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Reports from the Local Leagues of Alabama The 2006-2007 year-in-review throughout the state! |
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League in Alabama have been very busy in 2006-07! Here are some of the
reports given at the LWVAL 2007 Convention in Tuscaloosa. Leagues were
restricted to only a few minutes for their report so this is just the
tip of the iceberg! If you see a reference to a project about which
your League is concerned, contact the reporting League for more detail. Note: Other LLs gave reports, however, the written account may not be available here (yet!). If your League would like to contribute a report, please contact Yvonne Brakefield (ybrakefield@lwval.org). LWV of Baldwin County LWV of Greater Birmingham LWV of East Alabama LWV of Mobile LWV of Montgomery LWV of Tuscaloosa LWV of Baldwin County Coming soon! LWV of East Alabama LWV of Auburn underwent a major change during the year. It received permission from the National League to change its name to the LWV of East Alabama. In conjunction with the name change, members have carried out numerous activities to enlarge membership to include residents from all of Lee County. The membership meeting, held in September, took place at the Opelika Railroad Depot to demonstrate the fact that we aren’t just in Auburn anymore. We currently have eighty members. New member orientations were held in August and February to help them get acclimated to League procedures and goals. As always, Voter Service was a major emphasis this year. Two candidate forums were held: one prior to the city elections in August and one in October for candidates for county offices, co-sponsored by the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. We published an updated “Guide to Your Government” in the spring, providing contact information for relevant national, state and local officials. In April, we had a booth at Auburn City Fest where we helped local citizens register to vote and provided copies of the Guide. Thirty citizens were registered to vote at the booth. LWV of East Alabama generally holds one general meeting, a brown bag luncheon, and a Board meeting each month. The September general meeting provided an informational discussion of “Capital Punishment.” At the October meeting, members came to consensus on County Government, approving home rule and the power to carry out many services at the local level. Members agreed to continue the form of government headed by the Probate Judge. Judge William Gordon, chair of the Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee, described the work of the committee in advising candidates on proper election conduct at the November meeting. In January a reception was held for the East Alabama state Representatives and Senators. An overview of immigration legislation and issues was presented at the February meeting. Issues surrounding the availability of Affordable Housing in the region were discussed at the March meeting. “It’s a Thick Book” will be presented at the May meeting, discussing the current Alabama Constitution and areas where reform may be required. The monthly brown bag lunches gave members the opportunity to meet the Mayor and City Council members for Auburn and to formulate issues for the state and local programs for the upcoming year. The Annual Meeting was held in April. Besides adopting the budget and program and the election of officers, the meeting was devoted to a celebration of fifty great years of service to the community. Founding members were recognized and former leaders recapped the achievements of the Auburn League up to the present. It was thrilling to hear the exploits of these intrepid women who worked to improve local conditions and to bring voting rights to all citizens of the region. The meeting provided an incentive to continue working to improve government in the state. -- Top -- LWV of Greater Birmingham VOTER SERVICES LWVGB devoted the majority of its time during the summer and fall months of 2006 to voter service activities in advance of Election Day 2006. We conducted numerous voter registration drives and assisted residents of several retirement home communities with absentee ballot application preparation and change of address forms. We also "manned" the Jefferson County Board of Registrars office on Election Day to help answer numerous last minute questions on various voting issues. LWVGB and Hadassah, a local Jewish women's group, co-sponsored a candidate’s forum in October at Chabad House in Mountain Brook. Candidates running for Jefferson County Probate Judge Place 1, Jefferson County Probate Judge Place 2 and Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Place 15 participated in the event. The Jefferson County Commission issued a proclamation recognizing LWVGB for its dedication to Voters Service. It was read by Commissioner Gary White and presented to the League at the October 2006 Commission meeting. Virginia Randolph, 2nd Vice President, and Betty Warnock, Voter Service Co-Chair, accepted the honor on behalf of the membership. Alabama Government at Your Fingertips, the listing of elected officials was updated and published. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS LWVGB has supported instituting a county manager form of government in Jefferson County since 1985. Before the November 2006 election, the three Republicans on the Commission supported changing to a county manager form of government in their campaigns. The Birmingham News has published numerous articles, both from citizens and News editorial staff, calling for a county manager. At the LWVGB January 2007 membership meeting, Shelby County Commissioner Ted Crockett and Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock discussed the governing organization that helps manage the fastest growing county in Alabama. LWVGB members have subsequently used information from this meeting, through letters to the Birmingham News editor and to the Jefferson County commissioners, to call for change in Jefferson County. We lobbied intensely for HB110, sponsored by Rep. Paul DeMarco, authorizing the Jefferson County Commission to employ a county manager. At our February 2007 membership meeting, Dr. Joyce Lanning, retired professor from UAB's School of Public Health and LWVGB member, shared information on the science of global warming with a program based on Al Gore’s slide show on climate change. She also provided information and resources for individuals who want to take action to reduce their personal “carbon footprint. LWVGB members in March saw a screening of the new documentary “It’s a Thick Book. The Annual Business Meeting was held in April. May’s meeting was an outdoor tromp through Ross Mock an environmental preserve in Hoover. GENERAL ACTIVITIES President Brakefield spoke on democracy with a group of Russian woman sponsored by Friendship Force. The LWVGB supported the successful local UN Day activities. Members represented the League through Observer Corp activities at the Jefferson County Commission meetings and the Birmingham Water Works Board. -- Top -- |
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