http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/index/ LWVSWMO en slang@mailcan.com Copyright 2010 2010-08-24T18:51:38+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/kick-off_event_on_womens_equality_day/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/kick-off_event_on_womens_equality_day/#When:17:51:38Z The LWV of Southwest Missouri will be meeting to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote on Thursday, August 26 at 6 p.m. at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell. Join us for fellowship, light refreshments and the viewing of the award winning movie, Iron Jawed Angels about a group of passionate young suffragists. News 2010-08-24T17:51:38+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/summer_sounding_board_to_be_held_aug._21/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/summer_sounding_board_to_be_held_aug._21/#When:16:45:34Z The League's casual summer series of discussions continues Saturday morning, Aug. 21. This the last of the three-part series. More details on time and location to come. News 2010-07-22T16:45:34+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/women_leaders_making_democracy_work_workshop_details_released/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/women_leaders_making_democracy_work_workshop_details_released/#When:02:42:05Z Encouraging women to take the leap into public service is the goal of a unique workshop called “Women Leaders: Making Democracy Work,” presented by the League of Southwest Missouri. The program is scheduled for 5:30 - 8:30 pm Friday, May 21, and 8 am - 5 pm Saturday, May 22. It will be held at Guaranty Bank’s Operation Center, 1414 W. Elfindale St. Cost is $50. Student rate is $25. Outstanding women leaders will participate: Kay Barnes, former mayor of Kansas City, Alina Lehnert, Evangel University, Raeanne Presley, mayor of Branson, Cindy Stein, Greene County auditor, and Dayna Stock, Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life, St. Louis. Inspired by last year’s “Women Changing Government” League luncheon, the program is designed as a “pipeline” to public service. “We know many women have considered serving on a board, or have thought of running for public office,” said committee chair Leslie Carrier. “This workshop will give them the tools to take that important step.” Topics will include: Building your capacity to contribute Finding your passion in public service Fine tuning your leadership GPS Friday evening will be focused on “Strengths”-based leadership training taught by Lehnert, a certified leadership trainer. On Saturday, participants will learn how to use these strengths for the public good. Among the outcomes will be developing a personal plan for taking leadership roles in our community. Barnes, Presley and Stein will share their own stories of public service. Stock will bring her expertise from the Sue Shear Institute. Women feel strongly about their communities and want to help make a difference, Carrier explained. “We may not be aware of how we can contribute, of all the opportunities out there for women. This program will show women how they can participate in public policymaking and really make an impact.” The League of Women Voters is distinctive in its ability to present such programs. Over its 90 year history, the LWV has enabled thousands of women to take leadership roles in their communities, states and nation. Early sponsors of "Women Leaders" are Mama Jean's Natural Market, Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center, Nancy and Larry O-'Reilly Family Foundation/Women Speak Project, Penmac Personnel and Donna Powers: McDonald's Resturants on South Campbell, West Sunshine, South National and City of Battlefield. Limited seating is available. Send registration fee of $50 to LWV of Southwest Missouri, PO Box 3036, Springfield MO, 65808-3036. For more information, call 417.823.9870. A schedule for the 1 1/2 day workshop will be posted here in next few weeks, so check back. News 2010-04-27T02:42:05+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/women_leaders/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/women_leaders/#When:02:15:48Z Have you become passionate about an issue facing our community? Are you ready to take the next step  in public service?The League's newest workshop is titled "Women Leaders: Making Democracy Work. It's where you'll learn all you need to know to become more involved in public life, from serving on a board or commission, running for elective office or volunteering on a campaign.The program is scheduled for Friday evening, May 21 and Saturday, May 22.You'll be inspired by outstanding women leaders including former Kansas City mayor Kay Barnes, Branson mayor Raeanne Presley and certified leadership trainer Alina Lehnert of Evangel University.Topics include:Building Your Capacity to ContributeFinding Your Passion in Public Service'Strengths'-based Leadership TrainingMore information will be coming soon, so keep visiting our Web site. Or you can phone 417.823.9870. # News 2010-03-20T02:15:48+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/meet_the_candidates_for_otc_board_at_march_29_forum/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/meet_the_candidates_for_otc_board_at_march_29_forum/#When:01:38:40Z League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri will host a public forum  for Ozarks Technical Community College Board of Trustees candidates on March 29, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell.Five candidates are running for two seats on the OTC Board of Trustees -- Patricia Compton, Voncille Megerian Elmer, Carla Keiser, Jeff Layman and Jacqueline "Jackie" McKinsey. Trustees will be elected April 6 to serve six-year terms.At the forum, candidates will make an opening statement and then answer questions presented by a moderator. Audience members can submit questions.League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping citizens make informed voting decisions. News 2010-03-20T01:38:40+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/league_continues_early_voting/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/league_continues_early_voting/#When:03:11:43Z Members of the League of Women Voters across Missouri, including those in the Southwest Missouri chapter, are engaged in a spirited conversation about whether early voting and/or no excuse absentee voting would remove barriers for Missouri voters, improve access to voting and encourage non-voters to cast ballots. Members are asked to review the consensus questions in advance of our January unit meetings. For information on dates and times of unit meetings, call the League at 417-881-5877.Early Voting and/or No-Excuse Absentee Voting StudyConsensus Questions Should the League of Women Voters of Missouri support absentee voting election laws that --1. No longer require a reason to vote absentee? (Application required)2. Allow early in-person absentee voting? (Application required)3. Allow early by-mail absentee voting?   (Application required)4. Eliminates the notary requirement for absentee voters?5. Should Missouri make available the option of being placed on an annual or permanent absentee voting list at the voter’s request? 6. Continue the current practice of placing voters with a permanent disability on a permanent absentee voter list? 7. Develop instructions that are clear and concise to reduce the number of spoiled and uncountable ballots? 8.  Should the League support no excuse absentee voting even if it costs more to administer?  Early Voting9. Should the League of Women Voters – Missouri support early voting? 10. Should the League support early voting for voter convenience, even if it does not increase voter turnout? 11. In which election(s) should early voting be permitted?_____All elections--Presidential, State, county, municipal, special_____Some elections – Presidential, State, county, municipal,               special, at the discretion of the local election authority_____Presidential elections only_____Statewide elections only_____All Federal elections--other elections at the discretion of the               local election authority12. Should the League support a reasonable amount of time to allow early voting? 13. Should the League support early voting even if it increases voting costs? 14. Please check the following voting practices you support.__________Same day voter registration__________Automatically register all 18 year olds to vote (make it an opt out program)__________Allow voter registration via the Internet (similar to car license renewals)__________Reduce the number of in-person elections by holding special elections via the mail ( issue only, no candidates) __________Move special elections to primary and general election days__________Make Federal Election Day a State holiday__________Move Election Day to the weekend -- Saturday would become the Election Day._________Allow centralized voting via Vote Centers (combined precincts, or super precincts, where any registered voter can cast a ballot, as in Columbia, Mo.)_________ Other suggestions – please list. News 2010-01-10T03:11:43+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/league_studying_early_voting_and_no-excuse_absentee_voting_in_missouri/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/league_studying_early_voting_and_no-excuse_absentee_voting_in_missouri/#When:00:57:57Z Early voting and absentee voting have been going on in America since the Civil War.  What emerged from the need for soldiers far from home to issue their vote has grown into its own revolution.   In last year’s presidential election, more than 40 million people nationwide voted early or absentee, representing about 30 percent of voters. That number was up from 20 percent in 2004 and 14 percent in 2000. Members of the League of Southwest Missouri will participate in a statewide League study of Early Voting. The discussion began at unit meetings in October and will continue in November. Member Susan Rubino is chair of the study committee. Thirty-eight states and various research establishments have been working on ways to make early voting user-friendly.  There is extensive debate about what works and what is best to improve access to voting and increase voter turnout.The scope of the League’s study will be limited to early voting and no-excuse absentee balloting. Early voting can mean two things: 1) voting in person, in a booth, at a central polling location set up before election day, or 2) voting by mail on a ballot sent to the voter, regardless of whether he/she has an excuse for not voting in person, and allowing the ballot to be returned by mail. (Century Foundation) As the LWVMO launches its Early Voting Study, members will look at the pros and cons of early voting and see if convenience is really equal to what’s best for Missouri voters.  Some pros are increased turnout and convenience for voters; some cons are susceptibility to fraud and lack of mail reliability. At a general meeting in November, the League will take consensus on the issue. Our League’s consensus will be sent to the state League, along with those of League’s across the state. In March, the state board of directors will arrive at a position on the issue. The Early Voting Study is co-chaired statewide by Cheryl Barnes and Donna Hoch. (Parts of this article first appeared in the July-August issue of the Missouri Voter, newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.) News 2009-10-25T00:57:57+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/women_changing_government_program_a_success/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/women_changing_government_program_a_success/#When:01:51:05Z   More than 80 women heard advice and encouragement for becoming involved in public life at a special program presented April 24 by the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri. Titled “From Your House to the White House: Women Changing Government,” the luncheon featured outstanding women leaders already involved in public life. KSMU radio news director Missy Shelton was the moderator.     Speakers were Springfield Board of Education member Kris Callen, Sen. Norma Champion (R-Springfield), former Springfield City Councilwoman Mary Collette, Rep. Sara Lampe (D-Springfield), community volunteer Mary Pilant, Greene County Republican Chair Danette Proctor, Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life manager Dayna Stock and Springfield Board of Education member Jean Twitty, The targeted invitation list meant the audience was women who are contemplating service on a board or commission, running for elective office or volunteering on a campaign.     The League hopes to follow up the program with a nuts-and-bolts workshop in fall, 2009.     League planning committee was Teresa Bledsoe, Leslie Carrier, Maggie Castrey, Lois Detrick, Ann Elwell, Carolyn Gerdes, Lisa Langley and Ann Wilbur.   News 2009-04-27T01:51:05+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/forums_to_help_citizens_learn_about_candidates_issues/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/forums_to_help_citizens_learn_about_candidates_issues/#When:03:52:48Z The League is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. There’s no better example of our hands-on work than our candidate and issue forums. This month will be a busy one as the League sponsors no fewer than three events in preparation for the April 7 election. Here’s the low-down: Springfield School Board candidates, March 31, 7 pm, Weaver School, 1461 N.Douglas , co-sponsored with Urban Neighborhoods Alliance. Incumbents Kris Callen, Andy Hosmer and Bruce Renner along with Eric Jensen are in the running for three seats on the Board of Education. For the latest information on school issues, go to: News 2009-03-09T03:52:48+00:00 http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/league_to_sponsor_community_forum_on_pension_plan_ballot_issue/ http://lwvswmo.org/index.php/site/league_to_sponsor_community_forum_on_pension_plan_ballot_issue/#When:02:58:03Z The League of Southwest Missouri will sponsor a community forum on the Feb. 3 ballot issue dealing with the proposed one cent sales tax for the City of Springfield police and fire pension plan. The forum will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Midtown Carnegie Library, 397 E. Central. Deputy City Manager Evelyn Honea will present the various elements proposed to fund the pension plan and will answer questions from the audience.The League has not taken a position on the issue. News 2009-01-18T02:58:03+00:00