Coffee with the League
March 2, Monday, 9-10:30 a.m., Garden Room at Latte Da, 205 E 39th St., Vancouver
"She Did That!"
March 6, Friday, 5-8 p.m., Clark County Historical Museum, 1151 Main St., Vancouver (This will be in lieu of the monthly member meeting.)
Volunteers are needed.
“You Can Run For Office!” panel discussion
March 8, Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, 901 C. St., Vancouver
White Elephant Book Exchange organized by Woman of Wonder
March 14, Saturday, 2-3:30 p.m., Doran Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver
Learn more and register here
LWVCC Member Orientation
March 16, Monday, 4-5 p.m., Zoom.
Registration (Log in first.)
City of Vancouver: Boards and Commissions Open House
March 18, Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver
LWVWA Town Hall on Resisting Threats to Democracy
March 25, Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m., Zoom.
Registration required
LWVCC Speak Up School
March 25, Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m., Zoom.
Registration Required
No Kings rally
March 28, Saturday, Noon-2 p.m., Marshall Park
Learn more (Log in first.)
Coffee with the League
April 6, Monday, 9-10:30 a.m., Garden Room at Latte Da, 205 E 39th St., Vancouver
LWVCC Member Meeting
April 11, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver
LWVCC Annual Meeting
May 16, Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, CDM Caregiving Services, 2300 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver
LWVWA State Council
June 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, South Puget Sound College, Lacey, WA
Learn more and register here
Board Bulletin: News from Your Board
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Welcome to a month jam-packed with opportunities to celebrate women and defend democracy!
March kicks off with a special Women’s History Month event – titled “She Did That!” -- in place of our regular membership meeting. We’ll gather March 6 at the Clark County Historical Museum to celebrate local heroines of our past, including the NAACP’s Minnie Porter, the Chinook Nation’s Ch’ist, and Women of Fort Vancouver. The celebration includes food and beverages, games, and music.
A highlight of the event: State League President Karen Crowley will join us to share “A Call to Action: Be Bold!” After you get inspired by Karen, you can join a state League town hall Zoom event March 25 on Resisting Threats to Democracy.
The national LWV also offers
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detailed talking points you can use to counter false claims of non-citizens voting, present the facts about the anti-voter SAVE America Act, and fight back against ICE. All the details are in this issue.
Want to get more politically active? Consider attending “You Can Run for Office” on March 8; a City of Vancouver open house March 18 on serving on boards or commissions, and our own LWVCC Speak Up School March 25. Again, get the details inside.
The month wraps up with a nationwide pro-democracy event, the third No Kings Day on Saturday, March 28 at Marshall Park in Vancouver. With encouragement from the state and national League, LWVCC will be visible there with nonpartisan messaging that decries attacks on democracy. Read the story inside for information on registration and where to meet.
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She Did That! And we will do This!
Please come to a special member meeting from 5-8 p.m. on March 6 - we're mixing up time and place for maximum fun! LWVWA President Karen Crowley will join us at the Clark County Historical Museum to celebrate “She Did That!” – a Women’s History Month event and part of Downtown Vancouver's First Friday series. Karen will issue “A Call to Action: Be Bold!” Other special guests will talk about local heroines from the NAACP’s Minnie Porter to the Chinook Nation’s Ch’ist and Women of Fort Vancouver. The League will present “Resist Threats to Democracy” resources, Spin the Wheel, music, and a rematch of the Match Game from the ‘70s. Plus, there will be food and beverages! This meeting will supersede our regular monthly membership meeting.
Halvorson speaks against SAVE America Act at news conference
Nancy Halvorson, past president of the Clark County League and current Washington state League board member, joined U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell opposing the SAVE America Act at a Vancouver news conference.
Cantwell, D-Wash., invited the League, NAACP Clark County chapter Vice President Michael Jones Jr. and Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey to speak at her Feb. 18 conference at the county elections office. The event was covered by Portland’s KOIN-TV and KGW-TV and The Columbian.
All spoke against the Republican-sponsored SAVE America Act, which they said would disenfranchise millions of voters. The act, which has passed the House and is pending in the Senate, would require voters to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote and photo ID when voting. It already is illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.
“The League stands in resolute opposition to any assaults on our democracy,” Halvorson said. “And let's be clear. The SAVE America Act is about restricting access to the ballot and deciding who gets to participate in our democracy. A person is more likely to be struck by lightning than they are to commit voter fraud.”
She added: “If you doubt that our elections are safe and secure, the League urges you, no, challenges you, to visit your local elections office, take a tour, become an election observer. Watch the process. You will see firsthand that claims of election fraud and inaccuracy are quite simply lies.”
Examining Redistricting for Clark County Council
The Clark County redistricting process continues this year with some important changes, and our LWVCC Redistricting Reform Committee will be watching closely.
Last year, the Clark County Council increased the number of Redistricting Committee members from five to seven and required them to be nonpartisan. It changed the number of votes required for passage from a two-thirds majority to five. And it will appoint a redistricting master to draw a new map, provide criteria for the plan and adopt the redistricting master’s plan unless five of the committee members vote to amend it.
The resulting new map will go to the Charter Review Commission, which will consider changes this year. Any amendments then will go on the general election ballot.
Our League committee will be meeting to review the current and proposed changes. Informational meetings will be by Zoom, and all members are welcome to attend. If you are interested in joining our committee, please sign up here.
Learn more here.
Interested in Serving?
Join the City of Vancouver for a Boards and Commissions Open House on March 18 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library. Learn about upcoming opportunities, including Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Board Position 5. No RSVP is required.
Vancouver welcomes fresh ideas and new perspectives on our boards and commissions. These volunteer boards help guide decisions on everything from public safety to parks and provide members with a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of local government. Stop by for pizza and refreshments and an opportunity to chat with current city commissioners and staff.
Citizen 411: Agricultural Commission’s Mo McKenna
In the March podcast, Tracy, Teresa and Rachel interview Mo McKenna, a member of the Clark County Agricultural Commission, to discuss the long-term sustainability of farming in Clark County. Mo is a founding member of the Evergreen Floral Alliance and a board member of Friends of Clark County. The commission provides expert input on policies, zoning, and land-use proposals affecting local agriculture. Check it out here in early March.
Civics Events
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You Can Run for Office
Be civically minded: If you are interested in running for a political office but don't know how to start, please attend “You Can Run for Office” at the Vancouver Community Library on March 8 at 1 p.m.
Learn the basics from seasoned politicians.
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Speak Up School
Perhaps your aspiration is to contact your representatives, whether it is the school board or your legislator. Learn how to effectively communicate your message at Speak Up School at 7 p.m. on March 25.
This class will be via Zoom.
Register here.
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League of Women Voters of ClarkCounty
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Ste. C8 #1068, Vancouver, WA 98684
lwvclarkcounty@gmail.com
971-220-5874
Visit our website
Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy
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