League of Women Voters of Butte County Board Meeting Minutes October 12, 2021   5:30 pm  Via ZOOM

Members Present: Mahalley Allen, Roxanne Ferry, Sandra Flake, Claire Greene, Toni Reid, and Satsie Veith

1. 1.     Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 5:31 pm.

2. Approve Meeting Minutes

The minutes for the September 14th regular board meeting were approved. The minutes from the special board meeting on September 20th were approved.

3. Treasurer’s Report

Sandra is reconciling the first three months of the fiscal year and will have a report at the next board meeting. She submitted to the accountant the league’s tax records from the previous fiscal year. The league submitted an application to participate in the North Valley Community Foundation’s Week of Giving program. The event starts the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and runs for an entire week.

4. Update on County Contract

The county wants to meet again next week to discuss the contract.

5. Voter Registration Proposals

Roxanne shared information about a local non-profit group, Semillas, that is working to encourage Latino voter registration. Satsie also shared a plan that is forming for voter registration at homeless encampments. 

6. Tuscan Water District Forum Update

Claire reported that the four speakers for the event have been confirmed, and they are sending their bios for the event. Maureen and Claire are working on an introduction for the event with edits from the panelists. The plan is to leave the chat open during the event, assuming everyone attending remains cordial.

7. Water and Other Programs

Toni updated board members that two programs on water are planned. The first program will cover the area’s major water districts and Table A water allocations. Program topics will include the history of the districts, sources of water for each district, how the districts are authorized, the areas they serve, how the districts distribute water, and the cost to customers. The second program will cover the challenges for distributing water around the county, concerns about distribution and cost, and how to provide water for county citizens from the local water sources we have.

Toni shared that she connected with Jason Mandley, senior air quality planner with the Butte County Air Quality Management District, who has several programs about air quality he could present to the league, such as wildfire smoke outreach, winter air quality topics, or community air protection programs. She also spoke with Pamm Larry from the non-profit Butte County Local Food Network, who would also be happy to give a presentation to the league. Board members agreed to ask Jason to give a presentation in the second or third week of November.

8. Member Survey Update

Freddie was working on the member survey update, and Satsie will ask Lori for assistance with the form. Board members agreed to not ask about respondents’ gender on the form.

9. Computer Tech Review by Travis

League member Travis Kaneshiro is knowledgeable about tech issues, and he made some suggestions for the league computer’s software and file backup system.  Board members discussed getting a webcam and external microphone for the league computer.

10. Website Issues: Post Agenda? Member Access to Meetings

Should board meeting agendas be posted to the website or sent to the membership? Do board meeting minutes need to be posted to the website? Board members will continue to discuss this issue. Board members agreed to leave the board’s January 2021 public statement about Representative LaMalfa on the website until at least January 2022.

11. New Member Orientation Update

The league will start sending a paper packet, including a letter from the president and a brochure about the league, to new members. Satsie and Roxanne are deciding whether to hold a new member orientation by Zoom or in person, probably by Zoom. The league has approximately six new members in the past few months.

12. Holiday Party

Board members agreed to a holiday party over Zoom and then perhaps a spring party at the Elks Lodge pavilion.

13. Committee Reports

No reports. Committees will be doing more work in the next few months.

14. Money in Politics Program

Freddie contacted Dr. Diana Dwyre from Chico State, and she is willing to give a presentation on the basics of campaign finance law for the league in the spring. Should two local political figures also participate and discuss their perspective on campaign finance law? Board members discussed how to find someone to organize this program and take the lead on it.    

15. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.