September 2015 Meeting
Reclaiming Democracy – Fall Forum and Workshop
Saturday, October 10, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
NJ Hospital Association Conference Center
760 Alexander Road, Princeton
Our plan for this year is to focus on Voter Service and, instead of monthly business meetings, to participate with League members throughout the state in LWVNJ activities. Although the Leadership Committee will not hold a Back to League Night this year, we encourage Princeton members to attend the Reclaiming Democracy event. Our own Ingrid Reed will be conducting one of the workshops!
You should have received a brochure in the mail, but please see description below with a link to registration:
What can be done to increase voter turnout? New Jersey's voter turnout rates are at record lows. Join us as we hear from experts offering their solutions to combat decreased voter participation. The day includes breakfast and lunch, a keynote speaker, a “Voter Empowerment” panel, and afternoon workshop sessions.
LWVUS Constitutional Amendment Study
Consensus Meeting on Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 pm
December 1 is the deadline for consensus on the Constitutional Amendment Study. Rather than an in-person meeting, Jennifer Howard will set up a conference call for members to discuss the questions and come to consensus. You will receive an invitation via email with instructions about how to take part.
Please read the Reading Guide on Amending the Constitution by Convention, along with the linked Study Guides, as well as the Consensus Questions between now and the November 10 conference call.
Next Business Meeting
Our next business meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 7-9 pm at the Suzanne Patterson Building in Princeton. This meeting will be devoted to consensus on the LWVUS positions. Information will be sent to you prior to the meeting.
Getting Involved in LWVNJ Committees and Studies
The Leadership Committee plans to explain in detail how members can become involved in State Committees and studies. The LWVNJ standing committees are Education, Fiscal Policy, Government, Immigration, Natural Resources, Women and Family Issues, and Young People’s Network. Proposals for studies come from local Leagues. Melissa Scott will compile a more thorough explanation, to be posted on our website in March 2016, for discussion at the April 2016 meeting.
Annual Meeting and 85th Anniversary Celebration
It's not too early to ask for suggestions for our 2016 Annual Meeting nor to begin planning for our 85th Anniversary in 2017! If you have thoughts about venues, dates & times, or whether or not to invite a speaker, please contact a member of the Leadership Committee.
Voter Service
- Registration – Joan Bharucha continues to register at the West Windsor Farmers' Market in September, and Rita Ludlum will register at Stonebridge and at the Montgomery Farmers' Market on Saturday, September 26. Others will be joining the Lawrence League for voter registration at Mercer County Community College, with Sandy Smith coordinating. Please contact her to sign up.
- Voters Guides - The Princeton Packet is again collaborating in publishing our Voters Guides. Patricia Connolly, a new member, is in charge of the Princeton Council and Mercer County Executive candidates. Sandy Smith is covering the candidates for the West Windsor Council and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education. Chrystal Schivell is doing the Princeton and Montgomery Boards of Education and the Mercer County Freeholders candidates. Covering Mercer County is a new venture this year
Please let your friends and neighbors know that the Voters Guides will be available online at our website.
- Forums – This year we are sponsoring three forums. Paula Simpkins is organizing the Montgomery Board of Education; Chrystal Schivell and Anne Zeman, the 16th Legislative District. Chrystal is working alone on the Princeton Board of Education and would appreciate volunteers to help with any of the forums. As always, the forums will be videotaped and posted on our website, lwvprinceton.org, so please get the word out!
Voter Service succeeds only if voters are aware that the service exists. Your greatest contribution will be to let people know – whether you're registering or just in line at the supermarket – that information about candidates can be found at lwvprinceton.org, one of the best websites ever, thanks to Sandy Shapiro.