Voting is so important, especially at this time, and with the election coming up, we want to make sure League members are aware of the Voting Rights Coalition and the Election Protection program opportunities for trained nonpartisan volunteer poll monitors. Learn more here: Voting Rights Coalition Mission and Election Protection
ADVOCACY
Focus:
- Advocate League positions by working with League issue groups and programs, as well as governmental actors including legislators, commissioners and board members at national, state, and local levels.
- Organize “Observer Corps” to monitor the County Commission, School Board and Municipal Commissions (Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Wellington, West Palm Beach) and be a visible representation of the League. Advocacy also produces two forums per year, Legislative Preview and Legislative Wrap-up where State Senators and State Representatives from Palm Beach County address their constituents and answer questions pertaining to the upcoming or just completed legislative session.
Chair: Rich Bartholomew, advocacy@lwvpbc.org
Mission: Advocate League positions by working with League issue groups and programs, as well as governmental actors including legislators, commissioners and board members at national, state, and local levels.
Meetings: TBD
GO SOLAR
Focus: Educate the public and help implement Solar Panels on residences.
Chair: Diane Marks, solar@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: Always virtual. Before the Co-op start date.
GUN SAFETY
Focus:
- Educating PBC residents and lobby state representatives re gun safety issues.
- Collaborate with grassroots efforts to create responsible gun ownership with an emphasis on safe storage.
Co-Chairs: Marcy Brody and Kristen Murtaugh, gunsafety@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: See the Calendar of Events or contact Chairs for time, date and location of the next meeting.
HEALTHCARE
Focus:
- To support LWVFL and other Florida coalition efforts to expand Medicaid (or Marketplace subsidies) for the working poor, who currently fall in a gap and remain uninsured.
- To partner with other local organizations (DOH, Healthy Start, etc.) to set and achieve health equity goals in our black and brown populations.
- Partner with local mental health organizations, e.g., NAMI, FLMHAC, etc. , and also partner with our LWVPBC Gun Safety committee to bring attention to the increase in the number of suicides in our communities and to create goals that might help reduce those numbers.
- To Support LWVFL’s and LWVUS’s Reproductive Rights pro-choice position and a woman’s right to privacy and bodily autonomy. Learn more about the ballot initiative for abortion rights!
Co-Chairs: Nancy Gau and Brent Schillinger, healthcare@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: See the Calendar of Events.
NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE
Learn more about the NPV HERE.
Focus:
- Change the way Florida and other states apportion their presidential electors, from Winner-Take-All to all electors going to the candidate who receives the most votes in 50 states and the District of Columbia combined.
- Offers presentations to civic and community groups.
- Communicates with elected officials to educate them and obtain their pledge to change state law to adopt the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
Chair: Daniel Lishansky, npv@lwvpbc.org, 561-909-7909
Co-Chair: Tom St. Onge
Meetings: We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm on Zoom (except August and December when we don’t meet). Check the Calendar of Events.
VOTING RIGHTS COALITION
Focus: The Voting Rights Coalition works on many fronts to protect voting rights:
- Restore the vote. We’re working to overcome onerous legal financial obligations (LFOs) and provide a pathway to let Florida felons register to vote.
- Support passage of H.R. 1, For the People’s Act and H.R.4, The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U. S. Congress
- Educate citizens. We study issues. We educate Floridians about voting rights and good governance issues in Florida and nationally.
- Combat voter suppression. We study, educate, and advocate to eliminate policies and laws that limit access to voting.
- Learn more: Voting Rights Coalition Mission and Election Protection
Chair: Kate Renchin & Mark Schneider, vrc@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: The Voting Rights Coalition meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 2:00 PM, on Zoom. Join us. Go to the Calendar of Events.
CANDIDATE FORUMS & SPEAKER BUREAU PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Focus: To raise public awareness about League issues, increase visibility and promote voting.
Chair: Linda Kramer, forums@lwvpbc.org
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Focus:
- Providing well-researched and unbiased information so that all Palm Beach County residents will become better-informed voters
- Increasing language-appropriate and culturally relevant resources on how to register and vote
- Offering voter education and registration activities, training and information to non-profit organizations, religious groups and community events throughout Palm Beach County
- Collaborating and building partnerships with nonpartisan organizations
Co-Chairs: Cindy Sheehan Hartwell & Patty Whitehill
Contact email: communityoutreach@lwvpbc.org
EDUCATION/CIVICS
Focus: To provide reliable information on elections and public policy issues to a diverse PBC population through innovative educational approaches.
Click here to Learn How To Raise Your Civics IQ
Chair: TBD.
MEMBERSHIP
Focus:
- To develop strategies to increase and diversify membership
- To recruit, mentor, and retain new LWV members.
- To provide hospitality for Hot Topic Luncheons and other League events.
Chair: Darlene Kostrub, members@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: Please check the Calendar.
SPEAKERS BUREAU PRESENTATIONS
Focus: To raise public awareness about League issues, increase visibility and promote voting.
Chair: TBD
The next Speaker’s Bureau Training will be announced.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Focus: To coordinate and facilitate League-wide events that inform and educate our communities on critical issues and support the general mission and goals of the League. Special events include Hot Topic Luncheons, Cool Topic presentations as well as Day Tripper events, fundraisers, and celebrations.
Co-Chairs: Mary Mertz, specialevents@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: Events are being held as in-person and/or virtual events. Please check the Events Calendar for current information.
VOTER SERVICES
Focus: Participate in and organize voter registration and education activities at various sites in Palm Beach County. Work with the Speakers Bureau and other committees to provide voter registration services.
Chair: Phyllis Applebaum, voterservices@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: In order to be more convenient to everyone, we alternate morning and evening meetings on the first Thursday of each month.
We are currently holding meetings by Zoom.
BE SURE TO CHECK THE CALENDAR TO CONFIRM MORNING VS. EVENING MEETINGS.
YOUNG LEAGUERS
Focus: We are a service group of the LWVPBC for young professionals and students who want to participate in making our world a better place through community service, advocacy, activism and education.
Chair: Ashley Cacicedo, youngleaguers@lwvpbc.org
MEMBER SERVICES
COMMUNICATIONS
Focus: To successfully communicate with our members and the broader community about LWVPBC Initiatives.
We are building a PR and Social Media team. Support the League by adding your communication and IT skills.
Chair: Cathy Einhorn, communications@lwvpbc.org
Send newsletter submissions to: news@lwvpbc.org
Calendar Updates: calendar@lwvpbc.org
Website Issues: help@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: TBD.
DEVELOPMENT
Focus:
- To assist League Issue Committees secure funds for voter registration, candidate forums, public presentations and civic education activities.
- To provide opportunities for individuals and businesses to sponsor League publications and special events.
- To engage League members and allies in fundraising opportunities.
- To create a diversified funding base for League operations.
- To showcase sponsors, donors and funders on League media and communications.
Contact: DEV@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: TBD.
EDUCATION FUND
Focus: Our Education Fund Committee manages funds from donations, gifts, and grants made to the LWVPBC Education Fund, and distributes those funds to LWVPBC for educational projects our League undertakes. LWVPBC Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization.
Chair: Jill Abbey, edfund@lwvpbc.org
FINANCE
Focus:
- To keep accurate financial records of LWVPBC and LWVPBC Education Fund
- To report financial results to the board
- To oversee the annual budget process
Chair: Dorneth (Dawn) Weir, treasurer@lwvpbc.org
Meetings: As needed
NOMINATING
Focus:
- To identify excellent candidates and nominate members to fill upcoming Board vacancies
- To find the best candidate for each position, seeking a diverse Board
- To secure candidates for the ballot and present a slate of qualified, acceptable candidates to the Board for approval and to the membership for a vote
Chair: Darlene Kostrub, nominating@lwvpbc.org
Election is held at April annual meeting.
Meetings: As Needed
