League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 Greetings, LWV of Metro Phoenix! Congratulations on all you are doing to advance LWV, educate voters, and improve our local governments. Thank you from Your 2014 – 2015 LWV Metro Phoenix Administrative Team: Secretary, Rivko Knox; Treasurer, Lucy Kahlstrom; Voter Services, Sue Ellen Davis & Marilyn Holroyd; Issues & Advocacy, Barbara Robertson; & Membership, Care Lengel Table of Contents A. Of Immediate Interest : 1 -‐ Attend Your Metro Phoenix LWV Annual Meetings 2 -‐ Maricopa County Study Moves to Action 3 -‐ LWV MP Phoenix Team Learns from Anne Schneider 4 – 95TH LWV Anniversary Luncheon Brings Out Almost Half LWVMP Membership 5 -‐ Long Time LWV Metro Phoenix Member? Two Ways to Support the Local League? 6 -‐ Thanks to All LWVMP Members Who Renewed Promptly in January 7 -‐ LWVMP Membership Remains Constant Despite Shift to One Renewal Date 8 -‐ Frances Munds Award Nominations Still Open B. Upcoming Events: 9 -‐ Sign Up to Speak on Arizona’s “New & Improved" Request to Speak (RTS) System...Again 10 -‐ Reprint: League of Women Voters Team Up for Forum 11 -‐ Support LWV AZ Raffle! C. What’s Been Happening: 12 -‐ Presentation by Leaguer Spotlights How Arizona Education Needs Our Support 13 -‐ ASU Interns Recruited by LWV Metro Phoenix, Gallego, Koch, and Others 14 -‐ LWV Metro Phoenix Sends Seven Teachers to Arizona Civics Conference 15 -‐ Is Democracy for Sale? LWV Greater Tucson Forum Available on the Web! 16 -‐ Morrison Institute and Cronkite School of Journalism team up to poll Arizonans about Arizona – Water & Education! D. Attachments: 17 – Annual LWV Metro Phoenix Annual Meeting Invitation 18– Current LWV MP Planning Calendar 1 -‐ Attend Your Metro Phoenix LWV Annual Meetings (see attachment) April 11, 2015 at The Terraces, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. LWV Arizona State President Robyn Prud’homme Bauer will speak on Getting Ready for Election 2016 and the LWV Metro Phoenix Admin Team will hold a discussion on Shaping the Future for LWVMP. Help set the course for your League for 2015-‐2016. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 2 -‐ Maricopa County Study Moves to Action The study of Maricopa County Government has moved into its Action phase. On Tuesday, April 8, Barbara Sherman, Maureen Schmid, Sandy Kaszeta, Karen Michael, Marge Thornton, and other Leaguers of the LWV Metro Phoenix East Valley Team will present the study and action items to their counterpart, the LWV MP Phoenix Team, at 9:30 a.m. at The Terraces, 7550 North 16th Street, Phoenix. Maureen Schmid has been attending County Supervisor meetings and County Elections Department Networking meetings. She recommends the following presentation from the County Recorder’s Office, which includes the Citizens clean Elections 2015 Education Plan and a Legislative Update of 120 bills that impact elections. http://recorder.maricopa.gov/voteroutreach/pdf/english/VOTER%20EDUCATION%20
and%20LEGISLATIVE%20UPDATE.pdf Maureen Schmid is also spearheading education about County government as instructor for a course on Maricopa County Government at Maricopa Community College through New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning. There is a waiting list for the course that begins each of 4 Monday afternoons from April 6 through 27. Guest speakers at each session are: Candice Copple, Chief of Staff for District One Supervisor Denny Barney; MaryEllen Sheppard, Maricopa County Assistant County Manager; Craig Harris, Arizona Republic State Government/Investigative Reporter; and League member Care Lengel on Arizona’s Judicial Performance Review Commission and Arizona’s Merit Selection Judicial System that the League helped initiate. 3 -‐ LWV MP Phoenix Team Looks at National Study Topics & Learns from Anne Schneider Throughout winter and spring, the LWV Metro Phoenix team in Phoenix has been studying three specific structures of American democracy identified by LWV US at the 2014 convention. These are a study of the process of amending the U.S. Constitution; a review and update of the League position on campaign finance in light of forty years of change; and a review of the redistricting process for the U.S. Congress. Leaguer and advocate Dr. Anne L. Schneider, Professor Emeritus School of Politics and Global Studies, has offered her services to the Phoenix Team of the Metro Phoenix League. Topics have ranged from really explaining Constitutional Conventions vs. Amendment, Citizens United & Dark Money, and Redistricting. White papers on each topic are available on the LWV MP website at <http://lwvmetrophoenix.org/in-‐the-‐past/>. On March 11 at 9:30 at the regular Terraces location (7550 North 16th Street, Phoenix) Dr. Schneider will take up Income Inequality and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. A powerhouse of information and passionate advocacy for participation in government, Dr. Schneider also puts out her own monthly Arizona Legislative Alert. Through the Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona Network http://www.uujaz.org/. Any Leaguers who have yet to sign up for Anne’s newsletter will want to check it out at <https://www.vuu.org/legislative-‐advocacy> and consider signing up for email delivery. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 4 – 95TH LWV Anniversary Luncheon Brings Out Almost Half LWVMP Membership On February 19, 2015, the East Valley Team hosted a luncheon at the Scottsdale Community College School of Culinary Arts. Organization was provided by Barbara Sherman, Karen Michael, Sandy Kaszeta, and Eleanor Coup. Thirty eight Leaguers came out to hear Arizona Republic reporter Yvonne Wingett-‐Sanchez and her additional guest presenter, Richard de’ Uriarte, who now works for Maricopa County. Both speakers addressed several issues and answered questions, including the role of “dark money” in politics. They noted that such unreported funds helped propel Governor Ducey and Attorney General Brnovich into office and that others like Gov. Ducey’s chief of staff, Kirk Adams, have roots in the Koch organizations. Other issues raised were related to public’s right to know what’s going on, both by the press gaining access to information in public records and by protecting the public’s right to attend open meetings before votes are held. Everyone present appreciated the candor of our speakers. After an exceptional luncheon, memorials were also delivered about the contributions of former League members Sue Gordon, Skeet Blakeslee, Dee Sirkis, Marge Wilson, Ann McGee, Millie Lester, Ellen Corkhill, and Catherine Zandler. At the end, Care Lengel delivered a reminder that Leaguers are all still serving our state’s future, working however we can for as long as we can. 5 -‐ Long Time LWV Metro Phoenix Members! Two Ways to Support Your Local League? 1. Consider donating to either LWVMP General Fund and to the LWVMP Education Fund! General funds get used to help us upgrade our website, boost membership, and advocate for League positions you have worked toward. Ed Funds go to projects like Civics Conference teacher registrations, Running and Winning for high school girls to meet with women who have run for office, and informing voters about getting registered and voting! 2. Make your adult kids and grandkids LWVMP members! As a second generation member, Care Lengel (daughter of Skeet Blakeslee) reminds us that all our families and friends depend on the information that LWVoters generates. Even for working families, being a member offers benefits through information, education, and advocacy. Complete membership applications for your family and consider donating their dues. You never know where it will lead! 6 -‐ Thanks to All LWVMP Members Who Renewed Promptly in January Two early renewers were randomly selected to receive donated gift cards. Our winners were Kelly Cooney and Loree Janusz. Loree responded, “Thank you for the very generous early renewal reward. I have been a league member for two years now. I joined because I have always admired the work the league was involved in and to learn more about the organization. My husband David, and I have attended several meetings, including Constitution Day, United Nations, and more than one meeting on human trafficking. We found the quality of speakers and officials providing information and influencing policy inspirational. I would like to mention a thank you to Alice Stambaugh as she has helped mentor me along the way and has added so much more to the experience.” League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 7 – LWVMP Membership Remains Constant Despite Shift to One Renewal Date In March, 2014, we had 79 members, and as of March this year, we have 83! Welcome to new members: Anne Pyron, Beverly Weiss, and Michelle Dorsey, and the return of Michael Harrop. One renewal date simplified administrative time, costs, and errors. At the Annual Meetings on April 11, we will be sharing how your dues are used! Two lost members were also found! Due to a temporary problem with Pay Pal, applications for Barbara Zeller and Megan & Ron Engle were not entered onto the LWVMP Roster. Your Administrative Team wishes to apologize to these two members and formally welcome them to the League. 8 -‐ Frances Munds Award Nominations Still Open Will you help? In the fall of the League’s 95th year, LWV Metro Phoenix will consider presenting the Frances Munds Award to a deserving honoree. Your Admin. Team is seeking exceptional nominees for this award. Please send your recommendation to Care Lengel <[email protected]> . Include: 1. Your Name and contact information 2. Name of Recommended Recipient for Consideration 3. Contact information for the person you are recommending 4. Organization(s) she represents 5. Specific Contributions (Note: The more thoroughly you describe the contributions of this person, the more likely she will be selected as the 95th Anniversary Nominee.) 6. How do the contributions of this person reflect League positions, approaches, or q ualities? From 1898 until women were granted the right to vote in the Arizona territory, schoolteacher Frances Munds worked toward women’s suffrage. During the summer of 1912, Mrs. Munds helped organize a petition drive to collect the 3,342 signatures needed for a suffrage ballot initiative. In 1913, Governor George Hunt appointed Munds to represent Arizona at the International Woman Suffrage Alliance in Budapest, Hungary. The next year, she became the first woman elected to the Arizona Legislature (representing Yavapai County), and the second woman to be elected to any state legislature in the United States. On special occasions, the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix grants the Frances Munds Award to an Arizona woman who has worked with great diligence on an issue important to Arizona and to the League. Past recipients include Sandra Day O’Connor in 1995, Polly Rosenbaum in 1998, Carol Kamin in 2005, and Sandy Bahr in 2010. 9 -‐ Sign Up to Speak on Arizona’s “New & Improved" Request to Speak (RTS) System...Again As of Opening Day at the Legislature this January, the Request to Speak (RTS) protocol changed. The RTS system is mainly for the public to follow and make comments on bills in committee. Arizona State Legislature Website (ALIS) explains its history, “The Request To Speak in Committee system replaces sign in slips used by those wishing to testify in Senate and/or House committees. Committee chairpersons will have electronic access to listings of everyone signed up to speak and will know in advance who is for or against a particular bill.” A voter making a request must input a previously recorded email and password or create an account. Try this first. If a previous account is on file, it may allow access. However, several Leaguers discovered their accounts were not enabled when this notice appeared, “To enable your Request To Speak account, you need to League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 log in to the system from a kiosk computer in the State Senate or House of Representatives buildings located at. 1700 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85007.” So, sign up again... at a kiosk in a Capital mall building again... on business days during business hours. When one signs up, the information required has also been increased. Be prepared to input: the last-‐
four digits of social security number; full birthdate (month, day, year;) full, legal name (first and last;) address; permanent email; and a password. We recommend one write and keep both one's email and password to avoid later frustration. But remember, anyone can telephone or email any elected official at any time. Do so! But plan to get signed up for RTS too for the 2016 Legislative cycle. 10 -‐ Reprint: League of Women Voters Team Up for Forum LWWAZ, LWV Metro Phoenix, and the League of Women Voters of Northwest Maricopa County will host a forum on ways to increase voter participation in elections. Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell, along with Yavapai County Recorder Leslie Hoffman and Election Director Lynn Constable will speak. Presentation will feature information on how county election officials are working to ensure that voters have more information on how to participate in elections, new voting technologies and practical solutions to allow voters to participate easily and conveniently. Maricopa & Yavapai County Election Officials will discuss ways to reach voters at Election Protection/Creative Solutions for Increasing and Sustaining Voter Participation on March 26, 2015 ~ 9:30-‐11:00 a.m. at the Dysart Unified School District. Nathaniel Dysart Education Center, Main Conference Room, 15802 North Parkview Place, Surprise. (www.lwvaz.org) 11 -‐ Support LWV AZ Raffle! You could win a one-‐week vacation in this Show Low, AZ home! Raffle tickets: $20 each. Only 100 tickets will be sold – Deadline May 1! Property photos can be viewed online at www.vrbo.com (property # 458194) For tickets, contact: Care Lengel or Barb Robertson. Date of occupancy to be determined between the winner and property owner (excluding July, August, September 2015). Drawing will b e held on Sunday, May 17, during the LWVAZ 2015 Convention at Yavapai College, Verde Campus, Clarkdale, AZ. Winner need not be present to win. Proceeds to benefit the League of Women Voters of Arizona Education Fund (a 501(c)3 non-‐profit) 12 -‐ Presentation by Leaguer Spotlights How Arizona Education Needs Our Support February 25 was AAUW Legislative Day at the Capitol Museum, and LWV Metro leader Barbara Robertson attended the Issues Presentations for AAUW Legislative. Joye Kohl, of LWV Northwest Maricopa County and AAUW, presented on Education, who recently co-‐
authored an op-‐ed with Jane Adrian, president of AAUW Arizona in the Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-‐ed/2014/12/15/arizona-‐education-‐
funding/20451679/ League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 Joye Kohl addressed a variety of education issues, beginning with adequately and equitably funding quality public education for all students. She urged that voters respectfully urge the legislators to treat education as a ticket to a better future for everyone, not as a political game, and restore base per-‐pupil funding in the coming budget year as directed by the courts, as well as phase-‐in repayment of the $331 million each year to meet the voter approved and court supported inflationary adjustment. Joye advocated for public transparency in state budget negotiations by the legislature and governor. She encouraged attendees to lobby for the proposed budget to be revised to include the $24 million for the Student Success Program and to eliminate proposals cutting non-‐classroom spending, reminding legislators and the governor that schools also need the non-‐classroom resources which provide for counselors, librarians, school nurses, safety personnel, school administrators and others to support the classroom teacher and student needs. Joye also suggested everyone interested in Arizona’s education oppose the use of public funds and diversion of tax credit monies to nonpublic elementary and secondary education and charter schools that do not adhere to the same civil rights and transparent operational standards as required of other schools. She advocated for the implementation of Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards, renamed from Common Core. Learn more! Joye and John Kohl of League of Women Voters of Northwest Maricopa County have written a 26 page white paper on Education in Arizona. It can be found at LWV Northwest Maricopa County website. http://nwmc.az.lwvnet.org/files/education_white_paper_feb_10_2015_final_a.pdf 13 -‐ ASU Interns Recruited by LWV Metro Phoenix, Gallego, Koch, and Others Thank you to ASU’s Center for Political Thought and Leadership’s Don Critchlow, who invited Leaguer Care Lengel to recruit an intern on February 4, 2015. This program encourages young politicos to work with non-‐profit organizations as part of their program of study. LWVMP seeks a part time intern to learn about politics in action and assist with www.LWVMetroPhoenix.org website and other projects. Other recruiters included the office of Arizona’s Congressman Ruben Gallego, honored by NARAL with the Trust Women Award; the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a national free market conservative training group; the Goldwater Institute, which offers students local and national positions; the Charles Koch Foundation, which supports interns in D.C. and offers job opportunities; and ASU’s McCain Institute of Policy Design, in which students both intern and research solutions to foreign policy issues; and the Capital Scholars Program, which allows students to intern with D.C. organizations of their own choice. These young scholars were interested in learning about non-‐profits but clearly kept focus on future careers. Care’s primary impression was the high-‐powered conservative groups who presented were organized, funded, and encouraged interns not only with educational experiences but income and career services. League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix C&C Newsletter March 2015 14 -‐ LWV Metro Phoenix Sends Seven Teachers to Arizona Civics Conference On February 26, $350 in donations from LWV Metro Phoenix and individual Leaguers from both the East Valley and Phoenix Teams helped seven teachers from three districts attend the Arizona Excellence in Civic Engagement Conference, sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education and Maricopa County Community Colleges. To quote LWV conference coordinator Barbara Knutson from LWV NWMC registration recipients were, “...seven from LWVMP (WOW!), two from LWVNWM, two from LWV Verde, 1 from Tucson and three from the state.” Metro Phoenix recipients and their districts were: Amanda Arndt and Sherry Padlan from Phoenix Elementary; Betsey Sieveking, Pat Radke, and Gerald Taylor from Tempe Elementary; and Nick Estes and Colleen Fitzpatrick from Phoenix Union High School District. All but one were classroom teachers and all contacted Metro Phoenix conference coordinator Care Lengel to thank her for the League’s support and assistance. Care thanks all recipients for their dedication to their profession and students and thanks Amanda Arndt, Lori McClellan, and Katie Parod Hansen who so ably coordinated to put her in touch with each district’s teachers. 15 -‐ Is Democracy for Sale? LWV Greater Tucson Forum Available on the Web! In a recent email, Barbara Robertson said, “I have just watched most of the video LWV Tucson’s <http://www.lwvgt.org> forum on Candidate Forums and Dark Money. It is exasperating, encouraging, long, and worth every second of its 130 minutes! Just a hint about how to watch it -‐ I went to You Tube because you can see how much time there is left and it feels like you have more control over it. (Beware) the extreme negative cynicism of the political consultants (at the beginning.) There are 4 sections each 20 to 30 minutes long and a brief introduction. 1. Campaign Consultants: Max Fose, David Leibowitz, Barrett Marson 2. Candidates: Christine Jones, Terry Goddard (21 minutes in) 3. Political Journalists: Jermy Duda, Joe Ferguson, Jim Nintzel (39 minutes in) 4. Q&A (56 minutes in.) “ Check it out when you have some time, or listen while you work on other things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j-‐dlGTmqb8&feature=youtu.be 16 -‐ Morrison Institute and Cronkite School of Journalism team up to poll Arizonans about Arizona Results? Education and water should be top priorities in Arizona government spending, saying, “Nearly nine out of 10 respondents ranked K-‐12 education and water quality a very high or high priority.” <http://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/news/poll-‐coverage-‐1st-‐installment> LWV-MP MEETINGS & EVENTS CALENDAR 2015
Corrections a) LWVMP Ad Team Mar16; b) LWVAZ Board Sat., Mar7; c) Location LWVMP Board Mtg Terraces Apr11
MONTH COMMUNITY TEAMS MARCH LWV MP Calendar Publishes Mar 12 Mar 11 – 9:30 at Terraces Phx Team. An Schneider speaks on Economic Inequities. Mar 19-‐ EV Team Brown Bag lunch 11:30 at Marge Thornton’s. Finalize plans for class & PCT presentations Mar. 5 CHANGED to Mar. 16 – Ad Team Meeting 11:30-‐2:30 LWV Office Apr 8 – Phx Team 9:30 at Terraces. EV Team makes Presentation to Phoenix Community Team on Maricopa County Government Apr 11 –Annual Business and Program Meeting – Getting Ready for Election 2016 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. APRIL LWV MP Calendar Publishes Apr 16 LOCAL LEAGUE EVENT SPECIAL EVENT: Mar. 5 -‐ EDUCATION RALLY at State Capitol 4:15 p.m. STATE LEAGUE Mar. 10 CORRECTION Sat., Mar 7 -‐ LWVAZ Board Meeting at Office Time: 10 – 3. CORRECTION – NEW Location: Terraces 7550 N. 16th St., Phoenix Mondays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27: New Apr 16 – EV Team 11:30 at Frontiers for Lifelong Learning Class on Marge Thornton’s Where do Maricopa County Government at MCC; we go from coordinated by Maureen Schmid of EV here? Determine EVCT Team. leadership for 2015-‐16. OTHER Mar 10 – LWV/NWMC Brown bag lunch on human trafficking; contact Bonnie Saunders. Mar. 12 – Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 3p.m. RSVP 602-‐926-‐
3720 Mar. 26 – LWVNWM Voter Protection/Overcoming Voter Suppression Event 26 March. NEW LOCATION Dysart Education Center, Main Conference Room, 15802 N Parkview Place, Surprise 85374.Contact Carol Matoon of Northwest Maricopa County LWV 623-‐815-‐1019 [email protected] Passover – Sat Apr 4 Easter – Sun Apr 5 Apr. 10 -‐ Author Dave Berman signs new book, George Hunt 7-‐8 p.m. Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, Apr. 14 – Equal Pay Day Celebration. Phoenix City Hall 11:30 – 1:30 Apr. 30 – LWV Metro Phx Book Club Eliz. Warren’s “A Fighting Chance” at M. Thornton’s home 11:30 – 3:00. Revised Feb. 26, 2015 LWV-MP MEETINGS & EVENTS CALENDAR 2015
MAY LWV MP Calendar Publishes May 8 May 13 – Phx Team TBD May TBA -‐ EV Team (TBD usually does not meet) May 7 – Ad Team Meeting 11:30-‐2:30 LWV Office JUNE Team Summer Breaks May 16 -‐17 LWVAZ Convention Clarkdale @ Yavapai College, Yavapai College, 1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott Begins at 8 a.m. State Board & General Meeting. Election of officers TBA Revised Feb. 26, 2015 Metro Phoenix League Annual Meetings
Getting Ready for Election 2016
and Shaping the Future of LWV Metro Phoenix
Date
Time
Location
Saturday, April 11, 2015
9:30 to 12:30
NEW! The Terraces, 7550 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020
(Map and parking information available online shortly)
Room
Viva Center B
Refreshments 9 a.m. Morning - Coffee and Treats
12:00 p.m. Luncheon – On your own or Cafe at the Terraces
9:30 LWV Arizona State President Robyn Prud'homme-Bauer
Getting Ready for Election 2016
10:15 Legislative Review
Barbara Robertson
2015 Legislature and what to expect for 2016 (handout)
10:25 Armchair Advocacy
Care Lengel
Arizona’s “new and improved” Request to Speak System (RTS handout)
10:45 Business Meeting
Chair
Parliamentarian
Recorder
Minutes 2014 and Revisions
By Laws
Care Lengel
Sandy Kaszeta
Rivko Knox
Barbara Robertson
No Changes
10:50 Shaping the Future for LWVMP Discussion – Chart the Course for 2015-16
11:20 Admin Team Reports
Admin Team
Finance & Budget 2015-2016
Lucy Kahlstrom
Upcoming Events
Care Lengel
11: 45 Elections Committee
Administrative Team
Elections (1 year terms)
11:50 Program Report
12:00
Nominal President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership
Voter Services
Communications
Advocacy
Liaison with LWVAZ
____________________
Rivko Knox (continuing)
Lucy Kahlstrom (continuing)
____________________
____________________
Care Lengel (change)
Barbara Robertson (continuing)
____________________
Barbara Robertson
LWV 50-Year Celebration Linda Rosenthal