Board Members present:  Satsie Veith, Sandra Flake, Claire Greene, Marcia Moore,

Janet Rechtman, Caroline Langen, Toni Reid, Carol Holzgrafe

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:30p.m

Minutes were approved as read.

Financial Report – Sandra presented the profit and loss budget: $1,870 received: $1,050 to North Valley Educational Fund $50,286 total in NVEF; $23,866 in Tri-County Bank. Most one-time bills are paid. Report accepted unanimously.

Proposed Revision of Nonpartisan Policy – Satsie and Marcia reviewed the policy, noted that the original was limiting. It is not a bylaw so no need to have member votes. Changes approved unanimously.

 Elections Programs (w/Keaton) updates – Last night’s program went well though the link to the recording is broken; Claire will repair it. Ideas: is there another resource for publicity to reach a broader audience? Instagram, send to membership to engage them; OLLI; the two newspapers (Chico and Oroville)? Toni: show the program to young first voters at the high schools and local colleges; make it available to poly sci departments or government classes.  Janet will follow up with OLLI and Liz Griffin, and will contact Butte for a useful contact

Conflict of Interest Policy Update - None

Voter Registration & Voter Services Update – Janet: there will be a block party in Oroville on Jan. 17; Corky has reached out to people who have volunteered; more volunteers needed. Voter assistance center (reminder just sent today) VAC in the Luna Room. Janet will talk to Oroville about reaching multicultural populations. Margaret Swick has contacts at the jail; CHAT. Our intern could organize the Voter Registration event at CSU. Claire: speed dating: Feb. 11th , 1:30 to 3:30 at the Masonic Hall in Chico. $700. Funds are budgeted but Sandra needs rental agreement and date to get insurance.

Other Board & Committee Updates

Sandra said 49 members have not paid after three e-mails, a newsletter notice and calls to everyone who had not paid. She will send updated lists to the board. National requires a specific member number to assign our number of delegates. People will be dropped after Jan. 31. Marcia: has new nametags with logos for all and will remove those of people who have not renewed.

Janet: Do we continue Survey monkey at $268/year? She suggests we let it lapse/ we can rejoin at any time. Janet will not renew.

Caroline: The Observer Corps; Debra Barger led orientation and review at the office. Toni has resigned from the Observer Corps after many years. Also resigning are those observing the Chico and Oroville City Councils. The reason: mostly because they want to participate in the work of agencies (City Councils), not allowed as an observer. We have gained 3 observers and lost 3. Ramona Flae asked for change in assignment.

Marcia suggested a person living in the county, not city, would be appropriate to observe city councils? Caroline will talk to Marcia about this.

Staffing Luna Room Update – Satsie thinks we’ll have enough volunteers.

Winter Member Meeting – At the Chico Baptist Church on Feb. 17 but we need a speaker. Ideas: 1. on electoral college and national popular vote compact. Ties into education re: LWV National is in favor of abolishing the Electoral College, which is unknown to many members. 2. Cal Matters re electoral issues in the state.

Hand out copies of the league’s position at the meeting. It isn’t partisan because this is the league’s core position and this is an educational presentation. It will also publicize the League. Satsie will contact Diana Dwyre to speak.

LWVUS Program Planning Survey asks for our feedback. Satsie: have an email survey; explain what National’s program is (making democracy work); people respond, suggest other topics too. Satsie and Janet will work on the survey.

Toni: Keaton said Butte County voted by mail 96%. Most important is understanding process of ballot processing. He did mention that people might visit the houses of people unable to get to the polls, offering to take ballots. Voter safety is important. Satsie: let Keaton know we’ll be showing the recording.

Other items                                                                                                    Adjourned at 6:29

Submitted by Carol Holzgrafe