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Date: 9/10/2020
Subject: LWVJoCo Update: Sign up for our DEI discussion today
From: LWV of Johnson County



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Get involved by participating in a diversity, equity and inclusion discussion, get the word out about our voter registration events, and read the latest on the League in the news.


Explore the power of DEI

Join us this Saturday, Sept. 12, for an authentic discussion about individual biases and forging new relationships and perspectives. Two accomplished professionals share their life experiences to help us explore the power and promise of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Each participant will be asked to reflect and commit to enriching themselves and their communities. 
Featured speakers:
  • Andrea Hendricks, Senior Executive Director - Diversity and Inclusion Strategy at Cerner
  • Juan M. Rangal, Jr., Director of Family Engagement for SCHOOLSMARTKC
Register Now 

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Get the word out: Voter registration events

We have several voter registration events leading up to National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 22). These events are held outdoors with masks and social distancing to provide a safe environment for voters to get registered in time for the November general election. 
 
Monday, Sept. 14 and Tuesday, Sept. 15, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Kansas City Kansas Community College, outside the Jewell building by the flag pole
7250 State Ave.
Kansas City, KS  66112
 
Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Paul Henson YMCA | 4200 W. 79th Street, Prairie Village, KS
Bonner Springs YMCA | 2251 S. 138th Street, Bonner Springs, KS
Olathe YMCA | 21400 W. 153rd Street, Olathe, KS
Providence YMCA | 8601 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS
Volunteers needed! Visit the Volunteer page under Get Involved on the LWVJoCo website for times.
 
Saturday, Sept. 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Roeland Park City Hall parking lot
4600 W. 51st Street, Roeland Park, KS
 
 

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Preview Party wrap-up

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first virtual Preview Party - the League's equivalent of back-to-school night! More than 50 people heard from the amazing committee chairs who lead our teams' efforts to make a difference in 2020 and beyond.
 
We received many positive comments, including "incredible party and so valuable!" and "outstanding event." Others expressed frustration after experiencing difficulties logging in or joining the event. We are exploring ways to streamline attendance for future events. For example, we will have two members ready to provide tech support by phone for the Sept. 12 webinar. (Their phone numbers will be in the webinar confirmation emails and in the meeting event information for registrants.)
 
We also found a few resources that may help. This article and this video walk you through how to join a Zoom meeting. 
 
If you were unable to join us for the Preview Party, you can view a recording of the event here.
 
Lastly, congratulations to our door prize winners, including Esther Grentz (below)!
PreviewPartyWinner-Grentz

Stay engaged

Souls to the Polls, continued
After a successful caravan event in August, KCK Souls to the Polls is planning another event Oct. 10. An an offshoot of the national Souls to the Polls initiative, KCK Souls to the Polls is a nonpartisan, grassroots initiative designed to ensure ALL voices are included at the “tables of power” by increasing voter turnout. Learn more about how you can get involved here.
 
League asks the U.S. House of Representatives to fund public transportation
The LWV signed a letter asking for House leadership to allocate $32 billion in additional, targeted, emergency operating support for public transit systems across the country to continue to safely provide essential services. Investing in critical infrastructure is vital during this pandemic. It is essential to the economic well-being of communities of color and people with disabilities who are disproportionately impacted by this pandemic and rely on public transit to get to work, shop and otherwise meet their needs. The letter can be read on the LWV site here.
 
Census news (also, don't forget to be counted!)
Last weekend, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in National Urban League v. Ross against the winding down of in-person counting for the 2020 Census. The ruling comes after a challenge by the League and several partners against the federal government's action to maintain a Sept. 30 deadline after the Census Bureau requested more time.
 
Do you know your LWVJoCo history?
Did you know Kansas had the first female mayor? That the University of Kansas was one of the earliest public institutions to admit men and women equally? And that LWVJoCo helped develop a Johnson County Library district and the Johnson County mental health center? The Shawnee Mission Post published a column from District 1 Commissioner Becky Fast honoring the women who have impacted our community. Learn more here.
 
Another nod to history
Four Freedoms Park in New York City has partnered with the League and others on an exhibit to honor the centennial. You can view this beautiful display remotely via a video clip from MSNBC here.
 
What are microaggressions?
LWV offers monthly webinars on DEI. September's webinar explores the topic of microaggressions: how they form, how to recognize them and how to prevent them.
Sept. 24, 7 p.m. ET
 
The Color of Money: Racism in Finance
UMKC is holding a series of critical conversations addressing systemic racism in the United States. These panel discussions feature UMKC faculty, staff, students and community leaders who will enlighten, education and explore the causes and potential cures for racism. This event is the fourth in their Critical Conversation series, sponsored by the office of UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
 

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