February 2022
President’s Letter
Gearing Up
While I have your attention, I will begin this month’s letter with the plea for your help which usually closes my report to you. Should you be distracted further on I want to be sure you know where things stand with your local League. How much we need everyone to pitch in on behalf of the important work we do to promote an informed and engaged electorate.
The LWVWP Board of Directors is actively discussing a new leadership model that would see more individuals assuming the tasks that until now have been handled by me. We look to you to become active members. Get involved with areas such as Voter Service, youth engagement, information programming, Candidates Forums, and ongoing communications to members and the community at-large. There is a particular need for active members with digital skills for website support, social media messaging, and Zoom programming.
Our reach and impact are only as widespread and effective as the resources we have to devote to the important work we do. Help us with our mission by giving us a few hours of your time to work with like-minded people who are passionate about democracy. It is fun and rewarding.
And when you support the League of Women Voters by becoming a member and/or with a contribution you are part of a local, county, state and, national effort to protect and defend voter rights.
If you are not a member of the League, you may join by clicking here If you are a member, thank you. If you wish to donate you may do so by clicking here Either way you will be voting to support the important work we do. Thanks to all of you who are members or support us financially. Now come out and work with us.
Ok, on to the good stuff ….
It’s still cold and windy outside but there are occasional hints of the warmer weather to come. As well, we are hopeful that the latest round of Covid precautions is easing. With this in mind your League is planning for the upcoming election season. Right now we’re focused on voter registration and we are optimistic that we will be able to get out and engage with everyone in person.
Beginning in April White Plains will welcome the “Harriet Tubman – The Journey to Freedom” statue. It will be displayed in Renaissance Plaza, arriving on April 2 and remain through June 30. During this time a number of community groups will sponsor events and activities focused on Tubman’s life, her mission, and her impact. Learn more about the statue and planned activities on the White Plains BID website
During some of these events LWVWP will join with local sorority and fraternity chapters to host voter registration drives. We hope to offer resources for people to confirm that they are registered to vote. And in light of the newly drawn district maps for Congress and the New York State Legislature, we hope to help voters find out their congressional and legislative districts. Watch your email for a chance to volunteer to help on May 21, June 11, and June 22. Or contact me if wish to be a part of planning these registration drives.
We are working on an ambitious program to register students at area high schools and colleges. Thanks to a generous grant from the LWV Education Fund we hope to reach a wider group of young people. We will also have digital resources at our disposal to aid in our efforts to get out the vote for the primary and general election.
This year’s elections will be for offices that span multiple municipalities, and which are served by more than one local League (there are eight here in Westchester). The League of Women Voters of Westchester, of which the eight local Leagues are (the only) members, will coordinate the Candidates Forums for Congressional and New York State Assembly and Senate races. The Forums are a hallmark of the League of Women Voters and in recent years have been widely viewed. If you are interested in working on the Forums or being a moderator then please contact me for further information.
Thank you and I encourage you to contact me with your questions, comments, and or if you wish to discuss anything.
- stephen
Stephen Cohen
President, LWV White Plains
lwvwp.president [at] gmail.com
