Baltimore County League of Women Voters

March Madness

2012-03-02T11:52:00.003-08:00

Get out your calendar and get ready for some fantastic League opportunities.

Thursday, March 8th is the LWVMD annual excursion to Annapolis to meet with legislators.

Friday, March 9th is a chance to answer phones at MPT and promote our Capitol Steps fundraiser for our Jessa Goldberg Education Fund. From 7:00-10:00 p.m. 12-20 volunteers will be anwering phone calls from viewers in our studio during the live broadcast. We are planning to arrive at 7:00pm, for training and dinner. Following training, the live broadcast in our studio will begin. Anyone who wishes to be seen on camera, can be. Our group will be mentioned several times on-air.

March 14th is our monthly book club meeting at Judy Miller's home to discuss House on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Shanghai Girls.

Our Baltimore County Rally for the Homeless is Monday, March 19th. We'll begin at 5:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Towson, to walk over to the County Council meeting. Email - tkingeter@comcast.net for more information about the rally.

Printed Voters Guides go out to libraries, retirement communities and some county schools on March 20-22. Once again, thanks to Patuxent papers and league volunteers.

And finally Sunday, March 25th we host the Capitol Steps Fundraiser at Stephens Hall, Towson University beginning at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online http://tickets.tuboxoffice.com or by phone 410-704-2787.

Additional details on all events can be found in flyers on our website, http://www.baltimore1.lwvmd.org/ or by calling the office at 410.377.8046

Come participate in any of our March Madness.

Maryland's Primary Election: Not Just for Republicans!

2012-02-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

This is the text of a letter sent to the Sunpapers.

To the editor:

As we read the news and follow television coverage, we might get the erroneous impression that only Republicans need to pay attention to election issues. It’s not so!

At the moment the Republican field for the presidential election is more crowded than the Democratic, but many of the national offices will have contested primaries in both parties. Not only will the presidential candidates be on the primary ballot, so too will be candidates for U.S. Senate (Senator Cardin’s seat will be contested) and candidates for all Congressional seats. Due to the recent redistricting, many voters will be voting in different congressional districts from those of the last decade and so will need to learn about different candidates.

We urge all citizens of Maryland to pay attention to non-partisan publications like the League of Women Voters’ Voters’ Guide. This guide, available online February 18th at www.VOTE411.org, compares the views of all candidates on issues important to Marylanders.

The voter who studies it goes into the poll on April 3 with an educated idea of the best candidate to represent him or her.

Tracy Miller and Betsy Sexton
Towson
Co-Presidents, Baltimore County League of Women Voters

High School Voter Registration Opportunity in February and March

2012-01-31T08:36:00.000-08:00

Probably the most prevalent reason that people join the League of Women Voters is to encourage people to vote. When we ask for volunteers, "Register People to Vote" is the most popular request.

We have a need now for volunteers to register students in our high schools. We ask for a commitment of approximately three hours around the 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. lunch hours. We will provide training, and in most cases you will be working with another League member.

If you are interested, please look at the attached schedule and call or email the office 410-377-8046; lwvbaltimore@comcast.net and let Wilma Rosenberger, our office manager, know your preferred date(s). We will be back in touch with you right away.

Our voter registration dates run from February 21 to March 9. Students who meet the age requirement of turning 18 by the November General Election will be able to vote in the April 3 Primary Election! Please join us in providing this valuable service for our young people.

Tracy E. Miller Co-President

Dear League Members,

2012-01-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

Tickets for our Capitol Steps fundraiser are now on sale! All seats are good, but you can choose your favorite spot now!

Date: Sunday, March 25
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Towson University Stephens Hall Theatre - Stephens Hall is easily identified by its clock tower, located in the 7900 block of York Road.
Price: $35 reserved seat tickets

http://baltimore1.lwvmd.org/n/sites/default/files/Capitol%20Steps_1.pdf has details about purchasing tickets online or by phone through the Towson University box office.

When your reserved seat tickets are mailed to you, a map will be included.

We have printed post cards and flyers. If you can distribute some to friends and businesses, please call the office and we will provide them to you.

Many thanks for your support of this fundraiser! What better way to prepare for the April 3 Primary Election?

Please call the office 410-377-8046 if you want to help with Primary Election Voters Service activities, including voter registration, Voters' Guide publicity/distribution and election day poll evaluations.
Betsy Sexton

New book on Margaret Sanger

2011-12-21T07:43:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday Dec 20, Dan Rodricks hosted Goucher College history professor Jean H. Baker talking about her new book Margaret Sanger: A Life of Passion.
The work of Margaret Sanger, birth control activist and founder of Planned Parenthood, has been a frequent target of conservatives. Lately, some progressives have shied away from her, citing socialist leanings and a purported belief in eugenics as a blight on her accomplishments. Listen to or download the interview at http://www.wypr.org/stationprogram/midday-dan-rodricks

Bon Voyage, good friend.

2011-10-31T12:01:00.001-07:00

Marjie is off to New Zealand!
We extend heartfelt good wishes to Marjie and Michael Slater-Kaplan, who are moving to Hamilton, New Zealand on October 30th. This will mean terrific new opportunities and adventures for both. Marjie has been our esteemed League president, State League Action Chair, LWVUS Lobby Corps member, and host for our Open World visitors. She has been our technology guru, mentor, and friend, and her emigration will leave a hole in our organization. Our loss is the Kiwis’ gain, and we wish her and Michael well.

Alberta Eidman

2011-10-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Honoring Baltimore County League Leader Alberta Eidman
By Betsy Sexton, Co-President, Baltimore County LWV

Congratulations to Alberta Eidman on her 90th birthday on October 29th!

Alberta was Baltimore County League President from 1991-1993 and Treasurer from 2000-2002. She initiated our very successful Focus on Contemporary Issues lecture series that ran from 2000-2007. Alberta was the first Baltimore County League online projects director/webmaster and co-founder of the Maryland League’s website. She saw the League’s Web presence at the local, state and national levels as a way to encourage our members and the public to become more informed and more active in the democratic process. She promoted online ListServes (online discussion groups) by which members can "learn, discuss, exchange information, and become grassroots activists."

We thank Alberta for her visionary leadership and boundless energy for the greater good.

Neighbor to Neighbor and our League

2011-10-12T11:53:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to one of our members, Kate McAllister, who appeared in a Patch article about the Neighbor to Neighbor program in the Cockeysville -Timonium communities. The League was also mentioned in conjunction with the Wednesday Homelessness workshop. Read more at http://timonium.patch.com/articles/neighbor-to-neighbor-enters-second-year-of-pilot-program

October Events- Help Wanted

2011-09-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Our League is co-hosting two major events in October, 2011.

We are working with the Baltimore City League to promote the LWV at the Senior Expo, October 5-6 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed to distribute literature, converse with visitors, and share the Online Voters Guide. Please contact the League office if you can assist.

On Wednesday, October 12, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 2216 Pot Spring Road, we cohost an experiential workshop on Homelessness. Sue Bull, Homeless Services Coordinator from Baltimore County Office of Planning, will teach about issues that affect both the homeless and working poor. Volunteers are needed to help set up the room for the event and provide light refreshments. Please contact Kate McAllister, Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program Coordinator at 410-252-4465 x 106 if you can help.
A flyer is available at http://baltimore.lwvmd.org/Events/homelessnessflyer.pdf

Celebration of Daisy Alverda "Bert" Booth

2011-08-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

Daisy Alverda "Bert" Booth, who was not only known for her advocacy of civil rights and community activism, but was a former president of our Baltimore County League died July 2. On Wednesday, August 24th, there will be a gathering in celebration of Bert's life in the social hall of the Catonsville United Methodist Church, 4 Melvin Avenue, at 7 p.m. More information about Bert's life can be found at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bs-md-ob-daisy-booth-20110708,0,6038552.story

Local Leaguers attend National Training Program

2011-08-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

Baltimore County League of Women Voters leaguers, Nancy Horst, Kate McAllister and Sharalyn Luciani were recently selected to participate in a leadership development training conducted by the LWVUS.

The leadership program, which sponsors these trainings, was established by the LWVUS to help enrich the democracy-building efforts of our more than 90-year-old grassroots organization.The program will be implemented by the local leagues in all 50 states with the support of a volunteer national coaching team and a cadre of state coaches.

During the tw0-day training held on July 23-24 in Chantilly, VA, the participants attended "best practices" workshops conducted by national trainers from Washington DC and Maryland. Training included techniques for empowering citizens to have a voice in their communities, for heightening League visibility and for developing the skills of rising League leaders.

Our new membership team has already begun action by organizing a September event for understanding Homelessness. Watch for more information on this interactive workshop coming soon.

Our League (and Judy Miller)in the news!

2011-07-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

The last of 3 public meetings concerning the selection of Board of Education members will be held Monday, July 25 at the Towson library from 6:20-8 p.m.

At one recent hearing, Judy Miller presented the conclusions of the committee's investigation of an elected or appointed Board of Education. She was also interviewed by several reporters representing local newspapers. One full article can be read at
http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/news/education/ph-tt-board-selection-0713-20110708,0,7901608.story Another article appeared in the Towson Patch,http://towson.patch.com/articles/residents-ask-for-changes-to-school-board

The full league position is posted on our website, http://www.baltimore.lwvmd.org/ We recommend a hybrid Board, composed of both elected and appointed members.

Happy New Year! 2011-2012

2011-07-11T13:24:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend our new Board met and created a vibrant plan for the coming 2011-2012 year. Events are listed at our website www.baltimore.lwvmd.org.

Some new initiatives are being undertaken. Later this month, in alliance with other Maryland chapters, several of our members will begin training on how to recruit and maintain membership. In September we will hold a new member orientation. The meeting will review basic League organization, purposes, and action plans. Plan to attend and bring a friend.

Other plans this year call for forums, panel discussions, election news, election polling places surveys as well as other activites that all call for dedicated volunteers. We need assistance making phone calls, visiting governmental meetings, interviewing elected officials, and more. Consider what else you can do to help make Democracy work. Call the League office today! 410-377-8046

Welcome

2009-07-20T07:23:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the new Baltimore County League of Women Voters blog.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, political organization dedicated to the principles of self-government established in the Constitution of the United States. The League has been active in Baltimore County for over sixty years. Its members live in all areas of the County and work together to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government.

We hope to use this blog to keep League members and the public informed about League activities. Discover more about the Baltimore County League of Women Voters by visiting our website at http://baltimore.lwvmd.org/