February 15, 2025

Dear Members,

To me, the most important thing in life is personal growth. Challenges are difficult. They are also the best opportunity for personal growth. In reality, there are few things that we can control in our lives. We’re just along for the ride as events unfold.

What we can control is our attitudes and behavior. I choose to live each day with the joy of each sunrise and an open heart. And I choose to take thoughtful actions every day that are in keeping with what is right, without regard to outcome.

The LWVAC is a golden opportunity for the life path I have chosen. I am grateful.

There are two topics to bring to your attention. First, we need ideas on how to respond to national events with doable actions. Second, we have a lot of leaders who will step down in June. Each of us contributed to the exceptional voter turnout for the November election. It’s time to pass the baton.

National events have come so fast and furious it keeps us reeling. That’s the intent. But we can find focus by taking concrete actions that speak to our values and our democracy.

One suggestion is to call our national legislators every day. Ask them what they are doing to regain balance between the executive and legislative branches of government. Funding is a congressional responsibility, not the executive branch. On another call, ask why your Social Security number and bank account information was accessed in the Treasury Department by people without security clearance and no oversight. What were they looking for? What will they do with the information?

Choose one message each day. Post the phone numbers in your kitchen. Grab your morning beverage; grab your phone. A team of local leaders is working on messaging and more plans for resistance. Stay tuned. Here are the phone numbers:

Rep. Kat Cammack: 202-225-5744

On the local League front, we have board members and non-board leaders who will step down when the administrative year ends in June. Organizations benefit from new people bringing their ideas and skills to different roles. Here are the confirmed positions that need helping hands (bolded positions are essential):

Board positions: President (Janice will serve as past president), three board members

• Education chair
• Natural Resources chair
• Voter Services co-chair
• Roster manager
• Tech chair
• Communications
• Hausler Fund chair
• UF campus chapter liaison

Yup, that is a lot of open slots. Yup, we have many talented people in our League who can lend a helping hand. Like you! Call me at 352-448-5408 with your questions.

One last thing: Jay Rosenbek and I are working to mobilize the League and community about doable tasks to resist actions taking place in our nation's capital. The tasks are called the 'What You Can Do" campaign. Immediately, we can make calls every day to legislators. Longer term there may be protests or other events. The broad topic is executive branch decisions that override the legislative branch.

The League and citizens are called to resist. You can find the What You Can Do messages from the League website or through League leadership. Check your email and the website weekly for current messages. They will include simple, easy-to-follow instructions for resisting every day. Take action, no matter how small. Resist.

info [at] lwv-alachua.org