President's Message - Martha Rothenberg:

The night before the annual meeting, I tested positive for COVID and missed all the fun. So this is my first opportunity to say hello to all our members. I have always been awed by the caliber of people leading and supporting our work, and as president, I’m getting a closer look. I encourage any member who needs inspiration to get involved with a committee! See below for a summary of committee activity since July 1, and look for updates on our website (sussexlwv.org). We have lots of exciting activities in the works including updating and presenting the Delaware 101 class with a focus on Sussex.

I also want to share our strategic vision for the Sussex League for FY2024 and 2025. The two prongs of that strategy are (1) increasing our impact through the ongoing work of our committees and (2) strengthening our infrastructure (people + processes + tools) in support of a sustainable organization. The “people” part of that equation is our greatest resource: we depend on the remarkable talent and dedication of all members for leadership, know-how, ideas, and energy. That is why we are planning another all-member organizational meeting this fall, where we will conduct tactical planning to turn our FY 2024 - 2025 program into productive action. Please keep a lookout for more information about that meeting and plan to attend if you can. I look forward to meeting you at committee meetings or at a future League Libations and Learning event!

          ****************************************************************************************

Communications - Chelsea Wootten:

• Established a communications plan to help LWVSCDE establish a more prominent online/public presence to attract new members and develop a stronger internal network among existing member
• Established Internal and External communication goals: 
      -Internal Goal: Create a more consistent, streamline communication network between the League and existing members E-       Newsletter, Video Tutorials
      -ExternalGoal: Increase public awareness of the League and its mission –Traditional Media Outlets, Community Events, Social   Media Presence/Content Schedule
• Planned: Communication Committee Meeting (September 19 and next one TBA)
• Jane Lord – As Press Liaison is part of the Communications Committee. Reminded Board to let her know if there is anything to go out to the press or on the Community Calendar.
  
       **********************************************************************************************

Membership - Sue Claire Harper:

• Six Committee Members – Shari Frankfort, Vicki Sessoms, Emily Blair, Maria Cordonnier, Ida Row and Jan Willis as Roster Manager –Still needs tech-savvy member
• League Libations and Learning:
       -First event of this season Sept. 26, 4:30-7:30 P.M. at Harbor View Room at Wheelhouse Restaurant and via Zoom: “LWV SCDE Website Orientation for Dummies.” Open to the public as well as members.
      -Thursday, Oct. 12, 4:30-8:00 P.M. at Wheelhouse: LWVDE President Tiffany Lydon will present “LWV’s 2023 Agenda and Priorities.”
      -November – We hope to schedule former Sussex County P&Z member, Kim Hoey Stevenson to speak on her perspective of challenges facing the County. 

     **************************************************************************************************

Observer Corps - Jack Young:

• Reports will be now posted on both the Observer Corps page and the homepage of the LWVSCDE website.
• New members Susan Curtin and Lisa Drottar have been impactful in getting coverage of meetings.
• Will continue to do full reporting on County Council and Planning & Zoning. Anticipating major changes with the County Council especially with respect to preservation.
  
       ***********************************************************************************************

Social Policy - Cristi Gillean:

First meeting will be September 22, 2023, 1-2:30 PM in the Lewes Library Medium Meeting Room

Agenda:

• Welcome and review of items discussed at the March meeting.
• Review Homelessness/Affordable Housing updates 
• Health Care Access and Availability in Sussex County
• Early Childhood issues
• Proposed reforms to the parole/probation systems
• Suggestions for issues of continued focus.
  
       ***********************************************************************************************

Voter Services Committee - Judy Parkins:

• Attended La Red Health Walk-In, Seaford on September 9 – Voter registration, connections, voter education. There was much interest in poll workers. Live interview on 101.7 Power Radio
• National Constitution Day – September 18 at DelTech. Jack Young attended
• National Voter Registration Day – September 19 at DelTech. Judy still has not yet received material from the National LWV.
• Promote Vote411; Voter Education & Readiness; League of Women Voters
• Denise Mueller has made a list of School Board meetings and will post online.
• Denise will coordinate viewing of School Board meetings with Jack Young.
• Still working on getting a day of Civics Education in the schools – slow going.
• Jack Young suggested LWVSCDE put together a GOTV coalition for Sussex County – Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, Unitarians, etc., especially for 2-24 Early Vote right through Election Day.
• Voting Data poster that shows number of people registered versus number of people who voted. Very powerful. High school students showed great interest. We should get it posted on our website. Jane Lord offered to work on Letter to Editor or a commentary piece for the press. 
  
       *********************************************************************************************

Committee activity reports are summarized in the monthly Board minutes, available at this link; expanded reports are on the committee web pages. Monthly Board meetings are open to all members. Details are posted under “Events” on the League website