President's Message
from Liz Holland
September will be an activity-packed month for the LWV of Collin County. Water is fast becoming an issue we all need to think about in Collin County. On September 13th, join us for a program discussing water issues so we can understand how to vote on the upcoming constitutional proposition related to water funding. September 16th is National Voter Registration Day, and on this day we will be registering voters at several locations. On September 20th, LWV Collin County will be hosting our first protest, following the LWV-US program, Unite and Rise 8.5. More on that below.
We have lunches in Plano and McKinney, many voter registration events, and other opportunities to meet like-minded people who are Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy!
|  | Collin County's Water Needs
The League of Women Voters Collin County will host a free public forum about Collin County's water needs on Saturday, September 13, from 2:00-4:00, at the Davis Library in Plano. The speaker's panel includes: Rita Beving (Dallas Environmental Commission), Andrea Chick (City of Plano), Kathy Fonville (North Texas Municipal Water District), Dr. Fouad Jaber (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension), and Julie Jones (Nathan D. Maier Consulting Engineers). Topics will include water supply, quality, conservation, and the demand for water in the face of growth and development.
All are welcome! Register here. Members, please log in to the website before registering.
This event is not sponsored by the Plano Public Library System or the City of Plano.
|  | Unite and Rise Protest 8.5
Unite and Rise 8.5 is an initiative of the League of Women Voters to mobilize 8.5 million people using the power of voter engagement as a cornerstone of our democracy. Unite and Rise 8.5 showcases the many ways voters can drive change through advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement. We need you to be a part of this movement and help us grow this network of 8.5 million people committed to defending our democracy. Together, we will unite and rise nationwide, from the streets to the courts to the polls, to defend a democracy that is by and for the people.
Join us! You can sign up on Mobilize here. We will be distributing Unite and Rise 8.5 signs, and you can customize your message on one side. Look for us in LWV t-shirts!
|  | North Texas Giving Day
North Texas Giving Day is Thursday, September 18, and early giving opened on August 28.
LWV-CC provides valuable nonpartisan election information to Collin County voters. Each year, thousands of county residents use www.vote411.org and online Voters Guides to compare candidates' responses to LWV questions. LWV-CC hosts nonpartisan candidate forums and assists other nonpartisan organizations with candidate forums. Free public forums are held about timely topics, and our speakers present voting information to various community groups. Voter registration is a core function, including at Collin College, high schools, and naturalization ceremonies. Your giving allows us to continue empowering voters and defending democracy!
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Lunch with the League - McKinney and Plano
Enjoy great conversation and connection at one of our upcoming LWV-CC buy-your-own social lunches. These events are open to all and provide a chance to discuss important issues while upholding the League’s nonpartisan policy of not supporting or opposing any candidate or political party. Feel free to bring a friend!
Tuesday, September 9, 11:30 – 1:00
Location: BJ's Restaurant, 1101 N. Central Expy, Plano
Friday, September 26, 11:30 – 1:00
Location: Hydeout Cafe, 1751 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney
Note for Members: Please log in to the website before registering.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Book Club
All are invited to the League of Women Voters of Collin County Book Club on Wednesday, September 10, from 7:00-8:00. We will meet on Zoom to discuss The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon.
We will share our nonpartisan thoughts on the book as well as various discussion questions. Register here and receive the Zoom link. If you are a member, log in on the website before registering.
|  | Socializing & Civics
LWV-CC will host a free public forum on Saturday, October 25, 1:30 to 3:30, at Schimelpfenig Library in Plano. All are welcome to attend.
The topic for October is Abolishing the Death Penalty, and will be presented by Nan Tolson, the Director of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. She previously worked in the office of the Governor of Texas for five years, where she held many roles including Deputy Press Secretary, Chief Spokesperson, and Communications Manager. Her experience also includes time in the office of a U.S. Senator and on a 2016 presidential campaign.
Register now to save your spot, and bring a friend! Members, please log into your account before registering.
This event is not sponsored by the Plano Public Library System or the City of Plano.
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Upcoming General Election
Texas voters will see 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution on their ballot in November. Some Collin County voters will also choose city council and school board members.
Check your voter registration status to make sure that you will be eligible to vote. The deadline to register is October 6. Voters Guides for all the proposed amendments and local races will be available in October.
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Volunteer Interest Survey
Have you wondered how you can contribute to our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy? This quick volunteer interest survey will help you understand your unique skills and availability so we can find the perfect volunteer opportunties for you!
|  | Volunteer Opportunities
We have several opportunities coming up to register voters in Collin County. You must be a Collin County VDR (Volunteer Deputy Registrar) to register voters, and if you aren't a VDR, you're in luck as there is still time to get your VDR certification before these events this month. If you are interested and want to learn next steps, you can contact send an email to lwvcollin@gmail.com. See the opportunities on our volunteer signup webpage. You may find these opportunities on the Members Only pulldown after logging into our website.
September 15 11:00-1:00 at Collin College, Frisco Campus
September 16 11:00-1:00 at Collin College, Wylie Campus
September 16 11:00-1:00 at Collin College, McKinney Campus
September 17 11:00-1:00 at Collin College, Tech Campus in Allen
September 23 2:00-4:00 at Pioneer Ridge, McKinney
October 18 11:00-1:00, 1:00-3:00, 3:00-5:00 at Plano International Festival
November 10 10:00-12:00 at Parkview in Allen
You do not need to be a VDR for the October 18th Plano International Festival event!
|  | Democracy in Focus
In August the LWV-CC partnered with the Texas Civil Rights Project and LWV-TX to present an online program called How President Trump's Illegal Executive Order on Elections Could Impact How Texans Vote. Attendees said they learned so much from the webinar. One attendee indicated that the webinar reinforced that each branch of the government must do its job to uphold democracy. Another said they didn't realize an Executive Order wasn't a law until Congress introduced and passed a bill making an EO a law. If you'd like to learn more about Executive Orders and the legality of them you can watch the replay here.
The League of Women Voters Austin Area has a social media creator that excels in short explainer videos such as "Can the President Do That," "Medicaid 101: What is it and Why it Matters," and "Unite and Rise 8.5 explainers." Check out their YouTube channel for more shorts that get right to the point and explain what you need to know about many current issues.
Coming up on September 4, the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice is presenting a virtual program "Next Phase of the Fight." This event highlights some of the biggest news stories of the last three months. The experts will break down what has happened and what will come next in the fight to uphold democratic values. You can register for the webinar here.
| Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
| The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan 501C3 organization. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We encourage informed and active participation in government, and we influence public policy through education and advocacy.
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