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Date: 2/28/2023
Subject: The VOTER Newsletter - March 2023
From: LWV of Johnson County




Annual Meeting - Officer Elections
Members will vote on the proposed budget and the board/officer nominations. For details on the agenda and votable items, see the digital Annual Report, which was sent to members in mid-February.
 
Saturday, March 4, 2023 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Johnson County Library - Central Resource
9875 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS  66212
Morning beverages and treats will be provided.
 
 
Would you like a magnetic name tag? See Eileen Manza in Membership to order yours.

You will receive a briefing on the updated redistricting position statement, with an opportunity to comment and vote.
Briefing materials will be emailed prior to the event.
 

Legislative Coffee
 
Legislative Coffees Continue
 
Discover what's percolating in the Kansas Legislature. Representatives and Senators with constituents in Johnson County will discuss the new legislative session, followed by Q&A. You bring the questions! This series is presented in partnership with the Johnson County Library.
Registration is not required for in-person attendees.
Use the link below to register for the online option, and to view the participants. Elected officials from both parties have been invited to participate.
 
Recordings of the legislative coffee events are being posted to our YouTube channel.
  
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
Gardner Library
137 E Shawnee St
Gardner, KS 66030

Online Event Registration


 
School Choice: Accountability to Kansas Students
   
Saturday, April 1 | 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Matt Ross Community Center
8101 Marty, Overland Park, KS 66204

Join us for a robust conversation on school finance in Kansas. What are the impacts on teachers, administrators and students?


Dear League Members,
 
As we enter our 71st year as the LWVJoCo, it’s clear that the work we do is as important now as it was all those years ago. We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, and it’s our time to become the anchor for those who are to come.
 
Our Saturday, March 4 keynote speakers will share with us how Madam President’s Camp is preparing the next generation of girls for leadership. Co-founders Dr. Lee Smithson Burd and Pam Kelley will help us explore the ways the league can support our future leaders. You won’t want to miss this!
 
The Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 4 is a time we encourage ALL members to come together to vote on plans for this year. Our by-laws require at least 50 members to be present (based on our membership of 300) to approve the budget for 2023-24 and elect officers. At that time, members are also invited to give directions to the board. Register here.
 
The Annual Report was sent via email on February 13. Please review it prior to the meeting. I am extraordinarily grateful to Amber Stenger for producing this excellent report which is much admired by other Leagues.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the JoCo Library Resource Center on 87th Street on Saturday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m.
 
Lastly, Gloria Hiller, who passed away recently, will forever be known for her big smile, can-do attitude and her determination to make everyone welcome at our meetings. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gerald.
 
I look forward to seeing you on March 4.

Janet Milkovich

President


DEI Moment: International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women’s Day.

The 2023 United Nations’ theme is: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality…Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.  

Locally, KC girls and interested mentors can look to the KC Stem website for several ways to become involved:

“KC STEM Alliance pairs students with workplaces each year for Computer Science Education Week for coding experiences with female mentors. Is your workplace participating?

WeCodeKC introduces coding for kids through project-based or game development learning.  https://wecodekc.org/programs  

Kansas Women in Technology offers year-round programming to introduce young people to coding. The Coding & Cupcakes program is designed to reach girls specifically. Kansas City Women in Technology 

KC STEM Alliance’s Mentor Makers program covers all STEM areas and focuses on matching middle and high school girls with female STEM professionals for a series of hands-on activities throughout the school year.” KC STEM Alliance | Mentors and Volunteers 

For more info:

KC Stem Alliance: Girls in Tech KC 

UN International Women’s Day: International Women’s Day 2023: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” | UN Women – Headquarters 


Cori Stites


Member Profile: Andrea Glass
 
A gift from a friend, chemistry and her role as an educator are all links in the chain for Amanda Glass. Learn more about Amanda.

In Memoriam

Gloria Hiller, LWVJoCo Hospitality

The family of Gloria Hiller is devastated to announce she passed away peacefully at home the afternoon of February 16 after a short illness.

Gloria and her husband Gerald joined LWVJoCo in 2014. They participated in voter registration events and the Great Decisions discussion group. In 2019, they volunteered to chair the Hospitality Committee, which involved organizing the volunteer schedule, making coffee, and setting up the snack table for League’s first Saturday meetings. Gloria’s welcoming smile and her enthusiasm for League will be missed.

"Carpe Diem was Gloria's lifelong motto. She wholeheartedly believed each day should be lived to the fullest. She was passionate about food, traveling, motorcycling, justice, politics, nature, gardening and cheering on her favorite sports teams." Read the full obituary to learn about Gloria’s career as a Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner, plus her many hobbies and interests.

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held this spring at Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe. If you wish to honor Gloria’s memory with a contribution, consider some of her favorite charities: Saint Andrew Christian Church, Grandparents for Gun Safety, League of Women Voters, Parkinson’s Foundation and World Central Kitchen.

Gloria and Gerald Hiller posed at LWVJoCo’s Dec. 4 Holiday Social
 
Submitted by Ann Norbury

Observer Corps Reports

Catch up on the actions, decisions and proposals of our local public officials. 

Following local politics as a League Observer is a great way to stay informed on the issues you care about. Contact Eileen Marshall to find out where you might plug in, and read our latest reports.
In this issue:
  •  Public comments alive and well at the Board of County Commissioners
  •  Mental Health Advocacy Day in Topeka on March 7
  •  DEI Committee in the Blue Valley School district
 

Keeping Up With The Kansas Legislature

LWV Kansas is a supporter of Kansas Rural Center's Policy Watch updates.

Our partners at Mainstream and Loud Light publish newsletters with their observations on legislative action: 

*Mainstream Coalition

Loud Light  


Board and Committee Briefs
 
☪️ March 22 marks the start of Ramadan, which begins at sundown on that day. In Islam, Ramadan is considered a holy month when a month-long, sunrise-to-sunset fast is observed.
 
🌻🗳️Kansas Suffragist Memorial Fund – The Kansas Suffragist Memorial Committee wants to commemorate Kansas women who had a statewide and/or national impact on achieving women’s right to vote. Artists will soon be submitting their ideas. You can donate using this form
 
🔎 Kansas Legislature: kslegislature.org. Here are a few bills to watch.

  • Election Bills – Senate Bills SB 208, 209 and 210
  • Education Bills – House Bills 2048 and 2218
  • Water Committee - HB 2279, 2172, 2480 and 686  


Stay Connected

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Check our Events page.


Keep current on developments through our Facebook page.


Find out more about what the Kansas League is doing.


We welcome your feedback! Please contact the newsletter editor.


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