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Thank you for voting, Greater B'ham! Get JeffCo. Primary Runoff Election results. Get more election information.

Read the April, 2012 Edition of
The Voter
Newsletter of the LWVGB,
now online.

LWVGB participates in
"Picnic for the Planet"
at Railroad Park

LWV of Mobile finalist for Strengthening Democracy Award

LWVM's "Vote 18" and many other outstanding Voter Service projects put them in the running for this prestegeous award. Read more at www.lwvmobile.org.

VOTE FOR LWV of MOBILE
Voting closes Fri., May 18.

Mark Your Calendar!
See LWVGB Calendar for dates of upcoming events.

Honoring our Mothers

Published May 11, 2012

by Elisabeth MacNamara
President, LWVUS
Visit LWVUS online

This week [past week, May 6-12] is Public Service Recognition Week and this weekend, we celebrate Mother’s Day! In my roles as a career public servant and a mother, the League has always provided a very special place for me. League members work closely with local, state, and federal employees and officials. We understand the very special role that these dedicated public servants play in making our democracy work. Many of our members are public servants, especially teachers, and even more are mothers.

The League fought to get women the right to vote not just because
millions of women deserved a voice in our democracy, but also because
of the very special perspective that women and mothers, in particular,
bring to the political table. Not only do mothers nurture the next
generation of engaged citizens, but they also understand the
importance of public health and education in our communities. In fact,
the first major legislative victory for the newly founded League of
Women Voters was federal legislation protecting the health and welfare
of mothers and children.

So this Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the countless mothers who
ensure that our nation is safe for democracy and let us not forget
that women have the vote because one young elected official listened
to his mother and cast the deciding vote in the Tennessee Legislature!

Plan to “attend”...
"Sunshine on Government Websites"
LWVGB's First Online Virtual Meeting

How do our governments use their websites to have an open government/sunshine and engage citizens? This is a continuation of the 2011 March meeting on Government Websites.

When: Meet on-line when you are ready. It is waiting for you now!
Where: Just click here to "attend" anytime. All you need is an internet connection.

Please watch for the few online questions and respond. You might even pose your own questions. In this way we hope to get our members engaged in an online conversation. Please do respond with your comments and questions. We value your opinions!

Recently in League...

LWVGB participates in "Picnic for the Planet" at Railroad Park
See all the LWVGB Earth Day 2012 photos!

On

April 22, 2012,

Leaguers were

among hundreds

of citizens who came to "Picnic for the Planet" in Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham, AL. On this beautiful Sunday afternoon, people came to celebrate nature and the earth's abundance with song, fun and food… lots of food! The picnickers were many, and they may have broken a "Guinness World Record" for the most number of people picnicking in a 24 your period around the world! Stay tuned. There was live music from the Jason Bailey Band, The Arc, and Blue Galaxy String Project. Over 50 artfully rendered picnic tables surrounded the area. And there were plenty of activities for the kids. Have you ever had to dodge a giant rolling Earth commanded by an 8-year-old? The children were totally fascinated by the many animals exhibited by Andy Schertz, Programs Dept. Supervisor at the Birmingham Zoo. They even got to pet some of them.

The LWVGB was represented among several groups who stand up for the preservation of Alabama's treasured natural environment and advocate for measures that will promote clean air and water purity. Joyce Lanning, LWVGB and LWVAL Environmental Chair, spoke with visitors who dropped by the League's table. She answered their questions and explained that the League of Women Voters "supports measures to promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection of natural resources in the public interest…" and "… believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of healthy ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources, especially air and water, should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the environment and to protect public health."

Thank you to the Alabama Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, Railroad Park, the Birmingham Zoo, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham, and all others who contributed to this very fun day!

See all the Earth Day 2012 LWVGB photos.

MORE Earth Day 2012 News and Photos...

LWVGB 2012 Business Meeting

On April 17, 2012, LWVGB members gathered at Sweet Tea Restaurant in downtown Birmingham to set the League's program and funding budget for 2012-2013 and to elect new board officers and directors. The members voted to readopt the previous year's program and voted not to include any new issue studies at this time. First Vice-President Cyrondys Jackson will lead the LWVGB as President in 2012-2014. Tricia Powell Crain was elected as 1st Vice-President and, as such, will be the next president of the LWVGB in 2014. Michael R. O'Donnell was elected as Treasurer and is the first man to serve as an officer of the LWVGB Board. Arlene Godwin and Jean Johnson were elected as Directors. Leonette Slay was elected as Chair of the 2012-2013 Nominating Committee.

Continuing service on the Board are Directors Joan Burroughs, Nancy Ekberg, Wanda Godfrey, Joyce Lanning, and Karen Threlkeld. Dr. Donald Marks has agreed to continue his outstanding work as the League's off-board Director of Social Media.

Birmingham League members expressed great appreciation for the dedication and leadership of outgoing Board members President Ida Tyree-Hyche, Treasurer Amanda McGriff, Director Leonette Slay (Membership Chair) and Nominating Committee Chair Michael O'Donnell.

The incoming LWVGB Board of Directors will assume their duties on May 1, 2012 and will meet on June 16 at the home of Ida Tyree-Hyche for board training and to plan for the coming League year.

Judicial Candidate Community Forum
Tues., March 6, 2012, 6:20 p.m.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2612 Lane Park Rd.
Mountain Brook, AL

Update: Thank you, judicial candidates and voters for a great turn out.

LWVGB invited all Jefferson County judicial candidates running for election in the March 13 Party Primaries to address the voters. More information about this informative forum will be posted soon.

LWVGB Member Meeting: A "Pep Rally" for coming League events.

Charter Schools Study Consensus & Sunshine Week.
Also, a review of recent League accomplishments.
January 17, 2011, 6:00 P.M.
Avondale Branch Public Library (Meeting Room)
509 40th St. S
Birmingham, Alabama 35222-3309
(205) 226-4000

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MARKS
BILL OF RIGHTS DAY

In the Dec. 12, 2011 press release below, LWVGB President Ida Tyree-Hyche calls for greater civility in politics.

(Birmingham, AL) – The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham’s President, Ida Tyree-Hyche, marked the 220th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights with a call for inclusive political discourse and greater civic participation in Birmingham, Alabama.

“For more than 91 years, members of the League of Women Voters have defended civil liberties and promoted balanced, nonpartisan discussions on issues that are important to our community, and we continue this work today,” Ida Tyree-Hyche said. “Our mission is to increase public participation – to help empower individuals to exercise the rights that are afforded to them through our democracy.”

“As we reflect back on 2011 and witnessing democratic movements take hold around the world, there is much to celebrate. But, it is also a reminder that we cannot take our liberties for granted,” said Ida Tyree-Hyche. “Every day, League members work in our community to protect our liberties by encouraging voting, discussing critical issues, and holding elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions. In the highly partisan environment throughout our nation, our role in creating a ‘safe’ venue where all sides of the issues can be discussed civilly and thoughtfully is more critical than ever. We encourage all to join us and make their voices and opinions heard; it’s our right!”

The LWVGB has participated in the following events in our community:

SOS, Sustain our State Environmental and Social Issues Rally
Interfaith rally opposing Alabama’s HB 56
Jefferson County Delegation meeting to address Jefferson County’s financial crisis
Hosted LWVGB Education Consensus work session
Veterans Day Parade and Luncheon
Observed public meetings on issues concerning transportation, public utilities, education, County Commissions and City Councils
Hosted Birmingham City Schools leaders to address educational issues
Hosted State Representatives John Rogers, Jr. and Paul DeMarco to discuss legislative role in Jefferson County financial crisis.

The protection of the individual liberties laid out in the Bill of Rights has been central to the League’s work throughout its history. During World War II, the League worked to balance the preservation of civil liberties with the importance of national security. During the Communist “witch hunt” period of the early 1950s, the League conducted a community education program known as the Freedom Agenda, providing Americans with the opportunity to discuss and learn about the Bill of Rights. More recently, League members have promoted a diverse and independent judiciary, advocated against harmful elements of the PATRIOT Act, and worked for government transparency and accountability.

For more information, visit www.lwvgb.org or www.lwv.org.
"Like" the League on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages. With more than 91 years of experience and 800 local and state affiliates, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations.

Download Press Release

"The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education"

An LWVUS Study

LWVGB Consensus Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 17, 10:00 a.m - 12:00 noon
Woodrow Hall - Magnolia Room (2nd Floor)
5504 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35212

In June, 2010 the delegates to the League of Women Voters Convention proposed and passed a study of the role of federal government in public education in the United States. The unbiased information gathered in the process of this study is presented here.

On November 17, 2011, LWVGB members convened at Woodrow Hall in Woodlawn to discuss these background study materials and attempt to come to consensus agreement. The group, led by LWVGB Education Chair Wanda Godfrey, reviewed the timeline and historical milestones of the federal role in education. With member Trisha Crain leading, members then discussed education funding and equity issues. The session concluded with discussion of Common Core Standards. That segment was led by member Arlene Godwin. After each segment, the members as a group answered the consensus questions posed by the national League. The proceedings were recorded by LWVGB Director Joan Burroughs.

A LWVGB board-approved consensus report will be submitted before November 30 to the LWVUS for national consensus consideration. The national study is scheduled for completion in March 2012, and, if a consensus can be reached, a national League position will be published on this issue.