LWVCT BOARD REPORT

April 15, 2010

CALENDAR 2010

April 2010

4/1                   4^th-quarter PMP payments are due

4/24                 LWVCT debate moderators’ workshop, Hamden

4/24                 LWVCT wine tasting, Greenwich

4/27                 LWV New Haven, et al., Round Table Luncheon on education reform, New Haven

4/28                 LWVCT SIR, “Women’s Participation in Society and Government: a Global

Perspective,” Quinnipiac University, Hamden

May 2010

5/11                 LWVCT Board meeting, Hamden

5/16                 LWVCT “Susan B.” Tea, Keeler Tavern, Ridgefield

5/22                 LWVCT Council, Lyceum, Hartford (note revised date)

June 2010

6/11-15            LWVUS Convention, Atlanta, Georgia

6/22                 LWVCT Board meeting, Hamden

6/27                 LWVCT “This Old Hat: Patriots of Liberty,” Danbury Music Centre

July 2010

7/14                 Pre primary gubernatorial candidates’ debates , UConn Law School, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Announcements

Wine Tasting

All League members are invited to Banksville Wine & Liquors, Inc.’s Invitational Wine Tasting and Shopping Spree on Saturday, April 24, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. (18 Banksville Road, Banksville, NY 10506, on the Greenwich/NY border).  If League members buy enough wine, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Education Fund; attendees will be able to purchase wines at a 20% discount.

Enjoy a rare opportunity for you and your friends to taste before you buy excellent wines from Italy, France, Spain and California in a pleasant country setting, while listening to live jazz.  You will be able to discuss pairing suggestions with the selected distributors while dining on a substantive variety of hors d'oeuvres.

The event is FREE but reservations are required.  For reservations and additional information, please contact Avril LaCour at aroselacor@aol.com or 917-838-4037 and note that you are attending on behalf of LWVCT.

Directions: Take North Street North. Banksville Wine & Liquors is approximately 3.5 miles north of the Merritt Parkway interchange.  It is located on the right side of the street slightly past the Lendl Tennis Center.

Regional Round Table Luncheon “Education Reform in New Haven”

The League of Women Voters of New Haven and a consortium Including the Amity, Cheshire - Wallingford, East Shore, Hamden, New Haven / West Haven and North Haven Leagues invites you to a Regional Round Table Luncheon buffet at the Graduate Club, 155 Elm Street, New Haven, at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.  Cost is $15.00, to be paid at the door.  The speaker will be Jack Gillette, Director, Teacher Preparation and Education Studies, and his topic will be “Thoughts on Education Reform in New Haven.”  Please let Margot Kohorn know if you are coming: 203-795-3151.

Revised “Registering and Voting in Connecticut” Available

The LWVCT Education Fund, with financial support from Newman’s Own Foundation, has just revised and published “Registering and Voting in Connecticut” (formerly known as “Taking Charge”), and will ship them to you at no charge except for postage and handling.  The publication also appears on our website at http://www.lwvct.org/elibrary/pdf/2010%20R&V.pdf.

ACS Forum on the Supreme Court’s Campaign Finance Decision

The Connecticut Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society and the Connecticut Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society present: “The Supreme Court’s Campaign Finance Decision in Citizens United: Victory for Free Speech or Defeat for Good Government?”  The panelists will be Ira Glasser, former Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union (in support of Citizens United), Allan B. Taylor, Partner, Day Pitney LLP; former Law Clerk to the Honorable Thurgood Marshall (in opposition to Citizens United) and David Yalof, Moderator, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Connecticut.  The panel will b held on Tuesday, April 27, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the offices of Shipman & Goodwin LLP, Penthouse Mock Court Room, One Constitution Plaza, Hartford.  This event is free of charge.  Lunch will be provided if desired ($5 charge for non-students).  RSVP to Patti Manion at PManion@goodwin.com.

___________________________________________________________________________

90^th Anniversary

5/16 Susan B Anthony Celebratory Tea in Ridgefield

Learn about the struggle for the right to vote when “Susan B. Anthony – the Invincible!” comes to life at the Historic Keeler Tavern Garden House in Ridgefield, CT on May 16th at 2:00 p.m. — part of a year-long celebration of the 90th anniversary of the League of Women Voters.  The event features a celebratory tea, live performance, and an optional 1:00 p.m. tour of the Tavern.

The event flyer/sign-up is on our website at: http://www.lwvct.org/events/90th%20Anniversary%20Susan%20B%20Tea%20Flyer%20FINAL%2010Mar28.pdf

Due to the historic nature of the tavern, seating is limited.  Spread the word and make your reservation today!

6/27 Patriots of Liberty Performance

On June 27 we’ve scheduled a benefit performance of “This Old Hat: Patriots of Liberty” at the Danbury Music Center, followed by a reception with actress Patty Carver.  Winner of the 2005 DAR Nutmeg Award, Carver, in a tour de force performance, portrays 5 female patriots of liberty: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Betsy Ross, Deborah Sampson, Harriet Tubman and Amelia Earhart.  This event promises to be informative and fun for adults and children alike.  Keep a lookout for e-mail and flyer in near future.

“This Old Hat: Patriots of Liberty” would be ideal for families of middle school students and for Girl Scout troops.  Can you contact troops and PTAs in your area to let them know about it?

Please spread the word to your friends and at your Local League events and make reservations to attend both events.

In the works…

On November 17^th, noted author, humorist, and Professor of English Gina Barreca will be featured at event to be held in Westport.  Please save the date.  Details to follow.

Advocacy

Public Issues Team Report

Submitted by Cheryl Dunson with

Directors Karen Burnaska, Christine Horrigan, Naomi Schiff Myers and Specialists

Announcements: The regular legislative session adjourns on May 5^th. The PI Team will prepare a comprehensive legislative wrap-up to inform members and friends on the advocacy undertaken by the Public Issues Team this session. In the interim, please visit the Action page of the LWVCT website to view testimony, action alerts, communications: http://www.lwvct.org/action.htm

GOVERNMENT

Christine Horrigan

****Breaking News ****Campaign Finance Reform/Citizen Election Program (CEP): On 4/13, HB 5544 - An Act Concerning The Citizens' Election Fund passed the House on a vote of Yes - 137 to No - 12 (Reps Piscopo, Hamzy, Mazurek, Williams, Johnston, Kirkley-Bey, Wood, Miller, Camillo, Klarides, Rowe, and Leone).  This bill extends the “reversion clause” from 7 days to 30 days.  On April 14^th, the Senate passed the bill on a vote of Yes - 24 (Senate Democrats + Sens. Boucher and Kissel) to No - 11 (Senate Republicans + Sens. Prague and Hartley) with Absent - 1 (McKinney).  While the LWVCT has repeatedly advocated for a complete repeal of the clause, this change will provide the “breathing room” needed for the legislature to take action in the event of another unfavorable court ruling.

On a bad news note, another crippling cut to the Citizens’ Election Program passed the House on April 13 by a vote of 147-1 as part of HB 5545 – An Act Concerning Deficit Mitigation For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010.  The good news is that the $10 million cut is being delayed to January 2011 so as not to impact the 2010 election cycle.  We are urging legislators to reject any further cuts to the Citizens’ Election Program.  We recognize the difficulty legislators face in preserving the Citizens’ Election Fund while cutting social services.  However, we firmly believe that government must be responsive to the people, not special interests.  Public financing of campaigns provides the foundation for that responsiveness.  Please contact your legislators opposing further cuts and urging a “fix” for the Program.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Environmental Meeting: Lynn Taborsak represented LWVCT at a mid-session meeting with CGA Environment Committee leaders arranged by the League of Conservation Voters. Numerous bills were discussed with environmental advocates primarily concerned with the numerous bills aimed at weakening DEP's regulatory process.

Transportation by Jara Burnett: Presented testimony in opposition to border tolls and in support of congestion pricing at the March 9 Transportation Committee Public Hearing.  (HB 5474)  The Committee voted (21 to 13) to remove reference to tolls at the state’s borders.  On a close 19 to 17 vote the Transportation Committee approved the bill.  The bill was referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis.

Co-Sponsored a very successful Transit Lobby Day on March 31 at the LOB in Hartford and provided an email statement to the legislative leadership in support of continued funding of critical transit proposals.

SOCIAL POLICY

Gun Control by Claire Sauer: Re: HB 5158 An Act Concerning The Regulation Of Firearms testified at the Public Hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security held on February 11th.  The bill was reported out of committee favorably by a vote of 15 to 5.  Senate and House each referred it to the Judiciary Committee.  Presumably dead for this year due to pressure of many bills in Judiciary Committee.

School Finance by Kathy Wilson: State Budget – HB 5018 AA Making Adjustments To State Expenditures And Revenues For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2011. The governor’s bill flat-funds most grants for public education, except for 10% reductions in transportation and bilingual education, and a 21% reduction in inter-district cooperation grants.  The Appropriations Committee substitute budget pretty much retains the governor’s overall aid levels, though it does reduce after-school programs by 10% and makes some adjustments among grants.  Deficit Mitigation - The governor’s March 1 deficit mitigation plan leaves education aid for FY 10 intact, but in addition to the cuts in her version of 5018, proposes an undefined $45 million reduction in “municipal aid.”  A new proposal is currently being negotiated by legislative leaders and is expected to be debated.

School Start Time by Lisa Bogan: Wilton League members Lisa Bogan and Carole Young-Kleinfeld, along with WHS Assistant Principal Bob O’Donnell, were recently interviewed by visiting South Korean journalists and TV crew who were filming a series on adolescent health, particularly sleep deprivation.

The journalists had read the reports of the Wilton League’s school start time study and successful change in daytime schedules at Wilton High School and Middlebrook School.  They were interested in the details of how the League’s study was structured and how the changes to the school day were implemented.

The visit to Wilton was part of a 2-week trip throughout the east coast that included interviews in Washington DC and Providence , Rhode Island where the crew met with Dr. Mary Carskadon, Brown University Medical School, a researcher and leader in the effort to raise awareness of educators and public officials of the benefits of delayed school start times for teenagers.  

Universal Health Care by  Stephanie Paulmeno We wrote letters to all of our congressmen urging them to vote for comprehensive health care reform.

LWVUS NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT-LOBBYING:

Oxfam Sisters on the Planet Climate Summit March 8-9, Washington D.C.

LWVCT Climate Specialist Lynn Taborsak spent International Women’s Day lobbying members of Congress to include adaptation measures in any comprehensive climate bill to address the impact of climate change in developing countries.

In a two-day summit that culminated with 125 visits to members of Congress and the Obama Administration, summit participants learned first hand about the impact climate change is having in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Peru, and other countries.  Climate change affects poor people worst and first.  Torrential downpours, droughts, crop failures, earthquakes and cyclones create conditions of food scarcity, water insecurity, famine and disease.  All of these impacts have tremendous implications for U.S. national security and foreign policy.

The primary bill, S. 2835, is being crafted by Senators Kerry (D-MA), Graham (R-SC) and Lieberman (I-CT) and will cap carbon emissions in transportation, electric utilities and industry.  It is not known whether it will include cap and trade provisions, a carbon tax, clean energy investments or international adaptation investments.

Lynn had appointments with Senators Dodd and Lieberman and Representatives Murphy and DeLauro.  She was accompanied by Oxfam staff and Shamshad Sheikh, an associate chaplain at Yale University in New Haven.

Local League Support

Re-Doing Our Website — And Yours

The LWVCT Board has decided to update our website, and you may start to notice some of the changes: a more compact home page, removal of out-of-date material, and, ultimately, a thorough reorganization.

Would you be interested in re-doing your own?  The website redesign committee suggests that you might want to include the following:

• contact info (at least a phone number or e-mail address, if not a name or board list)

• a list of any of your meetings that are open to the public, with dates, places, and times

• a current copy of your bulletin

• any special/local advocacy positions

• a description of any local study/studies you are doing

• your directory of local elected (or elected and appointed) public officials

• any special publications you might offer

• a “join us” page with current dues amounts and a mail-in form

Voter Service

Moderators’ Workshop

Want to have better debates?  In preparation for the 2010 election cycle, the LWVCT has scheduled a moderators’ workshop on April 24^th.  Former LWVUS President Kay Maxwell will lead the class, concentrating on cumulative time format.  If you’re interested or have questions, please contact Jean Rabinow at the LWVCT office at LWVCT@lwvct.org (or call 203-288-7996) before the close of business on Friday, April 17.

For those of you who have already expressed and interest but cannot make it on the 24^th, the LWVCT plans at least one more workshop between now and the fall, future dates TBA.  And for more experienced moderators who missed it the first time, we may do one more “debate from hell.”  Watch this space for details.

Regional Debates — An Update

In order to make it easier for local Leagues to organize debates for candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in their districts, the LWVCT Board will offer the following members to serve as liaisons to individual Leagues or groups of Leagues:

1^st CD - TBA

2^nd CD - TBA

3^rd CD - Pua Ford

4^th CD - Jara Burnett

5^th CD - Pat Donovan

As always, the overall coordination for any debate or forum involving candidates or potential candidates for state-wide office is the responsibility of the LWVCT Ed Fund.  This includes candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General, and U.S. Senator.

Registering High-School First-Time Voters:

An Example from LWV Amity

What’s the secret to a successful high school voter registration drive?  Whether it’s headed by your local League or your registrars, it really can’t be done without the support of teachers and school administrators.

Traditionally, registrars from the three towns of the regional Amity High School had satisfying registration drives during lunch hours, with veteran teachers providing publicity help. When those teachers retired, numbers dropped at the registrars’ tables.

This spring, registrars and the new high school principal had trouble making contact for their mutual goal of getting the kids ready to vote — phone and e-mail messages were getting lost.  But when the principal’s message to the LL e-mail alias was received by Amity League’s contact person, she finally helped them connect.  Arrangements were made for the registrars to drop in on all senior English classes to distribute registration forms, give guidance and advice and gather completed forms.

Deputy registrar and League member Mary Lee Barker reported over 200 registrations completed, with information offered about upcoming voting opportunities (e.g., the May 4 school budget referendum) and about the absentee ballot process.

SIR

Women’s Participation in Society and Government:

A Global Perspective – Part I

The 41st Symposium On International Relations will be held on Wednesday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Alumni Hall, Carl Hansen Student Center, Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden.  Registration and Continental Breakfast take place from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., and the program begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. and goes not later than 12:30 p.m.

Once again, the Symposium will be co-sponsored by the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University and the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University.

The speakers will be

• Wassane Zailachi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco;

• Bertrade Ngo-Ngijol-Banoum, Director of Women’s Studies, Lehman College, CUNY; and

• Sylvie I. Cohen, Deputy Director, Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations.

Dr. Nancy Ruther, of the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, Yale University, and LWV East Shore, will moderate.

You can still mail your registration form with check to: LWVCTEF, Inc., 1890 Dixwell Ave., Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514-3183.  Please make your check payable to “LWVCTEF, Inc.”  Before April 20 you may enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope to have your tickets mailed.  For further information, contact the office at 203-288-7996 or lwvct@lwvct.org.

If you pay after the April 20^th deadline or at the door, the cost will be $30 per person.

SIR 2010

____Student(s)    @   $10 = $______

____Adult(s)         @  $25 = $______

____Supporter(s) @  $50 = $______        Name(s):________________________________________

____Patron(s)      @   $75 = $______      Name(s):________________________________________

____Sponsor(s)   @ $100 = $______       Name(s):________________________________________

Total amount enclosed:  $ ______________

Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address:________________________________    E-mail: _________________________________

Town/City:____________________________ Zip:_____________  Telephone:______________________

LWVUS Convention

Going to LWVUS Convention?

If your League is planning to send a delegate to the LWVUS Convention in Atlanta this June, can you please let us know who she or he is?  And if you are sending someone, could that person possibly come to LWVCT Council on May 22 and take part in Cheryl Dunson’s pre-Convention workshop?

If you’re not planning to send a delegate, would you be willing to let someone from another League represent you?  Please let us know.

50-Year Members

For LWVCT Council: please let us know about your League’s newest 50-year members so that we can recognize them at the Council luncheon.  If you aren’t sure who’s been recently recognized, contact Jean Rabinow at the Hamden office: 203-288-7996 or lwvct@lwvct.org.

LWVCT Council

Board Changes

In the Call to Council on the next page of this Report, you may notice the item “Formal Announcement of Board Changes” at the end of the morning plenary session.  It is with great regret that the LWVCT Board has accepted the retirement of President Jara Burnett, effective June 1, and the resignation of VP/Program Claudia Saunders, effective July 1.  However, the nominating committee has swung into action, and, in accordance with the LWVCT bylaws, at Tuesday’s Board meeting, the following changes were approved, all effective June 1:

• Cheryl Dunson will move from VP/PI to President.

• Christine Horrigan will move from Director/Government to VP/PI.

• Kathleen Burgweger will move from the off-Board position of Budget Committee Chair to Treasurer.

As you can see, we will need to fill the positions of:

• VP/Program,

• Director/Government, and

• off-Board Budget Committee Chair.

If you know of anyone who might be interested, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Catharine Sturgess at 203-966-2747 or sturgess2268@gmail.com.

Budget

The LWVCT Budget, which is subject to the vote of the Council delegates, is attached.  The LWVCTEF budget, which is controlled solely by its Board, will be distributed at Council purely for the delegates’ information.

CALL TO COUNCIL 2010

Saturday, May 22^nd

9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Hartford Lyceum

227 Lawrence Street, Hartford CT

PLENARY SESSION

Treasurer’s Report

President’s Report

Presentation and Adoption of the Budget

Public Issues Report

Formal Announcement of Board Changes

WORKSHOPS:

Hints for New Board Members (led by Jara Burnett)

Successful Debates (led by Pat Donovan)

Convention Planning for Delegates to LWVUS Convention (led by Cheryl Dunson)

LUNCHEON

Recognition of 50-year members

Presentation: Suffrage and 90 Years of the League: Jara Burnett and Cheryl Dunson

Each League is entitled to two (2) voting delegates; MAL Units are entitled to one (1) delegate each.  Any League or MAL Unit may send as many observers is it would like; Leagues that have not filled their delegate count may authorize such observers to act as their delegates.  Cost for the first attendee from each League or MAL Unit will be $32; all other attendees from your League or Unit will be charged $30 each.  Cost for those coming for lunch only, with or without a workshop, is $28.

Please return one copy for each registrant not later than May 18 to:

LWVCT Council Registration, 1890 Dixwell Ave., Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514-3183

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -

Yes! I’d like to attend:

Full Council 2010 ($32/30): _____________   Workshop & Lunch Only ($28) __________

Name _____________________________________  League ____________________________

Address ______________________________________________  Town __________________

E-mail _______________________________________  Phone___________________________

Amount Enclosed  $________             Workshop choice: __________________________

League of Women Voters of Connecticut, Inc.

Proposed 2010-2011 Budget

Proposed Budget NOTES:

REVENUE

4000    former budget line 4000, which combined PMP payments and MAL dues, has been broken into its components

4050    # of Leagues x cost per League = 28 x $12 = $336

4100    contributions w/membership renewals; return of mileage paid to board; memorials; honoraria; misc.

4600    CT Convention 2011: estimated # attending x ticket price

EXPENSES

6210    # of MALs x $29.90 US PMP = $ 912

6600    1/3 of LWVCTEF non-CIT operating expenses = $   30,793

7610    Printing of Advocacy and Fundraising letters and materials associated with mailings = $100

7810    Travel and Mileage reimbursement to PI Team, long session = $100

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