The Voter. League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County. Message from the President

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1 League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County The Voter 1472 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM Vol. 65, No. 1 Phone: January 2016 Officers President Judy Williams 1 st Vice President Suzanne Schmidt (A&A Board Liaison) 2 nd Vice President Patricia Hawkins (Communications) Secretary Nancy Chambers Treasurer Berit Leonard Past President Donna Reynolds (Ed Fund, Program) Directors Marcy Litzenberg (Voter Services) Janet Lincoln (Membership) Ann Coulston (Arrangements) Suzanne Ronneau (Office Liaison) Miriam Ries (Publisher, The Voter) Nominating Committee Julia Nathanson, Chair Joyce Blalock Barbara Conroy Finance/Budget Committee (appointed by the board) Karen Heldmeyer, Chair Adair Waldenberg Neva Van Peski Berit Leonard Message from the President Dear League Members: New Year s Greetings! 2016 will be an exciting one for all Americans as we head into a presidential election year and all the excitement and surprises that will bring. The League will, as usual, be in the thick of things electoral as we register voters and educate them through candidate forums and the Voter Guides. However, before that political season really heats up, we will be working on the municipal election scheduled for March 1, Watch for the Voter Guide in the New Mexican and participate in the candidate forum on February 11. Oh, and by the way, be sure to vote in the (not-so-well-known) Santa Fe Public Schools special bond election on Tuesday, February 2. This is a General Obligation bond to continue current projects, including energy and water conservation programs. Visit the SFPS website for details. Voter turnout is at historic lows, and the League is working to improve the record. The right to vote has been fought for by many in this country, including people who didn t own property (African Americans and women). It is a privilege, a right, and an obligation. Come work with the League to help educate voters on why the vote counts. The Legislative session is nearly upon us. The League of Women Voters of New Mexico will be active again this year, supporting bills to establish an independent redistricting commission, reform campaign finance, and improve transparency. Unfortunately, we will also have to work to defeat the bad bills that always come up, even in a budget Join the League or renew your membership. See page 4.

2 Page 2 session. Some of the special items the League will work on include a moratorium on charter school development and using some of the Permanent Fund for early childhood education. If you are interested in becoming involved in this and advocating on behalf of the League, please contact me at president@lwvsfc.org. Let s work to make this year a truly happy one! The Voter Women s History Month is celebrated across the country, so please join us to highlight the achievements of a New Mexico Woman of History, along with local career women mentors, students, student family guests, and Leaguers at the breakfast on April 16 th. -Donna Reynolds -Judy Williams New Members Susan Mertes Rosemary Leary Patricia Victour Marsha Harner Rosemary Greenly Virginia McCallum Women s History Month Project Update Please consider participating on this year s Women s History Month Project Committee! For the past two years, the local League has hosted a program in collaboration with the Santa Fe Public Schools and the New Mexico History Museum to honor a New Mexico Woman of History. In addition, the event is the culmination of a middle school mentoring program where local career women are matched with a female student to learn more about local career opportunities. The committee has begun meeting to plan for this year s event. Don t miss the opportunity to be part of a wonderful League project! Please save the date and plan to attend the Women s History Month Breakfast event on April 16, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Marriott Courtyard. The cost for the event is $30, with a portion underwriting the overall project and student door prizes. Fundraising Report The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County thanks the following members and supporters for their generous donations to the education fund and general operations of the League, received as of January 4, 2016: Carol Burleson Tina Egge Mary Ellen Gonzales June Jameson Elma Kathleen Kerr Ilene Leslie Meredith Machen Susan Mertes Julia Nathanson Elizabeth Roghair Adair Waldenberg Fleur Wright Judy Williams & Elliot Stern When the Sun Reaches My Sister Salon The Abeles Foundation McCune Charitable Foundation in support of the Women s History Month Project

3 The Voter Page 3 Holiday Party 2015 SFPS Middle School Honor Choir at Inn on the Alameda Board Meeting Highlights December 9, 2015 A small group from the League had a cordial meeting with Mayor Gonzales on December 7. They discussed various issues including the water fund, the economic development study and budget complications. The mayor offered to come to a League Q & A meeting. The Board is looking for a volunteer from the League to monitor the City Finance Committee meetings (2x a month), which often run late into the evening. Pat Hawkins has prepared an updated matrix of the strategic plan, as well as a narrative, explaining some of the issues involved. The Board will study the plan and come prepared to discuss it at the next Board meeting in January. The Board approved the motion to have Berit, as Treasurer, move the available cash from the old CDs into a Synchrony money market account, which yields more interest. Berit will send an to committee heads and those with portfolios who need expense money allocated from next year s budget. The Board will meet with the Budget committee in February to approve the 2016 budget. The Fundraising Committee met on November 30 and selected Suzanne Schmidt and Janet Lincoln as co-chairs. The committee is exploring fund-raising needs and potential events for Miriam will be keeping a contact list for potential new members and/or donors. She would like members to her contact names to expand the list. The Board approved the candidate questions for the Voter Guide, which is tentatively scheduled for publication in the New Mexican on February 4 th. The Voter Services committee is working on the format and dates for the Candidate Forums, tentatively scheduled for February 9th at the public library. The Board approved authorizing continuation of the Economic Development Study for another year. The Board approved the Money in Politics Consensus Questions, which Donna will submit. The Legislative update luncheon will be held January 13, 2016, at the Hilton. The Women s History Project is moving ahead with the main event scheduled at the Marriott Courtyard on April 16. -Nancy Chambers

4 Page 4 The Voter LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF SANTA FE COUNTY NEW/RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP FORM Date: Name: (please print) Address: (please include zip) Phone: DO NOT include my contact information in the annual Membership Handbook directory listing. Membership is paid annually between September 1 August 31 and includes state (LWVNM) and national (LWVUS) dues. Make membership check payable to LWVSFC for: Individual and Associate membership: $54 (Associate members are non-u.s. citizens, who cannot vote on League matters.) Family membership: $80 (Individual plus one family member) Student membership: $30 (For students 25 years or younger and currently enrolled in accredited institution.) Unrestricted general fund contribution (not tax deductible): $ Education Fund (tax deductible): $ (Make separate check payable to LWVSFC Education Fund.) Want THE VOTER newsletter delivery via ? It s faster and saves the League money. Snail mail The Action & Advocacy Committee is open to any member and currently focused on the following issues. Circle those of interest to you, and a League member will contact you for further information and discussion. Issues (check as many as apply or fill in blank): Healthcare Local govt. Ethics/Transparency Natural Resources Education Other LWVSFC success is based on the assistance of member volunteers. We welcome and encourage your help. Volunteer Interests (circle as many as apply or fill in blank): Work on Issues: Monitor public meetings Lobby government officials Study groups Other Voter Services: Candidate forums/meetings Voter publications Information tables Voter registration Other Organizational Support: Help at events Fundraising Membership Publication content Website Staff League office Other PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE LWVSFC, 1472 ST. FRANCIS DR., SANTA FE NM 8750 May 7, 2014

5 The Voter Page 5 May May 4, 11:30-1:30: Annual Meeting May 11, 11-1: LWVSFC Board meeting May 21, LWVNM Council Los Alamos 2016 Calendar January January 16, 11-3: LWVNM Board meeting Socorro Public Library January 20, 10:00 1:00: LWVSFC Board meeting February February 3, 5:30-7:30: Legislative Reception February 4, League Day at the Legislature February 10, 11-1: LWVSFC Board meeting February 9, 11, 16 or 18, 6-8 PM: Municipal Election Candidate Forums February 16, 10:30-12: Meeting with Mayor Gonzales March March 1: Municipal Election Day March 2, 9-11: Unit Meeting LWVNM Charter Schools Study Update March 9, 11-1: LWVSFC Board meeting March 12, 11-3: LWVNM Board meeting, Santa Fe March 16, 6-8 PM: One Person/One Vote Supreme Court Forum Sunshine Week Event March 30, 9-11: Unit Meeting LWVSFC Economic Development Study Meeting March 29 or 31: 10-12: County Mural History Tour Check for locations and updates. *LWVNM and other organization functions in italics Regular meetings: Action-Advocacy 1 st Thursday of each month at Rio Chama Restaurant LWVSFC Board 2 nd Wednesday of each month Book Club, Collected Works Bookstore 202 Galisteo Street Unit Meetings are only for League members This... or this? April April 12, 9-11: Breakfast with a Topic Food Security (Food Depot) April 13, 11-1: LWVSFC Board meeting April 16, 9-11: Women s History Month Breakfast April 21, 10:30-11:30: Nonfiction Book Club, Collected Works Bookstore, 202 Galisteo Street

6 League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County 1472 St. Francis Drive Santa Fe, NM