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Email: lwvaustin@lwvaustin.org
Phone 512-451-6710
LWV Austin Area
3908 Avenue B,
Austin, TX 78751


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Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Date: 1/2/2024
Subject: The VOTER Newsletter: January 2024
From: LWVAustinArea


January 2024 
It is a brand new year -- resolve to get involved with LWVAA! Look in this update for:
Read on to learn more!
2024 Primary Election Dates

Happy New Year!

President's Message 

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was merry and bright. Before welcoming in this new year, I want to thank you all for your work this past year. In next month’s newsletter, look for the data on all of our accomplishments in 2023.  

Program Planning

With both LWVUS and LWV Texas Conventions approaching in the Spring of 2024 (not to mention our local Annual Meetings), it is time to turn our attention to program planning. Program planning is simply the process through which local, state, and national boards gather member input for the purpose of recommending a program of work for the next year or two years. Through the program planning process, members become acquainted with the many consensus positions from which the League advocates and offer input as to which of those positions the League should prioritize for advocacy and education. If you are interested in helping select local, state, and national program for the future, join us on January 13th from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Alamo Baker Center. Members can register today!

Mark Your Calendar! March 5th Primary and Other LWV Events

There’s much to look forward to in the coming months. In February, we will be holding a “What’s on Your Ballot” virtual event (date coming soon!) as well as publishing our Voters Guide for the primaries. Our annual fundraiser will look different this year: we are excited to partner with Alamo Drafthouse for “An Irresistible Evening for Democracy” on March 27th. This event will include a social hour, movie showing, and panel discussion. We are holding this event in coordination with Leagues in NYC, LA, Chicago, and Raleigh. In April, we will have our second annual Friends and Family event on April 22nd and our Annual Meeting on May 11th.  

With so many activities coming, I hope to see you all throughout these upcoming months.

Happy 2024! 

Jessica Foreman, LWVAA President

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2024 Program Meeting

Community and Policy

Join us! Keeping the Grassroots Green: Recommending Program to the Local, State, and National Leagues

Program planning is simply the process through which local, state, and national boards gather member input for the purpose of recommending a program of work for the next year or two years. Through the program planning process, members become acquainted with the many consensus positions from which the League advocates and offer input as to which of those positions the League should prioritize for advocacy and education

Some provocative questions:
  • Should we recommend a new study? If so, what?
  • Should the LWV have a position on party primary elections - closed vs. semi-open vs. open primary elections?
  • Are there dated positions that we should either update or eliminate?
For reflection: Here is a listing of Issue Positions
  • Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
  • Location: Alamo Baker Center Cafetorium, 3908 Avenue B, Austin, 78751 
  
Contact: Joanne Richards, VP Community & Policy
 

Advocate

Let Us Know Your Thoughts: 2024 Priorities

The LWVAA Advocacy Committee is conducting a brief survey to help us identify our primary areas of focus in 2024. A link to the survey will be emailed to LWVAA members the first week of January. Members can also click on the link below to access the survey. Please respond so we can learn how members think we should prioritize our time. The survey is open through Monday, January 22.

Contact: Karen Nicholson, VP Advocacy
 
New Member Orientation

New & Prospective Member Orientation on January 20, 2024

Join us at the LWVAA office on January 20 for our quarterly meeting for new and prospective League members. You’ll learn about the history of the League, about how LWVAA is organized, and about how you can support our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. Have a friend who might be interested in League membership? Bring them along!

  • Date: Saturday, January 20, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
  • Location: LWVAA Office, Alamo Baker Building, 3908 Avenue B, Austin, 78751
 
Contact: Joyce Jackson, Membership Director
 

Thanks for a Successful Holiday Brunch!

On December 16, LWVAA members gathered for our annual holiday brunch to celebrate our new members for 2023! Those attending enjoyed breakfast tacos and other goodies and played a few rounds of holiday bingo. Board members and committee chairs talked about their volunteer needs in the upcoming year. We also had a chance to learn more about some of our newest members – we’re excited to welcome these talented, enthusiastic advocates and activists! Thanks to Shebah Washington and Debbi Voss for all their hard work to make the event a success!
Holiday Brunch photo collage

Picture This Contest

It's time for the 2024 Picture This contest! This year’s theme is “Democracy & Community.” Austin area students in elementary, middle, and high school are invited to participate by submitting original written work or visual artwork illustrating this theme. A $125 Amazon gift card will be awarded to the winner of each category within each age division, and winning submissions will be recognized at our annual Friends & Family Spring Festival on April 27. Please see the Picture This Contest web page for more details and please encourage any youth in your life to participate.

If you have any questions, please contact picturethis@lwvaustin.org.
Communications

Watch, Like and Comment on Fun LWV Video Shorts

Instagram "VDR Road Tripping"
 
Contact:   Grace Chimene, VP Communications
 
 
First Vote Banner

First Vote!

Mark Your Calendars in January

Are you interested in helping registering and empowering high students to vote? Become a volunteer with the First Vote! program. Learn more about the program and the many ways you can help at First Vote!

If you would like to be added to the First Vote! distribution list, email Chair Susana Carranza at firstvote@lwvaustin.org. 

We are still negotiating dates with schools, but we will likely have First Vote! opportunities every school day from January 12th until the February 5th deadline. We already have firm commitments on January 12th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th. We have tentative commitments on January 18th and 19th, and we have a few more schools that are working on dates. 

Bookmark the volunteering opportunity page to find First Vote! and other LWVAA opportunities.  

Contact: Susana Carranza, First Vote! Chair

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Happy volunteers waving and smiling

Volunteer With LWVAA!

VDRs to Register Voters

It is time for the big January push to register voters before the Feb. 5 deadline. Help your local democracy! 

Contact: Claudia Torres-Yanez, Director of Voter Registration and Turnout
Contact: Susana Carranza, First Vote! Chair

Communications

Help with communications for the 2024 elections! Strategize on the election comms plan, create TikTok videos and canva graphics to educate and motivate voters. We’d love to have you on the communications team! 

Contact: Grace Chimene, VP Communications

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Fuel Those New Year's Resolutions With a Gift Membership!

Do you have a friend or family member who’s resolved to be a more engaged citizen in 2024? Consider giving them a membership to LWVAA! Choose from three gift amounts:

  • $60 will cover an Individual Membership
  • $90 will cover a Household Membership (2 members in the same household)
  • $5 will cover a Student Membership
LWVAA will send your gift recipient an email on the day of your choosing, along with redemption instructions. The gift amount can be applied toward a new membership or membership renewal at any membership level.
 
 
Contact: Joyce Jackson, Membership Director

News From LWVTX & LWVUS
LWVUS - Take ACTION!

Welcome to Our Newest Members!

Gregory Barton
Amie Bouley
Kat De la Rosa

Hannah Korkow-Moradi
Calvin MacDougal
Lauren Mard

Heather McKenzie & Melissa Craig*
Kelley Russell-DuVarney
Varun Voruganti

* Indicates a Sustaining Member
 

Thank You to Our Sustaining and Renewing Members!

As a member of the Austin Area League, you are also a member of the National and Texas Leagues. 

 
Make a Gift to Support the League of Women Voters Austin Area!
The League shall not support or oppose any political party or candidates. It may take action on governmental measures and policies in the public interest after significant study and consensus is reached.
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The League of Women Voters Austin Area is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and tax exempt organization.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the law. Tax identification number: 81-3447172