Dear League Leaders and Members!
May was a month to reflect on what we have accomplished as a League this year and to look ahead to what we can achieve going forward.
A highlight was the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) biennial convention in San Francisco. The invigorating, informative, and inspiring program provided a glimpse of what other Leagues are doing, how the state level can assist local Leagues, and what Diablo Valley can do to Make Democracy Work. Topics covered included Fair Redistricting, Engaging Young Voters, Building Stronger Local Leagues, Getting Out the Vote in 2024 and many others. The opportunity to meet leaders from other Leagues in California and share ideas and best practices was invaluable. LWVC has already posted many of the materials from the speakers, caucuses, and workshops, with more to come over the next few weeks. These can be found on the LWVC website https://lwvc.wordpress.comand will be available there until the end of June. We urge you to check them out!
Our most important meeting of the year, the Annual Meeting, is coming up on Saturday, June 17th, from 10 am to 12 pm via Zoom. This is your opportunity to hear what we have been up to over the past year and to weigh in on and affirm our local priorities, our budget, and our leaders for the next year. Our guest speaker will be Kristin Connelly, newly elected Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters. You will be receiving emails over the next couple of weeks with the link to register for the meeting. Please plan to attend this very important meeting, with check-in at 9:30 am. We need your input and your vote!
We also want and need your active involvement in our League, in whatever way interests you and fits your schedule. Watch for an email from us asking about your interests and availability – we can accomplish more with your help. This is different from the Member Interest Survey -- please fill it out! With your input, we can focus on local government and local issues of concern to you. As an example, we have been and continue to be very active advocating and educating on the Pleasant Hill City Council move to by-district elections. We have reorganized our Community Outreach group to strengthen our engagement with and connections to our communities. You can always reach us at lwvdv [at] lwvdv.org () with your comments and concerns.
In addition to this important work, we want to have fun and get to know you better. We will continue our Happy Hours in-person, locations to be determined. We are also hoping to have quarterly or bimonthly luncheons in the coming year. Stay tuned!
In June, we will be participating in a children’s summer program called “Finding Your Voice” at various libraries throughout the county. These events will focus on encouraging kids and teens to speak out about issues that are important to them.
June and July have several celebrations with significance for League members. June is Pride Month. Juneteenth, recognizing the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy, is celebrated on June 19th. July 1st commemorates the anniversary of the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18, and we celebrate our nation’s independence on the Fourth of July!
Have a great summer and our Leaders’ Letter will be back in August.
