Help chart LWVJoCo's course for 2023 and beyond.
We will celebrate some of the highlights of a very busy and successful 2022 and spend time in small groups where leaders will facilitate discussions. League Bingo and prizes will round out our program.
We need your input to make LWVJoCo even stronger!
Please register for the event, so we set up the right number of tables for small group discussion. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not be able to offer refreshments at this event. Thanks for your understanding. Feel free to bring your own coffee.
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State Legislature Power & Voter Voice: A Discussion of the Independent State Legislature Theory
How much power do state legislatures have over elections? Come and learn about the Moore v. Harper case pending before the Supreme Court, independent state legislature theory, and implications for election administration, voters’ say, and free and fair elections.
Moderator:
Dr. Donald P. Haider-Markel, Professor of Political Science at KU Lawrence.
Submit questions to panelists:
Participate on-line:
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Legislative Coffees
Discover what's percolating in the Kansas Legislature. Representatives and Senators with constituents in Johnson County will discuss the new legislative session, followed by Q&A. You bring the questions! This series is presented in partnership with the Johnson County Library.
Registration is not required for in-person attendees.
Use the links below to register for the online option, and to view the participants for each session. Elected officials from both parties have been invited to participate.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Corinth Library with Live Streaming and Recording Posted to Zoom after the Event
8100 Mission Rd
Prairie Village, KS 66208
Online Event Registration
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Monticello Library with Live Streaming and Recording Posted to Zoom after the Event.
22435 W 66th St
Shawnee, KS 66226
Online Event Registration
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Blue Valley Library with Live Streaming and Recording Posted to Zoom after the Event.
9000 W 151st Street
Overland Park, KS 66221
Online Event Registration
Kansas City Kansas Legislative Coffee
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Kansas City Kansas Main Library with Live Streaming and Recording Posted to Zoom after the Event.
625 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Lenexa City Center Library with Live Streaming and Recording Posted to Zoom after the Event.
878 Penrose Lane
Lenexa , KS 66219
Online Event Registration
Bonner Springs Legislative Coffee
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Bonner Springs Library with Live Streaming and Recording Posted to Zoom after the Event.
201 N Nettleton Ave
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Confirmed participants are:
- Senator Pat Pettey
- Senator Jeff Pittman
- Representative Pam Curtis
- Representative Lynn Melton
- Representative Melissa Oropeza
- Representative Valdenia Winn
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Happy New Year!
Although the LWVJoCo is 70 years old, I agree with author C. S. Lewis that we “are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
On Jan. 7, we will host our Annual Planning Meeting called A Celebration of Democracy, the League and You. Our League slayed dragons in 2022, so we have a lot to celebrate. And with your input, we will set new goals and dream new dreams.
Take a peek at our other events for January and February!
Saturday, Jan. 28 – Voter Girl
Saturday, Feb. 4 – Monthly program on the Independent State Legislature Theory
Saturdays, Feb. 11, 18 and 25 – Legislative Forums in Johnson County, Kansas City, and Bonner Springs
How would you like to contribute this year? There will be ample opportunities to work Voter Engagement and Information events. Many of you are “professionals” at staffing those tables. Here are a few other suggestions. Some require very little time, others a few hours.
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Help plan an event – it’s a fun way to meet other members.
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Join the Social Media teams - our voices need to be heard.
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Introduce us to people you recommend as program speakers.
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If you belong to other organizations, initiate partnerships with the League.
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Invite the League’s Speaker’s Bureau to your workplace, place of worship or a neighborhood meeting. Our experts speak on a range of topics.
We never take your support and participation for granted. Thank you for your commitment to voter engagement and democracy. Our work continues to be important!
Dreaming together,
Janet Milkovich
President
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DEI Moment
January 27 is “International Day of Commemoration.” It is a day designated by the United Nations to remember the Holocaust around the world. The global organization has chosen that particular day because it was on January 27, 1945, that the Auschwitz Concentration Camp was liberated by Soviet soldiers. The day is marked by the implementation of activities to educate new generations about the horrors of policies that perpetuate and fuel bigotry and discrimination.
Kansas City has a committed and engaged Jewish community that serves as a source of information and advocacy to ensure that the Holocaust and the millions of people that perished because of it are never forgotten. A recent study conducted by Brandeis University reported that the Jewish community in the Greater Kansas City area numbers some 28,000 people, two thirds of which live in Kansas and one third in Missouri.
While the study reports that 75% of Jewish adults in Kansas City are very concerned about anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States (74%), fewer respondents (44%) reported concern about anti-Semitism in the Kansas City area. While 9% reported having personally been a target of anti-Semitism within the past year in our community, a higher number of Jewish adults —aged 40-54— reported experiencing anti-Semitism (15%) when compared to community members of other ages.
One of the local organizations promoting compassion among peoples of all races through knowledge about what happened during the Holocaust is the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education in Overland Park. They have a library of video testimonies from Holocaust Survivors who moved to Kansas City after the war. You can watch the testimonies following this link:
More Information:
1. United Nations Holocaust Remembrance 2023: 2023 | United Nations
2. 2021 Kansas City Jewish Community Study:2021 Kansas City Jewish Community Study
3. Midwest Center for Holocaust Education:Library & Archive - The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education
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Laurel Burchfield
Connie Hernandez
Mike Hernandez
| Holiday Social
On December 4, 2022, JoCo League members enjoyed each other's company and honored those who work to make our elections free and fair. Refreshments, door prizes and festive photos added to the fun. | Observer Corps Reports
Catch up on the actions, decisions and proposals of our local public officials.
Following local politics as a League Observer is a great way to stay informed on the issues you care about. Contact Eileen Marshall to find out where you might plug in, and read our latest reports.
In this issue:
- Funding for affordable housing and mental health
- Library supports voters and election office
| Board and Committee Briefs
 Voter Girl - volunteers needed!
The League is once again partnering with the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri and other organizations to host a Voter Girl event, which helps Girl Scouts learn about voting and earn their democracy badges. Girls Scouts and Troops can register for this Jan. 28 event via the scout events calendar. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact voterinformation@lwvjoco.org. If needed, a snow day is set for Feb. 4.
 Location ideas requestedThe League is thankful to Atonement Church for hosting League meetings over the years. Recent technical difficulties have us looking for a new space as we restart in-person meetings. If you have any ideas, please send them to Connie Taylor at taylorconniem@gmail.com.
 Help wanted!We know it can be hard to sign up for a recurring commitment, but do you have a few hours to spare? Our programs, events, planning, communication, and more take time, and we could use a little help. We are looking for 25 members who aren't currently serving on a committee to help with specific, finite projects - such as planning a single event or helping in other key areas. Please contact Janet Milkovich, Connie Taylor or Andrea Vieux if you are willing to invest a few hours in our work. Their contact information can be found in the member directory on the website.
📰 Stay current: Read about latest work of Leagues throughout the state in the latest issue of LWVK’s VOTER Notes newsletter. | Stay Connected
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Check our Events page.
Keep current on developments through our Facebook page.
Find out more about what the Kansas League is doing.
We welcome your feedback! Please contact the newsletter editor.
View past issues of our newsletter.
Our monthly newsletter, The VOTER, provides information on League programs and events. Get it delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free! | |