From Nancy Rudner Lugo
LWVOC members work hard on key issues affecting our community. League members also play hard. Saturday, after the statewide council meeting, League members and friends boarded two boats for a tour on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, just as the sun was setting and the afternoon breeze kicked up. Tour guides gave the history of the shores of the three lakes. The next day, League members were back on the water. This time they paddled on kayaks and canoes up the Little Wekiva River, after Russ Moncrief explained some of the history of the river and efforts to preserve the Wekiva River Basin. Russ described how the Wekiva Parkway, championed by Lee Constantine in the Florida Senate, was a compromise plan to accommodate growth and preserve the Wekiva River Basin. League members paddled over the crystal clear waters, accompanied by herons, egrets, turtles, and deer.
The League welcomes your suggestions for fun and social activities for the great League members to enjoy one another and all that our great state has to offer.
Nancy Rudner Lugo
321-282-7362
nrudner@earthlink.net
Monday, May 24, 2010
Council of Leaders Meeting
One of the best things about getting together with other League members is the chance to exchange ideas and get to know people with similar interests. Sixty-members, representing 20 of the state's 29 Leagues, attended the Council of Leaders:Planning the NEXT Ninety! meeting held Friday and Saturday in Winter Park.
The event was packed with opportunities to gather information and socialize. Thanks to LWVOC secretary Nancy Rudner Lugo members could take a sunset boat tour of the chain of lakes or kayak on the Little Wekiva River. Local TV personality Mary Hammill spent 90 minutes Saturday demonstrating how to handle TV interviews and get the League's message across to the media.
State president Deirdre Macnab said the vision for the year was to win passage of Amendments 5 and 6 (Fair Districts), increase and diversify membership, build strong Leagues across the state and launch organizations in at least half of the counties.
"The challenges are big but our organization can make a big difference," Deirdre reminded the delegates.
Delegates voted to approve a $2 increase in the PMP. Retiring executive director Peg McGarity received a standing ovation. Top membership awards went to Sanibel, Miami/Dade and Alachua/Gainesville.
Lobbyist Ben Wilcox reported on the 2010 legislative session. He praised Gov. Charlie Crist because "he was able to stop a lot of bad things" from happening and expressed concern about the new budget, which Wilcox said was "not a good budget for the people of Florida." Wilcox said he was still hoping that Crist will veto a last minute amendment to Health Bill 1143 requiring women to have an ultra sound before they could undergo an abortion.
"The League plays a vital role in the legislative process - and actually it was a pretty good year," Wilcox said."It is depressing that the measure of success is what we kill rather than what we get approved ... There are powerful forces out there willing to pay anything to get what they want. But League members trump campaign donations."
Deirdre gave Leagues one minute to report on what they considered their greatest achievement during the year. Our president Charley Williams reported on the success of the League's partnership with WFTV-Channel 9 on Central Florida Spotlight. Other presidents talked about the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to attract and keep members. Some Leagues said they had switched some meeting times to make it easier for younger, working members to attend.
Members also turned in ideas for slogans and jingles to promote Fair Districts. Witty and on target, they will be forwarded to the Fair Districts campaign organizers. Remember 5 and 6 are the ones to pick. Vote NO on 7.
The event was packed with opportunities to gather information and socialize. Thanks to LWVOC secretary Nancy Rudner Lugo members could take a sunset boat tour of the chain of lakes or kayak on the Little Wekiva River. Local TV personality Mary Hammill spent 90 minutes Saturday demonstrating how to handle TV interviews and get the League's message across to the media.
State president Deirdre Macnab said the vision for the year was to win passage of Amendments 5 and 6 (Fair Districts), increase and diversify membership, build strong Leagues across the state and launch organizations in at least half of the counties.
"The challenges are big but our organization can make a big difference," Deirdre reminded the delegates.
Delegates voted to approve a $2 increase in the PMP. Retiring executive director Peg McGarity received a standing ovation. Top membership awards went to Sanibel, Miami/Dade and Alachua/Gainesville.
Lobbyist Ben Wilcox reported on the 2010 legislative session. He praised Gov. Charlie Crist because "he was able to stop a lot of bad things" from happening and expressed concern about the new budget, which Wilcox said was "not a good budget for the people of Florida." Wilcox said he was still hoping that Crist will veto a last minute amendment to Health Bill 1143 requiring women to have an ultra sound before they could undergo an abortion.
"The League plays a vital role in the legislative process - and actually it was a pretty good year," Wilcox said."It is depressing that the measure of success is what we kill rather than what we get approved ... There are powerful forces out there willing to pay anything to get what they want. But League members trump campaign donations."
Deirdre gave Leagues one minute to report on what they considered their greatest achievement during the year. Our president Charley Williams reported on the success of the League's partnership with WFTV-Channel 9 on Central Florida Spotlight. Other presidents talked about the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to attract and keep members. Some Leagues said they had switched some meeting times to make it easier for younger, working members to attend.
Members also turned in ideas for slogans and jingles to promote Fair Districts. Witty and on target, they will be forwarded to the Fair Districts campaign organizers. Remember 5 and 6 are the ones to pick. Vote NO on 7.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Jeopardy recognizes the LWV's 90th
Facebook Page: 90th Anniversary Recognized on Jeopardy! Nothing like sitting down to 20-odd minutes of relative mental stimulation and seeing your favorite organization hailed as an answer on Jeopardy. It can't get much ebtter than that. The League was an answer-question on a recent episode of Celebrity Jeopardy. In the “Out of Your League” category, Pat Sajak, Jane Curtin and Harry Shearer were given the clue: “Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2010, this non-partisan political organization is open to men as well.” See who got the correct answer on Facebook, then ask your friends to “Like” the League by clicking on “Suggest to Friends” under our logo. Help us reach our goal of 9,000 “Likes” in our 90th year!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
MAYORAL DEBATE ON CHANNEL 9
Central Florida Spotlight, the public affairs television show produced by WFTV in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Orange County, will present a live, primetime special Mayoral Debate this evening at 8pm. We hope you will tune in to see candidates for mayor square off on subjects ranging from job creation to high speed rail, education to ethics. Candidates Linda Stewart, Matthew Falconer and Bill Segal have all committed to participate. Teresa Jacobs has a prior commitment, but told Central Florida Spotlight moderator Craig Patrick she plans to attend, barring travel issues. Patrick invited Mildred Fernandez, but as yet has received no response.
How Florida treats its children...
Not well according to Bud Chiles, who gave a sober report on the state of children in Florida at the May Hot Topics. Chiles, the son of the late Gov. Lawton Chiles, who is walking the state, spreading the message about the importance of intesting in children, cited some grim statistics ranging from the high school drop out rate, numbers of juveniles in state prisons and pre-K programs. "Florida is ranked 49th" when it comes to its children. "How much lower can it go? Linda Sutherland, executive director of the Orange County Healthy Start Coalition, introduced the speaker.
LINK TO ANY SITES THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
LINK TO ANY SITES THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
LEAGUE TO HOST MAYORAL DEBATE
Expect a blowout on Aug. 4 when Hot Topics hosts Orange County mayoral candidates. So far Bill Segal and Mathew Falconer have accepted but we are hopeful that Linda Stewart and Teresa Jacobs will also join the discussion. With less than three weeks to go until the August 23 primary, the luncheon is sure to be a newsmaker. Orlando Sentinel Taking Names columnist Scott Maxwell will be the moderator. LINK TO CANDIDATE SITES, VOTER SERVICES ETC.
LWVOC Makes History
The League made history April 29 when Charley Williams became the first male to head the LWVOC. The annual meeting, held at the University Club in Winter Park, drew a crowd of more than 40 members. It was a fun evening. Everyone entered into the spirit of the occasion and lots of ideas were exchanged on ways to help members be more involved. LINK TO FULL REPORT ON WEBSITE.
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