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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY
ANNUAL MEETING May 5, 2018
LPGA Holiday Inn
137 Auto Mall Circle, Daytona Beach
League on Double Duty:
Legislature & Constitution Revision Commission
By Patti Bingham LWV of Florida President
Check in—9:45 a.m.
Business Meeting, Guest Speaker,
Lunch @ Noon
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Dinah
Patti grew up in Orland and attended the University of Central Florida where she
earned a B.A. in philosophy and an M. A. in Liberal Studies. After several years at
We Care, Inc., a suicide prevention and crisis intervention center, Patti forged a
career in radio with responsibilities as a reporter, writer and producer. During this
time she was recognized with several awards from media organizations, including
American Women in Radio and Television and the Associated Press. She also
worked as a freelance reporter for the Orlando Weekly, writing about the arts.
Patti formed the League’s statewide Gun Safety Committee, which she chairs. In her
spare time she volunteers for a marathon training program and cares for her retired
racing greyhound, Callie, who is the fastest runner in the family.
Patti foatti grew up in Orlando and Patti grew up in Orlando and attended the University of Central Florida,
where she earned a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in Liberal Studies. After several years at We Care, Inc.,
a suicide prevention and crisis intervention center, Patti forged a career in radio with responsibilities as a
reporter, writer, and producer. During this time, she was recognized with several awards from media
organizations, including American Women in Radio and Television and the Associated Press. She also
worked as a freelance reporter for the Orlando Weekly, writing about the arts
Patti formed the League’s statewide Gun Safety Committee, which she chairs. In her spare time, she
Rules of the Meeting
1.Only members may vote.
2.Only voting members and those authorized by the chair may address the
meeting. During debate on a motion, no person may speak more than once on a
question until all others who wish to speak have done so. After the original
presentation, debate will be limited to two minutes for each speaker.
3.The proposed program items will be placed before the group at one time. This
technique permits the members to see all the various choices and possible extent of
the program and avoids adoption of some items before other are considered.
a. Debate will be limited to two minutes for each speaker, allowing equal
time and alternating pros and cons. Amendments germane to the items may be
presented and voted upon at this time. Amendments may limit, but not enlarge
the scope of an item, and require a majority vote for adoption.
b. Items will be considered for adoption in the order presented unless
otherwise moved and passed. All votes are determined by those present.
Patti Bingham—Annual Meeting Speaker
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AGENDA
Welcome and Announcements
President’s Address and Recognition of the LWVVC Board Members
Adopt Agenda (p. 2) and Rules (p. 1)
Appoint Parliamentarian
Report on Annual Meetings 2016 Minutes (p. 3-5)
Appoint 2018 Minutes Chair and Committee
Treasurer’s Report
Consideration of Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (p. 5-6)
o *Adoption of Budget
Consideration of Program Positions
o * Readoption of Current Positions (p. 7-9)
Bylaws update (p. 9-12)
Report of the Nominating Committee (p. 9)
Nomination Slate Biographies (p. 13-16)
o *Elect New LWVVC Board
See LWVVC Board Reports (p. 16-21)
Meeting Adjourn
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******************************************************
The Budget Committee proposed the following Budget Recommendation for 2018-2019. The
LWVVC Board approved this recommended budget at the February 21, 2018 Board meeting for
submission to the General Membership for approval.
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Proposed Budget, continued
Budget committee members: Nicki Junkins, Linda Lenk,
Deb Noah, Nancy Vaughn and Carla Christianson, chair.
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LWVVC POSITIONS
Although non-partisan, The League of Women Voters of Volusia County studies many local issues.
For state-wide and national issues which the LWVVC also supports, see the LWVF and LWVUS
websites. Below is the current list of positions we have taken on these local issues.
COUNTY CHARTER (revised position, adopted April 6, 2013)
The League of Women Voters of Volusia County:
Supports protections of the County Charter and its principles, to include monitoring County
Council to ensure that the principles are implemented.
Supports an appointed (rather than elected) sheriff, property appraiser, supervisor of elections,
and clerk of courts, all with professional qualifications.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (revised position, adopted April 6, 2013)
The League of Women Voters of Volusia County is concerned about the negative consequences of
rapid growth throughout the region. These positions address the goals and processes of comprehensive
planning and require coordination among the governments of Volusia County. In order to preserve the
quality of life in Volusia County:
LWVVC supports Volusia County and the municipalities within its borders working together to
protect the environment while providing reasonable use of the land and restricting the use of
wetland mitigation.
LWVVC supports buffering of environmentally sensitive land and water bodies and encourages
developing open, recreational, and green spaces to enhance and maintain quality of life within
the county and its municipalities.
LWVVC supports giving public interest priority regarding the conservation of our natural
habitats in Volusia County.
LWVVC supports increased consideration to potable water issues, including the assurance of
clean water, in the Comprehensive Plans of Volusia County and its municipalities.
LWVVC supports development of effective drainage systems to improve recharge and
retention areas and reduce flooding in Volusia County and its municipalities.
LWVVC encourages Volusia County and its municipalities to work together to direct regional
growth in a responsible manner.
LWVVC supports measures to ensure that any comprehensive plan amendment or rezoning that
permits increased residential density may be approved only if adequate public schools can be
timely planned and constructed to serve the projected increase in student population.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Water: The League of Women Voters of Volusia County supports efforts to conserve and protect our
water supply as an essential part of ecosystem management. These efforts include:
The County Council's continued implementation of Volusia County's stormwater management
ordinance.
LWVVC's continued participation in the LWV Coalition to monitor the St. Johns River Water
Management District.
LWVVC supports coordinated management to protect Volusia County's aquifer and the
recharge area.
Establishment of a county-wide entity to govern water usage.
Stormwater
Recognizing that stormwater basins and sub-canal systems cross city/community boundaries,
LWVVC believes that Volusia County should be primarily responsible for their maintenance.
LWVVC supports both county and local stormwater fees.
LWVVC supports continued and expanded use of re-claimed water.
Local municipalities should include streetsweeping in their stormwater management plans to
minimize pollution by debris in collection systems and basins.
In addition to preventing flooding, effective stormwater management plans must provide for:
a) reduction of pollutants entering the waterways.
b) reduction of desalination of salt water tributaries in the county.
c) reclamation of stormwater to reduce the demands on the aquifer.
d) reduction of runoff pollution entering the aquifer.
CHILDREN'S SERVICES (revised position adopted 4/24/2010) The League of Women Voters of Volusia County supports making children's services a top priority in
Volusia County with an emphasis on:
Prenatal health care that includes screenings for maternal and fetal wellbeing; maternal
screenings and treatment for social- emotional health and for addictions.
Comprehensive healthcare for children that includes preventive screenings and timely treatment
of physical, emotional and behavioral problems.
Age appropriate educational programs for children that include access to factual programs in
sex education, parenting, child development and addictive substances.
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The League of Women Voters of Volusia County supports the following recommendations for local
legislative or community action:
Create a resource center to collect, coordinate and disseminate information about services to
children available in Volusia County that will be made available to parents and professionals
working with children.
Require training of all childcare personnel in child development and behavioral interventions.
Require licensure of all family childcare homes.
Encourage employers to provide or subsidize childcare for employees.
TRANSPORTATION (position adopted 1/10/2015)
The League of Women Voters of Volusia County supports the following recommendations regarding
local transportation systems in Volusia County.
LWVVC supports apportioning sources of land transportation revenue to all forms of
transportation and believes it is the responsibility of cities, county, state and federal
governments to fund mass transit for Volusia County.
LWVVC supports safe access to schools, shopping, and neighborhoods through the
establishment of well-connected walking and bicycling networks as an important component
for livable communities.
LWVVC supports extending and improving public transportation in order to create better local
and regional connectivity.
LWVVC supports requiring that all public transit stops adhere to Title III of the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
LWVVC supports land-use changes that will encourage the use of efficient public
transportation.
*************************************************************************
LWVVC BY-LAWS UPDATES
The following changes were made by the By-laws committee (Ann Harrell, Deb Noah and Ann Smith)
chaired by Claudia Roth. The changes were approved by the LWVVC Board at the November 15,
2017 Board Meeting for submission to the general membership for approval. Changes are indicated as
follows: deletions are in red bold and crossed out; additions are underlined in red bold.
These changes provide clarification about the election of board members.
The LWVVC By-laws currently reads:
“ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS”
Section 1. Election/Qualifications and Term. The officers of the LWVVC shall be a President, (or two
Co-Presidents), two Vice-Presidents, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer. These officers shall be
elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting for a term of two years to take office July 1. The
President (or two Co-Presidents), First Vice-President and Second Vice-President shall be elected in
the odd-numbered years. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in the even numbered years.
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Discussion: Changes include the deletion of the term “recording” when referencing the position of
secretary and the staggering of elections for the President, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President
with the 2nd vice president elected in even years and the president and 1st vice president elected in odd
years.
Having only one Secretary, it is not necessary to refer to the officer as the “Recording” Secretary. The
purpose of staggering the Vice-President election years is to ensure continuity.
The Board recommends the changes:
“ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS”
Section 1. Election/Qualifications and Term. The officers of the LWVVC shall be a President, (or
two Co-Presidents), two Vice-Presidents, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer. These officers shall
be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting for a term of two years to take office July 1. The
President (or two Co-Presidents), and First Vice-President and Second Vice-President shall be
elected in the odd-numbered years. The Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be
elected in the even numbered years.
The term Recording Secretary is also in Section 4.
The LWVVC By-laws currently reads:
“ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS”
Section 4. The Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the
LWVVC and of the Board of Directors; as well as those of the Annual Meeting, Board Retreat, and
such other special meetings as may be deemed official. Shall sign, with the President, all contracts and
other instruments when so authorized by the Board; and shall perform such other functions as may be
incidental to the office.
Discussion: The change is the deletion of the term “recording” as stated above.
The Board recommends the change:
“ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS”
Section 4. The Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the
LWVVC and of the Board of Directors; as well as those of the Annual Meeting, Board Retreat, and
such other special meetings as may be deemed official. Shall sign, with the President, all contracts and
other instruments when so authorized by the Board; and shall perform such other functions as may be
incidental to the office.
More clarification about the election of board members.
The LWVVC By-laws currently reads:
“ARTICLE V—BOARD OF DIRECTORS”
Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of
the officers of the LWVVC, the immediate past president (or two immediate past co-presidents), five
elected directors, and not more than five appointed directors. Two and three directors shall be elected by
the membership at alternating Annual Meetings and shall serve for a term of two years, or until their
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successors have been elected and qualified. The elected members of the Board of Directors shall
appoint such additional directors, not exceeding five, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the
LWVVC. The terms of office of the immediate past president (or two immediate past co-presidents)
and the appointed directors shall be one year and shall begin July 1.
Discussion: The specification of even and odd years for the election of two and three directors,
respectively.
The Board recommends the change:
“ARTICLE V—BOARD OF DIRECTORS”
Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of
the officers of the LWVVC, the immediate past president (or two immediate past co-presidents), five
elected directors, and not more than five appointed directors. Two and three directors shall be elected by
the membership at alternating Annual Meetings and shall serve for a term of two years, or until their
successors have been elected and qualified. The elected members of the Board of Directors shall appoint
such additional directors, not exceeding five, as they deem necessary to carry on the work of the
LWVVC. The terms of office of the immediate past president (or two immediate past co-
presidents) and the appointed directors shall be one year and shall begin July 1. Two directors shall be
elected in even numbered years and three directors shall be elected in odd numbered years.
Clarification about conducting special meetings by the board.
The LWVVC By-laws currently reads:
“ARTICLE V—BOARD OF DIRECTORS”
Section 5. Meetings. There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually.
Special Meetings: The President may call special meetings of the Board and
shall also call a special meeting upon the written request of five members of the
Board.
Conference Communications: Participation by means of conference
communications equipment shall constitute presence in person.
Action via Email: Between regular meetings of the board, actions may be taken
by any available technology available to all Board members. Communications,
replies, and discussion shall be reported to the board at its next regular meeting
and entered into the minutes.
Discussion: Clarification of terms about board special meetings.
The Board recommends the changes:
“ARTICLE V—BOARD OF DIRECTORS”
Section 5. Meetings. There shall be at least nine regular meetings of the Board of Directors annually.
a. Special Meetings: The President may call special meetings of the Board and
shall also call a special meeting upon the written request of five members of the
Board.
b. Conference Electronic Communications: Participation by means of conference
electronic communications equipment shall constitute presence in person.
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c. Action via Email: Between regular meetings of the board, actions may be
taken by any available technology available to all Board members.
Communications, replies, and discussion shall be reported to the board at its
next regular meeting recorded and entered into the minutes.
Clarification of statement in Principles and Program.
The LWVVC By-laws currently reads: “ARTICLE VIII. PRINCIPLES AND PROGRAM”
Section 3. Annual Meeting Action. The Annual Meeting shall act upon the program using the
following procedures:
a. The Board of Directors shall consider recommendations sent in by the voting members two
months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a proposed program.
b. The proposed program shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting.
c. A majority vote of members present and voting at the Annual Meeting shall be required for
adoption of the program proposed by the Board of Directors.
d. Any recommendation for the program submitted to the Board of Directors at least two
months prior to the Annual Meeting, but not recommended by the Board, may be adopted at
the Annual Meeting provided consideration is ordered by a majority vote and the proposal
receives a two-thirds vote of the members present for adoption.
e. Changes in the program, in case of altered conditions, may be made provided information
concerning the proposed change be sent to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting
at which the change is to be discussed, and final action is taken by the members at their
succeeding meeting.
Discussion: Clarification of statement “e.”
The Board recommends the changes:
“ARTICLE VIII. PRINCIPLES AND PROGRAM”
Section 3. Annual Meeting Action. The Annual Meeting shall act upon the program using the
following procedures:
a. The Board of Directors shall consider recommendations sent in by the voting members two
months prior to the Annual Meeting and shall formulate a proposed program.
b. The proposed program shall be sent to all members one month before the Annual Meeting.
c. A majority vote of members present and voting at the Annual Meeting shall be required for
adoption of the program proposed by the Board of Directors.
d. Any recommendation for the program submitted to the Board of Directors at least two
months prior to the Annual Meeting, but not recommended by the Board, may be adopted at
the Annual Meeting provided consideration is ordered by a majority vote and the proposal
receives a two-thirds vote of the members present for adoption.
e. Changes in the program Changes in the Program. in In case of altered
conditions, program changes may be made provided information concerning the proposed
change be sent to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the change is to
be discussed, and final action is taken by the members at their succeeding meeting.
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Current Elected LWVVC Officers and Directors
President Nicki Junkins (2017-2019)
First Vice-President Carla Christianson (2017-2019)
Second Vice-President Monique Fischer (2017-2019)
Secretary Betty Johnson (2016-2018)
Treasurer Deb Noah (2017-2018)
Directors (2016-2018) Directors (2017-2019) Nominating Committee (2017-2018)
Gwen Azama-Edwards Nancy Vaughn Ann Harrell, chair
Sandra Horikami Linda Lenk Libby Hilderbrandt
Ann Smith Carolyn West
**********************************************************
Nominated Officers and Directors
Secretary Betty Johnson (2018-2020)
Treasurer Deb Noah (2018-2020)
Directors (2018-2020) Nominating Committee (2018-2019)
Sandra Horikami Libby Hilderbrandt, chair
Wesley Lewis Suze Peace
Ann Smith Juanita Collins
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT The LWVVC Board of Directors present the
Nominating Committee’s slate of officers was approved by the LWVVC Board at the March 20, 2018
Board Meeting and submitted for approval by the General Membership.
NOMINATION SLATE BIOGRAPHIES
Betty Johnson
Secretary (2018-2020)
Betty Drees Johnson has lived in Volusia County since 1947 when her family moved here
from Ohio. After graduating from Mainland High School, she attended Stetson University
on scholarship. After marrying Stetson history professor Evans Johnson (d. 1998), she
completed an MA in History from Stetson and an MSLS from Columbia University. Her
career was spent as a library faculty member at Stetson, and she was professionally active,
serving for some years on the Board of the Florida Library Association and as President,
2001/02. She retired as Library Director in 2011 and currently serves as a member of the
Stetson University Board of Trustees.
Betty has been a member of LWVVC since the 1970s but did not become active until she
was elected to the LWVVC Board in 2004. She created and still maintains the LWVVC
website, http://www.lwvvc.org. She has served several terms as Secretary and strives to
provide an historical record of Board decisions. Her interests lie in politics, local history,
and the arts, and she has held volunteer positions in those organizations over the years.
Her objectives as an LWVVC officer are to promote voting and to provide news and links
through the LWVVC website to meet the civic informational needs of both our
membership and the public.
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Deb Noah
Treasurer
(2018-2020)
Deb was born and grew up in Clearwater, FL and attended Vanderbilt University in
Nashville, TN earning a BS degree in Molecular Biology. After college she accepted a
sales position with Merck Pharmaceuticals. Her sales territory was headquartered in
Daytona Beach which brought me to Volusia County in 1983.
While growing up, politics was a common topic of discussion. After Deb’s grandmother
retired from teaching school she ran for state representative in her rural Missouri district.
She wanted to demonstrate to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that anyone, even
a great-grandmother could be involved in the process. She didn’t win her election but her
point was well made—Don’t stand on the sidelines and complain, get involved.
Deb retired from pharmaceutical sales in 2011 and picked up a new career in bookkeeping
and tax preparation, done seasonally and part-time. As a semi-retired individual, Deb has
more time to devote to volunteer activities and in line with the lessons learned from her
grandmother Deb chose to get involved with the LWV. When not crunching numbers,
Deb enjoys running races, hiking in the mountains, and traveling with her daughters.
Sandra Horikami
Director
(2018-2020)
Originally from Honolulu, HI, Sandy earned a B.A and M.S in Microbiology from the
University of Hawaii at Manoa. She then earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology at Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, TN. This was followed by research at Indiana University in
Bloomington, IN and then at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. In 1996 Sandy
moved to Volusia County accepting a teaching position at Daytona State College, then
known as DBCC. She taught Microbiology and Biology and in 2011 became chair of the
School of Biological and Physical Sciences where she still teaches Microbiology.
As a teenager Sandy was in awe as she watched the “League of Women Voters”
conducting presidential debates on the television. At DSC, she met the late, Super-
Leaguer, Dr. Judy Moore, who at the time, was president of LWVVC. By year two as a
member, Sandy volunteered in a study and was hooked! Sandy served on the LWVVC
Board as a director (2005-2007), then as president (2007-2011), and again as director
where she is currently the Voter editor. Since 2007, Sandy has coordinated a Candidate
Information Project (Voter Guide) for each election providing candidates’ responses to
questionnaires viewed on the LWVVC website.
Sandy resides outside of Lake Helen with dogs Willie, Sadie and Zippy.
Wes Lewis
Director
(2018-2020)
Wes Lewis is the Associate Director of Undergraduate Research for Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University and has lived in Volusia County for five years. He has a passion
for education, leadership, and helping students make the most out of their educational
opportunities. Within his current role, Wes assists students in finding research
opportunities, resources, and avenues to communicate their findings. Prior, he worked in
Student Activities overseeing the student newspaper, radio station, leadership
programming, and community engagement. Additionally, Wes is very involved within the
University community beyond his primary role by serving as a faculty advisor for a
sorority, member of the university honor board, work environment quality council, teaches
a freshmen college success course, and serves on the board for the Florida Undergraduate
Research Consortium.
Beyond being an educator, Wes has a passion for community engagement with a focus on
voter’s rights and education. Thus, Wes is an active member of the Volusia County
League of Women Voters and is a 2018 Fellow for the New Leadership Council of
Orlando. Within his spare time, Wes enjoys spending time with his wife and dog. They
enjoy cooking, reading, and exploring Florida.
Finally, Wes earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Northwest Missouri State
University and master’s degree in student affairs administration from Michigan State
University.
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Ann Smith
Director (2018-2020)
Ann Smith is a graduate of Florida State University with a BA in English Education. She
taught in the Volusia County school system for 34 years as an English and speech teacher
primarily in grade 7. She was the 1985 Volusia County Teacher of the Year.
Ann was a proud member of the teachers’ organization her entire teaching career, holding
numerous offices including teacher representative, president, and chief negotiator. She
represented the state organization in Washington on the National Education Board and also
served as the chairperson of the NEA Human and Civil Rights Committee for many years.
Ann has been a member of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County for over 30
years. In addition to many different leadership roles, she is a past president and Voter
Service chairperson, which she has held for many years. She has also successfully
organized the LWVVC bi-annual fundraiser, Politicos on Parade, multiple times.
Libby Hilderbrandt
Nominating Committee, chair
(2018-2019)
I'm a native Floridian who grew up in New Smyrna Beach. I graduated from FTU (better
known as UCF) with a degree in Elementary Education. My teaching career began in Lake
Placid, FL and ended in Volusia Co. after 36 years. I've been a member of various
educational organizations. Also, I've been co-grade chairman and co-tutoring director at
Horizon Elementary.
I'm married to John Hilderbrandt, who is retiring this year after 37 years teaching in
elementary and middle schools. We have 2 children who were educated in our public
schools. Our son,Scott, is married and we have a wonderful grandson, Ian, who is such a
joy! Katy, our daughter, is in the Navy with the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class, who is
stationed in Norfolk, VA.
My special interests are collecting English teacups, traveling, and water aerobics. I've
traveled to Europe, drove all along the East coast, parts of Wyoming and Montana, and
cruised the Carribean.
Suze Peace
Nominating Committee
(2018-2019)
I am a retired art educator of 37 or so years. My passion is learning, then teaching anyone.
My hobbies range from entomology to puppetry. I call myself an environmentalist because
I feel that the environment is the stage for the quality of all life. I believe in the principle of
co-existence. I have always been a political activist, though now I am tuned way down. As
a sixth grader, my best friend and I carried "Elect ___" up and down the road in front of
her house in downtown Chapel Hill, NC.
I was attracted to the League of Women Voters at age 25. It impressed me as a being a
proactive organization for women. After all, "women's lib" was going on. And, my
grandmother, one of my mentors, mentioned she was a member of the league, so I joined.
Her maiden name was Ernestine Cady and we are somehow related to Elizabeth Cady
Stanton.I have been an elected official, Supervisor Seat 3, on the Board for the Volusia
Soil and Water Conservation District, 1996-7. I started the Volusia Envirothon, an annual
environmental competition for high school aged students, promoted by the state of Florida
and 4-H. I have been secretary on the board of the Seminole County Art Association and
served on the board of the West Volusia Historical Society, where I have been in charge of
the ECHO Ranger Program for five years. In 2001, I was made an Honorary Life Member
of the Florida PTA and in 2010; I was elected Teacher of the Year at my school. I still
support many organizations, including the League, though prior to being Director, I had
never served on the board.
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Juanita Collins
Nominating Committee
(2018-2019)
Juanita Collins has been a member of the LWVVC since 2016 where she serves as a
member of Observer Corps.
Juanita is a graduate of Florida A&M University where she received a B.S. degree in
Health and Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision.
Her career as an educator spans 37 years in Volusia County schools as a teacher and
principal before retiring in 2012. Presently, she is a partner of the T & J Collins Group,
LLC, an educational consulting firm. Juanita is an active member in the community. She
is president of the Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She is an active member of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Daytona
Beach, where she serves as secretary of the Steward Board (Pastor’s cabinet and spiritual
leader). Juanita and her husband, Thaddeus L. Collins, are both active members of the
NAACP.
Juanita prides herself on being honest and trustworthy with great integrity – traits needed
to assure the success of democracy. She is currently being considered as a member of the
Nominating Committee where she plans to help the League promote active participation in
government through education and advocacy.
LWVVC MEMBERSHIP TEAM REPORT
The Membership for 2017-2018 has been outstanding! We have 185 Active Members! As for the
New Members, we have had approximately 45 that joined since July 2017. We have had two New
Member Orientations; both were very successful. Many of the new members have become involved in
many of our LWVVC committees. Thank you for welcoming me as the New League Membership
Chair. It has been a very busy year so far! I am looking forward to another exciting year with the
LWVVC!
Monique Fischer, Membership Chair .
EDUCATION ACTION TEAM REPORT
The Education Action Team meets approximately every six weeks at Barnes and Noble Book Store on
ISB. We have coffee, tea and ideas for about an hour and a half. This last year we began the year with
a general meeting headlined by Sen. David Simmons, Volusia School Supt. Tom Russell and Volusia
district counsel, Mike Dyer. They discussed major legislation from the 2017 session, SB 7069 on area
public schools.
These are some of our other activities:
Served as judges in the district Social Studies Fair
Accompanied on visits to legislators in anticipation of session (needs rewording -
Assisted Voter Service to register high school students to vote
Met with Supt. Russell to review charter school application issues; make plans for celebration
in the fall; work with social studies coordinator on registering students; provide voting
registrars for open houses in the fall.
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Developed a Power Point to train speakers for speaker’s bureau.
Visited New Smyrna Beach Middle School
Reviewed three charter school applications, preparing comments and recommendation for each
one
Observed the day and a half capacity interviews for three charter schools at the school board
meeting
Presented LWV recommendation on charter school application to school board at April 24
meeting.
Pat Drago, Education Committee co-chair
VOTER SERVICE ACTION TEAM REPORT
Voter Service has had a year with varied activities focused on issues that affect voters.
In November we focused on voting at our meetings. We hosted a Hot Topics in November with
Dr. Leonard Lempel speaking about the history of voter suppression. Then we had Lisa Lewis
tell us about “Voting Issues from the Front Line” at our November regular meeting.
To kick off registrations for the 2018 mid-term elections we held two training sessions for
interested volunteers.
We partnered with the Supervisor of Elections and the Volusia County Schools through Robert
Milholland to register voters in all ten high schools again. We also attended George Marks’
Spring Fling, and Daytona State College’s Pizza and Paws at both the DeLand and Daytona
Beach campuses, and the DeLand 2018 Water Festival to register voters.
We attended The March for Our Lives in Daytona and New Smyrna Beach as a voter
registration team where we passed out stickers with the web address for voting online.
We have been working with Wes Lewis on a campaign to increase awareness of the importance
of voting in the primary.
The best thing is that we have energized and dedicated volunteers who make these activities
happen. Thank you to all you who have done so much to make this a successful year. We look
forward to continuing the momentum through the election in November.
Carla Christianson, Voter Service Chair
GUN SAFETY ACTION TEAM REPORT
We are building momentum, sadly empowered by the loss of precious lives after another mass
shooting in Florida. The subject of gun safety has never been more important. The League of Women
Voters of Florida supports a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons and large capacity magazines,
expansion of background checks to close loopholes, no guns on college campuses, no open carry of
guns, and no expansion of Stand Your Ground. They do NOT however want to confiscate all guns!
To support these positions and educate the public about these issues, our League is creating a speaker's
bureau on Gun Safety. We have six men and women trainees thus far. Once trained, these Leaguers
will be available to speak to groups in the community regarding the topic of "Gun Safety". Our training
begins April 25th. If you are interested in our next training, please contact me.
Suze Peace, Gun Safety chairperson
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JUVENILE JUSTCE ACTION TEAM REPORT
The Juvenile Justice (JJ) Action Team and LWVVC Juvenile Justice Committee is one of a small
number of JJ Committees established for the League of Women Voters in Florida. Our JJ members
have participated in the monthly JJ Conference Calls and have provided local information and input to
the State JJ League Committee. The information provided by the State Committee members and
resources, such as the Department of Juvenile Justice Dashboard, has allowed us to gain invaluable
data concerning the utilization of Civil Citations (CC) by municipalities in Volusia County. The Action
Team met with State Attorney RJ Larizza, judicial circuit 7, on February 15; the meeting was very
productive in that he committed to help expand the use of CC in the county, and helped us work on
ways to expand the occurrences when CC can be used by Juveniles (those having to pay retribution
were not eligible because there was no agency or organization willing to provide the funds). He shared
that he has been meeting with the major players involved and interested in CC to collaborate on
improving the CC program.
The Action Team also met with the Public Defender James Purdy on March 7, and he shared that the
State Attorney and his staff have worked well with his office, and in the best interest of the youth and
our various communities. The LWVVC on April 10, provided an informative Hot Topics presentation
entitled, "Direct File and Civil Citations-Protecting Our Youth." The two presenters were State
Attorney, RJ Larizza, who is also the current President of the State of Florida Prosecuting Attorneys
Association; and Police Chief of the City of Holly Hill, Chief Stephen Aldrich, who is also the current
President of the Volusia County Police Chiefs Association. We learned of the many reasons and causes
for low percentages of CC utilization impacting officers and cities --which are also a reflection of
acceptance of participation in the program by the juveniles, their accepting responsibility, agreement
by their parents, and approval of them by JJ for the offenses! Still-- recently passed legislation, will
add more demographic information to JJ reporting by law enforcement; allowing better determinations
as to whether race, location, sex, etc. and hopefully economic status --play a role in juvenile CC
participation and utilization rates. We are grateful that the State Attorney decided he would have his
Office handle the CC retribution funding for juveniles so that they would be eligible to participate in
the CC program, even if they owed retribution for their offense!
A meeting will be scheduled with the Chief Judge for Volusia/Flagler Counties in May 2018.
Presentations on the topic of Civil Citations will be available for organizations interested in learning
more about the topic and what they can do to help protect our youth, even from themselves. If you are
interested in becoming a member of the JJ Committee/Action Team, please notify our local League
President. We thank our JJ Committee members for the support and assistance they have provided for
our youth throughout our program year! Thank you all for all you do to improve our youths' present
and future lives and opportunities!
Gwen Azama-Edwards, chair
RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS ACTION TEAM REPORT
The League of Women Voters of Volusia County joined other Leagues and other members of the
Second Chances Campaign in gathering petitions so that on January 23rd, the citizens' initiative to
restore voting rights to non-violent felons made the ballot as Amendment 4. The challenge ahead is to
register voters and see that Amendment 4 passes with at least the required 60% on November 6th!
Jeanne Tanke, chair
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NATURAL RESOURCES ACTION TEAM REPORT
The Natural Resources Action Team has had a very busy year. Our Volusia County Solar Co-op’s
press launch on August 30th was well attended by elected officials from around Volusia, solar
advocates and various members of the press. This was followed by five “info sessions” where the
residents of Volusia County got a better understanding of what it meant to “go solar” with the co-op.
The co-op was open from August to November and had 167 member sign-ups. Currently there has
been 197 kW of installed solar and a healthy “close rate” of 20% with more contracts in the pipeline
waiting to be installed. It was a wonderful project that helped spread renewable energy in our county.
Currently we are looking to help our citizens become more aware of their place in the water cycle
regarding conservation and the benefits of converting from septic to sewer. We are coordinating with
experts in the field as well as city and county representatives to help this endeavor along. We are
pursuing other opportunities as well such as ways to keep plastic out of our waterways with education
about reducing the use of straws and plastic bags. Additionally we will be watching legislation that
pertains to this and encouraging our elected officials to help keep our waters safe, potable and clean.
Nancy Vaughn, chair
OBSERVER CORPS REPORT
All politics is local. Do you know how your elected council/commission members are voting on issues
affecting you? Join the Observer Corps and help inform the LWVVC membership as well as the public
about issues directly affecting each of us right here at home.
The Observer Corps mission is an integral part of our local League. Prominently wearing our
LWVVC button and taking notes we are the visual sign that the League of Women Voters is interested
in how our local elected officials conduct the people’s business. There are currently 13 observers, but
we need more. Many cities are not covered. Send Pat Gadbaw an email at [email protected] to
join this vital and important group. Make A Difference for the League and your community!
Current issues for a few of the cities we observe are:
Ormond Beach: The Granada Pointe development on Granada Blvd where many trees have been cut
down for a Wawa gas station along with a new traffic signal has raised strong protests and even
brought out someone to run against a long-term incumbent in Zone Three.
Daytona Beach Shores: Public parking on the east side of A1A for beach access is a continuing
concern which has a direct impact on their tax base.
New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (R2CTPO) and
probably many more: Concerned about traffic congestion.
R2CTPO is working on
1. Collecting data to reduce pedestrian, bicycle and motorized vehicle accidents.
2. Encouraging the Smart Traffic software to reduce congestion on major roadways
3. Making all bus stops American Disability Act (ADA) compliant.
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Most urgent concern of the Volusia County School Board: Operating budget for 2018-2019. A
Budget Workshop/Work Session is scheduled for Tuesday May 8, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.
Edgewater: Budget constraints due to the continued delay of hurricane reimbursement funds from
FEMA, storm water, economic growth and ad valorem assessments for public services.
Daytona Beach: Concerned with International Speedway enhancement to improve Volusia County’s
image.
MEDIA/PR REPORT FOR 2018
Our media outreach has grown by leaps and bounds this year. We have embraced Facebook
wholeheartedly and have had a number of posts that have gotten a lot of hits. Our largest was the
“March For Our Lives” post which had over 800 people checking us out. We are continuing to grow
our Twitter presence and have just added Instagram to reach some of the younger crowd including the
hundreds of high school and college students our Voter Services team has been registering to vote.
We continue to have a strong presence in our local print media with many of our board members
writing letters to the editor and opinion pieces on the many initiatives with which we have been
engaged. We encourage our members to support and reinforce these messages with letters of their
own, written from a personal standpoint.
Nancy Vaughn LWVVC WEBSITE REPORT, APRIL 2018
LWVVC’s website continues to provide information for our members as well as for the public. In the
latest 12-month period (April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018), we showed:
Apr. 2017-Mar. 2018 # visitors # of visits # Pages Seen # Hits
19,153 23,787 36,296 80,946
It should be noted that a lot of the 2016 visits reported last year were due to LWVVC’s Candidates
Information Initiative which provided local candidates the opportunity to respond to our questions
regarding issues pertinent to their areas. The increase in visitors and number of pages viewed in the
non-election years also continued to show increases as will be seen below:
12-Month Periods # visitors # of visits # Pages Seen # Hits
Mar. 2011-Feb. 2012 4,876 6,824 10,836 16,204
Mar. 2012-Feb. 2013 11,939 16,362 41,080 58,244
Mar. 2013-Feb. 2014 4,931 8,430 19,091 40,434
Mar. 2014-Feb. 2015 14,940 21,696 55,062 118,920
Mar. 2015-Feb. 2016 7,039 11,812 24,443 59,304
Mar. 2016-Mar. 2017 23,003 30,772 61,609 121,324 (13 mos.)
Apr. 2017-Mar. 2018 19,153 23,787 36,296 80,946
Totals - 7 Years 85,881 119,683 248,417 495,376
Betty Johnson, Webmaster
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SOCIAL EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING TEAM
It has been an exciting year of social events for League members and their friends.
Here are this year's events.
On Aug. 21, 2017, we took a two hour Marine Discovery Echo Boat Tour through local
estuaries in New Smyrna Beach. Following the boat tour, we enjoyed lunch and watched
the Solar Eclipse from Outriggers Tiki Bar and Grille's deck. It was a fun and memorable
event. Our Holiday Social Event was held at the Halifax River Yacht Club on Dec. 1, 2017. Our
members and their guests enjoyed holiday hors d' oeuvres and refreshments. We had a
raffle to win holiday gifts and raised $162. Jan. 8, 2018, a group of our members took a tour of the Stetson Mansion that was decorated
for the holidays. The tour guide gave an interesting historical account of the Mansion's
history. On Feb. 27, 2018, the League hosted a wine tasting at Wine Me. The members enjoyed
tasting 4 wines with delicious pairings. Carolyn West won a bottle of Champagne from our
raffle. We raised $71. We plan to schedule another wine tasting. Since our fiscal year is from July 1st thru June 30th, our final social event is a Mixand
Mingle at The Table in DeLand on Thursday, June 7, 2018, from 5 - 7 pm. We hope you
will be able to attend. A postcard will be sent to give you more information.
I want to thank the Social Events and Fundraising Team for helping coordinate fun activities and raffle
gifts for our League members. It is such a pleasure to work with a hardworking andcreative team.
Libby Hilderbrandt/Nancy Epps, Co-Chairs
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