Board Members present:  Satsie Veith, Janet Rechtman, Claire Greene, Marcia Moore, Corky LeTellier, Caroline Langen, Toni Reid, Carol Holzgrafe, Sandra Flake

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.

Minutes from February Board meeting were approved.

Board Member Reports

Toni and Corky reported on their attempts to arrange a June program on changes in meteorology.  They had had no response from local weather-people.  Board members made suggestions, such as Ames Research and CSUC’s Shane Meyer. The plan is for an in-person meeting. Caroline said the Observer Corps will meet on Saturday, May 18, at the League office.  All League members will be invited to attend. Corky says the cost for tabling for voter registration at the Thursday Night Market would be about $240 for six weeks.  Leatha Williams has a truck that could help transport the table.

Committee Reports: Sandra reported that on the progress of nominating committee.  Of the 8 current directors, 5 terms end in 2024 and 3 in 2025. Our bylaws say we must have them divided equally: 4 and 4. She suggests making a one-year position into a 2-year position. This was agreed by all.

Program Planning Survey Results: 41 members responded to the 4 questions. 100% supported the current LWVUS Campaign to Make Democracy. 16 people made suggestions of other issues to emphasize. Most of the suggestions were about climate change, second place was homelessness, also mentioned were incarceration, rank choice voting, reproductive choice, civics education, gerrymandering.

Satsie explained that the survey was a response to request from LWVUS for input from leagues for their program planning. Our response mentioned climate change because of the number of responses from our members wanting this.  

The plan is to send all responses to members, possibly in a newsletter.  Toni brought up the importance of working on redistricting, ie, programs and outreach.

Bylaws Review: The board approved the following proposed changes to the bylaws, which will be presented to the members at the Annual Meeting for their approval.  1) Removal of a minimum number of board members (currently 9), removal of requirement that there be at least 4 board members who are not officers (currently we have only 3); some wording changes to clarify when board may appoint new directors.  This was approved unanimously.

Other Business: Janet brought up that our intern, Sierra Josfan, needs more work.  She is working on an article for the newsletter on young voters and Janet will suggest that she interview some of our older members.  Toni will get Janet a list of long-time members she knows. Janet asked others to do the same.

This could be a 6 to 8-week project; her internship ends in May.

Annual Meeting:  It is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, at the Baptist Church on Palmetto. It will be a potluck, as is the tradition. Directors will submit written reports for the Agenda and Materials.  At the April Board meeting, the board will hear reports from the nominating committee and the budget committee

Adjourned at 6:14. pm.               

The next board meeting will be on April 9, 2024, at 5:30 on Zoom.                   

Submitted by Carol Holzgrafe