HIGH SCHOOL VOTER DRIVE TOPS 1,000 AGAIN | | Liz Shapiro, Carol Lanning and Jane Wattick help Seniors register to vote at Palm Beach Gardens High. On May 7, 12 volunteers helped sign up 123 student voters there, the League's highest number among the 19 schools assisted this year. Photos | Leaguers help graduating Seniors register on Checkout day
| Every May, LWVPBC goes to local high schools to help graduating Seniors register to vote. On Senior Checkout Day they turn in library books, pay fines, pick up their caps and gowns — and talk to the League.
Enter our Voter Services committee. Many League members get up at sunrise on Senior Checkout Day to help the graduating Seniors by staffing one of several stations they are required to visit. They are leaving high school to begin the rest of their lives, but registering them to vote also includes educating them about the process. We have to believe their minds are floating in many directions: where will they find a job, what will college be like, graduation parties and more. So our volunteers try to get them to focus on voting in the future and preparing for that day.
This year, we registered 1,026 new voters in Palm Beach County among the high schools we visited. It was the third time we registered more than 1,000 Seniors during May. We also provided 1,721 League-made “how to register” cards with QR codes to those Seniors who — for various reasons — couldn’t fill out the Voter Registration forms with us and would need to register online later.
Not all graduating Seniors are 18 yet — although some were and had voted in November — but ages 16 and 17 can pre-register and get in the Supervisor of Elections system. Many eagerly told us their plans for after high school: College, military, trade school, jobs and more. Helping them register is rewarding, and we’re often thanked with a big smile.
— Phyllis Applebaum, Voter Services
|  | Vicki Mitchell, at left, spends May 9, her birthday, helping register Seniors to vote at Royal Palm Beach High, along with Bonnie Dorfman, Carol Carnevale and Marcia Elbaz. Throughout the day 10 volunteers signed up 93 new voters at the school. | Left: Carol Lanning, Sara Sikes and Linda Solomon help Seniors at Forest Hill High register to vote. Eleven volunteers helped 116 students there register May 14, the second highest school number this year.
Right: Denise Smyth, Marcia Halpern and Sarah O'Connell help Seniors at Jupiter High register to vote. Seven volunteers helped sign up 59 students there on May 8. | New President Amy Kemp, center, with most of the Palm Beach County League's board members and committee chairs at a recent meet-and-greet brunch. Photos | |
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
League leadership builds
on strong foundation | | | The League of Women Voters recently hosted a successful meet and greet for our new board members and committee chairs. This gathering provided a valuable opportunity for our leadership team to connect, share ideas and strengthen their collaborative relationships as they continue to build upon the strong foundation established by previous League leaders.
During the event, attendees discussed priorities for the upcoming year and explored innovative approaches to advancing our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. The enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by our new leadership team promise an exciting and productive year ahead for our League chapter.
We're pleased to announce that a Leadership Meet and Greet is being scheduled for this summer, offering all League members the chance to connect with our board and committee chairs in a relaxed social setting. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the League's initiatives, provide input and explore ways to get involved.
We encourage all members to join us for this special gathering. Details regarding the date, time and location will be shared in our next newsletter and via email. Your participation is vital to our continued success as we work together to strengthen our League and our community. Mark your calendars for July and stay tuned for more information on what promises to be an enjoyable and enriching event.
— Amy Kemp‚ President
| WENDY SARTORY LINK TO LEAD FLORIDA SOE GROUP | | Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link is the new president of Florida Supervisors of Elections, the statewide association for all Florida SOEs. She was appointed to her position in 2019 by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the remaining term of former SOE Susan Bucher, then was elected to two four-year terms, in 2020 and 2024.
| | | UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the event
| | Florida League Co-Presidents Debbie Chandler and Cecile M. Scoon, Esq., were among the leaguers who met local Hispanic and Caribbean community leaders at two recent outreach events in West Palm Beach.
| LEAGUE MAKES COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS | In collaboration with the national, state and local Leagues, members hosted two vibrant outreach events in West Palm Beach aimed at deepening relationships with key community leaders and building bridges for future nonpartisan collaboration.
Hispanic leaders from across Palm Beach County gathered at Don Ramon restaurant for an evening of Cocktails & Conversation, sharing priorities, cultural perspectives and ideas for civic partnership. Similarly, at Caribbean Teeze, Haitian and other Caribbean island leaders came together to explore mutual interests and opportunities to work together for the good of their communities.
Both evenings reflected the League’s commitment to listening first, showing up with humility and building trust at the local level. We are grateful to all who attended and look forward to the partnerships that will grow from these powerful conversations.
Among Palm Beach County Leaguers involved, Joyce Sullivan and Pam Maldonado both worked to organize these outreach events. | BOUQUETS OF THANKS TO KATHI GUNDLACH | | At right, outgoing President Kathi Gundlach, who has served for four years, is honored at May's Palm Beach County League luncheon. With her are new President Amy Kemp, at left, and First Vice President Joyce Sullivan, center. | | At right: Darlene Kostrub, outgoing Membership Chair, addresses the League at its May luncheon, where she was honored for serving 12 years in the position. | TEAM HONORS DARLENE KOSTRUB | Do you remember thinking "What a nice thing!" when you received a birthday greeting from Darlene Kostrub? Or when you got a thank you email for participating in an event? Or an invitation to a Taste of the League? A friendly phone call reminding you to renew your membership — then when you did you got a thank you for your renewal?
Yep all from Darlene Kostrub. These are just glimpses of how she served our members during her 12-year tenure as Membership Chair. She worked constantly behind the scenes as well. She procured venues for League events, ensured attendees were greeted with warm and friendly smiles, submitted new members' names and wrote membership news for this publication. And so much more.
Before she stepped aside she wisely reorganized the Membership team so that it will continue to run as smoothly as if she were still chair. With gratitude, the membership team will ably and enthusiastically carry Darlene's legacy forward.
— Donna Colabella, Membership Co-chair
| MEET & GREET
Sept. 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
A dynamic free event for new/newer members and others interested
in the League. Stay tuned to The Voter for the location.
TASTE OF THE LEAGUE
Nov. 15
An interactive orientation to the League for new members and others
interested in the League. More details to follow in upcoming editions
of The Voter.
| A WARM-HEARTED WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Karen Buttell (Delray Beach), Katie Beer (Palm Beach Gardens), Andrea Allan (Boca Raton), Amanda Bowers (Delray Beach), Maria Graham (Delray Beach), Meagan Merchan (Miami), Angela Changeux (Land O Lakes), Aaliyah Vanderhorst (Boca Raton) and Maura Taft (Boynton Beach).
— Linda Sorenson, Membership
| HOW TO USE THE FEATURES ON LWVPBC'S WEBSITE | Go to the LWVPBC website and spend a few minutes clicking on the menu items. You can’t break anything, and you’ll be surprised at all the information there.
There is an easy “How To” page on the Member Resources page (formerly named “Members”). Click on “How To – Step by Step.” It explains the following functions:
· Find contact/directory information: Find another member’s email, phone number or home address.
· Order a name tag: They are still $15, and you will receive your order in fewer than 14 days.
· How to register for an event: Hot Topic, Taste of the League and others.
· Add your photo to your profile: Help people put a face with a name.
· Did I already register for an event? Easy to check your own account to see if you're already registered.
· What’s in my profile: A review of all the useful information there.
· Zoom recordings: View team zoom meetings you missed — with just one click.
· Renew your membership: It is now done on the LWVUS site. This explains the process and where to find the link.
· Make a donation: Tax-deductible, non-tax-deductible and Qualified Charitable Distributions (from an IRA account).
· Submit a reimbursement form: A digital form to get reimbursement for League expenses.
— Daniel Lishansky, Web & Tech Team Chair
| Have you ever forgotten whether you registered for a Hot Topic Luncheon? (I have.) Or maybe you’re not sure whether you properly completed the registration? There are two easy ways to check.
On the Event Page:
1. Log in to the website.
2. On the Home page click on the flyer for the event. (Or in Calendar click on the event).
3. That brings you to the Event page.
4. On the right side, there is a graphic of two people. Click on it. (example is below)
5. That produces a list of who has registered. If your name is there, you are registered.
From your Profile:
1. Log in to the website.
2. Click on the circle next to your name (top right of screen) and choose “Profile.”
3. On the bottom of your Profile, look for “Histories.” Click on “Event History.” This shows all your events since August 2024.
4. Look for the name of the event. Under “Event Status” make sure it says “Registered.” If you don’t see the event, you are not registered. (Once you attend an event, your status will be changed to “Completed.”)
5. You can also see what entrée you ordered for a prior or future event. Just click the “receipt” icon at the end of that row.
If you have questions or want to join the Web & Tech Team, contact me at Web@LWVPBC.org.
— Daniel Lishansky, Web & Tech Team Chair |  | NEWS FROM FLORIDA, NATIONAL LEAGUES | LEAGUES JOIN CHALLENGE TO NEW ANTI-VOTER LAW
Florida HB 1205 adds hurdles to participation in the ballot initiative process for state Constitutional amendments.
| LEAGUE JOINS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP E.O. BATTLE
One of several groups to file amicus brief centering racial justice as basis for the Fourteenth Amendment.
| WE, THE PEOPLE, POWER THE VOTE
National League's 2024 Election Impact Report shows more than 30 million voter contacts were made nationwide.
| Rebecca Cohen’s Letter to the Editor, “Inlet Grove High School prepares students for leadership,” was published May 18 in The Palm Beach Post. Cohen is involved with the Palm Beach County League's Development, Education, Publications, Speakers Bureau and Voter Services teams. | |