President’s Update-- June 1, 2024

Dear LWV Wilco Friends,

Greetings to you all in this season of graduation and celebration! My own son just graduated from high school last week. We are all happy but exhausted, and are taking a few minutes to breathe and reflect as we head into the summer.

As you will read below, we held a successful annual meeting on May 18. We passed a budget, elected our new leadership, and amended our bylaws. In my President’s report, I shared the following goals that have been developed by LWV US and LWV TX. LWV US is mobilizing forces for two “Moonshot” goals. The first goal is Abolition of the Electoral College. I will be sharing updates as I receive them, but if you wish to receive updates and calls to action directly from LWV US, click here to join the One Person One Vote campaign. The second moonshot goal is adding the ERA to the Constitution. You can read more about the ERA campaign and why it is necessary here.

At our April statewide convention, LWV TX delegates also adopted goals: (1) Inform and Protect Voters; (2) Get out the vote; (3) Improve Elections Administration and Access to Voting; and (4) Plan for the next round of Redistricting, which will happen after the 2030 census. We will, also, of course, support the LWV US moonshot goals. And as a state we have a moonshot goal of our own: push the Texas Legislature to develop online voter registration. 

None of these goals will be easy to achieve, but they are worth the time and effort. As the Board develops programming for the summer and fall, we will have these goals in mind at all times. This summer we will have a membership drive to bring in as many community members from as many parts of the county as possible. We will also be back in fundraising mode in order to support as much outreach as possible. As members, here’s how you can help:

• Volunteer: we have huge needs in the areas of Communications (webpage, social media), Membership, fundraising, and Voter Services (including election protection, Voters Guide, Candidate Forums, and voter registration). Ready to volunteer? Here’s an easy form to fill out.

• Donate or encourage others to donate: Donations to LWV Wilco are 100% tax deductible and every penny stays with us. Donate to our General Fund here.

• Join as a member or encourage others to join: Individual annual membership is still only $60 ($10 for students). Membership in our League automatically also gives you membership in LWV TX and LWV US). Join here.  

We are grateful to all of you for your support and donations of time and treasure. We couldn’t do this work without you!

Happy summer!

Felicia Miyakawa

President, LWV Wilco

Our LWV Wilco President, Felicia Miyakaww with her spouse (Andrew Dell’Antonio) and son (Lucien Tannehill-Miyakawa). Lucien voted for the first time as a new 18-year-old in the May 28 Primary Election Runoff. Getting new voters to the polls is one of LWV’s highest priorities! 

APPROVAL OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes. The vote to approve was unanimous.

PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGES

The three main changes that were proposed to the bylaws included:

-        The name Leadership Team exchanged for Board of Directors.

-        The separation of the role of Fundraising Coordinator into two coordinators: Fundraising Coordinator and Program Coordinator.

-        Adjustments to how committees function.

The motion was made to accept the bylaws. It was seconded, and approved unanimously.

PROPOSED BUDGET

The Budget Committee of Felicia Miyakawa, Chair; Michelle Goerdel, Member; and Christine Attoun, Communications Coordinator with Treasurer Brenda Chlapek as ex officio member, submitted a recommended budget. The recommendation was accepted unanimously.

PROPOSED BOARD OF DIRECTORS SLATE FOR 2024-2025

Felicia asked the membership to accept the candidate slate recommendation.

LWV Wilco 2024-25 Leadership Election Slate

POSITION                                           CANDIDATE                                        TERM

President                                                         Felicia Miyakawa                                            2024-2026

Communications                                             Christine Attoun                                              2024-2026

Treasurer                                                         Brenda Chlapek                                             2024-2025

Membership                                                     Nan Bulla                                                       2024-2026

Member-at-large 1                                           Pamela Totten-Alvarado                                 2024-2026

Member-at-large 2                                           Terra Anders                                                   2024-2025

Nominations Committee, 2024-2025

Janet Horace

Christine Attoun

Kathy Starnes

Open Board positions (no candidates):

Fundraising                                                                                                                                    2024-2025

Programming/Events                                                                                                                     2024-2026

The recommended slate was accepted unannimously.

Nominations from the floor put Marnee Loftin on the Board as Program Coordinator.  Though not accepting a Board position, member Diane McIntyre volunteered to lead a fundraising team including Nan Bulla and Terra Anders.