Happy New Year and Here's to a Better Year!

Yes, we have a lot to do this year, so I will get right to it.  The Board had an early January retreat and talked a lot about how to keep our members and the public better informed.  After all, the legislature has big plans for us, we just don’t know what all they have in mind yet.  And then there is the national stage ….

We need to know more about the issues and have more ways to ensure our voices are heard.

• How about an active Observer Corps? -– League members going to city council meetings, school board meetings, commissioners court and reporting back.  We have some mechanisms already set up.  Never underestimate the value of paying attention and reporting back!

• We are making a list of interesting books to help us understand more – e.g. about the impact of private school vouchers on state budgets and public education; learn more about the whys and wherefores of separation of church and state and so many other things. 

• Maybe you have much more relevant books to suggest, or you already have a review just waiting to be written or 3 friends who want to discuss a certain book.  We will start a list here.

We also need effective ways to make our voices heard.  First line of defense is probably “Take Action.”  This webpage provides the names of your representatives, a letter that can be edited, and media contacts for an opinion piece.  Just make your voice heard and send it from the website.  (https://www.lwvtexas.org/take-action#/)

We also want to make our programs more accessible both to members and the public.  One idea is to take our programs on the road – i.e. present at the San Marcos Public Library and the Wimberley Village Library; or maybe Black’s BBQ and a restaurant in Dripping Springs.  We have also been testing equipment designed to make hybrid meetings those with a live audience and zoom more interactive.  And, yes, we need more help on publicity!  Do you have some other ideas?

Next month, February 24^th and 25^th, are League Lobby Days.  There will likely be sessions on upcoming legislative topics, basics of advocacy and testifying and other topics of interest, followed by a chance to go to the Capitol and visit with your legislators.  Monday night is the “Making Democracy Work” dinner at the Central Branch, Austin Public Library.  Tickets are $119 and we already a few signed up.  If we get enough interest, we will sponsor a table.  Please contact Linda Calvert ASAP.

The nominating committee will be meeting this month and choosing a new slate of leaders to present at our annual meeting in May.  We would very much like to hear from you.  Please give us your ideas for next year’s officers.  Members of the nominating committee are: Margaret Lindsey, Andrea MacRae, Sheryl Davis, Teresa Carbajal Grado, and Diann McCabe.  Contact any one of those folks to suggest nominations.

This last year was successful in so many ways and I thank all of you who have contributed to the League’s work.  We need you more than ever – please join us and bring your friends.  Let’s have some fun!  Remember...

~ Well behaved women seldom make history ~

!!! Note Important Changes !!! – Our website and our official emails are all changed to .org – signifying our non-profit status !!!

For Membership, email

Laurel O’Donnell, membership@lwvhaysco.org

For Voter Services, email
Delysia Moore, co-vp-voterservices2@lwvhaysco.org

Mary Helen Frazier

For Social Activities, email
Margaret Lindsey

For Programs and Advocacy, email
Andrea MacRae, vp-program-advocacy@lwvhaysco.org

For Website & Social Media, email

Susan Raybuck, admin@lwvhaysco.org

For Donations & Financial Matters, email

Marla Koosed, treasurer@lwvhaysco.org

For President of Hays League, email

Linda Calvert, president@lwvhaysco.org

For Newsletter, email

Teresa Carbajal Grado, dei-outreach@lwvhaysco.org

Cassie Benoist-Templeton, Director at-large

Shannon McCall FitzPatrick, Director at-large

Book List – please contribute and help us sort what is most relevant:

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

by Timothy Snyder    4.7 out of 5 stars    31,028 reviewers

The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers  

By Josh Cowen    4.3 on Goodreads 60 ratings

The School Voucher Illusion: Exposing the Pretense of Equity

by Kevin Welner (Editor), Gary Orfield (Editor), Luis A. Huerta (Editor)

The Separation of Church and State: Writings on a Fundamental Freedom by America's Founders Paperback by Forrest Church (Editor)

4.3 out of 5 stars 20 ratings on Amazon; 4.2 on Goodreads 51 ratings

Recommendations for:

• Voting Rights (in Texas)

• Water policy and legislation in Texas

• Gun Safety legislation

• Immigration and the border in Texas

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.