PRESIDENT'S LETTER
By Ann Hellmuth
The bottles of champagne stood unopened on the boardroom table. The idea had been to have a toast to celebrate the League's success in helping force the state Senate to redo its redistricting plan. But the well laid plans of League board meetings often hit a wall when time runs out. That is exactly what happened at our Monday (March 12) board meeting.
We never did get to open the bottles, kindly donated by Adrienne Katz Katz. But did accomplish a lot of business.
The proposed 2012-2013 budget, which we will be mailing to you by the end of the month, was provisionally approved. We'll ask you to give your final approval at the April 26 annual meeting to be held at the University Club in Winter Park, starting at 5 p.m.
Communications Committee members Laurie Wack and Sara Segal reported that the totally revamped LWVOC website should be launched by the end of this month. It has been designed to include The Voter, the blog and much, much more.
I had training Tuesday from Suzi Albrecht of Juicyresults, the computer whiz who has volunteered her time to help us come up with a website that even someone as technically challenged as me can handle.
Suzi and I shared a table in the Panera restaurant on Lake Eola -- my unofficial office -- and I was amazed when she linked via Skype to Laurie and Sara so they could watch and offer suggestions as she put me through my paces for posting copy and photos on the blog. I worried that we were disturbing other customers but no one seemed to care and in fact most were intent on checking their own computers.
But I digress. Back to the board meeting.
Voter Services chair Carol Davis with the help of Advocacy chair Caroline Emmons-Schramm will hold a training session for would-be debate moderators on March 27 at 11.30 a.m. at Einstein Bagels, 441 S. Orlando Avenue, Maitland.
First VP Michele Levy, co-chair of Local Government, said Walter Hawkins, chair of the Orange County Citizens Advisory Committee, will speak to committee members March 29. The monthly meeting will be held at the Rollings Philanthropy Center on New England Avenue in Winter Park and will begin at 11.30 a.m. Michele said she and co-chair Andrea Kobrin will provide lunch so let Michele or Andrea know if you plan to attend.
Second VP and New Membership chair Sandra A. Powers said her committee was planning League social events for April 19 and Dec. 6.
Education chair Roger Pickar said his group is still in the planning stage and developing strategies for focusing on Orange County schools. Sister Teresa McElwee said her Immigration Committee was making a presentation to Amnesty International and would be holding "Know Your Rights" meetings.
Good to know that we now have about 260 paid-up members for this year. Membership chair Sarah Goodwin encouraged members to pay their dues as soon as possible. Don't forget if you aren't paid-up you cannot attend Hot Topics at the $20-rate.
We had to rush through the agenda to meet our 6:30 p.m. deadline for ending the meeting. Thank you Charley Williams for allowing us to meet in your company boardroom.
Adrienne promised to bring the champagne bottles to the April board meeting and to make sure we have time for a glass of bubbly, we'll be starting the meeting 30 minutes early at 4 p.m. If all goes well we'll be able to toast the successful launch of our new website and much more.
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