11:30 |
Annual Meeting
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| April 14 @ 11:30-1:30 |
Luncheon & General Meeting |
| April 23 |
Board Member &
Committee Chairs 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. | Affordable Housing Subcommittee Meeting
March 20 @ 10:30-12:00
Moorings Park Building O Social Room
| Social Policy Committee Meeting
March 27 @ 10:00-11:30
Moorings Park Building O Social Room
Our special guest speaker is Amanda Brunson, the Associate Executive Director of the Florida Healthy Start Coalition of SWFL, established over 30 years ago to address the serious problems of infant mortality, premature births, low birth weights and to remove barriers to prenatal and early childhood health care.
| Board Meeting
April 2 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Clubhouse
| Plastics Task Force Meeting
April 3 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom | Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
April 10 @ 10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation
| Development & Outreach Committee Meeting
April 11 @ 10:00-11:30
Zoom
| DEI Committee Meeting
April 16 @ 2:00-3:00
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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