Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area
December 15, 2024 - Vol. 6, No.06

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COMING IN FERUARY

In early 2025, LWV is switching to a new member portal for all Leagues across the country! There is no action that you need to take now, but we want to give you an overview of this upcoming event.

 

When the system launches in January/February 2025, you will receive an email inviting you to log in to the new portal and view your record. However, at that time you will not need to renew your membership unless it is 12 months since your most recent renewal.

 

In the new system, you have the option to set up an auto-renewal every 12 months. In the portal, you can update your own information - name, address, phone number, email.

When it comes time to renew, you will receive another email reminder asking you to sign into the portal and renew with your credit card.

 

Changes to Dues Structure

Dues will no longer be a fixed rate ($50 individual and $80 household) but will be "pay-what-you-can". The recommended dues amount for all members across the country will be $75, but you may pay any amount that is at least $20.

Currently, LWV of Williamsburg pays a fixed dollar amount per member to LWV of Virginia and to LWVUS. Under the new system, a percentage of your dues will go to the state and to the national League. When renewing, if you would like to make an additional donation directly to LWV of Williamsburg, you will be able to do that in the new portal.

There will still be the option to pay by check but we strongly encourage you to use the online system and pay with a credit card.

We hope these changes will make managing your membership easier. This new system is expected to increase membership around the country and our ability to empower voters and defend democracy. We will keep you informed as we have new and relevant information.

SIGN UP

The Schedule

Feb 04: U.S.–China Relations
Feb 11: Ai & American National Security
Feb 18: The Future Of Nato And European Security
Feb 25: American Foreign Policy At A Crossroads
Mar 04: India - Between China, The West, And The Global South  (Zoom only)
Mar 11: U. S. Changing Leadership Of The World Economy
Mar 18: International Cooperation On Climate Change
Mar 25: After Gaza - American Policy In The Middle East

Register Now

The Great Decisions Program returns in 2025! Our local League recruits speakers on the world topics selected annually by the Foreign Policy Association. Registration for the eight-lecture series includes a briefing book created by the Foreign Policy Association.

Seven of our eight presenters will speak in person at the library; one presenter will only address us on Zoom. All sessions can be viewed on Zoom.
Attend in-person at the Theatre of the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre on Scotland Street or watch on Zoom. You can 'mix and match' - come to some sessions in-person, and others online.

About Our Program

Meet Our Presenters
Briefing books. Registrants will be notified when and where the briefing books will be available for pickup.
Cost. $75 individual; $100 household; one briefing book included.
Dates. Eight consecutive Tuesday morning sessions, each starting at 10:30 am (Feb 4-March 25)
Location. Seven sessions are in-person at Williamsburg Regional Library and simulcast on Zoom. One session (March 4) will be a Zoom-only event. Those who prefer a larger screen can attend at the Library and view it on the big screen in the Williamsburg Library Theatre.
Parking. For the program, you may park on the streets around the library without concern for ticketing. These special times run from 9:45 am to noon.
Questions? Email our Great Decisions registrar Abra Smith at greatdecisionswilliamsburg@gmail.com

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 SCHOOL BOARD

WJCC School Board 12/10/2024

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 VOTER SERVICES

Our local League Voter Services leaders, Maryann Simpson and Denise Koch, organize numerous voter registration events and candidate forums. Many voting services events will be scheduled in 2025!

Get involved! Contact Us

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 VOLUNTEER

Volunteer with us to observe meetings of the York County School Board. We currently observe and take notes for the WJCC School Board, and we want to cover York County. You can observe the monthly meetings online (live or rebroadcast) and then write up your report which we will post on our website to share with membership.

Take a look at a typical report here

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 TRAINING

It’s easy, thorough, and can be done from home on your computer. Go to Training | VA Dept. of Elections and complete the online training course and sign the online Third Party Voter Registration Drive Sworn Affidavit and Application Request. Virginia Dept. of Elections will send you an email confirming your certification with our League of Women Voters-Williamsburg Area as your sponsoring organization.

Contact Us for help with this process. Let us know when you receive your certification!

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 MEMBERSHIP

Thank you renewing members! And a Special Welcome to new members! Names with asterisks gave an extra amount above basic dues!

 

Special Thank You for Generous Donation from Non-Member

Steve Unger

Welcome New Members

Arthur Ellis, **Anne Grossman, Berna Heyman, Joan Peterson, Beverly Spannuth, Regina & Richard Thek, Harold Tukey, Susan Webster

 

Anne Brennan, **Katherine Cheves, Patricia Collmeyer, Loretta Conen, Christine Faia, **Jodi Fisler, Pamela Gray, Paula & Lee Hougen, Mary Kayrouz, Lonnie Mattes, Cynthia McCraw, Alynn Parham, **Ellen Peters, Jeannette Potter, **Nancy Risseeuw, **Patricia Rublein, Karen Schifrin, Les Smith, **Nancy Vincent Archibald, **Alfred & Diane Woods

 

League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area