 | | | What part of democracy are YOU participating in?
Very often I review the membership and minutes of the various boards and committees across our four counties and am always a bit disappointed to see vacant seats for positions that have the ability to help create good government while addressing community needs. I’m asking each of our members to review the list of boards and committees in your county and to consider applying for and serving on boards. If there’s a board or committee you are interested in that doesn’t currently have a vacancy, I would encourage you to attend their meetings as a member of the public, get to know the existing members, and when a vacancy occurs, submit your application/resume for consideration.
You can find a list of boards and committees here:
http://www.sjcfl.us/boards/CurrentVacancies.aspx
https://www.claycountygov.com/government/boards-and-committees/committee-vacancies
https://www.coj.net/departments/boards-and-commissions/appointment-opportunities
https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/217/Boards-Commissions-Committees
|  | As we all prepare for the upcoming legislative session (begins January 11th), I am asking each member to find at least one committee, bill or issue that you care about and engage your circle of influence (neighbors, family, coworkers, church members, club members, etc.), your elected representatives and members of the committees that will be voting on the bill. I realize that legislative session can be overwhelming, and it feels like there is just too much going on but while none of us can do everything, each one of us can do something.
If you have still not subscribed to Capital Reports, I recommend you do so. This will allow you to receive updates and alerts regarding bills that are League priorities. You can subscribe at https://lwvfl.org/category/capitol-reports/.
If you would like to be connected to local or state committees please let me know and I would be happy to help you get signed up for meetings or make contact with committee chairs.
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| | | First Wednesday Speaker Series: Effective Citizenship Engagement with Chris Hand
Wednesday, January 5, 12:30 pm
Out of an abundance of caution for the health of our members and our guest speaker, this event will be held virtually via Zoom.
Register Here
Join us to hear from attorney Chris Hand on effective citizen engagement with government. Chris is a Jacksonville native with a long record of public, civic, and legal service. He currently leads a Florida strategic government law firm providing strategic counsel and litigation support to help businesses, other organizations, and individuals seek opportunities and solve challenges with government. Specific practice areas include infrastructure, public-private partnerships, economic development, procurement, government litigation, local government counsel and election law.
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Hand graduated from the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs. He was honored with the Daily Princetonian Award for efforts to reform the university’s then century-old Honor Code. Hand later graduated from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. The law school student body elected him as president of the student bar association. Hand also served as a research assistant to former Florida Governor and U.S. Representative Buddy MacKay and was a member of the Moot Court team.
Hand is an author and speaker who has provided political, legal, and governmental analysis for local media. He has been active in Leadership Florida in Cornerstone Class 36, as Co-Chair of the Special Council on Equity, Equality and Justice and on the Northeast Region Council. Hand is a member of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Advisors, Leadership Jacksonville, and Jacksonville Bar Association. An enthusiastic hiker who loves the outdoors, he lives in Jacksonville with his wife and two children.
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2022 Florida Fight for Reproductive Freedom
Did you know that the League of Women Voters of Florida is a member of Floridians for Reproductive Freedom? The mission of this coalition is to educate about the importance of, and advocate for, convenient, affordable, and safe access to the full range of reproductive health care—from abortion to birth control to evidence-based sex education.
In early January, the Florida Legislature will convene for the 2022 Legislative Session. Our need to defend reproductive freedom is real. On January 12, 2022, Floridians will converge on the Florida Capitol to defend reproductive freedom. Stand up and fight for reproductive freedom in Florida by mobilizing to Tallahassee on January 12 #BansOffOurBodies. If you are interested in attending, register HERE so you get updates about the event.
March with Us in the MLK Holiday Grand Parade
The 41st Jacksonville MLK Holiday Grand Parade will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, in Downtown Jacksonville. The League will be marching and we invite all who want to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. to join us. This is a fun event if you like parades and a brisk morning walk. For more information or to sign up, please contact Dianne Main.
League of Women Voters of Florida Clean Energy Committee
93% of Floridians support solar net metering. The proposed changes to net metering in Senate Bill 1024 and House Bill 741 would decimate Florida’s growing rooftop solar industry and result in the loss of thousands of solar jobs.
Our partners at Solar United Neighbors (SUN) want to ensure that Florida legislators hear from the thousands of Floridians that support our solar rights.
Redistricting
For our members who have not been able to sort through all the language regarding census, data, map drawing, packing, and cracking, here’s couple of resources that you may find beneficial:
Duval:
The legislation for redistricting is expected to be introduced to City Council January 11, 2022. The Rules Committee will then host three required public hearings which have been proposed to take place at Atlantic Coast High School, First Coast High School, and the Frank Peterson Academy, with the Randolph Academy as a back-up location if there are any problems with another site. Keep an eye on the Redistricting page for exact dates, times and locations.
The Tributary has consistently followed the local meetings and recently held a public event where they provided an overview of redistricting history and possible impacts of current maps. We encourage you listen in to their December 16th event here: https://www.facebook.com/TheJaxTrib/videos/900582164153205 and consider subscribing to The Tributary at https://mailchi.mp/jaxtrib/changing-florida.
Nassau: Nassau County Board of County Commissioners adopted a new district map December 14th.
St Johns: Both the St. Johns County Commission and School Board voted unanimously Thursday, Dec. 9th, to adopt a new redistricting plan.
Statewide: If you missed some of the LWVFL most recent discussions on redistricting, here are some resources to view the proposed maps:
Duval League Members, Become a Poll Worker!
Special Unitary General Election for City Council At-Large Group 3 will be held February 22, 2022 with early voting February 12 - 20.
It’s time to sign up to attend Poll Worker training so you can serve as a poll worker.
Signing up for the training is as easy as going to the SOE's website and registering for a class using your Voter Registration Number.
https://www.duvalelections.com/Poll-Workers/Register-For-A-Class
Our president served as a poll worker for the December 7th Election Day and appreciated the opportunity to participate in our election process and to see the efforts and preparations to provide our voters with access to participate in our democracy. We hope you’ll become a poll worker in your county when the opportunity presents itself.
What does 2022 hold in store for our Local League?
2022 is quickly approaching and will be a year full of opportunities for each member of our local League. Here’s a glimpse at events and opportunities:
- Martin Luther King Jr Day Parade: January 17, 2022 (we will be walking in this event)
- Lobby Days: January 25 – 26, 2022 (more to follow from LWVFL)
- Candidate Forums (we will need volunteers for these events)
- Vote411 voting guides (we will need volunteers to help prepare the data as well as questions for the various races and counties)
- By-Laws Committee for upcoming annual business meeting
- Nominating Committee prepares slate for annual business meeting (lots of opportunities to get involved as committee chairs and board members)
- Annual business meeting (election, bylaws and budget)
- New Board Orientation (most likely in August)
- Local Program meetings to establish 2023 program/priorities
- Study and Action opportunities
Our League is only successful and productive because of those members who step up and work together to accomplish our goals. We hope you will consider joining in our work in 2022.
| | | | Replay of Last Month's Speaker, Trish Neely
Our December Speaker Series event had Trish Neely sharing with us all about how to plan for a legislative session. She shared some strategies for diplomatic advocacy supporting the LWV position on specific bills. Perfect timing as we approach lobby days! You can see the recording, and all previous speakers, on our YouTube channel.
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| | | We can't do it without you! Please join in recognizing our new and returning members from last month.
New Members—Welcome aboard!
- Nancy Geary
- Niki Mixson
- Lynn Marlowe
Returning Members—Thank you so much for choosing to renew!
- Angela and Gary Demonbreun
- Greta Lanier
- Sondie Frus
- Dianne Main
- Karen Parish
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It’s easy to join or renew on our website, lwvjaxfc.org, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the blue “Join Today” button at the top of the Homepage.
Members who wish to renew must log in. If you are using a Mobile device, you will need to select Desktop at the bottom of your screen to receive the Login prompt.
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We wish to acknowledge and thank those who have made donations this month:
Our website, lwvjaxfc.org, offers an easy way to make donations to LWVJFC, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the Homepage. | | |
Volunteers Always Needed
Quite often, our League needs volunteers to help with small tasks that are not time consuming but vital to our leadership and membership.
If you are willing to help make phone calls, be trained to send text messages, or assist in other ways, please contact us and let us help you figure out how to invest your time in our League and our democracy.
Contact Lanelle at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com to discuss topics and abilities.
For more specific volunteer tasks, click HERE. | | Local
Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on the LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast website and Facebook page.
Regional
The Regional Facebook Group, LWV Florida North Region Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee. | | | Contact Us
We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 904-355-8683
Email: LWVJAXFC@gmail.com
Facebook:
Like and Follow our Facebook page, League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast.
Postal Address:
Please use this address regardless of any forms or documents to the contrary.
League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast
PO Box 330353
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 | | | | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. | | |
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