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VOTERLeague of Women Voters of Charlotte MecklenburgREACHING LWVCMVoice orgOn the Web:www.goleaguego.orgwww.facebook.com/League ofWomen Voters of Charlotte MecklenburgTwitter:@lwvcmNewsletter Editor:Lucille Howardnewslettereditor@goleaguego.orgIn This Issue:Page 2 Coming EventsPage 3 FIRST IN-PERSON LIVEEVENT SINCE COVID:REJECTING RACISMAction Team ReportsPage 4 Slate for 2021-2022Meet the Nominees for officePage 7 Recommended ProgramPage 8 Proposed By-lawchangesPage 9 Proposed BudgetFind updates for League actionand activities atgoleaguego.orgMay-June 20212021 Annual Meeting June 3Mark your calendar and plan to join LWVCMmembers making decisions for 2021-2022Here’s what you need to knowabout this 6 pm zoom meetingIt will start with a TreatOur featured speaker will bethe LWVUS Vice President JessicaLowe-Minor.Passionate about voting rights and aformer legislative advocate at the Florida state capitol for a number ofwomen’s organizations, Ms. Lowe-Minorwill speak about “The Big Lie and Its Aftermath: League Work in 2021 and Beyond.”She is looking forward to having adialogue with members. See more aboutLowe-Minor p. 2.A leadership team has been nominated to replace our amazing retiring President Delores Johnson Hurt. You will like thenew leaders too. See page 4.Members need to approve the 2021-2022 Program and Areas of Focus for League Action Teams that the Board of Directorshas recommended. Take a look at it on p. 7.The budget proposed for the League for next year was approved by the board as well as by-law changes and both needmember approval too. Read them on p. 7 and p. 9 (budget).Watch your email for the Annual Meeting registration andlink.Will we have local elections in 2021? Hear Elections Director Michael Dickerson’sThoughts about it at League Talk, May 18, 6:30 pm., see p. 2.
Page 2May –June 2021Coming EventsTuesday, May 18, 6:30 pmMichael Dickerson Will Update the League on Election IssuesLocal city and school board elections in 2021 still seem to be up in the air due to the latecensus reports which will affect voter representation at all levels of government. MecklenburgCounty Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Dickerson will talk about changing election dates as well as the status of Voter ID on Tuesday, May 18, at 6:30 pm. Watch youremail for the Zoom registration and link to the program.On behalf of the county’s voters, the League will be recognizing the Mecklenburg Board ofElections, Dickerson and the staff for their extraordinary work conducting an election undervery challenging circumstances. It has been noted that the office’s preparation and tireless activity resulted in a flawless and smooth election process.Saturday, May 15LWV State Convention: Strengthening DemocracyFrom the Ground UpAll League members are invited to participate in the virtual LWVNC convention 10-noon and 1-3 pm Saturday, May 15. Because this is a virtualevent, the convention will focus exclusively on LWVNC business. An in-personmeeting with a broader agenda is envisioned for the fall. Stay tuned for information about the opportunity to gather together later in the year!Registration fee is 25. You can register here or go to LWVNC.org.LWVCM has 13 voting delegates who will be participating.Thursday, June 3LWVCM Annual Meeting—Keynote Speaker Jessica Lowe-MinorLWVUS Vice-President Jessica Lowe-Minor is a passionate voting rights advocate who joined the LWVUSBoard of Directors in 2016. She has extensive nonprofit sector experience, having served in both administrativeand public policy roles, and was the Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence inTallahassee, Florida from 2015-2018.From 2010-2014, she served as the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Florida. In thatrole, she supervised the agency's full and part-time staff, facilitated internal and external communications, operationalized strategy, developed systems to establish goals and track deliverables, and represented theLeague's interests before state and local elected officials, coalition partners, donors and others.Lowe-Minor's tenure at the Florida League contributed to a significant increase in organizational revenue(167%), membership (31%), and overall visibility. She has also worked as a legislative advocate at the FloridaCapitol for a number of women’s organizations.Lowe-Minor has a M.A. in women’s and gender studies via the Program in Interdisciplinary Humanities atFlorida State University, and has taught classes at both FSU and Tallahassee Community College. She is also alicensed Realtor, the mother of two young daughters, and she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and listening topodcasts.“The Big Lie and Its Aftermath: League Work in 2021 and Beyond” is the title of her remarks, which, shehas explained, is the focus of the League’s response to external events such as disinformation, polarization, antivoter laws, etc. Lowe-Minor wants questions from our members which can be sent in advance to Suzanne Elsberry at dessuz@bellsouth.net.ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITYEDUCATION ACTION TEAMWOMEN’S ISSUES ACTION TEAM ACTION TEAMMeets on the first Wednesday at 10MeetsonthethirdThursdayat2pm,Next Meeting: To be announcedam, May 5.Contact chair at goleaguego.org/ May 20. Contact chair at goContact chair at goleaguego.org/leaguego.com/contactusContact uscontactus
Page 3May-June 2021League in ActionLeague members, fully masked and vaccinated, waved signs in coalitionwith the YMCA’s annual “Stand Against Racism Campaign” April 23.Eight members stood next to busy Central Avenue outside the League of-Women’s Issues Action Team Moving on Pay EquityVoter Services Team ReportVoter Services continues to supply voter registration forms and information to USCIS so that ournewest citizens are given the opportunity to register to vote. The ceremonies continue to be small butwe are hoping to restart our physical presencesome time this summer.After a brief rest from the “hub bub” in thefall and earlier this year voter services is reachingback out to our partners to continue to host registration events. We are focusing on the importanceof local elections and why it is so important to participate.We are also working with an organizationthat works in our schools developing young civicleaders, building on their platform to help ournewest voters learn how our local government canimpact their lives and the lives of their families.We are looking forward to a busy summerand if anyone has ideas for a registration eventplease contact me at raduddell61@gmail.com.WELCOME To New MembersJacqueline ReidGerri GrayJohn GrayChristine VealeRobert VealeMary DunhamHeidi SquiresEverly SquiresJane HoffmanLinda TraumMarc TraumMeaghan DunhamThe Women’s Issues team has finalized our list of target companies for our campaign to move them towardpay equity. They include Atrium Health, Bank of America,Duke Energy, Harris Teeter, Lowe's, Novant Health, TruistFinancial and Wells Fargo.We will be contacting Human Resources executivesand CEOs for each company.We are considering adopting the key performanceindicators (KPIs) from GDKA.org (the Gender and DiversityKPI Alliance), a group that supports the adoption and useof a standard set of KPIs to measure diversity in organizations. The proposed KPIs are: Percentage of representation on an organization’sboard. Percentage of representation by employee category. Ratio of compensation by employee category (e.g.,equal pay for equal work).—Cate StadelmanThe Environment Team has focused on the importance of protecting Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s water supply,which is challenged by storm water pollution, climatechange, possible drought and increased demand withpopulation growth. Barry Gullet, of Catawba WatereeManagement Group spoke to our Team in April. For moreinformation see www.catawbawatereemg.org.The Environment Team continues to learn more about waysto advocate with decision makers to protect our water andother natural resources.—Margaret Howe-SoperThe Membership Committee has tentative plans for anoutdoor orientation meeting for new members in May(weather permitting). Volunteers are needed to serve onthe committee. Contact the membership chair atgoleaguego.org.
Page 4May-June 2021Election of Officers, Board MembersOfficers:Co-Presidents 2021-2023: Regan Aduddell and Suzanne Elsberry1st Vice President 2021-2023: Linda Levy2nd Vice President 2021-2022: Vashti Hurt (to fill an unexpired term)Secretary 2021-2023: Susan B HardenTreasurer 2021-2022: Cindy Moore (to fill an unexpired term)Directors:(1) Carolyn Lyons 2021-2023(2) Cate Stadelman 2021-2023(3) Shanda Martin 2021-2023Nominating Committee 2021-2022:Chair: Donna ArmbristerMember: Delores Johnson HurtMember: Ann WoodBoard members continuing for the last year of their term: Directors John Lee, Lucille Howard, June White.Submitted By the 2020-2021 Nominating Committee: Donna Armbrister (Chair), Patti Kelly, Sylvia Ross, Suzanne Elsberry (appointed), Cate Stadelman (appointed)Meet your nominated leadership teamAduddell-Mahoney and Elsberrychosen for co-presidencySuzanne Elsberry and Regan Aduddell-Mahoney havebeen selected to serve as co-presidents of the League for2021-2022. Both are currently directors on the board.Regan Aduddell has been LWVCM Voter Services chairsince joining the board in 2019. Regan's leadership of voterservice activities has brought significant visibility and newpartners for the League. Voter registration has expandedbeyond naturalization ceremonies to numerous venuesRegan AduddellSuzanne Elsberrythroughout the county. Voter education has also expandedwith voter guides, a CPCC class and election presentations.An active volunteer in the community before joining the League, Regan worked on numerous education programs, including school leadership team, early education literacy, the HEART math tutoring program, educatingchildren about the environment and recycling, as well as several programs for suicide awareness and prevention in young adults. She served on PTO boards as president and volunteer.Regan also joined the League's environment action team. She was a bone marrow transplant and ICUnurse prior to raising her four children.Suzanne Elsberry often portrays historical women in presentations throughout Charlotte and commandedthe stage at the League's 100th Anniversary Gala as the anti-Suffragist in a monologue she adapted. Usually(continued p. 5)For your information:LWVCM by-laws require that the proposed slate of officers, Program for 2021-2022, by-law changesand budget be sent to the membership 30 days prior to the annual meeting on June 3. Visitors are welcome toattend, but only members in good standing may vote on League business items.Look for the Annual Reports of board members/Action Team chairs and minutes of the 2020 annual meeting in a mid-May supplement to this Voter. You will also receive the Agenda for the annual meeting in the MidMay edition.
Page 5May-June 2021Nominees(Co-presidents continued from p. 4)she is on the pro-side of suffrage for women as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others. She was manager of TheLittle Theater 1975-78. Her professional background is in marketing/sales and administration as well as acting.Suzanne has been serving the League as board secretary for the past year. She was involved in every partof planning and producing the Leagues anniversary celebration, including selling ads for the program. She coordinated the League's Women's Equality Day events 2013-15 while serving on the board as vice president.She headed the membership committee 2013-15 and served as a Voter Protection Observer in three generalelections. While the League's Suffragette newsletter was published, she was co-editor and feature writer.Among her extensive community service positions, Suzanne was appointed in 2019 to the MecklenburgCounty Women's Commission for a two-year term. She also has served as chair of her Democratic precinct andon the executive boards of N.O.W. and the Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County.Linda Levy is nominated forFirst Vice PresidentVashti Hurt is nominatedFor Second Vice PresidentLinda Levy’s portfolio in her position as first vicepresident will be working on fair districting, along withLeague member Harry Taylor. This is Linda’s 50th yearin the League, having first a league in Huntington, NY,in 1971. There she served in various capacities, including chairing “workshops" studies) leading to building consensus on such issues as air quality, land use, the urban crisisand arms control along withvoter registration activities.With her husband ,Sam,Linda moved to Charlotte in1987, where she promptlyjoined the League, serving onthe board and as voter servicechair for a number of years.Highlights included registeringnew citizens to vote at the naturalization ceremoniesand student-conducted high school voter registrationdrives.Linda’s focus now is education policies, which coordinates well with her volunteer activities in the firstgrade of a local Title I School.She looks forward to working once again in aleadership position and welcomes participation in ourfair districting efforts.Vashti Hurt, daughter of President Delores Johnson Hurt, has been nominated to fill an unexpiredterm as second vice president, a position to which shewas appointed in December.Vashti (pronounced Vash'-tie)has been doing social mediaand communications. Shejoined the League in 2014.Vashti is founder andEditor-In-Chief of CarolinaBlitz, a website dedicated to"bringing the freshest coverage of Carolina sportsand entertainment." Switching from an investmentbanking career to sports journalism, Vashti followedher life-long passion for athletics. She hosts the Carolina Blitz radio show and podcast and regularlymakes appearances on other sports radio shows.Check out her website at carolinablitz.com.Harden is Nominee for SecretaryDr. Susan B. Harden, nominated for secretary, isnew to the League. She is Associate Professor ofEducation at UNC Charlotte and director for the CivicMinor in Urban Youth andCommunities.Susan is a teacher educator and expert on civicNew Treasurer to Continueengagement. She teachesCindy Moore, appointed as students to be communitytreasurer in December, is nomichange agents and placesnated to fill the unexpired termthem in schools and nonof one year. She was Introduced profits for internships. Sheto the membership in last month’s received her Ph.D. in CurricuVoter.lum and Teaching, with aCindy earned her B.S. in ac- concentration in Cultural Studies from the University ofcounting in New York. She andNorth Carolina Greensboro.(continued p. 6)(continued p. 6)
Page 6May-June 2021NomineesShanda Martin Returns to Board(Harden continued from p. 5)Susan was the Mecklenburg County CommissionerShanda Martin is nominated for a two-year termfor District 5 from 2018-2020. She is the first tenuredas director on the board.faculty member to hold a significant public office whileShe currently is serving ason faculty at UNC Charlotte. Susan was awarded thethe webmaster for theOrder of the Hornet in 2021, which is the county’sLeague and previously washighest award, in recognition of her extraordinarya board member 2015contributions specifically to the citizens of Mecklenburg2017.County.A North Carolina native, Shanda has lived inCharlotte for 20 years. She(Moore continued from p. 5)started her career in educaher husband moved to Charlotte for the warmertion as a teacher at Jamesweather.Martin Middle School andAfter working for several small businesses in whichended her career in CMS in 2014 after serving as the she found no satisfaction, Cindy started Mindful AcAdvanced Studies Specialist, where she supportedcounting, LLC. Since opening, she achieved a Certifidistrict-wide programs for advanced academics atcate of Accounting Paraprofessional License to keepthe secondary level.up with the laws of accounting.Shanda currently works for AVID Center, an eduIn her spare time, she loves to ride her bike, takecational non-profit, as a Program Manager. AVID’swalks and spends as much time outdoors as she can.mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing Between Cindy and her husband, they have sevenall students for college and after readiness.adult children and seven grandchildren as well asShanda is married and has a son who is a sopho- many grand dogs and cats.more at Elon University.Stadelman Leads Women’s IssuesCate Stadelman is nominated for her second full termon the board. She joined theboard in 2018. CurrentlyCate is chairing the Women’sIssues Action Team and hasbeen instrumental in formingthe Coalition for Pay Equity, alocal organization that includesour League. Utilizing her professional experience, Cate hasworked with board members to develop policies andjob descriptions for LWVCM officers and leaders.Now retired, Cate has more than 25 years ofexperience as a project manager, problem-solver,and integrator. She has managed projects in policydevelopment, risk management, process and workflow, governance and control, and systems.She has lived in Charlotte 39 years, is married toTom Ponsonby and has two children and three grandchildren.Nominating Committee bio’s and pictures will appear in the mid-May editionof the Voter prior to the Annual Meeting.Carolyn Lyons Nominated for DirectorCarolyn Lyons has bee nominated for her firstfull term on the LWVCM board. Her service this pastyear has included numerous voter service activities andorganizing the League effort to have a specialty license plate.Born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia, Carolyn graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS inpsychology, and went on toearn a PhD in clinical psychology from The University ofGeorgia.She has workedat the Medical College of Virginia, the University of Georgia Counseling Center, the Newington Connecticut Veteran’s Administration Hospital, and the University ofConnecticut School of Medicine. She lives in Charlottewith her husband of 23 years and enjoys book clubs,traveling, and hiking.News NotesLWVCM was mentioned in a New York Times pieceon registering the homeless. https://bit.ly/3otipVZMember Mary Klenz was cited as a Citizen Activistin a Charlotte Pride magazine.
Page 7May-June 2021RECOMMENDED PROGRAM FOR LWVCM 2021-2022The League’s program consists of those governmental issues that the League has chosen (over the years) forconcerted study and action at the local level. The program process is specified in the bylaws. At each annualmeeting, members are asked to adopt the program consisting of issues on which League members reached aconsensus. State and national League studies and consensus are considered at their respective conventions andare applicable for each local League to act on as well.Positions must be readopted each year by League members at the annual meeting in order to remain onthe program of issues for possible action.1.TRANSPORTATION(1) Support regional transportation planning. (1994)(2) Support policies which encourage the use of bicycles and other alternatives to the automobile to be included inany comprehensive transit/transportation system. (1994)(3) Support a regional transportation plan should consider (a) all modes o transportation including air, rail, truckbus, automobile, bicycle and pedestrian, (b) the cost, pollution, consumption of natural resources, (c) effectiveness inmoving people, and (d) integration of transport systems. (1994)(4) Support a distribution of public funds that puts a greater emphasis on alternatives to the automobile. (1994)(5) Support incentives to encourage the use of alternatives to automobile and disincentives to discourage its use.(1994)II. GOVERNMENT(1) Support consolidated city/county government (1971, 1991)(2) Support of district representation on the Charlotte City Council, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners,Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board and appointed boards and commissions (1977, 2006)(3) Support non-residents sharing in financial responsibility of city revenue and the use of alternate sources of revenue in addition to property tax (1980)(4) Support stated goals of 2005 Plan that are compatible with LWV(US) position on land use (1986, 1990)(5) Support establishment of planning districts and city/county zoning policy (1986, 1990)(6) Urge adoption of criteria for planning commission members and mechanism for citizen participation (1986, 1990(7) Support non-partisan city council elections with a primary (1998)III. EDUCATION(1) Support equal access to a quality education for every public school student and endorse the premise that socioeconomic and racial integration of schools is a necessary condition for providing an equitable and quality educationfor all students. (2016)(2) Support and endorse concept of teacher-career development and improved teacher working conditions (1984,1988, 1989)(3) Support administrative career development (1988)(4) Support early and continuing intervention for at-risk children and promote comprehensive community and parental involvement in early childhood education for at-risk students (1991)(5) Support parental opportunity for controlled choice from among a wide variety of learning environments, optionswithin schools, and learning styles within programs, in accordance with criteria designed to ensure both the qualityand equality of educational opportunities, as well as socio-economic and racial integration. (1992, 2016)IV. HOUSING – Support use of public/private funding for assisted housing in scattered sites. (1989)V. SOCIAL POLICY – Support consensus study based on findings of the domestic violence Court Observation Project(2005).VI. ENVIRONMENT/GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE – Promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection andwise management of natural resources in the public interest.VII. HEALTHCARE REFORM – Support the LWVUS health care policy goals of having quality, affordable health careavailable to all US residents.VIII. HUMAN TRAFFICKING – Support the work of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Human Trafficking task force and provideeducational information about the issue and work to support the passage of a bill to create a Human Trafficking TaskForce in North Carolina. (2012)2021-22 Areas of Focus for Each Action Team1) Voter Services: education, registration, end gerrymandering and voter suppression,Vote411.org2) Health Care Reform: Medicaid expansion, improved Medicare for All, social determinants of health,Influence of racism in healthcare(continued p. 8)
Page 8May-June 2021Annual Meeting(Areas of Focus continued from p. 7)3) Public Education: support for public education with equitable and timely funding,equitable access to quality education, accountability for schools receiving opportunityscholarship funding, access to broadband for all students.4) Environment: investigating the local and regional environmental landscape with specialattention to where we can advocate for policies impacted by climate change on air, water,economic development and public health5) Women’s Issues: ERA and wage equity.6) Diversity, equity and inclusion: increased publicity for our League in the community, solicitation ofnew and more diverse members.Proposed By-law Changes.Find current by-laws at goleaguego.org/aboutus
Page 9May-June 2021Proposed Budget for 2021-2022Prepared by the Budget Committee: John Lee, chairman, Linda Levy, Cindy Moore and Carolyn Lyons.Approved by the board: April 6, 2021
Board of Directors in 2016. She has extensive nonprofit sector experience, having served in both administrative and public policy roles, and was the Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence in Tallahassee, Florida from 2015-2018.
