President's Message
from Janet Imhoff |
We had a very successful local Program Planning meeting on February 1, with 13 members giving their input on ideas for programs for next year, and specifically updating our Juvenile Justice position. You can see our current position on our website under Programs/Positions.
The ideas for programs that members proposed included: ethics in politics, mental health for LGBTQ youth in Collin County, misinformation, book banning, and advocacy on our updated position on homelessness. The board will prioritize these suggestions at our March board meeting, and we will discuss and vote on them at our Annual Meeting on May 18. Save the Date!
Our April 2 meeting will be in-person at Davis Library and we will hear an excellent panel discussion on homelessness in Collin County. We are updating our position on homelessness and members will vote on approval at the Annual Meeting in May. See the article later in this newsletter for more information or click here.
I am thankful for the hard work of all the board members and committees this month:
- Voters Service team for preparing voters guides and forums for two elections, and carrying out several voter registration drives.
- Program team for putting on an excellent program of Payday and Auto Title Lending, which you can watch here, and planning for our program on homelessness in April.
- Communications team for keeping members and the public aware of what activities are happening, with multiple mailings and social media posts.
- Membership for organizing League lunches, book club events, and doing our year end membership count.
- And our nuts-and-bolts people who keep our League running: website, speaker’s bureau, observer corps, secretary, treasurer, DEI and fundraising.
- Not to forget our Special Committees: Nominating and Budget, who are working hard to get us ready for our year-end Annual Meeting.
I really think being President is the easiest job on the board.
Thank you again!
Janet
|  | Prepare to be a Voter!
The Democratic and Republican party primary elections will be held on March 5, with early voting from February 20 to March 1. The Libertarian and Green parties choose candidates at conventions. The Libertarian conventions are March 12 for precincts and March 16 for counties. You may only participate in one party's selection process.
Prepare to be a voter!
Voter Registration
LWV-CC volunteers registered 46 students at Collin College campuses and 56 seniors at assisted living, healthcare, and independent living facilities before the February 5 deadline. Thanks to all our volunteers, especially Cindy Thomas and Virginia Burgan for their efforts leading the voter registration events.
Watch The Candidate Forums
LWV Collin County is hosting or co-sponsoring several candidate forums throughout this election cycle. Below is a list of forums that have been recorded and are coming soon.
|  | Public Forum on Homelessness and Affordable Housing
The League of Women Voters of Collin County will hold a public forum on homelessness and affordable housing in Collin County on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 6 pm at Davis Library in Plano. Our program is the culmination of a months-long process of researching this issue and updating our local league’s position.
We are honored to have the following professionals serve as panelists for our discussion:
David Gruber, Senior Director of Development and Communication, Housing Forward NTX; Jill Scigliano, CEO, Samaritan Inn; James Thomas, Student Services Coordinator, Plano ISD; Janet Collinsworth, Founder & CEO, Agape Resource Center; and Cristel Todd, Affordable Housing Administrator, City of McKinney.
This forum will help educate our members and guests on the challenges communities face when dealing with homelessness and affordable housing and provide valuable information on steps being taken by local entities to provide solutions to this crisis.
This event is not sponsored by the Plano Public Library System or the City of Plano. |  | Payday and Auto Title Lending Forum Recording
LWVCC hosted a panel discussion on payday and auto title lending last month and the recording is now available to watch here. Our panel of experts educated attendees on the harms of these products and the history of efforts to curb these predatory practices, provided members with information on what LWV has done to support reform efforts, and shared what advocates expect to focus on during the 2025 legislative session and beyond. |  | What is Observer Corps Like?
I recently joined the LWV-CC Observer Corps, and I monitor the Plano ISD board meetings. The meetings are streamed online, so I can attend from the comfort of my home which makes it much easier to fit into my schedule. In just the few months I’ve been observing these meetings, I’ve learned so much about what is going on in the district, what future plans are, and what concerns the community has about district happenings. It’s been very informative and certainly a worthwhile way to spend my time—even for someone who no longer has kids in the PISD system. I encourage anyone who has time to join the League’s Observer Corps. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll definitely be a more informed citizen of your community.
In League,
Melissa Wright
Observer Corps Opportunities
Observers attend public meetings to learn about issues that are important to the community and to take notes so that the League can advocate on our positions. Whether you attend in person or virtually, any member can participate. Want to sign up or just find more information? Visit our Observer Corps webpage to watch an explainer video, find more information, and download the report form. To sign up to observer any of the meetings below, email Jackie Fleshman at LWVCollin@gmail.com.
Upcoming Priority Local Meetings:
Collin County Commissioners Court - Every Monday at 1:30pm - Full
Plano City Council - Monday, Feb. 12 and Monday, Feb. 26 at 7pm - 1/2 full
Plano Independent School District - Tuesday, March 5 at 7pm - Full
Allen City Council - Tuesday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7pm - Need volunteers
Frisco City Council - Tuesday, Feb 20 at 6:30pm - Need volunteers
McKinney City Council - Tuesday, Feb 20 at 6pm - Need volunteers
McKinney ISD - Monday, Feb. 26 at 6pm - Need volunteers
If you would like to be an Observer for any public meeting in Collin County that is not listed here, we would love to receive your report! To find all public meeting times, agendas, and livestreams, visit our Observer Corps page.
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Lunch with the League - McKinney and Plano
Everyone is welcome at a social lunch with LWV-CC on Friday, February 23, 11:30-1:00, at Spoons Cafe, 100 E Louisiana St, McKinney. Click here to register. If you are a member, please log in to this website before registering. Parking options include Public Parking Lot 4 and 200 W Virginia St. The entrance of Spoons faces S. Kentucky across the street from Cadillac Pizza Pub.
All are welcome to a social lunch with LWV-CC on Tuesday, March 12, 11:30-1:00 at Southern Recipes Grill, 621 W Plano Pkwy #229 in Plano. Click here to register. If you are a member, please log in to the website before registering. |  |
Book Club
All are invited to the League of Women Voters of Collin County Book Club on Wednesday, March 13 6:30-7:30 pm. We will meet on Zoom to discuss ''The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens" by Richard Haas. We will share our thoughts on the book as well as various discussion questions. Click here to register and receive the Zoom link. If you are a member, log in on the website before registering.
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In Memoriam of Pat Lawson
Pat Lawson passed away on January 23, 2023. She was a life member, having been a member of the League of Women Voters for over 50 years. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters of Houston before moving to Plano and joining LWV-CC. She served as co-President of our League 2006-2007. Pat was dedicated to empowering voters and we thank her for her years of service. She will be missed.
| Empowering voters. Defending democracy.
www.lwvcollin.org | 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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