INSIDE THIS EDITION - nwmc.az.lwvnet.orgnwmc.az.lwvnet.org/files/May_2017_Newsletter_Final.pdf · Ken Clark, AZ Representative ... Many thanks to Martha Thompson, Events Coordinator,

League of Women Voters of Northwest Maricopa County

The Voter

INSIDE THIS EDITION

LWV- NWMC Hosts State Convention Page 1 We the People Summit Page 1 President's Message Page 2 You Make A Difference Award Page 3 Coming Events Page 3 AZ Education Crisis & Working Group

Page 4 Health Care Update

Page 4 LWVAZ Convention Photo Collage Page 5 Annual Meeting Reports

Page 6 - 9 LWVAZ Education Resolution Page 9

May 2017 http://nwmc.az.lwvnet.org/

2016-17

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LWV-NWMC Hosts LWVAZ Convention

LWVUS President Chris Carson charged 2017 state convention attendees with a "LWV - Transformative Journey" in Surprise on April 29th. She stated the goal to "reclaim the LWV role in America's election process by 2020." She noted that "public education funding is a voting rights' issue to defend our democracy."

Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes discussed planned changes in future election processes and his appreciation of the role of LWVAZ. Archivist Linda Whitaker discussed the renewed interest and importance of caring for association records and the role of the AZ Historical Society's archives. Other speakers included Susan Bitter Smith, AZ Corp. Com.; Stephanie Maraspini, Maricopa Co. Poll Worker; Sherry Aguilar, Surprise City Clerk; AZ Sen. Andrea Dalessandro; Jodi Liggett, Planned Parent-hood; Barbara Litrell, LWVGVV Pres.; and Rebekah Sanders, AZ Republic.

Directors and Chair reports were given. A resolution was passed related to education funding (see page 9). Rivko Knox was awarded the Skeet Blakeslee award and the AZ Republic was awarded the Carrie Chapman Catt Award.

We the People Summit Over the last few months, we have seen a political awakening in the state of Arizona. Thousands have begun to get involved with our government in new and innovative ways. Each has a unique voice calling for an action, a change, or a priority that emphasizes improving lives and offering residents of Arizona better opportunities. The We the People Summit series will bring these individuals and groups together to begin a conscious collaboration for a better Arizona.

The We the People Summit is a series of three summits designed to bring together individuals, grassroots organizations, and established nonprofits to collaborate in support of positive change in Arizona.

Tickets are on sale now for the first "We the People Summit"! www.pafco.org/wethepeople June 24th at the Phoenix Convention Center.

. .

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From the President's Desk:

On Saturday, April 15th, we had our Annual Meeting at the Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West. Ten members who joined on or after the January 7th Summit were among about 30 attendees, including several guests. Besides the business of approving budgets (thanks to Treasurer Judy Dreskin and Budget co-chairs Sylvia Brown and Marie Sarosy) and election of Board Members (thanks to Nominating Chair Diane Smith), we spent a lot of time on issues.

Thanks to Lois Brechner, who gave a presentation on Ranked Choice Voting, one of our Issues for Emphasis, and who engaged our speaker. Lois hopes to have a Ranked Choice Voting Committee with several interested people helping her -- if you are interested in being on such a committee, contact her by e-mail. We agreed that other Issues for Emphasis should include Voting Rights (registration, access to the ballot, elections process, and redistricting), Campaign Finance, Education, Environment and Climate Change, and Health Care. There already is a Health Care Committee, which has met twice and which is busy discussing how to make a difference on this issue with action. Darnell Kirksey would like to create an Environmental Committee -- if you are interested in joining such a committee, contact her.

Ken Clark, AZ Representative for District 24, spoke on "The Future of Elections in Arizona." He spoke about voter-related bills at the legislature, especially the ones that have made the process of initiative-and-referendum by citizens much more difficult, if not impossible. He inspired us to pursue ranked choice voting in a small city in the near future.

Many thanks to Martha Thompson, Events Coordinator, Jeana Petersen, past Events Coordinator, and Judy Moor, who handled reservations, for all that they did to make this event a success.

On Saturday, April 22, we had our Joint Board Planning Meeting at the home of Bonnie Boyce Wilson -- many thanks to her for providing a delightful patio that did not get too hot all morning. Thanks also to those Board Members who brought goodies and/or juice -- I don't know who all brought items but they were delicious and greatly appreciated.

We created an Observer Corps to observe various boards and commissions -- eight members have expressed interest. We will have an organizational meeting soon after Convention to plan who will observe what and the procedures for these observations. If you are interested in joining the Observer Corps, let me know.

We plan to have six Unit Meetings (on the second Tuesday in October, November, January, February, March, and April), most of which will be brown bag lunches followed by member discussions on a variety of topics, followed by our Board Meetings.

We plan to have general membership meetings (on the fourth Thursday in October, January, and March; and on the fifth Thursday in November), mostly in the evening at the UU Church. We will have speakers and the public will be invited. We have not set the date for the Holiday Party in December. Our Annual Meeting will be on a Saturday in April.

More specific information will be printed in future Newsletters and in the Membership Directory, which will be available at our Kick-Off Brunch Meeting at 9:30 a.m. on October 10th and at our Kick-Off Appetizer Delight at 5:30 p.m. on October 26th. Put both dates on your calendars NOW. These two meetings will feature Orientation and Training on League Issues and Procedures, for both new and long-time League members and prospective members.

Have a great summer and come back in the fall renewed and passionate to learn about and act on League issues.

Oh, by the way, your dues are due -- unless you joined after January of 2017 (at or after the Voter Rights Summit). If you cannot remember when you joined, e-mail me first before you send your check to Treasurer Judy Dreskin! ............BONNIE SAUNDERS, President

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COMING EVENTS in MAY/JUNE

and some useful links

Thursday, May 9th - LWV-NWMC Health Care Committee - Home of Linda Napier. Check your directory for address.

Saturday, June 24th - We the People Summit, Phoenix Convention Center, Doors open at 8:30 am. Register online at https://www.pafcoalition.org/wethepeople

May - August - Be a volunteer on your own timeline and help research AZ Education issues.

Any Day - Check out the following online links:

LWV-NWMC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LWVNWMC. This Facebook page is an individual Facebook page rather than a group page and is under the name Tally Vote. You must have a personal Facebook account, send friend request and be logged in to access Tally Vote.

LWVAZ Website - www.lwvaz.org -This link will provide access to check out happenings at the state level as well as other AZ Leagues.

LWVUS Website - http://www.lwv.org - You will find loads of information on the national website.

Susan Penner Receives 2017 You Make A Difference Award

Susan Penner you make a difference to many people and the League of Women Voters of Northwest Maricopa County are pleased to recognize your efforts! After joining the league just over three years ago, you quickly accepted a board position as co-chair of voter services. In that role for the past three years, you have provided leadership, dedication and energy to move our League Voter Services program beyond that of prior years while encouraging informed and active participation in government. In your voter services role you have participated in educational events, explained the process and registered many, many voters at numerous locations including area community colleges, Dysart Schools Constitution Day events, charter and district high schools, libraries, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

You have represented our League with distinction at the AZ Council for the Social Studies Forum, Maricopa County Elections Office voter related meetings, the Secretary of State's Office and helped with the 2017 Voters' Rights Summit and West Valley Education Forums, and the. But, your efforts went further to arrange for a presentation by the Secretary of State at a meeting of our League and to assist with a public meeting featuring our new Maricopa County Recorder. In addition, you have carried our LWV-NWMC street sign and set it up regularly to help guide the public to our general meetings and have been at the door to welcome attendees with a warm smile.

You helped with the immigration and naturalization service ceremony by arranging for a reception for the new citizens and then shared your enthusiastic report of the event at a unit meeting. You have taken part in verifying HOA elections as well as helping run elections for them. To showcase the League and its role, you were instru- mental in developing a high quality exhibit display and have been responsible for having the display exhibited at appropriate meetings both locally and state- wide. With your always ready helping hand outstretched, you have given your energy to many members of our League, playing an instrumental role in the logistical plans for the 2017 state meeting, helping to engage speakers, workshop leaders, collecting publicity materials from local businesses and researching and buying gifts for convention speakers and award recipients. You have also represented our League at several state board meetings. All of the above, plus other activities too numerous to mention were accomplished while also volunteering at the Sun City West PORA office. Thank you Susan. You are a credit to this organization and to your community.

Arizona Education Crisis

HealthCare Committee At the end of two organizing (and very free-wheeling) meetings, Linda Napier and Valerie Ellien accepted the role of Co-Chairs of the new health care committee.

Many members expressed a desire to learn/know more about health care; and agree that the League’s traditional role is first: to study and understand the issues, and then to provide that information to the public. We also know that local and national legislators are also a target audience for our efforts.

The first goal of the Committee is to create and produce a Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Healthcare. Upon comple-tion and Board approval, the Guide could be shared with League members locally and nationally. It could also be shared with Legislators in face to face meetings or via electronic media. The target completion date: Summer 2017.

A first priority is the recruitment of members willing to research and write segments of the Guide. The next meeting of the Committee is: May 9

th @1PM at the

home of Linda Napier. ..... Valerie Ellien, Ph.D. and Linda Napier

Meeting Agenda: Welcome members Overview of the Healthcare Position and Lobbying Efforts of the League nationally Current Issues: Overview of ACA and AHCA – Handouts Committee Project: Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Healthcare: 2017 Review of Draft Outline Call for Volunteers

Comprehensive Guide to include: The ACA: Current Policy, It’s Successes, Failures and “Too soon to tell”; The blue-print for Repealing and Replacing ACA; The AHCA Work in Progress; CBO Report: Costs and Benefits; AHCA Amendments; Cost and Benefits of Partial ACA Repeal; Medicaid: Limit or Expand; Current Proposals from the U.S. House; Effective Models: Basic Health Care Models used around the World; Glossary terms to know.

Please Join the LWV Working Education Study Group

(1) To assess areas of member concern (i.e. level of education, funding, accountability, special needs, etc. ).

(2) Communicate with others concerned about education. With summer just around the corner and many not physically available to attend meetings, we will communicate for the summer via a closed Facebook work group and/or email. NOTE: The closed Facebook group is not open to non-members. (Email Joye for more info and to join.)

(3) Plan League education activities including:

a. Work on January 2018 Education Public Forum. b. Annual Donation Book Project with Dysart School Dist. c. Assisting with volunteer research into details of state reports

(4) Become familiar with existing LWV and LWVAZ positions.

(5) Write and share documented education information with members and non-members. ..........Joye and John Kohl, LWV-NWMC co-chairs education (see directory for contact information)

Teacher pay and support is a proxy for how highly we think of students and their education,” said Steve Seleznow, President & CEO of Arizona Community Foundation and a former school administrator. “When we undervalue our educators, we under educate our children. This problem will not go away without fundamental change in the ways we support our teachers. If we value the education our children receive, we must provide teachers compensation commensurate with those values."

The following are some of the facts pointed out in the recent ASU Morrison Institute report on Teacher Retention and Pay. To read a copy of the report, go to https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/news/report-az-crisis-over-teacher-pay-retention

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Annual LWV-NWMC 2017 Reports

LWV-NWMC VOTER SERVICE REPORT for 2016 – 17

Voter Service has been the highlight of this year. If it wasn't important before the election it certainly was after. The exciting part is watching our membership grow. These are interesting and challenging times. Our members have done extra-ordinary projects. We are small but mighty.

Several things stand out for me personally. One is the relationship I have developed with Maricopa County Recorder Elections Department. I have been attending meetings there for the past three years. It is exciting to be a part of meaningful change under the guidance of our new Recorder Mr. Fontes. Our league is in good standing with the office which makes it a valuable partnership for future endeavors.

The planning for the upcoming convention. We have worked hard to arrange special events for Saturday. These few sentences do not, by any stretch of the imagination, account for the the time and effort that has gone into the planning to include you, our members not just delegates.

Then there was the Civic Learning Conference in February with its stirring Naturalization Ceremony for ten people from six countries. We were asked to sponsor a New Citizen Reception and did. The surprise of the day came when Mr Hintalla, Food Service Mgr., forgave the bill for the reception because of the great work the League does.

To new members who are still sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if and where you fit in, I say get off your behinds and jump in. We will do our best to guide you through the process. "Gives to Get" is my motto. You show us what you're willing to give and we will work to get you the most out of the experience. To the new members who have jumped and there are many, I say thank you, you have already made a difference.

To my co-chair Charles Merritt I say I know where your heart is and I miss you and Jane very much. We all look forward to your return. Last but not least, I am proud to be associated with this amazing and sometimes frustrating group of people who are making a difference in this crazy world. . ....................Susan Penner, April 15, 2017

LWV-NWMC Education Report for 2016-17

Educational Advocacy has been very difficult this year with more downers than high points. After working hard on educational funding at all levels, support for teachers, certification standards and opposition to the voucher/ESA program, the outcomes during the current Legislative session have been anything but successful.

For the League education program, the following efforts were made: (1) Organized Annual LWV-NWMC Book Donation Project for the Dysart Unified School District: Thirteen members contributed 49 books at the Christmas Party as part of our annual book donation project to help the Dysart Unified School District. We were down nearly 19 percent from the number of book contributions last year. Nonetheless, the appreciation expressed by students and school staff make the project an important project to pursue particularly with the funding problems the schools continue to face.

(2) Conducted a unit meeting on education in the form of an old-time TV College Bowl game. The approach was an attempt to expose and engage participants in the reality of the actual facts and problems faced by public education.

(3) Wrote a paper entitled "School Choice and Educational Equity" which was approved for publication, posting and distribution as a white paper from LWV-NWMC. It has been widely shared with other educational advocacy groups.

LWV-NWMC Education Report continued

(4) Prepared a handout, "What Do You Know", filled with current educational statistics as another approach to get factual information into the hands of citizens.

(5) Made many newsletter posts, action alerts and meeting announcements related to education issues and pending legislation throughout the year. The purpose was to provide members and meeting attendees with information and encouragement to take action as individuals in taking part in the Legislative Request to Speak system and in submitting letters to the editor.

(6) Conducted research related to the state statutes and legislative rules regarding conflict of interest and voter recusal provisions. Discovering the rules of the Senate and House written are very lax and obscure the conflict of interest statutes spelled out in the State Agency Handbook, work pursued on a LWV AZ concurrence statement on public official conflict of interest. The concurrence statement and rationale, developed by a resource committee, was submitted to the LWVAZ president as a non-recommended item for the 2017 state meeting business agenda.

(7) Worked to network with the many groups in the state which have been focused on the need for funding of public education and opposition to ESA expansion. As a part of that effort, we attended the AZ Schools Now Advocacy meeting in central Phoenix in February.

(8) As individuals, we have been volunteering with one of the Title I school reading programs to gain a better understanding of the needs of students and schools. We encourage other members interested in making an individual contribution to public school students to join this effort.

In summary, the passage and signing of the ESA expansion legislation represented a serious blow to public education for ALL Arizona students. There is much which needs to be done regarding education funding, support for public education and the need for transparent and financial/academic accountable mechanisms for public monies expended on education. . ........Joye and John Kohl, co-education chairs, April 2017

Civic Engagement Report for 2016-17

The focus of the position of Civic Engagement Chair is to add to League programs helping meet goals of civic education and engagement in unique and impactful ways. We are looking at ways to further expand opportunities to engage our League, the the community and schools and increase citizen participation in all aspects of citizenship.

Again this officer focused on a partnership with the AZ Department of Education (ADE) as a member of the Excellence in Civic Education Program Advisory Committee. The main focus is on the Annual Civic Learning Conference and the Excellence in Civic Engagement K-12 program. Each year the Department sponsors a recognition program that is a competitive awards project to honor schools that are working to meet the “Six Proven Practices of Civic Education”. The Department’s program vision is to recognize schools in their efforts to prepare all AZ students to participate as active and responsible citizens. Advisory committee members participate in project planning, and they read and score the school applications.

The Annual Civic Learning Conference provides teachers will skills and methods for teaching Civic Education. What is Civic Education? The National Council for Social Studies states: “Civic education includes “knowledge of the history, principles and foundations of our American democracy, and the ability to participate in civic, and democratic processes.” Students demonstrate civic learning and engagement when they “address public problems individually and collaboratively and when they maintain, strengthen and improve

communities and societies.” Civic education it states, includes both the study of government and how people participate in a governing society, as well as the students’ preparation for active citizenship. The content of civic education encompasses government, U.S. and world history, geography, law, economics and American culture.

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Civic Engagement Report continued Civic education includes the components of a well-rounded education and provides the opportunity to restore the historic responsibility of education to prepare students for citizenship…people who participate in the civic life of their communities. Civic education we believe, should be part of a core curriculum. These are the Civic Learning Conference goals and why the LWV supports this conference. Next year a student component will be added for leadership building.

The LWV from 2014 -2016 sponsored 32 teachers to attend this annual conference. All 5 Leagues through their LWV Ed Fund participated in contacting local schools to send teachers and pay for scholarships to attend. Last year we were not able to provide the scholarship program because of problems with the method of payment through the Department of Education accounting office. The Advisory Committee is looking at alternative ways for registration to correct this for the 2018 conference on February 9, 2018. We are looking at an outside agency that is willing to do this. I will closely monitor this issue but do not know how the Department will respond since they charge $20 per person for this benefit.

League involvement this year included having an exhibit with our display board with handouts, voter registration materials, answering questions and promoting the League. My thanks to Susan Penner and Charles Merritt, Voter Services Co-chairs, and Mary Ann Gillispie for their work in making this a success.

The LWVAZ was also asked to host a reception for the new citizens and their attending family members at the Immigration and Naturalization Ceremony that occurs at the conference. Ten people from 6 countries became new US citizens. After the ceremony our team was responsible for providing cookies and punch for the new citizens and their guests, congratulate the new citizens, and provide them with materials, League and voter registration information. I want to thank Susan Penner for putting together the excellent packet of materials we gave to each new citizen. Susan also got beautiful US/AZ pins for each new citizen to honor this special occasion. This ceremony is a very impressive thing to see and experience. It is an impressive part of the conference. One of the things I find very impressive is the actual Naturalization Oath of Allegiance each participant pledges to the United States of America.

Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God." The language of the current Oath is found in the Code of Federal Regulations Section 337.1 and is closely based upon the statutory elements in Section 337(a) of the INA.

Update on this year’s Excellence in Civic Engagement School Recognition Program: The school recognition part of the Excellence in Civic Engagement Program is in the process of being reorganize. Applications are available: April 2017; Applications due: September 17, 2017; Scoring of Applications: September – November, 2017; Notification of Results: December 1, 2017; Recognition Ceremony: February 2018 at the Civic Learning Conference.

........... Barbara Knutson, Civic Engagement Chair

"Voters' Rights Summit ~ Removing Barriers to the Ballot Box" Report

LWV-NWMC was instrumental in planning and hosting the LWV-AZ statewide, 8-hour Voters' Rights Summit held January 7, 2017 at ASU-New College West, Glendale, AZ. The goal was to bring together individuals, organizations, elected officials, educators,

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"Voters' Rights Summit ~ Removing Barriers to the Ballot Box" Report

the right to vote. It included 14 morning and 9 afternoon breakout sessions, 9 speakers, and a total of 59 helpful volunteers, including many of our own members. It carried out the main mission of the League ~ educating and engaging voters.

It brought much positive recognition to the League, attracting nearly 300 attendees, and adding 90 new LWV members across the state (approximately one-third of attendees). Many of them had not heard of the League before, or if they had, did not know what the League stands for or is doing. In addition, it sparked new enthusiasm in existing members! What an exciting and energizing gathering it was! The enthusiasm was infectious!

There were five Arizona County Recorders in attendance, some so impressed they indicated a desire to work with the League on future endeavors, thus nurturing and furthering the goal of working collaboratively with our elected officials. Another significant outcome of the Summit was the creation of an ACTION Guide, "Steps to Producing a Successful LWV Local, State, or National Event" that can be used as a guide to produce the next big LWV event.

Speakers included state legislators, election officials, professors, election attorneys, advocates for voters' rights, as well as two individuals who shared their personal stories with AZ's election system. The participants were attentive and focused, and eagerly participated in the breakout Action Groups.

The "Top 5 Areas for Action" attendees determined that AZ and the LWV needs to work on in regards to voter's rights and election reform include: Targeted and Clear Voter Education; Automatic Voter Registration (AVR); Election Reforms; Standardization and Consistency; and Disenfranchisement. Fleshed-out reports are found elsewhere.

LWV Planning Committee members from across the state worked on the Summit with passion, perseverance, and long hours from June of 2016 to January 7, 2017, producing a worthwhile, timely, inspirational, smooth-running event. Members include: Carol Mattoon, Chair, LWV-NWMC; ; Linda Vitale and Lois Brechner from NWMC; Robyn Prud'homme-Bauer and Barbara Litrell from GVV; Rivko Knox, MP; Vivian Harte, GT; and registrar Judy Moor, NWMC. ......Carol Mattoon, LWV-NWMC Board and Summit Chair LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ARIZONA RESOLUTION OPPOSING EXPANSION OF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS

The League of Women Voters of Arizona supports funding of a public school system that results in the uniform opportunity for all students to master the attitudes, knowledge, and skill necessary to thrive in a competitive changing world. This Resolution opposes the expansion of Education Scholarship Accounts (ESA) with the passage of SB1431 for the following reasons:

WHEREAS, the Arizona Constitution states the legislature shall enact such laws as shall provide for the maintenance of a general and uniform public school system;

WHEREASE, the Arizona Constitution shall make appropriates, met through taxation, to insure the proper maintenance of all state institutions and provide for their development and improvement;

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Arizona opposes tax "credits" and funding schemes that divert and distort the distribution of funds intended to ensure a quality of education for all children;

WHEREAS, the cost of ESA is covered exclusively by our state general fund hurting the ability of funding our public schools and other programs;

WHEREAS, Arizona ranks 48th in school funding, has the third highest class size in the country, and has a growing teacher shortage due to low pay and unacceptable working conditions;

NOW THEREFORE, it is resolved that the League of Women Voters of America oppose the passage and signing of SB1431 into law and urge its reconsideration and repeal. Adopted by the delegates at the League of Women Voters of Arizona Convention in Surprise, AZ held on April 29, 2017.