League of Women Voters
of Lexington, KY
|
League of Women Voters |
Lexington LWV Annual Meeting The Lexington LWV will hold our annual meeting
on Saturday, April 17th at Faith Lutheran Church. We are delighted to
have long time League member and prominent civic leader, Isabel Yates,
as our featured speaker. Ms. Yates will share stories from past efforts
and her vision for the future of Lexington. All League members are encouraged to attend. Brunch begins at 9:30a.m. with the program to
follow at 10:00a.m.
The deadline to register is April 12th. The
cost is $15 which includes the cost of the brunch. To register, please
call 859-494-3203. |
February Dinner and Democracy The topic of the February Dinner and Democracy
meeting is "What's happening in Frankfort? The 2010 General Assembly".
Senator Alice Forgy Kerr (R) who represents the 12th Senatorial District
and Representative Kelly Flood (D) who represents the 75th House
District. Below are the details. League members and the public are
encouraged to attend and join in the discussion. Dinner and DemocracyTuesday, February 9th, 2010Faith Lutheran Church, 1000 Tates Creek Rd.
Lexington6pm Chili Supper 6:30-7:30pm Program and discussion Cost: $10Reservations required, please call
859-494-3203. Essay Contest Winners Announced The League of Women Voters of Lexington recently announced the winners of the 2009 essay contest. High school students in Fayette County were asked to submit essays on the question: What proposals would you make for improving or replacing the Electoral College system for electing the President and Vice-President of the United States?"Alex Gardner, a Henry Clay High School senior,
was awarded $250 for first place and his teacher, Keen Babbage,
received an award of $100. Second place went to Leanndra Padgett, a
senior at Lexington Christian Academy with $150. Her teacher, Aaron
Merz, received $50. The third place prize of $100 went to Max Ain, a
Paul Lawrence Dunbar junior. His teacher, Angela Bullock, also recevied
$50.
The League sponsers this contest to engage
students in thinking about the democractic process with the hope that
they will become full participants. |
January Meetings
Dinner and Democracy
5th Annual LWV Essay Contest
|
Highlights of the 2008-09 Year The
Lexington League of Women Voters has had a busy year! Below is an
overview of our accomplishments. All League members are encouraged to
get actively involved in the League this year as we continue to make a
difference in the local community. Membership dues are due by June 30
and can be paid using this form. *Candidate
forums for the local judicial district court seat and the five open
Urban County Council seats. These forums were held at the Lexington
Public Library and broadcast numerous times on the library's cable
channel 20. *Eight naturalization ceremonies registering 347 new citizens from 74 countries of origin. *Our
summer intern Molly Weston cataloged numerous boxes of League materials
for archival storage, worked on our new brochure, helped develop our
essay contest question, and attended naturalization ceremonies and
voter registration events. *Numerous speaking engagements about voting and voter registration issues. *Yearlong
voter registration at many locations - churches, candidate forums,
"Dinner and Democracy" events, local libraries, naturalization
ceremonies, and college campuses. *Revision of the Blue Sheet, a phone list for all the main local, state and federally elected officials serving Fayette County. *Four "Dinner and Democracy" events on topics that varied from judicial ethics to building and decorating "green". *Annual essay contest for local high school and home schooled students, this time wit the topic "How has the internet changed the way we get information and create information about presidental candidates?" *Full membership meeting to discuss and come to consensus on the National Popular Vote Compact Study requested by the LWVUS. *Hosted the state LWV meeting |
4th Annual LWV Essay Contest
Judicial Candidate Forum
Dinner and Democracy
League Board of Directors 2008-09
The League of Women Voters of Lexington is pleased to announce our newly elected Board of Directors for 2008-09 elected at the annual meeting in April. Click here to meet the new board. The League will kick off another series of our entertaining and informative Dinner and Democracy meetings in September. See the calendar for more information about D&D and other upcoming League events.
*Please note: June 30 is the deadline for paying next year's dues. See our membershipform to join or renew your membership.
Annual Meeting -- April 26
The League of Women Voters of Lexington will have our Annual Breakfast and Meeting on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Doubletree Suites. The meeting is open to all League members. Breakfast begins at 9 a.m. with speaker to follow. We are pleased to have Don Blevins Jr., Urban County Council Representative for District 10, as our featured speaker. Mr. Blevins will discuss his role on the council and will take questions from the audience.
The cost is fifteen dollars and can be mailed to the League's address here. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
February 2008
League's Dinner and Democracy features State Senators
The League of Women Voters of Lexington will host another of its Dinner and Democracy Series on Tuesday, February 12 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1000 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, Kentucky. Featured speakers are Senators Alice Forgy Kerr and Ernesto Scorsone who will provide an update on the 2008 General Assembly and answer citizens’ questions.
Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. with a program to follow. The cost is $10 ($5 cost/$5 donation). Dinner for this event will include lasagna and salad with homemade desserts.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Reservations are needed and can be made by calling 859-494-3203.
October 2007
3rd Annual Essay Contest
LWV of Lexington's 2007 Essay Contest centers on the importance of voting. Students may submit an essay that addresses the following questions:
In America today it is often said that the right to vote is both a privilege and a responsibility. What does this really mean? Why is exercising this right particularly important at this time in our history?
This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 who reside in Fayette County. Students enrolled in public, private, and home schools are eligible to enter. Essays are to be typewritten, double-spaced and no longer than five pages excluding the title page. The title page should include the title of the essay, date, student name, home address (including zip code), home phone number, grade, name of the high school, and the name of a sponsoring teacher. The scoring criteria can be found here.
Three prizes will be awarded. The 1st place winner will receive $250 cash, 2nd place will receive $150 and 3rd place $100.
Submissions may be made between September 1 and October 31, 2007. Awards will be presented in December 2007.
Essays may be mailed to
League of Women Voters of Lexington
P.O. Box 22045
Lexington, KY 40522
(Must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2007)
Submissions may also be e-mailed by midnight, October 31, 2007 to Judy Johnson at judylex@insightbb.com
July 2007
League Reception and Orientation
Please join us for our annual Reception and Orientation on August 25th. Members are encouraged to come and bring family and friends to learn more about the League and why they should be a part of it. Our guest speaker, Marsha Weinstein of LWVUS, will speak on "The Legacy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton." Refreshments will also be served. See the calendar for time and location details.
June 2007
2007 LWVUS Council
The National League of Women Voters held their bi-annual Council meeting in Washington, D.C. June 9-11. Kentucky was well represented by four members, Nikole Wolfe, Tammy Fagley, Lilialyce Akers, and LWVKY President Teena Halbig. Council is a great time to get refreshed and network with other League members from across the country.
The following report highlights pertinent information for League members and was written by Tammy Fagley, Vice President, LWV of Lexington
President Mary Wilson noted 6 key organizational/strategic goals. These goals keep the LWV on track and ensure we stay focused on the long-term strength of the League:
1-Increase the League’s impact by working in ways that build on it’s strength and reach.
To further this, in January, the League set our 2007 LWVUS Legislative Priorities: Campaign finance reform, civil liberties, DC voting rights, election administration reform, ethics and lobbying reform, global climate change, and health care reform.
2-Increase visibility for the League at all levels, thereby making it more widely known and respected.
www.Vote411.org-voter education website
3-Strengthen the League’s overall capacity by enhancing leadership at all levels.
4-Promote a vibrant & diverse membership
Membership Recruitment Initiative (MRI) will move into the next phase which is to work with State Leagues to help replicate the success of the 5 pilot project local leagues.
5-Strengthen the financial basis of the League through a number of initiatives.
National has launched a charitable gift annuity program in 40 states that allows the League to secure planned giving. Initiated relationship with Goodsearch.com internet search engine that allows users to designate the LWV ed fund as their preferred charity to receive a Goodsearch donation every time the user searches the web.
6-Strengthen the League’s organizational capacity by aggressively embracing and utilizing technology.
Upcoming National Activities
There is a task force working on two new advocacy issues for review. These will not lead to a League position. The task force gives information on an existing position or decision by resolution.
1-climate change
2-internet neutrality
The task force will have a final report to the national board by the end of the summer.
There is a national program to partner with Newspapers in Education to get information from “Choosing the President 2008” to local students/schools. National wants local leagues to help with this program and get with local newspapers.
National produced a Guidebook on Poll Worker Management-publication/release date to be announced.
April 8, 2007
League
members, join us for our annual breakfast and meeting from 9:00 am to Noon
on Saturday, April 28. Please
note our new location at the Springs Inn this year. Breakfast begins
at 9 a.m. Following a speaker, there will be a meeting and
the election of officers for 07-08'.
Location
Springs
Inn
2020 Harrodsburg Rd
Lexington, KY 40503
Speaker
Dr. Robynn Pease
Program Administrator, Fayette Urban-County Government's Office of Aging Services
Dr. Pease will speak about Project Age, a new program which addresses the needs of an aging population including health care, financial and emotional care.
Reservation
Deadline is April 15. Cost of the Breakfast is $13. Please
make check payable to LWV of Lexington and mail to the address below.
LWV of Lexington
P.O. Box 22045
Lexington KY 40522
Note: Those who do not wish to have breakfast may still attend the meeting. If you will not be having breakfast but will still be attending the meeting, please contact Margaret Melville so that we can provide adequate seating.
League
members, join us for The
League of Women Voters of Kentucky State Convention Friday, April 20 and
Saturday, April 21 at Falls of Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Rough River Lodge.
Thanks to the LWV of Elizabethtown and Hardin County for hosting the
meeting this year.
Details can be found at http://www.lwvky.org/Convention-2007.htm
League
Sponsors Ky Governor's Candidate Forum
LWVKY present Primary Election Candidates for Kentucky Governor on April 18 from 6:15-8:30 pm at the Frankfort Convention Center.
For details see http://www.lwvky.org/GovForumDetails-04-18-07.htm
March 12, 2007
National League of Women Voters President,
Mary G.
Wilson, visited Kentucky on March 12 to promote community dialogue about the lack of full voting rights for citizens of Washington, D.C. The Louisville League of Women Voters was selected to receive a grant from the national League of Women Voters Education Fund to create awareness about this issue. To help educate the Louisville community, the League held a meeting on March 12, with the president of the
LWVUS.
The citizens of the District of Columbia fulfill the obligations of American citizenship by paying federal taxes, serving in the military, and engaging in community leadership—yet they are still denied full voting representation in Congress.
“People living in Metro Louisville should be concerned that more than half a million of their fellow citizens living in our nation's capital have no voting rights in Congress,” said Co-President of the Louisville League, Teena Halbig. “Washington, D.C. is home to thousands of teachers, nurses, firefighters and small business owners just like you. These citizens pay federal taxes like the rest of us—but when it comes to shaping the important policies that affect their lives, they have no say. That’s taxation without representation. The Louisville League is proud to raise awareness about this democratic injustice.”
“The citizens of D.C. pay federal taxes like the rest of us—but when it comes to shaping the important policies that affect their lives, they have no say,” said LWVUS President Mary G. Wilson. “That’s taxation without representation, and it’s still wrong. I’m happy to join the Kentucky League in raising awareness about this democratic injustice.”
March 7, 2007
Evening Reception
Kitty Parker, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Lexington announced the winner of the League’s annual essay contest today. First place and a prize of $250 goes to R. Abbe Miller for her essay “Significance of Voting in Judicial Elections.” Ms. Miller is a 10th grade student in the social studies class taught by
Ms. Suzanna Wampler at Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Lexington.
The League asked students to respond to questions about the role of the judiciary, the importance of voting in judicial elections and characteristics or qualifications citizens should consider when voting for judges.
“In a year when voters faced an exceptional number of judicial races, we wanted to encourage high school students to learn more about electing judges,” said Kitty Parker, co-president and spokesperson for the Lexington League. “We want to encourage students to become involved and informed citizens, and always exercise their right to vote.”
©2007 League of Women Voters of
Lexington
nrwolfe@gmail.com
Last updated: February 4, 2008
