by Kay James, Pros & Cons Co-Chair

I don’t need to tell you that this election cycle in 2020 will be like none other we’ve had in the past. Due to COVID-19, we will not be giving any in-person presentations on the ballot measures. However, thanks to Zoom and the ability to create some video recordings, the public will be able to get that important information in other ways. We’ve already had a good number of requests from organizations requesting presentations from the League, so our information is needed more than ever.

Here is what our Diablo Valley League is planning, in conjunction with St. Mary’s College, thanks to a connection made by Diane Bianchi with a Professor of Communications there. We will be making a video for each of the 12 ballot measures, with the help of this professor and some interns that he’s enlisted for the project. Once produced, the videos will be made available to groups for viewing through YouTube links.

A number of organizations still want a Zoom presentation with League members, in conjunction with or separately from the video information provided. This would be our opportunity, as League volunteers, to supplement any new information that may occur from the time of the video production until the time of a Zoom presentation, which would be closer to the election. Importantly, we could also be available to answer any questions from the audience that may arise via Zoom.

So, for all of you veteran Pros and Cons presenters, and for any new people interested in this important work, there will be an opportunity to participate in the Pros and Cons project for this election. There will be a need for volunteers to partner up, from the safe distance of their individual computers, to engage in Zoom presentations. Getting involved in the ballot measures is always such a rewarding experience, and being informed of the measures is a dual reward, since not only will you be able to vote the measures with more accuracy yourself, but you will be able to help the public by sharing this information with them.

I would like to add that we’re attempting these endeavors as an individual league, and they require expending some resources which we do not actually have readily available. Fortunately, St. Mary’s College has equipment and a room for recording that is being offered to us, and the professor (who is amazing) is doing all of this work gratis. But the interns should be paid. If anyone has any ideas about raising some funds for these student interns, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you, as this is a major challenge for us.    

Please let me know via email (pros.cons [at] lwvdv.org ) or by telephone (925-283-2235), if you are willing, able and available to join us for Pros and Cons in this historic, coronavirus election cycle.