In this issue:
Chair Notes
Well, Election Day has come and gone. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it a safe, fair, and secure election! I'm sure you join me in being a proud League of Women Voters member and being so proud of all that the LWV stands for.
VOTE411 had a record-breaking election cycle! More than 6 million voters across the country accessed VOTE411 for voting information. Voters viewed more than 37 million pages of information in both English and Spanish from over 450 Leagues in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Thanks to the Voter Services Committee, our own local VOTE411 will likely be operational in 2021.
The LWV US has several priorities for the coming year regarding federal and state advocacy. The first is to provide guidance and support to local Leagues on legislative priorities for action. This guidance incorporates input from League leaders around the county and offers suggestions for framing our work. LWV US is encouraging us to use these recommendations as we consider legislative work and advocacy in 2021.
The second piece is restarting the Congressional interview program for the 117th Congress. Leagues are being asked to formally interview their Senators and Representatives regarding advocacy priorities, and to build relationships with new and returning lawmakers from each state and on Capitol Hill. We will learn more about this early in 2021.
We will also be actively working to progress from a Unit to Member-at-Large (MAL) status. A small team of members has formed to see this process through and will be meeting this month for the first time.
A mantra I have used often since the summer is, “we are all volunteers; we will do what we can”. It’s a reminder to myself that I – we – amidst all of our other responsibilities, are doing the best we can with the energy and resources available in this moment in time. We have lots of work to do as a League and with many hands, much can be accomplished! (Read further to see how much our fledgling Unit has accomplished in 2020!) We also have lives that require living and relationships that need tending. We may not accomplish all the things we have in front of us in the next year, and that’s OK. We are all making a difference and doing the best we can.
I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season. It will most likely be different this year for most of us. Hopefully, we can find time to recharge and safely connect with loved ones over the holiday season. This is the time of year to be thankful for what we have accomplished together, and I personally feel thankful for all of you and your energy and support for our LWV mission.
However, you decide to celebrate, please be careful. PLEASE BE SAFE.
Robin
Election
The following Unit members empowered democracy by helping with the Vote by Mail Yard Sign Project, Candidate Forums, Voter Information Presentations, Voter Guide and Make Your Vote Count Pamphlet Design and Distributions, Letters to the Editor, Lite 96.3 FM Radio Segment, National Voter Registration Day Event, Serving as Poll Workers, Observing County Board of Canvassers Election Certification, Staffing the Election Protection Hotline, and Running for Office! All during a pandemic -WOW!
Kathy Biggs, Lisa Blanchard, Shirley Burns, Penny Crim, Nancy Dwan, Jennifer Deegan, Patty Fralick Susan Hannah, Joyce Herbert, Bruce Hebert, Robin Jordan, Ethel Larsen, Barb Lindsey, Audrey Lustgarten, Barry Lustgarten, Carole McGibbon, Eileen Mikus, Marcia Meyer, Kevin Meyer, Betty Palm, Carolyn Penniman, Dave Penniman, Ann Scott, Suzanne Shumway, Karla Sherman, Dibby Smith, Sally Smith, Anne Srigley, Mary Street, Roberta VanderBreggan, Sue VanDeventer, Sharon Walker, Jen Winnell
Clerk Project and the Election
Early in 2020, our LWV Charlevoix-Emmet Unit started our Clerk Project with the ambitious goal of meeting every clerk within Emmet and Charlevoix counties. Taking to heart the LWV mission of “encouraging informed and active participation in government”, we set out to establish a relationship with our area clerks; not only to assess voter access and SOS compliance, but to support them in the important job that they do. We managed to visit 12 of 21 voting precincts in Emmet and 1 in Charlevoix before being sidelined by COVID-19. Positive relationships have been established with the Emmet County Clerk and other township clerks. Since then, our Unit has been contacted by clerks to obtain election workers for the primary and the general election. Nine of our members were trained as election workers, and 6 of us (and one spouse!) worked at the polls on Election Day. Our thanks to Penny Crim, Susan Hannah, Ethel Larsen, Eileen Mikus, Carolyn and Dave Penniman, Sue VanDeventer and Sharon Walker for spending long hours helping to facilitate our most important democratic institution: our right to vote.
These Unit members were able to observe how townships complied with COVID-19 procedures, how absentee voter ballots (AVBs) are processed and the impact of their increasing numbers, along with other Election Day protocols. This fall, our legislature approved a bill allowing city or township clerks with a population of at least 25,000 to open AVB return envelopes on the day before Election Day, but not process them further. This clearly does not benefit Emmet or Charlevoix counties and left smaller precincts to process the bulk of those ballots after the polls closed. This will surely be an issue the League will further pursue.
Now that the 2020 election is in the history books, we hope to continue with our Clerk Project by engaging with more of our clerks in Emmet County, and expanding our presence in Charlevoix County. We need team members to continue this work! Please join by sending me an email. Sue VanDeventer susan.vendeventer@gmail.com
Election Protection
On October 23rd, our LWVMI president Christina Schlitt, sent out an urgent email to all state League leaders to solicit volunteers to observe the local election certification process that takes place 2 days after the election. The election certification meetings with the Board of Canvassers of each county are open to the public, and there were reports of planned disruption activities especially in downstate areas. Within 36 hours, our Unit had 16 volunteers! Zoom training sessions were held several days later.
Our members observed the election certification process in Emmet, Charlevoix and Antrim Counties. The process in Emmet and Charlevoix counties went without a hitch. The process in Antrim County took 2 days because of human error regarding updating the election software. This resulted in an imbalance in party votes. The error was caught quickly and remedied. However it made national news and was used as material for spreading disinformation about the election. Learn more.
Throughout the state over 250 LWV Observers were employed to ensure a transparent and accurate county level election certification process. Thank you to all volunteers in this effort! The leadership of LWVMI is advising local Leagues to prepare our election Observer Corps for 2021 elections.
See misleading or false information about the election? Report it to misinformation@michigan.gov
Redistricting Update
Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) is formed and operating!
During its first five meetings, starting September 17th, the ICRC has: learned about the Constitutional amendment that established the ICRC; heard lessons learned by commissions in California and Arizona; elected a chair and vice chair; learned about redistricting basics, the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act; laid groundwork for hiring an executive director and other staff members; voted to increase commissioners’ pay from 25% to 35% of the governor salary.
One commissioner resigned and was replaced. Then the newly appointed commissioner resigned and was replaced. This suggests that serving on the ICRC is not an easy role.
Interested in watching the ICRC at work? Go to https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_91141-540204--,00.html where you will find links to videos of past meetings, the ICRC’s schedule, agendas, minutes, briefing book and instructions for viewing live streams of upcoming meetings.
December Meeting
Wednesday 12/9/20 at 12 noon
Our next member and guest meeting will be Christina Schlitt, President LWV Michigan, is our guest speaker. She will talk with us about the next steps in moving from a LWV Unit to a Member at Large and then ultimately to a freestanding League.
A representative of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan will provide information about WRCNM Safe Home and the new look to holiday giving as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will also be voting on a book to read for our first annual Book Read event! Feel free to bring your lunch, invite any interested friends, and join us for the LWV MI president’s message! A link will be emailed to members several days before the meeting.
In Case You Missed It…
In celebration of Native American Heritage month, Eric Hemenway, Historian and Director of Archives and Records of the Little Bay Band of Odawa Indians, was guest speaker at our monthly meeting on 11/11/20. His presentation focused on Women in Odawa History; it was fascinating and informative! You can view the presentation here.
Committee Reports
Voter Services Committee
Things got busy very quickly when I became Voter Services Chair in late August. Sue VanDeventer organized a group to train as poll workers and to meeting area clerks. Penny Crim organized a voter registration outreach presentation to area schools. In early September, we created a pamphlet on Making Your Vote Count, to provide factual information about numerous voting myths. This was distributed in September and October, along with more than 300 Voter Guides from the LWV MI. We held our first candidate forums this fall! In collaboration with the LWV of the Eastern UP, we held a Zoom Forum for the candidates for the MI House District 107, which was very successful. Our Unit also held a recorded Zoom forum with the candidates for 90th District Court Judge. In addition, we had representatives at a Youth Voter Registration event in Charlevoix, handing out LWV voter guides and our pamphlets. We worked the polls and Unit volunteers served as Observers at the Boards of Canvassers. Our Unit members stepped up to the plate admirably, with multiple volunteers ready and willing to help.
As this election season draws to a close, there is much to do to get ready for the next round! We will be activating our own Vote411 which will allow us to include information on our local races next time, and laying plans for activities to encourage voter registration. Our committee is just forming, so if you have ideas or energy to help with this important work, please send me an email, we welcome all to join! Dibby Smith dibbys@aol.com
Environment and Natural Resources
YOU can help preserve the quality of Lake Charlevoix Watershed in Boyne City, East Jordan and Charlevoix! Vote on which rain gardens, green alleys and other storm water treatment options seem best for the communities. You can vote as a community member or as a visitor!
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) mimics the ways that nature helps storm water flow back into the ground, which can keep water resources clean and protect public health. Each of the proposed options uses native vegetation and natural processes to capture pollutants and minimize nutrient runoff.
You can review photos of the options being considered for all 3 communities, and place your vote, at this website: https://bit.ly/33bm82d Surveys are due for consideration next week, deadline is 12/1.
In addition to the survey, community members can sign up online for a stormwater site assessment offered by the watershed council. Those interested will be contacted in the spring of 2021 to schedule a time for watershed council staff to visit their property, free of charge, and discuss options for how stormwater management through GSI can help protect Lake Charlevoix.
Our group is just getting started! Please join us as we discuss focus areas and priorities for our Unit. Please contact Ann Scott alscott2050@gmail.com or Marcia Meyer marciakmeyer@gmail.com
Member News
We are excited to report that LWVCE has 90 members at this time! Our annual dues cycle is coming to a close. Those who still owe dues will need to be removed as active members in January 2021 so we are hopeful we will receive their October dues very soon. If you have questions about your dues status, please email Betty Palm at bjpetoskey@gmail.com.
Welcome new members since July 2020!
Bruce Herbert
Suzanne Shumway
Michael Shumway
Emily Winnell
Jen Winnell
Nancy Byers
Mary Ellen Hagryl
Meryl Drake Hankey
Martha Rohr
Joyce Hebert
Did You Know?
Image from opensecrets.org
Dark money in politics is dangerous to democracy. The LWV is committed to reducing the influence of big money in politics to make elections fairer and more transparent. Voters have the right to know who is raising money for which political candidates, how much they are raising and how that money is being spent.
In 2010, the Citizen United Supreme Court decision allowed corporations to donate large sums of money to candidates and to form super PACS, where donors could remain anonymous. In following years, legislation loosened even more regulations on amounts and transparency. How did we get here? Check out this timeline for an overview of money in politics from the start of our nation to today.
Making Democracy Work (MDW Grant)
efforts for the August 2020 Primary and November 2020 elections. Election Protection and Voting Rights are the heart of the League of Women Voters
We are fortunate the LWVMI applied for and received these grant funds to assist local leagues in their Election Protection efforts.
The goals of the grant were as follows:
Education for voter protection to monitor implementation of Proposal 3 of 2018
Education for election protection through engagement with county and local clerks
Increased visibility of Vote411, expanding media and social media engagement
The LWV Charlevoix Emmet Unit implemented the following to accomplish these goals.
Established relationships with local clerks and worked with them to secure poll workers for elections.
Promoted Vote411 on Facebook, Webpage, and in the PNR.
Developed and distributed a “Make Your Vote Count” informational pamphlet to emphasize the proper procedures for absentee ballots..
Conducted lawn sign campaign to promote safe mail in voting.
With the ACLU, addressed and mailed 2500 postcards to Michigan voters in high risk and disenfranchised areas.
We are pleased with the leadership and support provided by Christina Schlitt, LWVMI President, during all phases of the MDW grant and the opportunity to participate in this initiative.
Annual Unit Book Read
Our Unit is starting an annual Book Read Event! We will all choose a book at the end of our December 9th member meeting (via Zoom poll voting) and begin reading in the New Year. We will Zoom together in April (date to be determined) and have discussions that are friendly, lively, and enlightening.
The book choices have been culled from other leagues that hold the same event, and all have potential to challenge our thinking about critical issues, examine our biases and give us new perspectives.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die by Keith Payne
The Broken Ladder advances a timely examination by a leading social scientist of the physical, psychological, and moral effects of inequality and the measures that people can take to lessen the harm done by inequality in their own lives.
The Woman's Hour - The Great Fight to Win the Vote by Elaine Weiss
The Woman's Hour is an inspiring story of activists winning their own freedom in one of the last campaigns forged in the shadow of the Civil War, and the beginning of the great twentieth-century battles for civil rights.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the America City by Mathew Desmond
In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur "Genius" Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of 21st-century America's most devastating problems.
How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Published in 2018, this book by Harvard University political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt about how elected leaders can gradually subvert the democratic process to increase their power.
Ready for the Community Observer Corp?
The League of Women Voters has been an active champion of openness in government throughout its history. League members are always working on ways to ensure that the citizen’s right to know is protected. An Observer Corp is one way to do this. An observer is an individual that attends governmental meeting, notes what happens at the meeting, and reports back to the League. By attending public meetings of local governmental bodies/agencies, observers learn more about what their government is doing. They learn about the issues facing their community and are empowered to take action, if warranted. They also learn how issues are being addressed. Most importantly, they are providing a community service. They are acting as “watchdog” on behalf of their friends, family and neighbors, and helping to ensure the vitality of their community.
We would like to create an Observer Corp in our Unit. We are going to start small. We ask that you consider volunteering to attend city council meetings in your community or the county commissioners meetings. You may sign up as pairs or agree to split the meetings with another member, or sign up for only a few meetings each year. Observers would report any vital local information to our Unit. We are also looking for someone to coordinate this group. More information on the LWV Observer Corps.
If you are interested in leading or joining this important group, please send an email to info@lwvcharem@gmail.com
Our First Year in Review
Our Unit has had a most amazing first year! The energy and commitment of our members has allow our Unit to grow, thrive and produce, even in the midst of the long-term pandemic. Thank you to EVERY MEMBER as you gave time, money, ideas, energy, inspiration, leadership, skills or encouragement to make it all happen. Whether you gave one of those things or many, it’s because of YOU that we have accomplished so much.
Here is a list of our projects, actions and events in 2020.
February
Held voter registration events at NCMC
Organized a 100 person parade entry to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment (rescheduled to July 2021)
Organized a tree planting ceremony with speaker to honor Petoskey suffragists (rescheduled to August 2021)
March
Established a long-term clerk engagement project to develop relationships with township and county clerks
April
Designed and distributed Vote by Mail signs to promote early and safe voting
Published a LTE in the PNR about the LWV and support for voter protection
May
Distributed PowerPoint presentation to area high school government and civics teachers to show to students how to register to vote
June
Planted a tree and installed a commemorative plaque on the LTB Historical Museum grounds to honor Petoskey Suffragists
Published LTE in PNR about our clerk engagement project
Attended National LWV Convention via Zoom
August
LWV members trained and called to work the polls in the primary election
Known Petoskey suffragists featured in Facebook series
September
Developed and distributed a pamphlet with information on how to make sure your vote counts
October
Distributed hundreds of non-partisan LWV Voter Guides, Make Your Vote Count pamphlets and Know Your Voting Rights booklets in Petoskey and Charlevoix
Recorded candidate forum for 90th District Court race
Hosted candidate forum for the 107th State Representative race
LWV members trained and called to work the polls in the primary election
Published LTE in PNR about later election results d/t high number of absentee ballots
Spoke at the Youth Votes in Charlevoix
Radio clip Lite 96.3 about the Charlevoix/Emmet LWV Unit, voting, and later results expected
November
Six members served as poll workers on Election Day
Organized 16 members for Observer Corps to observe election certification process in Charlevoix, Emmet and Antrim counties
Public/Member Forums in 2020
Redistricting - Voters Not Politicians guest speaker
Voting Rights – Scott LaDeur guest speaker
Changes in Voting Laws – Suzanne Kanine guest speaker
Voter Security – Tina DeMoore guest speaker
Vote411 Voter Information Site– Megan Chenoweth guest speaker
Women in Odawa History Eric Hemenway guest speaker
Becoming a “real’ League – Christina Schlitt LWV MI President guest speaker
Member Appreciation
We will be highlighting members who have been active in League work in each quarterly newsletter.
Thank you to Dibby Smith who took on the important role of Voter Services Chair in August! Our Unit has accomplished much because of her time and leadership and we are grateful!
Dibby Smith is a retired Public Health Nurse Supervisor who lives in Petoskey with her husband Scott. She grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, where her parents were both very involved in various forms of community service. Dibby earned a BSN in nursing from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She retired in 2010 from the Alexandria, VA Department of Health after 19 years. During that time, she was instrumental in obtaining a large government grant from to open a neighborhood clinic serving primarily Central American immigrant women and children. She started and ran the clinic for its first 8 years, during which time a 501(c)3 organization was founded to gradually take over the management and funding of the clinic. That organization is still going strong, and the clinic has expanded to multiple sites, continuing to address the needs of the underserved community in Northern Virginia. Her final role at the Health Department was supervising the Communicable Disease Control, Immunization, and Tuberculosis programs, and working in Emergency Planning. She can attest that “Pandemic Flu” planning was well underway even then, and has some stories to tell about the challenges of the H1N1 flu epidemic of 2009/10!
Between 1976 and 1990, Dibby and Scott and their two sons, Brian and Andrew, lived in five developing countries – Bolivia, Haiti, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Ecuador. In each of these countries she provided childbirth education classes, breastfeeding education and support working with Public Health authorities.
Dibby is a member of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Chorus and the Little Traverse Choral Society, as well as the choir and handbell choir at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. She has also participated many times in the Bay View Week of Handbells. Dibby served as President of the Board of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra for four years, and continues to assist them with grant writing. She belongs to two book groups. She is always knitting something, usually for her grandchildren, and also enjoys counted cross stitch.
Thank you to Sally Shearer Smith who organized a speaker on voting rights for one of our forums, and led Unit member’s efforts to honor the local Petoskey Suffragists and commemorate the centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote! While the pandemic delayed implementing some of Sally’s efforts, the suffragists ceremony and 4th of July parade entry are planned for summer of 2021.
Sally is a retired high school English teacher who has been a year-round Petoskey resident for 47 years and Bay View summer resident for 69 years. She remains an active member of both communities. Sally and her husband, Clark, have three adult children including a set of twins.
Sally was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky into a family active in community organizations and politics. Sally served on the Petoskey Board of Education for 6 years and then decided to return to full time employment using her teaching degree. She taught middle and high school English at Alanson Public Schools for 28 years. During that time, she also taught Civics and Street Law. Sally received several awards for her teaching including the Liberty Bell Award from the Charlevoix-Emmet Bar Association, the Department of Michigan American Legion Teacher of the Year Award, and the MEA Outstanding Person in Education Award. Immediately following her retirement, Sally served two years as Education Director for the Bay View Association’s summer program.
Sally remains active in Bay View’s Education Department where she volunteers her time as facilitator/moderator of the Bay View Friday Forums, procuring speakers for each of the 7 Fridays of the lecture series. Presenters speak on a topic pertinent to our national culture or world community. She is also the Vice-Chairman of Bay View’s “American Experience Week” which runs for five days during July. She is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey where she is a former Elder and Youth Director. It is in this Church where the local suffragists held their official organizational meeting of the Emmet County Equal Suffrage Association on Monday evening, June 24, 1912!
Sally is passionate about equal rights, life-long learning, preserving our land, protecting our wonderful Great Lakes, appreciating our country’s history, and maintaining a healthy Democracy. Sally is looking forward to carrying on the enthusiasm and spirit of those suffragists through her involvement in the League of Women Voters of Charlevoix-Emmet.
Calendar
December –Progressing to an independent League, Giving Back, & Member Book-Read Selection
January – LWV Mission and Goals- Member Training
February – Environment and Natural Resources Committee Presentation
March – Women’s History Month – Equal Rights Advocacy Committee Presentation
April – LWV Lame Duck Initiative
May - Annual Meeting LWVLC; LWVMI Convention
June - Environment and Natural Resources Committee; Annual Planning Retreat
July and August – Enjoy Northern Michigan Summer!