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My mantra for the coming year is: MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT — MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD
In July Luci Murphy represented us at a rally on Capital Hill to protest Congressional
riders to the D.C. budget appropriation bill. In August Anna Marsh attended an anniversary
celebration, co-sponsored by the League, in honor of the passage of the 19th Amendment,
Women's Right to Vote. This fall we expect to testify before the Government Operations
Committee on Campaign Finance Reform. For a copy of the testimony, call the office.
September is Health Care month. Our kick-off luncheon with Mayor Williams sets the
scene for League action in the health arena. We are inviting health care professionals
from across the city and expect a large turn out. There is a lot of community activity in
health care in the District, which committee chair Scott McLarty is following carefully;
Pat Hallman and Connie Fortune are planning a Brown Bag Dialogue on September 27 (see
below) which will further probe the issues and problems. In October Units have an
opportunity to explore in depth particular areas of health care with small discussions in
a neighborhood setting. As the health care debate heats up, the D.C. League will be
prepared to act.
Many thanks to June Duke and Barbara Luchs for our new Handbook and Directory enclosed
in this issue of the DC Voter. They put in long hours revising, updating and proofing.
I hope your summer was restful. Fall is a time for action. As we used to say when I was
a girl, "The joint is jumpin'."
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Brown Bag on Mental Health
Monday, September 27, 11:30 a.m.
at LWVUS, 1730 M Street, NW
The speaker is to be announced.
Sep 1 (Wed) 10:00 a.m., LWVDC Board Meeting, LWVDC, 733 15th St, NW
#540
Sep 8 (Wed) 10:00 a.m., Education Committee, LWVDC, 733 15th Street, NW
Sep 8 (Wed) 1:00 p.m., International Relations Committee, LWVDC, 733 15th
Street, NW
Sep 14 (Tue), Deadline DC Voter: October
Sep 23 (Thu) 11:30 a.m., Fall Luncheon, Pier 7 Restaurant, 650 Water St.,
SE
Sep 24 (Fri), October Voter Mailing
Sep 27 (Mon), 11:30 a.m., Brown Bag Dialogue: Mental Health, LWVUS, 1730
M Street, NW
Sep 29 (Wed) 6:30 p.m., Voters Services Committee, 441 4th Street, NW
Room 700 South
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Recent contributions to the D.C. League have made it possible for the Board to do some
long range financial planning. As most of you know, we have overspent our budget for the
past several years to maintain programs (e.g. attaining voting representation in
Congress). Thanks to several devoted and generous Leaguers, however, we are now able to
establish two modest endowment/trust funds -- one for the General Fund and another for the
Education Fund, donations to the latter being tax-deductible. While the principal will be
conserved, the income generated will be used for programs, The individuals below have
launched our recovery.
Jan Rosenblum filled many roles in the League. She served as president, as treasurer,
on the U.S. League Overseas Education Fund, on the local water task force before it was a
national issue; she also found time to print mailing labels along with other needed
mundane tasks. Her bequest is the basis for the General Fund endowment.
Ruth Dixon, another past president and member of the Environmental Quality Committee,
left a gift to the Education Fund. Over the past two years, Audry Hatry, currently interim
secretary, has twice given the League Home Depot stock. And by the end of September we
expect a bequest from Mrs. Rosemary Nicholson. These gifts form the basis of the Education
Fund endowment.
The Board appointed an ad hoc Asset Management committee last year chaired by Barbara
Yeomans. They developed a financial plan which the Board adopted in July. Morgan Stanley
Dean Winer will continue to manage the account and make recommendations to the Board as
the economy dictates.
We are grateful to these Leaguers for remembering the D.C. League. Their gifts have
given us a strong financial base and allow for long-range planning. We ask a lot of League
members and now we're asking you to also remember the D.C. League in your will.
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Please note: there are no Units in September.
Instead, be sure to attend the
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
Annual Meeting with Guest Speaker Mayor Anthony A. Williams
Tuesday, September 21, 11:30 a.m.
Pier 7 Restaurant, 650 Water St,, SE
See flyer for reservations
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The first Unit Meetings of the fall will be held in October when we will discuss the
delivery of Health Care in the District of Columbia. Over the summer, much thought has
been given to the future of the Units. The first question we asked ourselves was the
basic: How important are our Units to the health of the LWVDC itself? Do the Units still
serve a valid purpose by bringing members together regularly to study, discuss, reach
consensus and take action? Or should we allow the League to devolve into an
"Association without Members," as described in a recent issue of The American
Prospect, by which is meant an organization whose members simply send an annual check
rather than meeting regularly to determine program and select leadership.
Leadership from all seven neighborhood Units, at an early July meeting, decided the
neighborhood Units are still crucial to the kind of membership organization that the
League represents. They also recognized, however, that the monthly Unit Meeting may not
accommodate the needs or interests of all members, particularly of the working members
whose talents are needed to replace older members as they retire or move away. Among the
suggestions was a new Unit which would meet at a Metro-accessible restaurant either for
lunch or early dinner to consider the topic of the month. Any League member who finds this
arrangement attractive should contact me. Other suggestions for making the Units more
relevant to your needs are also solicited. Plan to come to the October Unit Meetings with
further ideas; see October DC Voter for details. -- Sheila Keeny, Unit
Director, at 202/966-1692 via e-mail at sskeeny@aol.com
Reform of the D.C. Council headed the list of issues before the Council when
Councilmember-at-Large Philip Mendelson spoke June 17 to members of the Northwest Evening
Unit and their friends gathered at Sheila Keeny's house. Other issues singled out for
discussion were tax issues, environmental issues, campaign finance, and Council oversight
of the Executive.
Mr. Mendelson, being the junior member of the Council, has no committee chairmanship
but is an active member of the Education Committee, Human Services Committee, and Local
& Regional Affairs/ANCs Committee. He is also a D.C. delegate to the Washington
Metropolitan Council of Governments and a member of the Transportation Planning Board. He
has no other occupation at present so is able to devote his attention to D.C. affairs. He
pointed out that he has only four on his staff (Mike Battle is his chief of staff),
whereas committee chairs have four additional staff persons. He previously worked as a
staff person for D.C. Councilmember Jim Nathanson and also served as an Advisory
Neighborhood Commissioner. He was active in the effort to preserve McLean Gardens, and has
become an expert on condominium laws in D.C. His mother and grandmother were members of
the LWV.
The speaker gave the League a copy of each of two recent reports on Council reform: one
by the National Conference of State Legislatures ("Building a Stronger, More
Effective Institution"), and the other by DC Appleseed Center ("A Fix-It
Yourself Manual"). While he did not single out or comment on the recommendations, Mr.
Mendelson indicated that in his view the principal needs are for self-discipline and
accessibility of the Council, a centralized and professionalized staff, and more effective
Council oversight over the Executive.-- Joan Domike
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Computers: Firoze Rao (Board member Susan's husband) has volunteered
to donate his computer expertise to our cause! Firoze works for Lockheed Martin and is
willing to assist people with computer needs for a $50 donation to the League for up to
two hours of help. We've already made some money on this ... what a great deal!
(202/636-1688)
Dessert: Remember if you need a special dessert, call Hope Marindin,
202/966-6367. Her daughter, Eleanor, bakes "the best carrot cakes" in town.
Order one for a $35 donation to the League.
Music: $50 will get you two hours of music-piano and trumpet. Call Liz
Martin, 202/537-3043.
All donations go to the general operating fund.
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The Brown Bag Dialogue committee will meet on September in the D.C. League office at
10:00 a.m. League members are encouraged to join us in developing the 1999-2000 calendar
and scheduling speakers. We would like support in the area of note takers, schedulers, and
report writers,
Call Pat Hallman (202/829-8852) or Connie Fortune for additional information. -- Phil
Hallman
Many thanks to Dorothy Beltz, Fran Garro, Ethel Cooper, Kathy Schmidt and Reggie Yancey
for their assistance in preparing over 700 ballots for mailing to D.C. General Hospital
Union employees on July 19th. Thanks also to Mary Rodgers and Reggie Yancey who, on August
3rd, counted ballot returns. This summer labor will net the League of $1,100.00.
The Election Committee is currently helping Randolph-Sheppard Vending Program for the
Blind with its election of officers. The League provides this service as a community gift
at no charge. We often receive a contribution from the Vendors which is gratefully
accepted. -- Louise Perry
The Voter Service Committee invites you to join us on September 29th at 6:30 p.m. in
Room 700 South at 441 4th Street. We'll be exploring 1) Monthly Voter Registration for New
Citizens: Every month, more than 90 immigrants are sworn in as new citizens at the U.S.
District Court. The Court has given the League permission to do voter registration at
these monthly ceremonies, and this opens up the possibility of registering nearly 1200 new
voters a year as well as important opportunities for Voter Education and Get-Out-the-Vote.
2) A Possible Grant for Distribution of Voters Guides. 3) What the League's Voter Service
Efforts Should Be During the 2000 Elections. If you're interested in voter service, but
can't come to the meeting, call Guy Coriden (202/232-6759) or Elinor Hart (202/387-2966).
-- Committee Co-Chairs
The International Relations Committee honored its former Chair, Mary Drob, at a tea at
Sheila Keeny's house in July. Several members discussed recent activities in the
international relations arena.
Our first meeting in the fall will be held on September 8 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the
Rosalie Goodman room at the LWVUS office (1730 M Street NW). PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR
I.R. MEETINGS. The program will be a dry run of the panel discussion on Global Issues for
the New Millenium which Sheila Keeny, Janet Burmester, and Grace Orlansky (Montgomery
County LWV) will present to the Kent County, MD LWV later in September.
At our October 13 meeting, we will begin our discussion of the LWV's I.R. positions.
Members are requested to review these positions and make note of any positions that are
unclear, out of date, or otherwise in need of revision. If you need a copy of the
positions, please contact Sheila Keeny (202/966-1692) or Susan Rao (202/636-1688).
The I.R. Committee will be responsible for the February unit meetings. We anticipate
starting the Great Decisions study in March.
We look forward to another active year for our committee and we welcome the addition of
any interested LWVDC member to our committee. As always, nonmembers also welcome to attend
any meetings. -- Susan Rao, Co-Chair
DC Votes: Coalition for D.C. Representation in Congress
League member Carol Ragsdale posted a short personal note with a petition for the
Coalition in the laundry room of her condo building. Within a short while, it was
completely filled with signatures of those interested in gaining full voting rights in
Congress for D.C. residents. Try it!
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Welcome new members: Nathalie V, Black, Lorraine Sinderbrand
Thanks to these members for donations: Dorothy Beltz, Annye Blackmon, Henrietta
Braunstein, Marilou Righini, Kathy and Al Schmidt, Louise Steele, Eleanor Trowbridge
In Memory
We regret the delay in announcing the death of member Mary Robert Turner. Mary died in
May. She had been a member since 1986 and used to be a member of the SE/Anacostia Unit. We
are very saddened to lose her.
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Presentation by Esther Brimmer, Ph.D., Senior Associate, Carnegie Commission on
Preventing Deadly Conflict to the International Relations Committee, LWVDC. June 9, 1999:
Dr. Brimmer's topic was the United Nations and Conflict Prevention. The Carnegie Corp.
of New York created the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict in 1994 with a
five-year mandate to advance thinking on conflict prevention.
The Commission has researched three areas, which Dr. Brimmer discussed: What is the
nature of modern conflict? What can be done to prevent it? What can the U.N. do to prevent
it?
On the nature of modern conflict, Dr. Brimmer pointed out a shift since the end of the
Cold War in international security policy from a focus on wars between countries (the
purpose of founding the U.N.) to wars within countries.
Such wars jeopardize "human security" -- individuals within countries Ninety
percent of war victims today are noncombatants, especially women and children. In 1995,
one of every 200 people worldwide was a refugee. Of the 20 poorest countries on earth, 15
have had recent domestic conflicts. Wars have had a devastating effect on economic
development. Modern weapons make it possible to kill more people more quickly. There are
an estimated 100+ million landmines deployed in 64 countries which kill or injure over
25,000 persons a year.
The Commission explored options other than violence to prevent conflicts. Violence
prevention can take three forms: Prevention of the emergence of violence, the spread of
violence, and re-emergence of violence after the initial conflict has been resolved.
Structural prevention looks at the underlying causes of violence, which involve
security, well-being, and justice issues. Economic well-being is a crucial element in
preventing violence as young men often join violent groups due to lack of employment
alternatives. The U.N. is well placed for conflict prevention based on security and
development issues. In 1998, the Commission met with the Secretary General who stated that
preventing armed conflict was the "highest goal and cardinal mission of the
U.N."
Operational prevention (when a conflict is about to break out) can involve the use of
diplomacy, threat and use of force, and threat and use of sanctions and inducements.
Diplomatic means to prevent conflict include special representatives of the
Secretary-General and envoys sent on authority of the Secretary-General, advisors in New
York, fact-finding missions, and "friends of the Secretary-General," small
groups of nations which keep the Secretary-General informed about various conflicts.
On the threat and use of force, the Commission studied peacekeeping and peacemaking The
Commission felt such force should not always be the last resort and pointed to several
instances when preventative deployment did prevent potential ethnic conflict. It also
studied Rwanda and concurred that a small force could have confined the violence to urban
areas and prevented the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. If force is used, clear
objectives need to be laid out.
The Commission noted that the same 20+ countries often end up bearing the financial
costs of conflict. It is much cheaper to stop conflicts than to give humanitarian
assistance after conflicts.
On sanctions, the Commission noted that multilateral sanctions are far more effective
than unilateral ones. All member states are obligated to support U.N.-approved sanctions.
The Commission studied targeted sanctions, such as freezing foreign bank accounts, which
limit damage to leaders rather than entire populations. -- Susan Rao,
co-chair, l.R. Committee
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Being subject to a mid-August deadline and having no "crystal ball," I cannot
report definitively on the outcome of the lawsuits before the U.S. Court for the District
of Columbia. Perhaps by the time you read this a decision will have been rendered. I do
relay below Kathy Schmidt's report of this writing on the Coalition for D.C.
Representation in Congress:
As the Coalition plans for the fall, it is scheduling meetings with ANCs, Civic and
Citizens Associations, social service organizations, and college and university groups. In
August the Coalition began formulating its response to the several possible rulings from
the Court. Petitions continue to be circulated at community functions. A number have been
received from other areas of the country. The Coalition's www.dcvote.org web site is
attracting a steady number of inquiries.
The Coalition's mission is to educate the public and the U.S. Congress about a basic
principle: Americans living in the nation's capital should enjoy full voting
representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Coalition brings
together any and all organizations, citizens, and other supporters of the Constitutional
guarantee of voting representation for all citizens and the principle of "one person,
one vote." The Coalition is open to all who wish to pursue this goal through
non-violent means and with respect for all other members of the Coalition. -- Kathy
Schmidt
We expected LWVUS to release its nationwide information package about the D.C.
Representation issue this summer, but a September target now seems more likely. -- Barbara
T. Yeomans, 3rd Vice-President, (National Program)
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Congresswoman Norton's Town Meeting on Economic
Development, July 26, 1999; Mrs. Norton's Legislative Initiatives
As announced in her summer newsletter to constituents, Mrs. Norton's convened the
following panel on D.C. economic development: Rear Admiral Christopher B. Weaver, USN,
Commandant, Naval District of Washington; Commissioner Robert A. Peck, Public Building
Service, General Services Administration (GSA); and Barbara Duckworth, Chief of Staff,
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). In attendance were Council Members Ambrose and Jarvis
and Senior "Shadow" Senator, Florence Pendleton. A large hearing room was used
to handle the approximately 100 in attendance.
The Congresswoman's goal is D.C. self-sufficiency. Within her areas of authority, she
is looking for ways to create and enlarge economic opportunities, with both public and
private sources, and reversing the history of opportunities exiting the city. She wants to
keep and enhance Federal jobs in D.C., especially as other jurisdictions provide keen
competition. The focus of this particular meeting was on federal development on both sides
of the Anacostia River, namely, revitalization already underway at the Navy Yard,
projected development of the neighboring site known as the Southeast Federal Center, and
expansion at Boiling Air Force Base if consolidation within DIA takes place as being
discussed (not a "done deal" per Mrs. Norton, but design work has been
authorized). You might recall that a community meeting was held last November at the World
Bank (reported in the DC Voter) on "The Economic Resurgence of Washington" and
the related economic strategy document.
Associated with the foregoing developments will be a significant number of federal jobs
moving to D.C. The speakers, however, were careful not to mislead the audience as to how
many might be new, open to D.C residents. Current employees may well choose to move with
the jobs. Nonetheless, as Adm. Weaver noted, there is typically about 10% turnover in any
particular venue of the civil service. The opportunities expected are not just federal
jobs but those related to construction and goods and services employees will need. For
example, the Yard's renovation will entail $150 million in construction. Voluntarily the
Navy has earmarked $22 million for local hires, and disadvantaged and small businesses.
The Navy has already established an information clearinghouse ("Bridges to
Friendship") to coordinate with the community; and it is following opportunities for
private development on the periphery.
The opportunity represented by the Southeast Federal Center is speculative at this
stage. GSA Commissioner Peck is well familiar with the city, being a Washingtonian arid an
ex-President of the D.C. Preservation League and a prior Board member of the D.C. Downtown
Partnership. He reviewed federal policy, established by President Carter, of locating
federal jobs in central cities as well as current action Congress might take, such as
moving or keeping the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in D.C., e.g., as an
anchor for a New York Avenue gateway. ATF has major security concerns and will need a
large site; there is competition from the suburbs. GSA acquired the 55-acre Southeast
Federal Center from the Navy in 1963. For various reasons concerted development was not
pursued. In Peck's view it would be better if the site were not all offices and thus
"close" at 5 p.m. He is open to possibilities and could envisage retail, hotels,
private offices, museums and so forth. There is, however, a major consideration. GSA's
basic authority -- and applicable to the Southeast Center -- is to act on behalf of the
American people. This means it does not have much flexibility to address special D.C.
interests and GSA clearly does not have the special authority it received from Congress to
work with public and private developers when GSA had to take over completion of the work
of the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation. By the end of the Town Meeting it was
obvious that Congresswoman Norton was focusing on the authority GSA might need for the
special opportunities posed by the Southeast Center.
The work at DIA is highly specialized in support of Defense Department needs. Ms.
Duckworth noted the improvement in processes related to the environment, e.g., elimination
of cadmium from effluent, and use of soya-base printing ink. Job opportunities are
advertised on the Web. The agency employs a range of D.C. contracts, e.g., video and court
reporting; and employes use civilian services.
The questions from the audience reflected keen interest in continued clean-up and
better use of the Anacostia, access around the waterfront, and job opportunities.
Legislative Initiatives
At the meeting, Mrs. Norton announced special initiatives she had introduced in July
and follow-up to 1997 legislation: (a) a permanent version of her $5,000 homebuyer credit,
in which the credit could be converted to cash to help make the down payment on a house;
E) extension of a provision -- whereby capital gains taxes on specified property are
eliminated -- to property in the entire city instead of defined D.C. "poverty"
areas. We await full congressional action at this writing. -- Barbara T. Yeomans
(for Anna Marsh, D.C. Affairs Committee)
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D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp offered opening remarks for the June 8 forum in UDC's
auditorium. A panel then discussed a range of views and addressed questions from the
floor. The panelists present were Mario Acosta-Velez, Latino Civil Rights), Dorothy
Brizill (DC Watch), Mary Jane DeFrank (ACLU/NCA), Curtis Etherly, covering for Kwasi
Holman (D.C. Chamber of Commerce), and Liz Siegel (D.C. Action for Children).
Interest in Council Reform is driven by two recent reports presenting major proposals.
One was done by the National Conference of State
Legislatures, at the request of the D.C. Council, and the other by the D.C. Appleseed Center on its own initiative. File copies
are in the office. Per Dorothy Brizill's announcement, both may be viewed via the DC Watch
website.
The forum organizers were interested in the new recommendations as well as changes
which might be made in several areas, e.g., to ensure that the Council fosters more
meaningful and inclusive public participation in legislative deliberations; the public is
provided notice and opportunity for input prior to any vote on legislation; and the
Council staffing structure is more efficient and effective.
In her remarks, Ms. Cropp assured the audience that the Council was open to views of
citizens not only on Council actions but also legislation which the Council introduces on
behalf of the Mayor. She noted some of the changes already under consideration, e.g.,
strengthening the Budget Office and making it independent with central staff (no longer
attached to the Chairman's office); increasing analytical capabilities of Council
committees; enhancing legal service support (by General Counsel); increasing public access
to Council information, such as legislative tracking and obtaining voting records via web
site; clarifying dates, topics and witnesses on hearings covered by cable TV Channel 13;
having an official time clock to control duration at hearings; improving the format of the
Council's daily legislative agenda; standardizing committee reports; developing a staffing
manual on responsibilities; and posting a wide range of information on a Council web site
(such as legislative tracking, voting records, reports required by law from the Mayor and
others, the whole D.C. Code, record keeping of bills through each stage -- proposed,
engrossed and enrolled).
Judging by panelists' comments and the thrust of questions from the floor, there was
high interest in accountability through access to voting records as well as better public
notice of hearings. In response to one complaint about the short lead time for the hearing
on Valerie Holt as CFO, Ms. Cropp noted that the law gives the Council seven calendar days
to act on nominations. (No one got into the subject of changing that requirement). Another
observation concerned the Council's use of "roundtables" to discuss matters.
This was viewed as a way of avoiding hearings and thus the required public notice. A major
area of discussion concerned the apparent heavy reliance on use of emergency legislation.
All D.C. Legislation must go through a Congressional "waiting period." Emergency
legislation is subject to a 30-day instead of 60-day period. But emergency legislation is
not effective for more than 90 days. An emergency act might be reenacted and then let die.
It makes it hard for those concerned to prepare for and follow the action; a more
thoughtful approach to legislation and associated hearings at the outset would be
desirable Another key reform would be to centralize committee staff. Now they effectively
serve individual members. The workload is heavy for even the most skilled Council Member,
and they need better analytical support from more well-informed, trained staff.
This forum was pulled together by the D.C. Affairs Section of the D.C. Bar Association.
Other sponsors in addition to these two organizations and the D.C. League were; D.C.
Council Chairman Linda Cropp, ACLU of the National Capital Area, Committee of 100 of the
Federal City, D.C. Action for Children, D.C. Agenda, D.C. Consortium of Legal Services
Providers, Downtown Cluster of Congregations, Fair Budget Coalition, Federation of
Citizens' Associations, Friends of the Earth, Gay and Lesbian Activists' Alliance, Greater
Washington Board of Trade, Latino Civil Rights Center, and Metropolitan Washington Council
AFL-CIO. Dr. Shelly Broderick, Interim Dean of UDC's David A. Clarke Law School, taking on
duties of Bruce Johnson, WUSA (Channel 9) who could not participate as planned. -- Barbara
Yeomans, for Anna Marsh, D.C. Affairs
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LWV/The National Capital Area
President: Naomi Glass, 202/6860124. Editor: Forest Williams, 301/552-1681. E-mail: forestwill@aol.com
Traditionally, the summer meeting of the NCA Board (held this year on August 6) is also
our organization and planning meeting for the League year. So, we covered many subjects:
Transportation/Land-Use Committee. Co-Chairs: Beth Cogswell
(703-527-9137) and Anne Kanter (703-448-4626). First, they plan to review NCA and Member
League (NCAML) positions for information needed to define and outline their objectives.
They anticipate strong NCAML representation. Be sure to call if you are interested.
Water Resources Committee. Chair: Joy Hecht (703-9790759). Like all of
us, they see this year's devastating drought as a reminder of the importance and relevance
of their work. There are still several NCAMLs not represented on the Committee. It's not
too late to become meaningfully involved with their significant and timely project.
D.C. Finances/Revitalization Committee. Chair: Elinor Hart
(202-387-2966). In the House floor debate on the D.C. Appropriations Bill on July 29,
representatives from local districts strongly supported D.C. budget autonomy -- a
principal issue at NCAMLs' unit meetings last spring. Tom Davis, Steny Moyer, James Moran,
and Connie Morella echoed Eleanor Holmes Norton's plea for local decision-making authority
for locally raised revenue. Frank Wolf made no speech but voted for Del. Norton's
resolution for authorizing D.C. to use local tax money to sue the federal government for
Congressional representation. Some NCAMLs still need to report on their spring consensus
meetings; then a summary report will be made.
Presidents' Luncheon. Continuing another rewarding tradition, we are
extending a special invitation to NCAML presidents to attend our October board meeting
(all board meetings are always open to all members!) AND the luncheon thereafter. The
ensuing discussion will, as usual, be two-way; so, all NCAML members are encouraged to
provide agenda items to their respective presidents.
Community-involvement survey. LWVUS recently released the findings of
a commissioned national survey. In a nutshell it concluded that people want to be involved
in civic pursuits, but not the kind normally associated with the League. The Board has
asked its Membership Roundtable to submit recommendations based on the survey's
conclusions. Read the hill report at the LWVUS web site.
Fund-Raising Talk Out. In February, to share problems and solutions,
questions and answers, successes and failures, etc. on a subject that bedevils us all. BUT
we can't wait until then to initiate a much- needed NCA fund-raising activity! We would
love to bear from anyone willing to help.
LWVUS Convention 2000. LWVUS staffer (also Montgomery County Leaguer)
Natalie Testa, the LW VUS Convention manager, briefed us on important events and deadlines
for the next one, in June in D.C. All our NCAMLs will be invited to be involved! Also, we
plan to convene a pre-Convention NCAML meeting on November 12, 1999. Among the subjects to
be considered will be our anticipated study of the current LWVUS budget, as background for
understanding all proposed budgets, as well as the budget implications of any programmatic
(or other) suggestions that NCAML members may want to make.
NCA annual meeting. For all of you long-range planners out there: Our
next annual meeting will be on June 3, 2000. (It's not as far away as it sounds!)
Next Board meeting: Friday, September 3, 10:00 a.m. at LWVUS, 1730 M
St., D.C.
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To join the League of Woman Voters, print out the membership form
and mail it, with dues, to the League.
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There are two League listserves which help you to stay informed and act on issues:
The Grassroots Lobby Corps has a listserve which alerts you to pending legislation (in
League issues and gives information on how to act on it. Even without a Congressional
vote, D.C. residents should be writing, calling or e-mailing Congressional committee
members or the Executive Branch of government to voice our opinion. You do not need to be
an official member of the LWVUS Lobby Corps, and you will not be inundated with e-mails.
To sign up: send e-mail to listserve@lwv.org
In the message, write subscribe glc-list yourfirstname yourlastname. (Subject field can be
left blank).
To unsubscribe, message should read unsub glc-list (do not list your name).
The second is LWVcyberVoter, an online grassroots newsletter for League members, which
is an automated e-mail list. The newsletter comes about every three weeks. LWVUS wants to
bear from us, so they are asking for contributions of items for publications or
suggestions for articles.
To sign up: send e-mail to listserv@thecity.sfsu.edu
The message should say subscribe lwvcybervoter yourfirstname yourlastname. Nothing in the
subject line.
To unsubscribe, message is unsubscribe lwvcybervoter.
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The DC Voter is & monthly publication of the League of Women Voters of the
District of Columbia. It is available either though membership ($45.00/year) or through
direct subscription (($10.00/year). President, Elizabeth M. Martin, Treasurer, Naomi
Glass, Editor, Virginia Spatz; 202/547-8504 (email: vepatz@Radix.net
). LWVDC, 733 15th Street, NW, #432, Washington, DC 20005. 202/347-3020. Fax:
202/347-2522. Website: http://www.dcwatch.com/lwvdc . E-mail: LWVDC@erols.com . |
