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Email: lwvaustin@lwvaustin.org
Phone 512-451-6710
LWV Austin Area
3908 Avenue B,
Austin, TX 78751


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Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Date: 12/13/2023
Subject: LWV Austin Area, The VOTER Newsletter: December 2023
From: LWVAustinArea



December 2023 

The holidays are here -- time to celebrate with LWVAA! Look in this update for:
Read on to learn more!
Helen

Happy Holidays Everyone!

From the President

First off, a big thank you to everyone who registered voters, provided voter information, and worked the polls for November’s election. Your commitment is fundamental to our democracy. And we know you show up year after year!

This year was a special election for me – my 1-month-old daughter Helen went with me to vote. She unfortunately wasn’t a fan of the stroller stopping and a wonderful poll worker “drove” her around while I voted. It was a team effort!

As we come up to the holidays, we all have a lot to be thankful for, including our new members. We hope you will all join us for our New Member Holiday Brunch to celebrate the year and honor our new members on December 16thRSVP today -- we look forward to seeing you on the 16th!

Big things are happening this Spring – volunteer teams will be working on the Voter’s Guide for the primary election, folks will be registering and informing voters, and we will hold several events including our annual fundraiser and our Friends and Family event. If you would like to join one of the volunteer groups working on these projects or others (budgeting planning, website updates, and more are all in the pipeline!), feel free to email me and I can connect you to a volunteer opportunity.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

Jessica Foreman, LWVAA President

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Join Us at Our Annual Holiday Brunch!

All members welcome!

Join us at our annual holiday brunch to celebrate our new members for 2023! Meet our newest members, reconnect with old friends, play a few rounds of holiday bingo, and enjoy a light brunch buffet. We can't wait to see you there!

  • Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
  • Location: Alamo Baker Center Cafetorium, 3908 Avenue B, Austin, 78751

Three ways to RSVP:

  • By email at mbrshp@lwvaustin.org
  • By phone at (512) 451-6710
  • Online by clicking the button below

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Oh no, I missed that event!  

Watch a recording of "Extreme Weather Events; Is Austin Prepared?"  hosted by LWV Austin Area.

Austin and Travis County were represented by:

  • Carrie Stewart, Austin Fire Department Wildfire Prevention
  • Selena Xie, Emergency Medical Services Association
  • Ken Snipes, Homeland Security and Emergency Services
  • Lisa Martin, Austin Energy
  • Judge Andy Brown, Travis County Judge
Contact: VP Community & Policy Joanne Richards

First Vote Banner

First Vote!  

The fall semester is almost over, but that did not stop us from scheduling another First Vote! event!  We will be talking to high school seniors at Crockett Early College High School on Monday, December 4. 

If you are a VDR in Travis County, you can sign up for a shift here.:

Do you want to help us to reach more students?

If you have kids in high school or other connections with any high school in Travis County, please contact Susana at firstvote@lwvausting.org.

Contact: First Vote! Chair Susana Carranza

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Advocacy Banner

Advocate 

Meetings with City Council Members

LWVAA has interviewed 3 city council members, and we continue to observe AISD, the City Council, and the Commissioners Court meetings. We will begin to interview new members to the AISD board and Commissioners Court. Summaries of those meetings and interviews are posted on our website. You may want to pick a time each month to go look and see what’s been happening.

Read reports on meetings of the Travis County Commissioner’s CourtAustin City Council, and the AISD Board

Contact: VP Advocacy Karen Nicholson

Volunteers Needed to Observe Austin City Council and 2024 Charter Review Commission
LWVAA needs a member to listen to, take notes, and report on Austin’s Charter Review Commission meetings. We can spread the load if several members step up. 

The Charter Review Commission is made up of 11 voting members, and council members and the mayor have one nomination each. A nominee must reside within the Austin city limits, not be a lobbyist, and not have submitted a petition for an initiative or referendum election to the City Clerk in the last 5 years. The Commission will conduct public hearings on each proposal prior to submission of the Recommendation Report to the Council. Approved Charter amendments will appear on the November 2024 ballot.

Learn more: News / Articles
Contact: VP Community & Policy Joann Richards
 
 

Happy volunteers waving and smiling

Volunteer With LWVAA!

VDRs to Register Voters

We have volunteer opportunities in December for VDRs. Then we will be ramping up for a big push in January Help local democracy! 

Contact: Directory of Voter Registration and Turnout Claudia Torres-Yanez
Contact: Director of First Vote Susana Carranza

Membership

LWVAA is forming a Membership Committee to expand, support, and strengthen our member base for continued impact, and you're invited to join! Committee membership will offer you the opportunity to

  • Expand our Reach: You'll be at the forefront of efforts to support and grow our membership.
  • Collaborate: Work alongside other League members who share your passion for democracy and civic engagement.
  • Make a Difference: Your contributions will help ensure we can do the critical work of empowering voters and defending democracy.

Committee members will collaborate to develop outreach strategies and materials to help grow our membership base; help plan and organize member engagement activities; and engage with the community to raise awareness about LWVAA. Our goal is to offer both remote and in-person opportunities to suit diverse schedules and preferences. 

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and experiences. Whether you're a seasoned coordinator or someone looking to make a difference for the first time, your dedication and enthusiasm are what matter most.

Contact: Membership Director Joyce Jackson

Advocacy

Join the Observer Corps to help League advocacy! Attend local government meetings, in person or online, and take notes on important actions taken and issues discussed at the meeting. Subject Matter Experts: Help us advocate on the local level on many Austin area issues.

Contact: VP Advocacy Karen Nicholson

Communications

Help with communications for the 2024 elections! Strategize on the election comms plan, create videos and canva graphics to educate and motivate voters. We’d love to have you on the communications team! 

Contact: VP Communications Grace Chimene
 
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LWV Gift
Give a Gift of the League This Year!
 
Looking for a gift idea this holiday season -- or anytime? LWVAA is now offering gift memberships! Three gift amounts are available:
  • $60 will cover an Individual Membership
  • $90 will cover a Household Membership (2 members in the same household)
  • $5 will cover a Student Membership
LWVAA will send your gift recipient an email on the day of your choice, along with redemption instructions. The gift amount can be applied toward a new membership or membership renewal at any membership level.
Contact: Membership Director Joyce Jackson
 
 

News From LWVTX & LWVUS

LWVUS - Take ACTION!

Welcome to Our Newest Members!

Karen Alexander*

Janna Cruz

Eileen Daily

Nina Hebel

Crystal Jones

Kelly Rizk*

Stacy Schwarz

* Indicates a Sustaining Member

Thank You to Our Sustaining and Renewing Members!

As a member of the Austin Area League, you are also a member of the National and Texas Leagues. 

 


Make a Gift to Support the League of Women Voters Austin Area!

The League shall not support or oppose any political party or candidates. It may take action on governmental measures and policies in the public interest after significant study and consensus is reached.


The League of Women Voters Austin Area is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and tax exempt organization.
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the law. Tax identification number:
81-3447172