|
Don't miss our GLOBAPHOBIA seminar this month (see flyer) on November 8
at Sumner School. Our speakers are impressive-David Dollar from the World Bank and Jo
Marie Griesbraber from Oxfam America. Janet Burmester, who is on the US League's Task
Force on trade, has planned this seminar and had put the DC League in front of the pack on
this timely and contentious issue.
Tuesday, November 7, is, of course, our big day. We have printed 23,000
Voters Guides and have completed a direct mail again to selected registered voters in Ward
8 (see article p. 4). However, as a national League study showed, the likelihood of
someone voting is dramatically increase when someone they trust and with whom they share
common values asks him or her to vote. Take a Friend to Vote on Tuesday, the 7th.
We held a successful meeting in mid-October with the Chair of the DC
Council Linda Cropp and Josh Wyner, executive director of the Appleseed Center where we
explored issues of Council effectiveness. Next month's Voter will review how far the
Council has come and what remains to be done under the leadership of Anna Marsh, chair,
Local Affairs Committee. — Elizabeth M. Martin, President
Back to top of page
TAKE A FRIEND TO
VOTE
Tuesday, November 7th
Back to top of page
Thanks to Barbara Luchs for putting together a great committee to work
on our fundraising mailing Wednesday, August 23, 2000. Mary Rodgers graciously invited us
to use her home for this special project. We were joined by Kathy Schmidt, Reggie Yancey,
Barbara Yeomans and June Duke.
In 4.5 hours 1300 letters were prepared and mailed to prospects in 4
selected zip codes. Thanks too to Sheila Willet and Tirza Chavez in the office for
preparing the labels and letters and to Beaver Press for delivering everything to us on
time.
It is exciting to work with such an enthusiastic and fun group of
Leaguers. We are hopeful that our Education Fund will receive a boost from this effort.
My sincere appreciation to you all. — Carol Ragsdale, Fundraising
Chair.
Back to top of page
NEWS FROM THE UNITS: UNITS TO DISCUSS NEIGHBORHOOD
PLANNING ISSUES IN NOVEMBER
Neighborhood Planning Issues are the topic under discussion in November
at Unit Meetings in Northwest, Northeast and Southwest. These meetings offer members an
opportunity to investigate in detail some of the issues raised by DC Planning Director
Andrew Altman at a Brown Bag Dialogue on October 23. Some Units are combining forces for
this meeting. Plan to attend whichever Unit Meeting addresses your most urgent concerns.
If this is other than your regular Unit, it is prudent to call the hostess or Unit Chair
about parking, stairs, etc.
Back to top of page
Tuesday, November 14
Southwest, 9:45 a.m., Chair: Gladys Weaver 554-3055. Hostess: Anna
Marsh 554-7719, 1253 Delaware Ave., SW #S202
Topic: Planning issues in Southwest
Northwest Day, Chair: Jeanette Miller 362-1203
Will not meet separately; members are invited to attend Chevy Chase Unit Wednesday, Nov.
15.
Chevy Chase, 9:45 a.m., Chair: Sue Whitman 966-8754, Hostess: Mary
Rodgers 244-1933, 4601 31st St.., NW
Topic: Tall towers and their hazards to neighborhoods.
Guest: Neighborhood expert Anne Loikow (will show video)
Wednesday, November 15
Upper 16th Street, 9:45 a.m., Chair: Paula McKann 829-0656
Location: Call Unit Chair for location
Topic: DC Planning Issues
Thursday, November 16
Northeast, 12:45 P.M., Chair: Iola Pigott 526-8315,
Location: Woodbridge Library, 18th St. and Rhode Island , NE
Topic: Plans for Mall in Ward 5
Northwest Evening, Chair: Joan Domike 966-3865
Will not meet separately; members are invited to attend Chevy Chase Unit Wednesday, Nov.
15
Interim Report on Survey Results: Fifty-five LWVDC
members responded to our survey about the future of the Units and League structure more
broadly. Of these a large majority were over 65 and regularly attend specific Units. Some
find the Units indispensable to the League, others have reservations about their appeal to
today's and tomorrow's members. There was strong interest in a regular luncheon Unit that
would normally meet at the LWVUS and that would serve the needs of our busy working
members. The responses are currently under review by the Unit Chairs and Board; their
decisions will be reported later.
The next meeting of Unit Council will be held at the LWVDC Office on
November 6 at 12:30 p.m. All Unit Chairs and Co-Chairs are invited to attend. —
Sheila Keeney, Unit Director
Back to top of page
New Member: We extend a warm welcome to new member: Cielle Block.
League Support: Many thanks to the members who have responded to our fall fundraising
appeal or who sent in additional contributions to support the League: Geraldine Albers,
Beate Bloch, Suzanne Campagna, Susan Carpenter, Julia Cuniberti, Anna Course, Julia
Cuniberti, Coralee Farlee, Susanna Gourevitch, Morella Hansen, Sheila Keeny, Barbara
Luchs, Constance Macmillan, Hope Marindin, Anna Marsh, Elizabeth Martin, Ken Nesper &
Chris Matthews, Marguerite Nolan, Susan Rao, Kathryn Ray, Grace Savage, Jane K. Schwartz,
Marie Stark, Upper 16th Unit, Gilda Varrati, Mary Weiler, Inez Wheeler, Sue Whitman,
Elizabeth Yancy, Barbara Yeomans.
Other News: Eone Harger, a 35-year member of the League, has moved to
Grand Oaks Assisted Living, 5255 Loughboro Rd., NW 20016. We extend sincere condolences to
DC League Treasurer Christine Matthews in the death of her mother, Marcia Matthews.
Back to top of page
MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT: A WORKSHOP FOR DC PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
It was a standing room only crowd for the DC League's first teacher
workshop on September 26. Over 200 teachers or representatives from 94 elementary,
junior/middle and senior high schools participated. This outstanding collaborative effort
between the DC Public Schools and the League was supported by: The Fund for Education and
Human Services, Washington Gas, the National Student/Parent Mock Election 2000, DC Vote,
George F. Cram Company, Inc., Map Globe Publishers, MS Printing and Caterer II You.
Each teacher received a shopping bag containing a copy of a specially
designed MOVC Workbook, copies of the National Voter highlighting Election 2000
issues, materials from the NAACP's "Get Out The Vote Initiative," and other
non-partisan materials as well as the video, "It's Time," that tells the story
of DC citizens' disenfranchisement.
The teachers who attended are charged with the task of returning to
their schools to share the workbook materials, the video and lead the faculty, students
and parents through the "Making Our Votes Count" and "Mock Election"
campaign to be held November 2.
Roceal Duke and Michon Peck were our wonderfully efficient and hard
working counter-parts in the DC Public Schools, assisted by Joe Renard, DC Information
Technology Dept. The most important jewel in this golden event was Sheila Willet who
designed the teacher workbook and assumed all responsibility for the technology used at
the workshop. Over 15 League members assisted in helping to make MOVC a huge success. They
include: Minnie Fitzhugh, Vinna Freeman, Audry Hatry, Natalie Howard, Anna Marsh, Liz
Martin, Carol Ragsdale, Susan Rao, Kathy Schmidt, Gladys Weaver, Sheila Willet, Barbara
Yeomans, and one of our newest members, Cielle Block. — Elaine Melmed & Reggie
Yancey, Co-Chairs.
Taking a break from pre-workshop preparation for a "photo
op" are Leaguers (back row) Barbara Yeomans, Reggie Yancey, Vinna Freeman, Anna
Marsh, (front row) Liz Martin, Kathy Schmidt, and Elaine Melmed.
Back to top of page
Monday, Oct 16 the US Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the three
judge panel in two DC voting rights cases. In March that panel had split 2 to 1. The
majority held that only residents of states can elect to the House of Representatives and
the Senate. Although the judges acknowledged that the lack of voting rights for DC
Citizens was deplorable, they maintained that change could come only through the political
process. DCVote the Coalition for DC Representation in Congress, will continue to spread
the word and work to gain full support for voting rights for DC Citizens.
DCVote is selling "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" T-shirts
and key chains. T-shirts are available in three sizes for $15 prepaid at 1500 U Street,
NW, DC 20009 or by phoning 4626000. Many were sold at the Taste of DC Festival, where
petitions for full voting rights for D.C. were circulated. DC Vote is coordinating efforts
with the Mayor's office for the new license plate roll-out date event.
A number of supporters contacted Jim Lehrer, moderator of the
Presidential debates. They suggested a question to the candidates about lack of voting
rights for Congress by D.C. citizens was a legitimate concern. — Kathy Schmidt, DC
Vote Liaison
Back to top of page
The IR Committee will be responsible for conducting Unit Meetings on Trade in February
2001. In preparation for this first step in updating the LWVUS position on Trade as called
for at Convention 2000, all Committee members are urged to participate in the monthly
sessions of the Globaphobia Seminar conducted by Committee member Janet Burmester (see
enclosed flyer about special November program). At the same time, we continue to follow
developments relating to the UN.
In October, Committee Co-Chair Susan Rao took the message about paying
our outstanding UN peacekeeping debts to four Senate Offices as a member of the LWVUS
Lobby Corps. — Sheila Keeny, Co-Chair.
Back to top of page
Help a school earn free education equipment by enrolling your Safeway
Club Card with the school of your choice, and your purchases total will automatically be
credited to that school. Contact your school coordinator or log-on to www.proghqtrs.com/safeway to enroll on-line.
Double credits will be given to all Safeway select items you purchase.
Since 1991, over $11 million in educational equipment was earned. The
Education Committee has been supporting "equipment credit for purchases"
activity for more than two years. This offer, for the 2000-2001 school year, represents
the second school year that involves no tapes to save. — Gladys Weaver, Co-Chair.
Back to top of page
Stimulated by a grant from Ralph Watkins, a long time LWV member still
active in Montgomery County, LWVDC decided to try a modest experiment to test the efficacy
of the Voters Guide. The effort was initiated at the June 27, 2000 Special Election when
we selected two precincts in Ward 4 which, for the previous three elections, dating back
to 1994, had almost identical turnout. Voters Guides were mailed to all registered voters
in-Precinct 54 with the result to be compared to Precinct 55. Turnout in Precinct 54 was
16.9% while that in Precinct 55 was only 10.7%. The over all turnout for the election was
12.2%. The low turnout overall was discouraging, with all precincts reporting lower that
average participation but I feel justified in concluding that the 54ers were stimulated,
modestly, by the added information made available to them by the Voters Guide. One must
note there could have been other factors involved and the sample was small.
The next phase of the test was in the September 12, 2000 Election. We
mailed Voters Guides to half of the 12 precincts in Ward 8. The hope was that the
Allen-Seegers contest would stimulate a good turnout. We mailed almost 15,000 Guides that
were specifically printed for Ward 8. The result was inconclusive and disappointing. The
turnout for all of DC was only 12.7% and for Ward 8 even lower at 12.4%. There was no
significant difference in the turnout between the precincts which received Guides and
those which did not.
We have decided to mail guides to the same six precincts inward 8 for
the November 7, 2000 Election in the hope that this more significant election will produce
a different result. Will the Voters Guide make a difference? Stay tuned. — Guy
Coriden, Co-chair.
Back to top of page
The US League often receives calls from a variety of international organizations who
want League help and expertise about government issues and functions and the role of
women. The US League turns to Washington metropolitan area Leagues to take on the task of
organizing the educational experience for these visitors. If you are interested in being a
part of this effort to host foreign visitors, please call Naomi Glass, 202-686-0124.
GO With the League ...and earn money for LWVDC on cultural tours developed by LWV
member Gwen Erwood with LWV members in mind to help LWVs raise money. Among tours offered
in the coming months are: Kingdom of Bhutan, China Old and New, Autumn in Japan, Ancient
Cities of Persia, and Egypt & Nile Cruise. Gwen owns Travel Concepts International in
Pacerville, CA. You can call her 1-800-762-4216 or visit her web site at www.travelwiththeleague.com. LWVDC will
benefit from your fun.
Back to top of page
The NCA Presidents' brunch, attended by representatives of all but one
of our local leagues, heralded the start of our League year ...and it promises to be a
busy and, we hope, fruitful one. The brunch was held at the LWVUS headquarters so we were
fortunate to meet newly appointed Executive Director Nancy Tate and greet President
Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins.
On our Program front: Our Water Resources and our Transportation/Land
Use Committees are both poised to select their respective foci for this year's activities.
The Water Resources Committee is co-chaired by Joy Hecht and Bonnie Burgess (202-5375574).
The Transportation/Land Use Committee is co-chaired by Beth Cogswell (703-5279137) and
Grant Reynolds (301-983-2320). Call if you'd like to join one (or both). Can you think of
any area of greater regional significance than these?
Once again, we were asked to meet with representatives of NGOs from
four new democracies (this time, from Central Asia) to discuss League and how we function
within a democracy. An exhilarating time was had by all! If you'd like to .be contacted
when we're called upon for these rewarding ventures, please let me know (202-686-0124). We
generally have a lead time of only a week or two, so we tend to operate from a list of
people who have previously expressed interest.
One of our Board members, after facing 1i primary election that offered
no real options for a major position, has begun to think about developing a League
"school" for prospective candidates to encourage people to run for office and to
provide campaign guidance (of a nonpartisan nature, of course). Elinor Hart (202-387-2966)
would like to form an exploratory taskforce; call her if you're interested.
Speaking about candidates, it's not too early to think about NCA
positions. The posts to be filled next year include President, Secretary, and two
Directors. Call Nominating Committee Natalie Testa (301-983-3284) with your suggestions.
— Naomi Glass, NCA President
Back to top of page
Natwar M. Gandhi, Ph.D., Chief Financial Officer for the District, gave
a glowing report of the city's finances at the DC League's opening luncheon on September
21. The City has moved from near bankruptcy in FY 95 to achieving surpluses instead of
deficits. With four consecutive years of balanced budgets and the audit for this fiscal
year expected to be in the black, the Control Board is expected to become dormant early
next year. In fact, as Mr. Gandhi was speaking, the Control Board was moving its offices
from Thomas Circle to One Judiciary Square in a downsizing move.
The District's recovery has been, in some degree, wider and in more
depth than other cities in similar circumstances. Although the District's finances are
rosy, a "reality check" is in order. The surpluses are being applied against
prior debts, the result of years of deficits. In effect, the surpluses have already been
spent. Also, the District projects a rate of 2.6% expense growth but only a 2.3% revenue
growth. As Leaguers are painfully aware, the restrictions on revenues and tax-exempt
properties create this long-term shortfall.
Dr. Gandhi described one proposal being pursued by the District and
Congresswoman. Eleanor Holmes Norton that would tax wages earned in the city regardless of
residency with the proviso that Maryland and Virginia residents would get a
dollar-for-dollar credit on their federal income taxes. Mrs. Norton has estimated that
such a tax would generate about $400 million a year.
One question from the audience was out of Mr. Gandhi's purview and
related to the School-to-Career Program that links Learning with Earning for our District
of Columbia public school .students. The Program is funded from Fiscal Years 1999-2003 in
the aggregate amount of $9.6 million. The breakdown is:
| Fiscal Year |
Funding |
| 1999 |
$1.6 million |
| 2000 |
$3.2 million |
| 2001 |
$2.4 million |
| 2002 |
$1.6 million |
| 2003 |
$800,000 |
— Barbara Yeomans, 3rd Vice President
Back to top of page
| Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| |
|
1 10 am, LWVDC Board Meeting, 1730 M Street, NW, 10th Floor |
2 |
3 |
| 6 12:30 pm, Unit Council Meeting, 733 15th Street, NW, #432 |
7 VOTE: Presidential Election
December DC Voter Deadline |
8 10 am, Education Committee, 733 15th Street, NW, #$32
12 pm, Globaphobia, Sumner School, 1201 17th Street, NW. |
9 |
10 |
| 13 |
14 9:45 am, Southwest, Anna Marsh, 1253 Delaware Ave., SW,
#S202
9:45 am, Chevy Chase, Mary Rodgers, 4601 31st St., NW |
15 9:45 am, Upper Sixteenth, Call 829-0656 for location |
16 12:45 pm, Northeast Day, Woodbridge Library, 18th &
Rhode Island, NE |
17 December DC Voter mailed |
| 20 |
21 |
22 |
23 Happy Thanksgiving Day |
24 |
| 27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
Back to top of page
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Presents
GLOBAPHOBIA: Seminar on Global Trade Issues
Wednesday, November 8, 2000
12 noon--1:30 pm Brown Bag Lunch
Sumner School
1201 17th Street, NW
(corner 17th & M Streets)
Preparing for a league restudy of its position on global trade, LWVDC has scheduled a
series of six meetings to review the major global trade issues that hove attracted media
attention following anti-globalization demonstrations in Seattle and Washington.
Particular attention will be given to the backlash from labor and environmental groups.
This is the third meeting in the series. Attend one or all of the series as you so choose.
Information about future events will be available at this meeting.
Topic:
"FREE TRADE: BOOSTING GROWTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES"
Guest Speakers:
DAVID DOLLAR
Division Chief for Macroeconomics Research at the World Bank, Co-author of
"Growth Is Good for the Poor"
JO MARIE GRIESGRABER
Director of Policy at Oxfam America, Washington
Janet Burmester, discussion leader, is former Adjunct lecturer at Georgetown
University's School of Foreign Service and a former policy advisor on the staff of the
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy, Evaluation and Research (ASPER).
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE DC LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
Phone: 202-347-3020 Fax: 202-347-2522 Email: LWVDC@erols.com
|
