From left: League members Marcia Halpern, Charlotte Novak, Phyllis Applebaum and Kathi Gundlach, a Ukrainian cameraman, a Ukrainian reporter, a State Department representative and County Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss.
| LEAGUE ON CAMERA FOR UKRAINIAN TV |
While awaiting the arrival of international guests, a Voter Services team helped Century Village residents at a resource fair on Halloween night. We distributed educational materials, helped mail voters check their ballot status, and promoted the Supervisor of Elections’ BallotTrax service. We circulated petitions seeking Constitutional Amendments for Medicaid expansion and clean water. (Florida is one of 10 states that refused to expand Medicaid, sending our tax dollars to the other 40 states and keeping some Floridians from getting medical care.)
Our team was at work when the Ukrainians arrived: a news reporter, a camera man and a State Department employee. I chatted with the reporter, who asked who I voted for. I had to tell her Leaguers are nonpartisan and I couldn’t discuss that — but that the Century Village residents might be willing to share their choices. One particular resident was exuberant about voting for — potentially — the first woman President.
Before we finished our work, the Ukrainians had to leave — they apologized profusely — to go work on their video. Their country is at war, and these visitors probably felt an imperative to complete the video so Ukrainians could watch a lighter story on the news.
Independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Ukraine’s democracy is young, and now — due to the war with Russia — it is not holding elections. Its citizens who watched this story may envision elections in a future, peaceful Ukraine. What a wonderful story that would be.
— Phyllis Applebaum, Voter Services
| Jupiter Vice Mayor Malise Sundstrom thought up Jupiter’s “Connect” program, where residents can meet informally with officials, ask questions and get information on a wide variety of town services. Read the story by Advocacy Chair Rich Bartholomew. If you have other examples of open, informal, local government access events, let us know at RBWatchNow@gmail.com
| Speakers Celebrate Accomplishments,
Set Brainstorming Session
| A diverse group of more than 40 people, with a diverse set of skills and perspectives, joined together with a purpose: to educate the voters of Palm Beach County. With more than 4,500 individuals reached via speaking engagements – and another 7,000 having viewed the Amendment Proposal presentation recorded in Haitian-Creole, Spanish and English – the Speakers Bureau has indeed made a difference.
We recognize there is still much to be done. Please join the Speakers Bureau for a Team Meeting on Saturday, Dec. 7, to help make a difference. Meet Dylan Gaynor and learn about his plan to engage and inspire young voters through active dialogue. Together, we’ll brainstorm and identify other key groups to target intentionally.
Let’s collaborate with fellow League teams to maximize our impact and drive meaningful change. Email SpeakersBureau@LWVPBC.org for more information.
– Janet Elinoff, Speakers Bureau Chair
| NEW VOTER EMBRACES ADVOCACY | | 25 WPBF News, an ABC affiliate, recently featured a story on Dylan Gaynor, an 18-year-old member of our League. We are so proud of all he’s accomplished. Here is the story and video. | |
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Leaguers rocked 2024
Now, we're on to 2025 | | | The League has much to be proud of: A successful Election Expo, comprehensive Voters’ Guide, hard-working Speakers Bureau and Voter Services and Voting Rights teams. Our work helped Palm Beach County attain one of the highest voter turnouts in the state. And voters here followed the League’s recommendations on ballot measures.
Now to 2025. All Vote by Mail applications expire Dec. 31, so Voter Services will hit the ground running to help voters re-apply. The Speakers Bureau will remain active. Publication and Distribution teams are updating our Directory of Elected Officials. Consider joining one of these teams; more volunteers make the work easier.
Finally, exciting events are coming up, and we hope you will register and take part: The League’s holiday party is Dec. 11 at Don Ramon in the South End of West Palm Beach. The Jan. 15 Hot Topic at the Fountains Country Club will spotlight the economic impact of art, culture, hospitality and tourism in the Palm Beaches with speakers David Lawrence, President and CEO of the Cultural Council, and Milton Segarra, President and CEO of Discover the Palm Beaches. Our Membership team plans a Feb. 8 “Connect and Reboot” event at the South County Civic Center featuring outgoing State Attorney Dave Aronberg. And the annual fundraiser Feb. 26 at the West Palm Beach Marriott will feature MSNBC anchor Katie Phang and author/historian Dr. Robert Watson. The Fundraiser committee needs your help procuring auction items and sponsorships. Also: Members, make sure you sign in to our website when making your reservation, as nonmember prices are higher.
LWVPBC continues to grow and thrive with your help. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! | Please join Membership Zoom
to Amend Advocacy Fund Bylaws
6 pm Monday, Dec. 16 | A membership meeting will be held Dec. 16 on Zoom to discuss and vote on amending the bylaws of the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County Advocacy Fund. We hope you will attend and cast your vote.
Immediately preceding the membership meeting, the Board of the League's Education Fund will vote on amendments to its bylaws.
Complete information about the amendments is available on the League website, including a link to the Zoom meeting. You can find this information:
1. In the Events Calendar (in the Events menu) for Dec. 16.
2. In the League Events (on the Home page) for Dec. 16.
3. On the Bylaws December 2024 page.
Only members who log in to the website can see the details of these amendments. If you cannot log in or access the website information or Zoom link, email Danny Lishansky at NPV@LWVPBC.org, and he will send you the documents and Zoom link. (Please include your full name and email address that matches your membership information.)
— Kathi Gundlach, President
|  | The collage above is a snapshot of Voter Services on the go in an election year by our team member Charlotte Novak. We collected nearly 2,000 voter registration forms (for both new voters and updates), and 701 vote-by-mail requests from the many applicants we helped. We informed people about their election choices. We distributed information on the six Florida Constitutional Amendments on the General Election ballot as well as the League’s 2024 Voters’ Guide and Vote411.org cards, so people could learn more about the candidates. In Palm Beach County, 84 percent of registered voters turned out for the election, higher than Broward and many other counties. We should be proud of the work we have done.
— Phyllis Applebaum, Voter Services Chair | LOGGING IN CAN GET YOU A DISCOUNT | Log in before you register for an event on the website. It will be easier to register if you log in first, and you will pay less for an event if you log in first, starting Jan. 1. Contact the Membership Chair or the Web Manager if you have any questions about logging in.
There are three new features on the website. The first is a page listing past presidents of the Palm Beach County Leagues. In the About Us section in the main menu, click “Past Presidents.”
See whose birthday is coming up in the next four weeks by going to Members in the main menu and selecting “Birthdays.”
You can join a team, see who is on a team, and leave a team, all from the “Directory by Teams” page in the Members section.
If you have questions about the website, contact the Web Manager at NPV@LWVPBC.org
— Daniel Lishansky, Web Manager
| WELCOME THESE NEW MEMBERS TO THE LEAGUE | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Amy Elfman (Boca Raton), Kayla Jacob (Jupiter), Sarah O’Connell (Jupiter), Emma Leonardo Solorzano (Palm Beach Gardens), Jennifer Yuil-Steinberg (Boca Raton), Theresa Waltz (Riviera Beach), Martha Warwick (Haverhill) and Sandra Yuil (Boca Raton).
— Darlene Kostrub, Membership Chair
| ASHLEY CACICEDO-SURDOVEL RECOGNIZED
FOR DEDICATION TO FOSTER CHILDREN | Congratulations to Ashley Cacicedo-Surdovel for being nominated for the Junior League of Boca Raton Woman Volunteer of the Year Award.
Kathi Gundlach, Serena Cummins, Marge Holtz, Darlene Kostrub, Linda Kramer and Janet Elinoff were honored to be with her, her mother, and her circle of friends at the awards luncheon. Ashley’s dedication to enriching the lives of others is inspiring.
Ashley was nominated for this award by Friends of Foster Children. In 2022, Ashley saw a post seeking donated items for 1,400 children. She recruited people to donate Thanksgiving baskets, holiday toys and Valentine’s gifts. In 2023 Ashley joined the FFC Board. With Hubbard Radio, the Friendship Week Campaign was developed, educating the community how to be a friend to those experiencing foster care.
Please join the League in recognizing Ashley for her outstanding work and dedication.
— Janet Elinoff, Speakers Bureau Chair
| SHOWING UP FOR THE COMMUNITY | League Healthcare member and WHEN Equity Manager Wanda Dhoray greets an attendee at the annual Community Resource Marketplace, held at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach on Nov. 7. The library sponsored the event. WHEN is the Women’s Health and Education Network of Palm Beach County, Inc.
— Nancy Gau, Healthcare Co-Chair | | From left: Among the PBC League members who celebrated their successful season at a Nov. 10 appreciation event were Cynthia Sanders, Sammy Alzofon, Kathi Gundlach, Eva Hausman, Marge Holtz, Debra Chandler and Jo Fine. Photo gallery. | UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the event
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