Executive Summary

In 2021 – 2022 The League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Area continued to achieve significant results in advancing our mission, using new approaches and technology platforms in our activities and communications, and enhancing our League’s visibility and impact. In the past year, under the leadership of our Board of Directors, we have:

• Strengthened connections with African-American and Hispanic organizations and communities; especially the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition, Campbell Chapel AME Church in Bluffton and the Hilton Head Island MLK Justice Committee.
• Actively participated in Redistricting at the State and Local government levels.  Our members conducted research and testified at all available hearings and meetings.  We were successful in assisting  to maintain “communities of interest” such as the Gullah community on Hilton Head Island;
• Initiated a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram to reach a broader, more diverse, and younger audience.  We added 15 new student/youth members and trained them to conduct voter registration drives at their schools on National Voter Registration Day in September and at spring events for graduating seniors.
• Resumed in-person meetings; held an Education Forum at May River High School, in September 2021, to inform the membership and general public regarding the progress on Capital Projects made possible by the successful passage of the Education Bond Referendum passed in 2019.   Additionally, we held both the annual holiday and general membership meetings with luncheons at local venue.
• Joined the Hilton Head Island – Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce to reach a broader community audience and local businesses. 

  ~ Kay Roshnow, President

Programs

During the 2021-2022 League year most of the general membership meetings were held virtually on ZOOM because of the restrictions imposed on public gatherings by the Covid-19 virus.  Almost all of our programs promoted the League's emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Videos of the programs were posted on our website. The list of the monthly meetings follows.

September 2021: As referenced earlier, we held an Education Forum reporting on progress from the 2019 Bond Referendum that funded capital projects for the Beaufort County Schools

October 2021:  John Troyer, HHI Budget Director, 1% sales tax proposal for November election

December 2021:  Holiday luncheon with Nancy Williams, our member and newly elected LWVSC President, as guest speaker

January 2022:  HHI Town Redistricting

February 2022:  Melissa Moore, Lowcountry Manager, WREN

March 2022:  Patrick Kelly, Director Government Affairs, SC Palmetto Teachers Association on pending SC Education bills

April 2022:  Sania Irwin, LWVUS Board Member and Trustee,  Women Power Democracy

May 2022:  Annual meeting and luncheon with Lisa Sulka, Bluffton Town Mayor, as guest speaker

Membership

Membership has continued to recruit new members and achieved an increase of 15 student/youth members and new general members.

 Our membership numbers are as follows:

• 176 members in total, 21 of which are household members, 3 lifetime members, 3 students, and 26 men.  Down from a high of 232 in 2020, which was an election year.
• We have gained 39 members from July 2021 - May 2022.
• We have lost members due to relocation, death, poor health, and loss of interest.

Thanks to Ellen Dahl for chairing the Membership Committee for the past 5 years.

  ~ Diane Polevoy, Membership Chair

Communications & Publicity

We continued to face challenges in the fall of 2021 and winter of 2022.  Despite the restrictions, we embarked on various communications and publicity for Redistricting.  Several members were active in the hearings, testimonies, and Letters to the Editor in the Island Packet and the Sun publications. Members of the Communication Committee were instrumental in publicizing these meetings online via e-Blasts, the LWVHHI-BA website, and Facebook posts.

The increased print visibility of the League this past year was evidenced by the Letters to the Editor printed in local papers on such issues as Voters’ Rights, Redistricting, DEI, and Hate Crime legislation. 

A sincere thanks to everyone on the Communications Committee for finding innovative ways of getting the word out about the League’s mission, policies, and issues and for working hard with other committee members to ensure another successful program year.

  ~ Sandy Stern, Communications Chair

Education

The Education Committee began this year with Trish Montgomery in the Chair position.  Prior to moving to Florida to be closer to her grandson and family, she, with the Education Committee, organized and hosted the public Education Forum in September 2021.

The General Membership Meeting in March 2022 featured Patrick Kelly, Director of Governmental Affairs, who described three key legislative issues:  1.  ESAs, Education Scholarship Accounts (a bill to provide for a transfer of public tax money to independent/private schools to fund tuition)  2.  Curriculum and Instructional Materials and 3. the record Teacher Shortage.  The most critical of these is the Teacher Shortage.

Currently, the Education Committee is reorganizing and is searching for a Chair or Co-Chairs to assume the leadership role.   The two previous Co-Chairs are continuing to meet with committee members for planning and continued close coordination with the Beaufort County Superintendent and staff.  There are plans to host a Beaufort County Education District (BCSD) Board Member candidate forum in the fall.  Questions will also be posted on VOTE411 and sent to all the candidates.

Currently, the following areas of focus are being discussed as priorities for continued study and action: 

1. The pandemic’s impact on student learning and mental health in the BCSD and 2-year recovery plan

2. Monitoring and supporting the BCSD Diversity and Equity Task Force

3. Broadband accessibility within the district; and

4. Civics education in our public schools.

  ~ Open Chair

 Need a volunteer, or 2 co-volunteer(s), to pick up leadership for this committee.

DEI & ERA Ratification

• This past year, the DEI Committee has continued to engage in purposeful actions to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the Hilton Head/Bluffton community by expanding our participation in various League activities (Voter Services, Education, Membership) and working with other local nonprofit organizations (WAHII, WACHHI, Women’s Group of HHP, MOMS Demand Action for Gun Safety, Volunteers in Medicine, local churches, to name a few). The primary purpose of this additional outreach is to further the overarching mission of the LWVUS of Empowering Voters; Defending Democracy.
• In working to improve voter access and participation, we have widely dispersed the League business cards, encouraging residents to register to vote, check their voting status and read position statements on various issues by those running for public office on VOTE411.org.
• This committee has also used a cross-generation lens in as many activities as possible to promote a greater understanding of different points of view based on when voters are born. As we move forward and prepare for the November mid-term elections, we are working to create an increased understanding of Gender and Sexual Identity, especially with the recent passage of state legislation that deals with girls’ sports in schools. A Gender and Sexual identity Panel Presentation is planned for September to provide factual information on this topic, one that is often misunderstood and misrepresented by current and proposed pieces of legislation. A cross-generation focus on the panel as well as the audience is planned. We are fortunate to be able to partner with USCB, Bluffton in hosting this presentation and making it available to students as well as LWV, HHI/Bluffton members.
• Our League was awarded a small LWVSC grant to provide a translation into Spanish of pertinent League voting and membership materials as a means of additional outreach to the local Hispanic community.  

  ~ Barbara Hammes, Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Equal Rights Amendment Specialist

State Issues & Advocacy

In 2021-2022 the focus of State Issues & Advocacy was in three key areas: 

1. Passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act 2021 and The Freedom to Vote Act;
2. Redistricting Research and Education to protect one person, one vote and to defeat partisan Gerrymandering;
3. Legislative advocacy with oversight and information from Lynn Teague, Vice President, LWVSC. 

  ~ Open Chair

Voter Services

As we entered the late fall of 2021, COVID infections rose again, curtailing our customary plans for voter registration drives and events for National Voter Registration Day at local high schools, festivals and other public events. The only local election was for 2 seats on the Bluffton Town Council. We were unable to schedule the two incumbents and the single challenger for a candidate forum, but we did post on VOTE411.  

Under the leadership of our Voter Services Chair, League President, and our dedicated Voter Services Committee members, we identified many new and creative ways to reach our intended audiences.  These included: 

1. Community outreach to target populations;
2. Recruiting and training students in two local high schools to publicize the importance of voting and to conduct voter registration events; conducting voter registration drives at all three public high schools and one independent school;  
3. Working with the Communications Committee to launch a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram.  A Social Media administrator volunteer, Peggy Sue Missett was recruited and will be leading this area with increased scheduled postings on social media (i.e., Facebook) and with frequent updates to our website.  Heather Bragg Media was hired to provide training and a head start on the social media campaign.
4. SignUpGenius software was purchased and posted via the website to automate volunteer signups for events and registration drives.  An administrator, Ashby Mims was put in place and regular monthly e-blasts are sent to members with the upcoming volunteer opportunities.  This will streamline the process, eliminating multiple phone calls and emails to garner volunteers.
5. Established Student Advisory Council goals:

• Recruited 15 new student members with a scholarship for LWV HHI-BA free memberships
• Held meetings to conform to student schedules;
• Launched a social media campaign to reach student leaders/influencers on Instagram and Facebook.

1. Despite all the challenges, registered 45 new voters (plus distributed over 550 business cards – English and Spanish - with QR code to register online – number of online registrations not tracked), over 100 Guides to Elected Officials, VOTE411 information – cards and buttons, pledge cards and various pamphlets and other voting information. 

~  Diana Heitman, Chair

2021 - 2022 Fiscal Year Report

LWVHHI-BA Annual Meeting Minutes 5/24/2022

The 2022 Annual Meeting was held at the Belfair Clubhouse. Kay Roshnow, President, and Minerva Castro-Hernandez, Treasurer, participated as speakers presenting the annual documents, and Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka was the keynote speaker. There were 24 members present, three additional members submitted their votes electronically.
After a light lunch, the meeting was opened by Kay at 12:50 PM. She summarized the Annual Meeting 2021 Minutes/Notes, detailed the extensive Program Plan for 2022/23, and presented the proposed slate of Officers and Directors; Minerva explained the Budget. All the related documents had been sent to the General Membership one month prior to the Annual Meeting, according to the League Bylaws, and the required approval vote by 10% of the General Membership was obtained. The final outcome of the vote is as follows:

• Minutes: There were 24 in-person and three electronic approvals for the Minutes from the 2021 Annual Meeting.

• 2022-2023 Proposed Program Plan: Based on the recommendations of the Board of Directors, the 2022-2023 Program Plan was approved by 24 in person and three electronic votes.

• 2022-2023 Proposed Budget: There were 24 in person and three electronic approvals for the proposed 2021-2022 budget of $22,391.

• Nominating Committee - Slate and Election: The Nominating Committee’s proposed slate of officers and directors for 2022-2023 was also approved by all 24 present and 3 electronic voters. There were no nominations from members on the floor. The new officers and directors are:
OFFICERS: (4)
President – Kay Roshnow 2-year-term - 1 more year
Vice President - OPEN 1-year-term
Secretary – Martina Spiegel 2-year-term – 1 more year
Treasurer – Minerva Castro-Hernandez - 1-year-term

DIRECTORS: (4)
State Issues/Advocacy – OPEN 2-year-term
Education– OPEN 1-year-term
Voter Services – Diana Heitman 2-year-term – 1 more year
Membership - Diane Polevoy 1-year-term

Following the voting, Kay introduced three-term Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka who gave a rousing speech about the history and amazing growth of the town of Bluffton. Although many members don’t live in Bluffton, all enjoyed the presentation. Bluffton’s population as of the 2020 Census was 27,716, an increase of over 120% since 2010, making it one of the fastest-growing municipalities in South Carolina. The Town of Bluffton was established in 1825, incorporated in 1852 and adopted a Council-Manager form of government in 1999. Mayor Sulka explained that this consists of an elected five-member Town Council, including the Mayor, which is responsible for policymaking, and a professional Town Manager, appointed by the Council, who is responsible for the administration.

Part of Bluffton’s allure appears to be the many public parks, and it is the mayor’s resolve to buy as much of the remaining undeveloped land as possible to provide the ever-increasing public with sufficient recreational spaces. Asked what it is that draws people to move to Bluffton, the Mayor states: personal and public safety, a thriving historic district, quality schools that are supported by the community, natural resources, a beautiful environment, diverse housing options, economic opportunities, and amenities. The Mayor bases Bluffton’s success on focusing on priority issues and knowing how they interrelate. “Bluffton and the region surrounding it cannot have economic prosperity without affordable housing for employees. Our residents and guests can’t enjoy water-based recreation and delicious seafood without environmental protections.” The Mayor often likens the success of the town to a recipe for a cake – you need all the ingredients, even if you do not like them individually, in order to have that great taste.

The Meeting was adjourned at 2:15 PM.

2021-2022 Donors

Defender of Democracy ($500-999)
Ruth and Lee Wilwerding

Suffragists ($300-499)
Caroline Donahue (in memory of Rita Donahue)
Connie and James Voight

Patriots ($200-299)
Mary Ellen Hannan
Minerva Castro-Hernandez
Vivian Miller
Kay Roshnow
Nancy Williams

Advocates ($100-199)
Melina Clark
Eileen Durkin
Mary Ghiradelli
Barbara and Richard Hammes
Joan Kinne-Shulman
Myla Lerner
Caroline McVitty
Martina Spiegel

Supporter (~$99)
Karen Arms
Laurette Doscher
Eileen Drehwing
Ellen Goldner
Jeanne Maguire
Sally McGarry
Barbara Swift
Nancy Williams (in memory of Frances Robertson)
Alexandra S. Ebe Stern (in memory of Frances Robertson)