The Annual Meeting for the League of Women Voters of New Castle County was held on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Joseph Rizzo and Sons Winery in New Castle, Delaware. Sandwiches, potluck dishes, soft drinks and wine were served buffet-style and a social time was enjoyed prior to the presentation and meeting. T-shirts were awarded as random door prizes, and a raffle was held for bigger prizes including passes to the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, the Candlelight DInner Theater, and Longwood Gardens. Our new standalone expandable banner was on proud display.
Patti Christopher and Jill Itzkowitz Honored
Two outstanding volunteers were recognized: Patti Christopher for her longtime work as Voter Registration Coordinator, and Jill Itzkowitz as our Elections & Voting Portfolio Chair and VOTE411 project manager. Patti and Jill were presented with engraved glass awards and a bag of small gifts from the LWVNCC Board.
Patti Christopher with presenter Dick Johnson; Jill Itzkowitz with presenter Tiffany Lydon
Speaker - Election Commissioner Anthony Albence
Delaware Election Commissioner Anthony Albence gave updates on the upcoming 2024 Elections. Notable changes occuring in 2024 include mailing of a larger voter registration card with more comprehensive information (as mandated recently by law), extended party selection deadlines for voters registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles via AVR (Automatic Voter Registration), many polling place additions and changes better supporting voters with disabilities, an increase in poll worker stipend amounts, and the potential loss of early voting and permanent absentee options depending on the outcome of a lawsuit currently under appeal by the Delaware Supreme Court. Commissioner Albence said that the decision on the constitutionality of early voting and permanent absentee ballots is due by the end of the month (by June 30, 2024).
Election Commissioner Anthony Albence prepares to speak
League Business was Conducted
Immediately after President Dick Johnson called the meeting to order, current New Citizens Ceremonies coordinator Lorraine Botticelli spoke in memory of Connie Georgov, who had held that position for many years.
Lorraine highlighted the following advice from Connie's obituary:
Remember: Wear that jewelry. Meet your neighbor. Take that trip. Get a library card. And listen to Frank Sinatra.
As is usual at annual meetings, budgets for the next two years were reviewed and approved. LWVNCC membership dues remain unchanged at $60 for indivuals, $30 for additional household members, and free membership for students or lifetime members.
Beginning in January 2025, the new LWVUS membership model will take effect, by which members join at the national level (and membership lists and funds flow down) rather than the local levels (under which members and funds flow upward). The national model will be a "pay as you can" fee with a suggested amount of $75. This change in membership model required a change to the LWVNCC Bylaws this year, basically stating "Members shall pay dues in accordance with LWVUS policy" which was adopted without incident. In 2025 the Bylaws will be amended again to remove all references to per-member payment (PMP).
President Dick Johnson gave an update on the Joann Hasse scholarship program. After extensive discussions with Joann's family (who have donated $200,000 to fund the scholarship), the format has taken shape as follows: an annual award to a U.D. Nursing Student in their junior or senior year based on merit and financial need. Open to Delaware residents with a preference to those from New Castle County. Amount of award to be determined, but likely in the low 5 digits annually. The scholarship will be administered by University of Delaware's office of scholarships and financial aid.
Board Directors and Officers were elected following the recommendations of the nominating committee. Ron McKinney has agreed to serve another term as Treasurer. Dick Johnson as President, Ann Lopez as Vice President, and Marj Johnson as Secretary will also continue, serving out their current terms. LWVNCC welcomes new Director Ceil Tilney, joining Lorraine Botticelli, Sophia Collins, Joyce Ford, Carol Holt, Amy Hughes, and Susan Mitchell on the Board. This year's nominating committe remains the same: Linda Barnett, Letty Diswood, and Carole Walsh.
Retractable banner shown at left; lucky t-shirt winners at center and right
After brief addresses by local President Dick Johnson, State President Tiffany Lydon, and raffle drawing by Ann Lopez, the meeting was adjourned.
LWVNCC thanks Joseph Rizzo and Sons Winery for the fabulous location and libations, and here's a personal shout out to whomever brought the spanakopita triangles... they were delicious!
