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League of Women Voters Newton 2014 Annual Workbook Annual Meeting Thursday, May 2, 2014 6:00 – 8:30 PM Terry Yoffie’s house 363 Waverley Avenue, Newton, MA Please be sure to bring your Workbook to the Annual Meeting TABLE OF CONTENTS Annual Meeting Order of Business Page 2 Proposed Program for 20132014 Pages 3 5 Nominating Committee Report / 20132014 Slate Page 6 Program Committee Reports Pages 6 10 Citizen Education Committee Reports Pages 10 11 Organizational Committee Reports Page 11 Treasurer’s Report Page 12 Proposed Budget for 20132014 / Budget Comparison Pages 13 14

LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!! Annual!Meeting! Thursday,!May!2,!2014! 6:00–8:30PM! Terry!Yoffie’s!house! 363Waverley!Avenue,!Newton,!MA!

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Page 1: LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!! Annual!Meeting! Thursday,!May!2,!2014! 6:00–8:30PM! Terry!Yoffie’s!house! 363Waverley!Avenue,!Newton,!MA!

 

   

League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook  

 

Annual  Meeting  Thursday,  May  2,  2014  

6:00  –  8:30  PM  

Terry  Yoffie’s  house  

363  Waverley  Avenue,  Newton,  MA    

 

Please  be  sure  to  bring  your  Workbook  to  the  Annual  Meeting    

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS  

Annual  Meeting  Order  of  Business   Page  2  

Proposed  Program  for  2013-­‐2014   Pages  3  -­‐  5  

Nominating  Committee  Report  /  2013-­‐2014  Slate   Page  6  

Program  Committee  Reports   Pages  6  -­‐  10  

Citizen  Education  Committee  Reports   Pages  10  -­‐  11  

Organizational  Committee  Reports   Page  11  

Treasurer’s  Report   Page  12  

Proposed  Budget  for  2013-­‐2014  /  Budget  Comparison   Pages  13  -­‐  14  

Page 2: LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!! Annual!Meeting! Thursday,!May!2,!2014! 6:00–8:30PM! Terry!Yoffie’s!house! 363Waverley!Avenue,!Newton,!MA!

League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook   Page  2    

 

LEAGUE  OF  WOMEN  VOTERS  OF  NEWTON  

2013  ANNUAL  MEETING  

Thursday,  May  30,  2013  

 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS  

   

Social  Time/Dinner                   6:00  PM    

Keynote  Speaker:    Meryl  Kessler,  Executive  Director  of  LWVMA     6:45  PM  

 

Business  Meeting                   7:15  PM    

• Call  to  Order                 Flicop  

• Jane  Leighton  Award  Conferred           Borg/Leighton  

• Appointment  of  Parliamentarian             Flicop  

• Vote  to  Approve  Proposed  Annual  Meeting  Rules       Flicop  

• Report  of  the  Committee  to  Approve  2012  Minutes       Criscitiello  

• Appointment  of  Committee  to  Approve  2013  Minutes     Flicop  

• Presidents’  Report                 Flicop  

• Treasurer’s  Report                 Kozinetz        

• Presentation  of  Program               Flicop        

• Adoption  of  Program                 Flicop  

• Presentation  of  2013-­‐2014  Budget             Steele/Kozinetz  

• Adoption  of  2013-­‐2014  Budget             Steele/Kozinetz  

• Nominating  Committee  Report             Prenner  

• Election  of  Officers  and  Directors             Prenner  

• Member  Direction  to  the  Board  

Adjournment                     8:30  PM  

 

Proposed  rules  for  Annual  Meeting:  During  debate  on  a  motion,  no  member  may  speak  more  than  once  to  that  motion  

until  all  others  who  wish  to  speak  have  done  so.    After  the  original  presentation,  debate  shall  be  limited  to  two  minutes  

for  each  speaker.  

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League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook   Page  3    

2014  -­‐  2015  PROPOSED  PROGRAM  (Issues  for  Study  and  Action)  

The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  League  of  Women  Voters  of  Newton  recommends  adoption  of  the  following  program  for  2014-­‐2015:  

1. All  program  positions  approved  by  the  membership  at  the  May  2013  Annual  Meeting  and  listed  on  www.lwvnewton.org  

2. Continuation  of  the  campaign  to  collect  sufficient  signatures  for  a  petition  to  place  the  question  of  whether  to  elect  a  Charter  Commission  on  the  ballot  at  the  November  2015  municipal  election.    

The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  League  of  Women  Voters  of  Newton  recommends  the  following  local  action  priorities  for  2014-­‐2015  

1. CPA:    Review  CPA  applications    2. Observer  Corps:    Expand  our  Observer  Corps.    3. Municipal  Finance:    

A. A  joint  project  with  the  Education  Committee  (see  4a  below.)  B. Committee  members  will  attend  city  budget  and  finance  meetings  as  observers.  The  committee  will  

decide  on  the  scope  of  activity  for  this  initiative.    4. Education:    

A. For  2014-­‐15,  the  Ed.  Committee  plans  to  continue  reviewing  League  education  policies  and  possibly  organizing  meetings  for  the  public  on  education  issues.  One  project  will  be  a  joint  inquiry,  with  the  Municipal  Finance  Committee,  that  may  lead  to  a  study  on  the  feasibility  of  financing  technology  in  the  schools  through  the  city's  capital  improvements  budget  rather  than  the  school  budget.  This  is  done  in  other  districts  and  could  lead  to  greater  equity  in  school  technology  across  the  city.  

B. Another  project  is  a  civics  bee,  to  be  held  initially  in  one  middle  school  with  the  goal  of  expanding  to  other  middle  schools,  to  promote  interest  in  government  and  civic  engagement.  

5. Environmental  Issues:    A. Waste  Reduction  

i. continue  our  efforts  to  improve  recycling  rates  and  reduce  trash  in  Newton  ii. work  with  the  state  league  and  local  elected  officials  to  expand  the  bottle  bill  and  reduce  plastic  

bag  use  B. Storm  Water  and  Sewers  

i. support  sewer  and  stormwater  surcharge  rates  at  levels  adequate  for  repair  and  maintenance  ii. support  prudent  ways  to  encourage  reduction  of  inflow  into  the  sewers  iii. educate  and  update  members  on  the  principles  and  concepts  of  “surface  area,  water  quality,”  

and  related  terms  to  encourage  “low  impact  development”  C. Transportation  

i. continue  collaboration  with  Newton  Safe  Sidewalks  and  the  Mayor’s  Transportation  Advisory  Group  

ii. continue  education  through  forums  on  urban  transportation  planning  terms  and  principles  6. Elections:    

A. Attend  meetings  of  the  Newton  Election  Commissioners.    B. Continue  meetings  with  the  City  Clerk  to  improve  Poll  Worker  recruitment,  training,  and  evaluation.    C. Research  feasibility,  advisability,  and  process  for  adding  5th  Election  Commissioner  (unenrolled  voter).    D. Continue  to  represent  LWVN  on  the  Election  Advisory  Committee  

7. CPA/Observer  Corps:  Review  CPA  applications  and  expand  our  Observer  Corps.  8. Municipal  Finance:  Committee  members  will  attend  city  budget  and  finance  meetings  as  observers.  The  

committee  will  decide  on  the  scope  of  activity  for  this  initiative.  9. Education:    Continue  to  review  policies  and  positions,  including  state  education  priorities,  and  evaluate  the  need  

for  a  local  education  study.    The  Education  Committee  is  planning  a  speakers  series  for  next  year  based  on  the  many  educational  concerns/issues  that  have  been  suggested  by  the  education  committee  members,  the  Board  and  Education  Policy  Topic  Meeting  attendees.  

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League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook   Page  4    

LWVN  Board  recommends  the  following  change  and  additions  to  LWVN  Positions      

Public  Education:    The  following  recommendation  for  a  change  to  a  previously  developed  education  policy  results  from  a  discussion  at  the  2013  Annual  Meeting  regarding  proposed  changes  by  the  Education  Committee.    At  that  time,  the  membership  agreed  that  the  Education  and  Environmental  Committees  would  together  develop  wording  to  replace  the  criterion  below  regarding  school  capacity.    The  LWVN  Board  voted  to  recommend  approval  of  this  change.  

• To  remove:    Maintaining  a  neighborhood  concept,  but  with  expanded  neighborhoods  • To  add:    School  zones  should  facilitate  students  walking  and  bicycling  to  school.  

 Transportation:    The  LWV  Newton  adopts  the  state  transportation  position  for   local  roads,  with  emphasis  on  safety  and  consistency  across  City  transportation  decisions.  

• Safety  First:    Safe  travel  should  be  the  first  priority  in  transportation  policies.  City  investments  and  enforcement  strategies  should  be  based  on  the  principle  of  safety  first  so  that  everyone  feels  safe  and  so  that  all  road  users  practice  safe  travel  behavior.  

• Consistency:    Newton  transportation  practices,  policies,  investments,  and  decisions,  will  be  consistent  with  and  support  the  City  of  Newton’s  public  plans,  goals  and  the  2010  Comprehensive  Plan,  with  particular  attention  to  Environmental  Impacts.  

 LWVN  Board/By-­‐Laws  Committee  Proposal,  recommends  the  following  change  in  LWVN  By-­‐Laws:    Article  7,  Section  3:    Meetings  of  the  Membership,  Voting,  Quorum:  

• Current  by-­‐law:    For  the  purposes  of  voting,  twenty-­‐five  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  at  all  meetings  of  the  membership  

• Proposed  new  by-­‐law:    For  the  purposes  of  voting,  10%  of  the  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  at  all  meetings  of  the  membership.  

 Nominating  Committee  Report    

Emily  Prenner,  Chair;  Members:    Bonnie  Carter,  Jo  Corro,  Robin  Maltz  and  Linda  Morrison  

The  following  is  a  list  of  people  who  have  agreed  to  be  on  the  Board  next  year.    It  should  be  noted  that  no  one  has  stepped  forward  to  be  President  or  Vice  President  of  the  Board.    The  Nominating  Committee  suggests  next  year’s  Board  be  run  by  a  Steering  Committee,  with  clear  roles  determined  during  the  first  official  meeting  of  the  newly  elected  Board.    This  leadership  structure  has  been  successful  in  the  past,  both  for  the  Newton  League  and  other  Leagues  across  Massachusetts.    Furthermore,  the  Nominating  Committee  recommends  more  time  and  effort  be  focused  on  developing  new  leadership  within  the  Newton  League,  including  outreach  to  recent  members  as  well  as  a  strong  Membership  Committee  dedicated  to  increasing  the  membership  base.  

2014-­‐2015  LWVN  Proposed  Slate:    

Steering  Committee/Directors:  Sue  Flicop  Ellen  Glusman  Linda  Green  Ellen  Grody  Rhanna  Kidwell  

Liz  Kirsch  Lois  Levin  Lisa  Mirabile  Sharyn  Roberts  Sue  Rosenbaum  Chris  Steele  

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League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook   Page  5    

Treasurer:     Andrea  Kozinetz    

Clerk:     Bonnie  Carter  

 

Up  to  ten  additional  Board  members  may  be  appointed  by  the  elected  Board,  as  they  deem  necessary,  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  League.  

Proposed  Nominating  Committee  for  2015  –  Robin  Maltz,  Chair;  Emily  Prenner  ;  Sarah  Ecker;  and  2  Board  representatives  to  be  elected  by  the  2014-­‐2015  Board.  

Respectfully  submitted  by  the  2014  Nominating  Committee:    Emily  Prenner,  Chair;  Bonnie  Carter,  Jo  Corro,  Robin  Maltz  and  Linda  Morrison    

Charter  Initiative  Committee  

Rhanna  Kidwell,  Chair  Since  the  2013  Annual  Meeting,  the  Newton  League  has  added  roughly  1,750  signatures  to  our  tally  of  signatures  collected  to  initiate  a  Newton  charter  commission,  continuing  on  efforts  that  began  in  the  fall  of  2012.    We  estimate  that  based  on  what  we  have  collected,  we  will  have  5,775  certified  signatures,  or  70%  of  the  total  that  we  need.    The  signatures  were  collected  at  the  June  2013  Special  Election,  the  Farmers’  Market,  the  November  2013  municipal  elections,  and  the  library.        We  need  roughly  2,600  additional  signatures,  or  fewer  than  60  completed  sheets.        in  individual  efforts  at  the  library  and  the  Farmer’s  market.    Both  locations  seem  to  have  a  volume  of  activity  similar  to  a  polling  place  on  Election  Day.        The  next  possible  time  for  a  charter  question  to  appear  on  a  ballot  would  be  at  the  November  2015  municipal  elections.    Respectfully  submitted  by  Rhanna  Kidwell    Community  Preservation  Committee  Readers  Report    

Andreae  Downs,  Coordinator.  Readers:  AnnaMaria  Abernathy,  Pia  Bertelli,  Lucia  Dolan,  Sue  Flicop,  ,  Andrea  Kelley,  Linda  Morrison,  Chris  Steele    An  active  group  of  readers  met  and  reviewed  six  proposals  in  time  for  the  Community  Preservation  Committee’s  hearings  on  each  of  them.    Readers  presented  LWVN’s  comments  and  questions  at  three  public  hearings.  Affiliated  League  members  also  observed  CPC  meetings  through  the  fall  and  spring.    Education  Review  Committee  Report    

Jo  Corro  and  Lynn  Scheller,  Co-­‐Chairs;  Members:  Margaret  Albright,  Maryan  Amaral,  Linda  Green,  Laurie  Halloran  In  the  fall  the  Education  Committee  held  a  presentation  at  the  John  M.  Barry  Boys  &  Girls  Club  on  Early  Childhood  Education    -­‐  What  are  we  doing  in  Newton  and    Massachusetts  to  give  our  students  the  building  blocks  they  need  for  future  success?  The  presenters  were  Amy  O'Leary,  Early  Education  for  All  Campaign  Director  and  Beverly  Mobilia,  Newton  Community  Partnerships  for  Children  and  Families  Coordinator.        The  committee  met  with  the  Superintendent  about  civics  education  as  well  as  planning  future  presentations  on  topics  in  education.  Following  up  from  this  meeting  we  met  with  teachers  at  both  high  schools  and  organized  a  visit  for  42  American  Government  AP  students  from  South  High  School  to  attend  the  League’s  Day  on  the  Hill;  however  this  event  was  cancelled.  We  are  in  the  process  of  working  with  an  8th  grade  teacher  at  Brown  Middle  School  to  develop  a  Civics  Contest  that  in  the  future  may  expand  to  other  teachers  and  other  middle  schools  in  Newton.  

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League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook   Page  6    

 In  concert  with  the  Environmental  Committee  we  reviewed  a  Public  Education  policy.  We  also  researched  a  policy  on  classroom  size  and  developed  a  recommendation  to  be  presented  at  the  Annual  Meeting.    We  are  working  with  the  Municipal  Finance  Committee  to  develop  a  forum  on  on  the  issue  of  equity  and  the  financing  of  school    technology.      Respectfully  submitted  by  Jo  Corro  and  Lynn  Scheller    

Elections  Committee  Report    Nancy  Criscitiello  and  Ellen  Glusman,  Co-­‐Chairs    Members  of  the  Elections  Committee  attended  and  reported  on  meetings  of  Election  Commission  as  well  as  attended  and  reported  on  meetings  of  City  Clerk's  Election  Advisory  Committee  throughout  this  past  year.    Respectfully  submitted  by  Nancy  Criscitiello  and  Ellen  Glusman  

 Environmental  Issues  Committee  Report    Alison  Leary  and  Lucia  Dolan,  Co-­‐Chairs;  Members:  Mary  Adelstein,  Alicia  Bowman,  Deb  Crossley,  Andreae  Downs,  Andrea  Kelly,  Lois  Levin,  Priscilla  Leith,  Brooke  Lipsitt,  Maureen  Reilly  Meagher,  Sharyn  Roberts,  Terry  Yoffie,  Lynne  Sullivan    Major  themes  in  2012-­‐2013:  

1. Solid    Waste/Recycling  a. Following  Curbside  Organics  Pick-­‐up  Pilot  

2. Pedestrian  mobility,  access  and  safety:    a. Support  improvements  in  Newton,  including  effective  implementation  and  enforcement  of  ordinances  

requiring  sidewalk  snow  clearance,  and  their  renewal  beyond  the  2014  sunset  for  residences.  b. Support  adoption  of  LWVMA  Transportation  Position  

3. Water,  Sewer  &  Stormwater    a. Support  the  long-­‐term  infrastructure  planning  process  and  funding.      b. Advocate  for  addressing  non-­‐point  source  pollution  and  improving  local  water  quality.    

4. Energy  Conservation  a. Informational  meeting  with  members  of  the  Newton  Energy  Commission  to  learn  about  energy  use  

proposals  for  new  City  Buildings.  b. Support  local  implementation  of  Green  Communities  Act  

5. Legislative:    a. Support  expanded  Bottle  Bill  -­‐  Ballot  Initiative.    

6. Action  Items:  a. Letter  to  Mayor  and  Aldermen  supporting  transit  oriented  development  at  Austin  St.  b. Letter  to  Mayor  and  Aldermen  opposing  spot  zoning  in  Newton  Centre  

7. Events:  a. 2  informational  meetings  at  NewTV  on  the  newly  adopted  LWVMA  Transportation  positions  and  a  

proposed  LWVN  concurrence  statement  on  November  14.    1  follow-­‐up  meeting  on  the  local  concurrence  statement  on  April  4.  

b. Co-­‐Sponsored  with  Green  Decade:    “Water  Wars  in  Massachusetts,  Reforming  Water  Management  in  a  Blue  State”  on  February  24  and  “State  of  Our  Environment”  on  March  24  with  State  and  Local  Elected  Officials  both  at  Newton  Free  Library.  

c. Transportation  Study  meetings-­‐-­‐two  informational/concurrence  meetings  in  the  fall  to  explain  and  refine  Transportation  Concurrence  questions.  Resulting  statements  support  safety  for  all  road  users  and  consistency  in  City  policies  around  transportation  across  the  city.  A  member  meeting  in  April  to  explain  and  vote  on  the  Transportation  Questions-­‐-­‐100%  agreement,  but  only  16  members,  not  the  required  25  

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for  quorum.      Respectfully  submitted  by  Lucia  Dolan.    Municipal  Finance  Committee  Report    Chris  Steele  Chair;  Members:  Ellen  Grody,  Sue  Rosenbaum,  Linda  Stoller,  and  Terry  Yoffie  The  Municipal  Finance  Committee  has  as  its  overall  and  long-­‐term  goals:   • Review  the  municipal  budget  to  show  how  the  City  is  obtaining,  spending,  and  investing  funds • Educate  the  community  about  how  the  Mayor's  office  and  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  set  

priorities  and  how  the  decision  model  impacts  budget  decisions • Review  the  state  of  resources  for  needs  in  education,  infrastructure,  economic  development,  municipal  services,  and  

other  areas  to  understand  possible  future  implications  for  capital  investment  and  the  operating  budget • Provide  data  and  insight  on  proposed  funding  sources,  including  local  taxation,  state  aid,  and  other  revenues.  For  over  the  past  year,  the  committee  has  established  a  regular  meeting  on  the  last  Monday  morning  of  each  month  to  review  progress,  examine  news  coming  from  the  city,  and  propose  new  initiatives.    In  2013,  the  committee  began  to  investigate  internal  and  financial  controls  and  their  appropriateness  for  the  City  of  Newton.    Research  was  made  into  GASB  (Government  Accounting  Standards  Board)  and  other  regulatory  and  best  practice  literature.    This  research  is  particularly  important  as  the  City  begins  to  address  OPEB  (Other  Post-­‐Employment  Benefit)  and  other  budgeting  challenges  over  the  coming  years.    In  December  of  2013,  the  committee  began  work  with  the  Education  Committee  to  investigate  technology  funding  for  Newton’s  schools  and  the  subsequent  concerns  regarding  funding  equity.    We  are  currently  gathering  information  from  involved  parties,  examining  the  practices  of  other  peer  communities,  and  preparing  for  a  panel  discussion  to  take  place  in  early  Fall  of  2014.      We  continue  to  make  efforts  to  attend  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen’s  Finance  Committee,  and  as  well  as  those  of  the  Audit  Advisory  committee.    We  welcome  new  volunteers  to  assist  us  in  these  important  efforts.  Respectfully  submitted  by  Chris  Steele,  Chair    

Local  Action  Log    

• June  13,  2013  –  Newton  TAB  City  Update  on  new  50-­‐year  members  Tamara  Bliss,  Sondra  Shick  and  Alice  Wolpert  

• July  19,  2013  –  Letter  to  Mayor  Warren  in  support  of  the  Engine  6  proposal  

• July  23,  2013  –  Newton  TAB  Letter  to  the  Editor  in  support  of  Engine  6  proposal  

• July  24,  2013  –  Village  14  Blog  discussion  in  support  of  Engine  6  proposal    

• October  22,  2013  –  Letter  to  the  Board  of  Aldermen  opposing  the  proposed  change  in  Newton’s  election  laws  regarding  open  seats  

• November  17,  2013  –  Letter  to  Senator  Barry  Finegold  in  support  of  the  Massachusetts  Disclose  Act  

• November  30,  2013  –  Letter  to  Mayor  Warren  in  support  of  Newton’s  sidewalk  snow  clearing  efforts  

• February  7th  –  Letter  to  Mayor  Warren  in  support  of  continuing  the  process  regarding  the  Austin  Street  project  

• February  12,  2014  –  Newton  TAB  Letter  to  the  Editor  on  Austin  Street  process  

• February  18,  2014  –  Letter  to  the  Board  of  Aldermen  opposing  the  proposed  Newton  Centre  zoning  change  

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• February  26,  2014  –  Letter  to  Alice  Ingerson  at  the  CPC  with  comments  on  all  CPA  applications  

• March  5,  2014  –  Newton  TAB  Letter  to  the  Editor  on  Newton  Center  zoning  change  

Respectfully  submitted  by  Susan  Flicop  

 

Archives  Committee  Report  

 Ann  Grantham  and  Linda  Morrison,  Co-­‐Chairs    The  archives  project  is  nearing  its  end.    The  collection  is  too  large  for  the  space  available  at  the  Newton  Library,  so  we  have  turned  to  the  Schlesinger  Library,  at  Harvard  University,  which  hold  LWV  MA  records  and  some  other  LWV  material,  as  well  as  the  papers  of  Maud  Wood  Park,  the  suffrage  leader  who  became  the  first  president  of  the  LWV  MA.      Sue  Rosenbaum  and  I  went  over  to  “the  Schles”  for  a  discussion  with  Curator  Kathryn  Jacob,  and  a  tour  of  the  library.    The  latter  included  a  visit  to  the  vault,  which  few  people  get  to  see.  The  Schlesinger  Library  also  offers  the  service  of  “capturing”  the  organizations  web  site  twice  a  year,  which  will  give  us  a  head  start  on  electronic  documentation.    The  Board  of  Directors  has  approved  this  move,  and  we  are  awaiting  the  formal  papers  to  sign.    Then  we  will  organize  a  number  of  members  with  station  wagons  or  vans,  and  make  the  actual  transfer.    The  First  Baptist  Church,  which  has  kindly  provided  the  space  we  needed  to  store  and  work  on  the  records,  is  eager  to  have  us  vacate.    Thanks  to  Ann  Grantham  and  Sharie  Arntz,  and  Bonnie  Carter  who  also  worked  on  the  project  this  year.    Respectfully  submitted  by  Linda  Morrison,  archivist.    Topic  Meetings  Report    

Chair  position  is  open;  No  topic  meetings  this  year  

 

Voters  Service  Report    

Sharyn  Roberts  and  Bonnie  Carter,  Co-­‐Chairs    The  Voters  Service  Committee  started  the  year  off  by  registering  279  high  school  students  just  before  they  graduated  at  both  public  high  schools.    We  also  registered  new  voters  throughout  the  year  at  many  elementary  school  fairs,  Farmers  Markets,  Village  Days,  and  City  of  Newton  celebrations.    Thank  you  to  Alicia  Bowman,  Bonnie  Carter,  Jo  Corro,  Shirley  Farnham,  Ellen  Glusman,  Ann  Grantham,  Ingrid  Kefauver,  Lee  Kefauver,  Marlene  O’Brien  of  LWV  Wellesley,  Mindy  Peckler,  Tami  Roberts,  Sue  Rosenbaum,  Lynn  Scheller,  and  Terry  Yoffie.    We  provided  rides  to  the  polls  for  Newton  voters  to  all  elections:  preliminary,  special,  and  municipal.    LWVN  once  again  helped  Newton  voters  make  informed  decisions  at  the  ballot  box.    LWVN  co-­‐sponsored  the  debates  with  NewTV  that  were  held  in  their  studio.    These  include  all  the  preliminary  debates  and  the  general  election  debates  for  Alderman  and  School  Committee  seats.    Under  the  leadership  of  our  President,  Sue  Flicop,  changes  were  made  to  the  traditional  format  to  include  the  gathering  of  questions  from  community  members  through  email,  Facebook,  and  Twitter,  and  directing  them  to  the  candidates  both  before  and  during  the  debates.    Questions  were  shorter  and  more  direct;  each  debate  allowed  for  candidates  to  ask  one  question  of  the  other  candidates;  and  rebuttals  allowed  for  more  interaction  between  the  candidates  on  contested  topics  and  the  ability  to  skip  rebuttals  when  they  weren’t  necessary.      LWVN  co-­‐sponsored  a  live  debate  for  the  Mayoral  candidates  with  the  Newton  Free  Library  that  was  held  in  the  Druker  Auditorium.    We  are  grateful  to  Ellen  Meyers  at  the  Newton  Free  Library,  the  many  League  volunteers  who  helped  staff  

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the  debate  and  to  two  volunteers  from  NewTV,  Ron  Quint  and  Irwin  Sterbakov,  who  videotaped  the  debate.    Post-­‐production  work  was  done  by  League  volunteers  Bonnie  Carter,  Sharyn  Roberts,  and  Tami  Roberts.        Our  moderators  were  Jo-­‐Ann  Berry,  Nancy  Carapezza,  and  Debbie  Winnick,  from  the  Acton,  Wayland,  and  Needham  Leagues,  and  Jenn  Adams  and  Stephen  Kessenger  of  NewTV.    Thank  you  to  the  following  LWVN  volunteers  who  helped  make  the  debates  possible:  Pat  Acton,  Maryan  Amaral,  Sharalyn  Arntz,  Bonnie  Carter,  Jo  Corro,  Ellen  Glusman,  Ann  Grantham,  Linda  Green,  Linda  Greenberg,  Ingrid  Kefauver,  Lee  Kefauver,  Andrea  Kelley,  Lois  Levin,  Robin  Maltz,  Maureen  Reilly  Meagher,  Susan  Mirsky,  Linda  Morrison,  Helen  Rittenberg,  and  Tami  Roberts.        A  big  thank  you  to  Anne  Borg  and  Linda  Green  for  putting  together  our  2013  Municipal  Election  Voters  Guide.    This  Voters  Guide  asked  all  candidates,  including  those  in  uncontested  races,  to  respond  to  three  questions  and  was  distributed  online  through  the  LWVN  website  and  in  print  at  several  locations  throughout  the  city.    Thank  you  also  goes  to  the  Village  Bank,  NewTV,  and  the  Newton  Free  Library  for  the  sponsorship  of  our  seven  debates  and  the  Voters  Guide.      

Respectfully  submitted  by  Sharyn  Roberts    Communications  Report    Sue  Flicop,  Chair  Email  list:  We  continue  to  use  the  free  “Mail  Chimp”  service  as  the  primary  was  to  send  news  to  our  members.    It  has  become  the  method  by  which  most  of  our  members  receive  the  newsletter,  as  well  as  communications  about  upcoming  League  events.    We  urge  all  members  who  do  not  receive  emails  from  us  to  give  us  your  email  address.  Website:  We  have  continued  to  use  the  free,  open-­‐source  WordPress  platform  for  LWVN’s  website.    We  have  been  adding  more  content  to  the  website,  including  information  from  other  local  Leagues,  LWVMA  and  LWVUS,  and  will  continue  to  do  so  next  year.    We  continually  strive  to  keep  the  website  up-­‐to-­‐date.    The  weekly  “Docket  Digest”  of  information  about  the  Board  of  Aldermen  meetings  is  a  very  useful  tool  for  LWVN’s  committees.  Facebook:  The  Facebook  page  has  continued  to  get  more  visibility  and  additional  “likes.”    After  a  high  level  of  outreach  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  we  have  not  been  as  vigilant  recently  in  posting.    However,  we  will  continue  to  use  Facebook  in  addition  to  the  website.  Newsletter:    We  were  quite  pleased  to  welcome  Douglas  Leith  as  our  newsletter  editor  this  year.    We  have  had  three  newsletters  this  year,  and  hope  to  be  back  up  to  a  full  complement  of  newsletters  next  year.  It  is  an  important  way  to  inform  our  members  of  important  issues  and  events.  Postcard:  We  have  used  postcards  frequently  this  year,  but  on  an  as-­‐needed,  not  a  monthly,  basis.    Thanks  to  Anne  Borg  for  continuing  to  provide  this  service.  Respectfully  submitted  by  Sue  Flicop    Membership  Report    Ann  Grantham,  Chair  The  official  membership  of  LWVN  dropped  this  year  to  162  members,  due  to  a  combination  of  members  moving,  passing,  or  not  renewing.        This  year,  members  were  contacted  by  mail  in  the  fall  and  by  email  in  January.    In  addition,  members  were  contacted  by  the  Agricultural  Study  Committee  and  the  Transportation  Committee  about  meetings,  resulting  in  updates  to  email  and  mailing  addresses.      Respectfully  submitted  by  Ann  Grantham  and  Sue  Flicop  

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Treasurer’s  Report    

LWVN  Treasurer's  Report  as  of  May  2014    

                                               

*          *          *          *    

A  sincere  thank  you  to  those  members  who  have  made  financial  contributions,  in  addition  to  the  regular  dues,  to  the  LWVNewton.    Respectfully  submitted  by  Andrea  Kozinetz,  Treasurer  

 

Budget  Committee  Report    

 

Please  note  that  the  dues  amount  and  fundraising  amount  listed  in  the  2013  Year-­‐to-­‐Date  income  include  payments  made  to  the  LWVUS  Education  Fund  that  were  used  to  offset  the  PMPs  due  to  LWVUS.    Respectfully  submitted  by  Chris  Steele,  Chair;  Members:  Sue  Flicop,  Andrea  Kozinetz  

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LWVN  2013-­‐2014  Proposed  Budget  for  2014  Annual  Meeting       Year  to  Date   Budget    Proposed  Budget      Notes    

INCOME   2014*   2014   2015      

Dues   $6,383.00      $8,578.00      Individual  memberships        $9,000.00          Secondary  memberships        $570.00          Contributions    $160.00      $250.00      $350.00      Subtotal  Dues    $6,543.00      $9,820.00      $8,928.00        

Handbook  Sponsorship    $2,250.00      $1,500.00            

Voters  Guide  Sponsorship    $700.00      $1,000.00            

Annual  Meeting    $60.00      $1,000.00      $1,000.00      40  x  $25    

Phonathon    $1,337.85      $750.00      $750.00        

Fundraising        $5,000.00            

High  School  Scholarship  Fund            $-­‐          $100  given  at  2013  

annual  mtg    

Interest  Income    $174.00      $200.00      $200.00        

Donations-­‐in-­‐Kind    $-­‐          $-­‐          $-­‐            

 TOTAL  INCOME      $11,064.85      $19,270.00      $10,878.00        

                 

EXPENSES                Payments  per  Member                

         PMP  -­‐  LWV  US    $3,221.00      $5,130.50      $4,495.00    *addtl  from  LWVUS  Ed  fund  

         PMP  -­‐  LWV  MA    $3,697.00      $3,697.25      $3,255.00      Subtotal  PMP    $6,918.00      $8,827.75      $7,750.00      Fund  Raising      $-­‐          $-­‐              Event        $500.00          Phonathon        $100.00      $100.00      

Subtotal  Fund  Raising    $-­‐          $600.00      $100.00      Communications                    Postage                Newsletter    $-­‐          $160.00      $160.00      Postcards    $158.00      $700.00      $700.00      Membership    $138.00      $200.00      $200.00      

PO  Box    $124.00      $125.00      $125.00      Printing  -­‐  Newsletter    $-­‐          $300.00      $300.00      Website  domain  registration    $-­‐          $27.00      $27.00      Telephone    $-­‐          $-­‐          $-­‐          Non-­‐reimbursed  expenses        $-­‐          $-­‐          

Subtotal  Communications    $420.00      $1,512.00      $1,512.00      Councils/Conventions                          Council/Convention  -­‐  LWV  US    $-­‐          $3,000.00      -­‐                Council/Convention  -­‐  LWV  MA            $500.00      Subtotal  US  and  MA  Convention    $-­‐          $3,000.00      $500.00      

Page 12: LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!LeagueofWomenVotersNewton! 2014!Annual!Workbook!! Annual!Meeting! Thursday,!May!2,!2014! 6:00–8:30PM! Terry!Yoffie’s!house! 363Waverley!Avenue,!Newton,!MA!

League  of  Women  Voters  Newton  2014  Annual  Workbook   Page  12    

Board/Administration                Board  Orientation        $200.00      $100.00      Membership        $250.00      $250.00      Public  Relations    $-­‐                  Nominating  Committee    $-­‐          $-­‐          $-­‐          Training/workshops    $-­‐          $-­‐          $-­‐          Archives  Project        $300.00      $200.00      

Subtotal  Board/Administration    $-­‐          $750.00      $550.00      Program                          Meetings/Forums        $1,250.00      $1,250.00      

Poll  Workers  Party        $100.00      $100.00      Welcome  Party  for  Elected  Officials    $235.00      $50.00          Holiday  Party        $50.00      $100.00      Day  on  the  Hill              $600.00      

         Study/Advocacy        $400.00      $200.00                Voters  Service    $607.00      $1,000.00          Subtotal  Program    $842.00      $2,850.00      $2,250.00      Handbook                        Handbook  Printing    $-­‐          $600.00                  Handbook  Postage    $-­‐          $150.00          Subtotal  Handbook  Expenses    $-­‐          $750.00      $-­‐          Annual  Meeting                        Annual  Meeting  Workbook  Postage    $-­‐          $100.00      $100.00              Annual  Meeting  Workbook  Printing    $-­‐          $200.00      $200.00            Annual  Meeting  General  Expenses    $-­‐          $500.00      $500.00      Subtotal  Annual  Meeting  Expenses    $-­‐          $800.00      $800.00      Miscellaneous  Contributions                Annual  contribution  to  NewTV    $120.00      $150.00      $150.00      Annual  Contribution  to  LWVMA    $500.00      $500.00      $500.00      Harvard/LWVNewton  Archives            $100.00      Mayor's  Community  Breakfast    $300.00         $100     Ad  only  

Subtotal  Misc.  Contribution  Expenses    $920.00      $650.00      $850.00                        TOTAL  EXPENSES    $9,100.00      $19,739.75      $14,312.00                        NET  SURPLUS  (DEFICIT)    $1,964.85      $(469.75)    $(3,434.00)      

                   *+$650  dues  to  LWVUS  Ed  Fund;  +  $373  contribs  to  LWVUS  Ed  Fund  13-­‐14