By Janice Garry

Dearest League members, it has been a distinct honor and privilege to be your president for three years. It has taken me well beyond my comfort zone, which is how I’ve learned so much and gained so much.

When I was asked to be president, I decided that I would provide leadership to this League and our community through the 2024 election. With your help, we’ve done that. Despite the tumult at the state and national levels, here in Alachua County voters went to the polls in droves and soundly voted in favor of the city and county referendums we supported. As a dynamic, informed, hard-working team, we supported democracy and home rule in our community. We can be proud of that.

The LWV of Florida is proud of our work. At the state convention we were given an award for leadership in public outreach. Scroll down for details. And give yourself a pat on the back.

Per our bylaws, at our Annual Meeting, there will be an election for the next administration. I will serve on the board as Past President for one year. My work will focus on supporting the new League administration, advocating for GRU to return to governance by our local elected officials, expanding the What You Can Do campaign and supporting the city and county in environmental stewardship.

These are times for stepping outside our comfort zone. From public feedback I’ve received, the League is the most respected organization in Alachua County for advocating for our democracy.

Here’s what you can do to be engaged and respond to events that are damaging our democracy, bruising our values, and breaching rule of law and separation of powers:

• Attend the Annual Meeting on June 27 at 6 p.m. Scroll down for details.
• If you are not yet on the What You Can Do campaign email list, send me an email at janice.garry [at] gmail.com with “What You Can Do” in the subject line. The campaign is intended to provide specific information and actions that can be done daily and achieved in ten minutes. It is activism for busy people.
• Choose a committee and/or position in the League that suits your interest and be involved in it.

Here are the positions that need helping hands:

• We need a techie to take over the role of tech chair. This position works closely with leadership.
• We need a techie as co-chair for Membership to work with Sherry Steiner. This is only a couple hours/month task for New Member Orientation zoom and video management.
• We need a Voter Services co-chair to work with Dillon Boatner.
• We need a chair, or preferably, co-chairs, to lead the Natural Resources committee.

Please note that, as is our custom, there will be no July board meeting, nor an issue of The Voter. The calendar will be sent on July 1. 

In League,

Janice