League of Women Voters - Greater Omaha                                  

September, 2007

LWVGO SHIMP FEED

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 4:30-8:30 PM

(Rain Date August 27)

AT THE SURSIDE CLUB

4 miles north of the Mormon Bridge on

North River Road

TICKETS $12.00

(Kids 10 & under half price)

See page 5

 "Does Omaha Need A Public Safety Auditor?"

Monday - September 17 - 6:30 p.m.

Library at the Arboretum - 8141 Farnam Drive

Please join us for an important discussion at our general meeting as Jonah Deppe and LWVGO ad hoc committee present their findings.

Light refreshments will be serverd.

See page 5

Directions to the Arboretum:  From 84th Street (between Pacific and West Dodge Road)

o          Turn east at the light between Children's Hospital and Methodist Hospital onto Dodge Street.

o          Go one long block and turn right onto 81st Street

o          Go one block to the stop sign and turn right on Farnam Drive

o          At the green triangular sign, turn left into "The Arboretum on Farnam".

o          Go forward toward the green awning that says "The Arboretum," and park in this area; overflow parking in neighboring lots.

o          Enter through the main doors.  Someone will be there to direct you to the library.

Please arrive on time so our greeters can leave their station at the door and attend the meeting!   

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Monday, August 20, Surfside Club:  Shrimp feed.  See above and page 5.

Thursday, August 23, 7:00 p.m.:  Urban gardening and the big garden project.  See page 7.

Monday, September 10, 1:30 p.m., League office.  LWVGO board meeting.  All members welcome.

Monday, September 17, 6:30 p.m., Arboretum Library, 8141 Farnam Drive.  “Does Omaha Need A Public Safety Auditor?”  See above.

Saturday, October 6, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., College of St. Mary:  Ready to Run.  See page 9

Thursday, October 11, Thompson Alumni Center, UNO:  Running and Winning program.  See page 5.

Tuesday, October 23, Omaha YWCA Conference on Race.  See page 7 for registration information.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This is a good time to talk about League involvement, since we have so much going on right now that you might find stimulating and worthwhile. 

1.         The Shrimp Feed:  We can use your homemade dessert, or your skill at selling tickets, or your ability to ladle out boiled shrimp.  Or you can just come and enjoy the food and know you've supported our great organization.

2.         The Public Safety Auditor committee:  It's not too late to join this committee and roll up your sleeves.   There's still research to be done and decisions to be made.  We're planning a press conference for the fall because citizens - and the media - want to know what we've learned in the past few months.

3.         The Running and Winning program:  You can help as a facilitator on October 11, or be an observer, or you can help us by contributing money toward the project with a check made payable to LWVGO Ed Fund, designated for Running and Winning. 

4.         The Speakers' Bureau:  Maybe you enjoy public speaking and you'd like to join our group of very well-received speakers.  It's all right if you don't have a topic already chosen--the committee will help you; chances are they'll even assist with some of your research.  It would be a wonderful way to honor the memory of Jeannette Smith.

5.         Our monthly general programs:  The more the merrier!  Please do your best to support us by attending.  Belinda, Polly, and Rita have done a stellar job putting these together. 

6.         The ongoing groups such as International Relations and the book group:  What a great way to learn, discuss, and enjoy the company of other thinkers.

7.         Of course, you can do what I did for the first 3 or 4 years of my membership in League of Women Voters:  Read the newsletters, donate money now and then, and wish you had enough time to actually attend some of the activities.  Every member is valuable, and we appreciate you no matter how active you're able to be.  My warmest thanks!

Linda D.

WOMEN NEEDED:  STEP UP TO THE PLATE

The Mayor's office has a web site that lists available positions on city boards and commissions, <www.ci.omaha.ne.us>, that appears under the Mayor's office links. As there is a lack of women and ordinary citizens on many boards, this would be a good opportunity for League members to get into the political pipeline while representing the public rather than special interests.

The contact person at the Mayor's office is Diane Brock, 444-5006, or <dbrock@ci.omaha.ne.us>. Right now there is an opening on the Administrative Appeals Board which decides appeals on permits/licenses, curb cuts, and contractor performance disputes. Contact the office for further information and to obtain a Candidate Response Form. Different positions open up at various  times, so check the web site to see if any are of interest to you.

Nebraska is going downhill in the number of women in appointed or elected governmental positions and offices. We need to step up to the plate in all ways. As League members know, these boards play an important role in enforcing those regulations that we have advocated be adopted.

READING RESOURCE GROUP

The Reading Resource Group will not resume in September as reported in last month's bulletin.  Please look for more information on the group in the next bulletin.

JEANNETTE SMITH

Long-time LWVGO member Jeannette Smith passed away August 8 after a battle with cancer.  There was no Omaha service.  She was very active in League, including her wonderful leadership as chair of the Speakers’ Bureau.  She was also a leader in the League Reading Resources group, and she was awarded the “Make A Difference” award at the 2006 Annual Meeting.

A testimony from Pat G.:  “Jeannette Smith belonged to several organizations, but I knew her best as the Administrative Vice-President when Polly G. and I served as Presidents.  We have had many efficient people in this position but none with the commitment and accuracy of Jeannette.  She went to the office faithfully and recorded all phone calls and mail received with details so that anyone would know exactly what each item meant and where she forwarded the information.  When I would ask her to buy something it was always in the office the next time I was there.  Our office was orderly and cleaned on a regular basis, one of the trademarks of Jeannette.  Her years as an executive secretary influenced this trait and her willingness to be open minded about all matters reflected her Unitarian beliefs.  I often admired Jeannette's drive to learn new things as she took classes to improve her skills and knowledge.  As a parliamentary instructor, she made it possible for me to conduct meetings with confidence and was a friend I could seek advice from.  Toward the end of our terms in League office she suggested to me that we needed a speakers’ bureau which she was willing to organize.  We are a better League thanks to Jeannette Smith.”    

JEANNETTE SMITH MEMORIAL FUND ESTABLISHED

by Peggy A.

Jeannette Smith passed away on August 8. For those of you who didn't know her, Jeannette was our long-time Speakers' Bureau Chair until she had to give up that post due to the illness that took her life.

Jeannette built the Speakers' Bureau from the ground up, and she did a superb job of keeping us speakers on-task. Believe me, that was a challenge! We speakers, like any finely-honed artists, can be, well, sort of ditzy. (How do you like all of those commas, Sally?) We have also become a tight-knit little family, and now we have lost our fearless leader.

Jeannette was already retired when I first met her, but for many years when she worked at Woodmen of the World, she was a member of Toastmasters, which is probably where she developed her desire to create and chair the League's Speakers' Bureau. Funny thing is, Jeannette didn't want to do speeches--she just wanted to run the show. And a fine job of running the show she did.

Jeannette was a classy lady. She always dressed to the nines, wore big beautiful jewelry and looked like she just stepped out of Garbo's. She loved to stay up late reading and surfing the internet, then she would sleep all morning. Email was made for her because she could communicate whenever she wanted. I used to get email messages from her that she sent at 2 a.m. One time she called me and apologetically asked if I could do a speech for a church group at the ungodly hour of nine in the morning. “I know that's awfully early,” she said. “Do you think you can do it?” I did it.

Jeannette loved being the chair of the Speakers' Bureau, and I know she would like to see the Bureau continue. One thing we speakers constantly need is a good-quality, lightweight traveling podium, because we often get stuck in places that are totally lacking in the barest of essentials. So for those of you who wish to contribute to the Jeannette Smith Memorial Fund, we hope to use some of that money to purchase a podium and put her name on it. Then wherever we go to speak, Jeannette will be there with us.

Please send contributions to: 

Jeannette Smith Memorial Fund

League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha

1941 S 42nd Street, Suite 501

Omaha, NE  68105

           Any money not needed for the portable podium will be used for other League activities.  Her relatives designated LWV as the only memorial fund.

LWVUS COUNCIL REPORT FOR JUNE 2007

Virginia B.

I was so very pleased and honored to attend the national LWV convention in Washington DC this past June.  Linda D. and I attended as representatives of the State of Nebraska.   But what I really was is a student of how the LWV system works, of what people have what responsibilities, and how I can fit in and add to the progress of it all.  Here are some of the highlights:

Sunday, June 10, 2007:  Eleanor Holmes Norton (Congresswoman from the District of Columbia)  spoke to us about the need for the District to have a VOTE in the US Congress.  I was aware that DC had a delegate in the Congress, but she made me aware that DC does not have a vote.  The bill to give DC a vote will come up for consideration July 24th.   Senator Lieberman (Conn) and Senator Hatch (Utah) have worked together so that each party gains. That means that Utah gets the Ok to count their Mormon missionary's (who are often out of the country) votes in national elections [which would probably be Republican] and DC gets to have a vote in the Congress [which would probably be Democratic].  Seems like a good compromise to me.  I am only surprised it has taken so long to find a compromise.

Monday, June 11, 2007:  Panel Discussion:  Donald Kerwin  [Catholic Legal Immigration Network], Frank Sharry  [National Immigration Forum], and Doris Meissner  [Migration Policy Institute].  Each expert brought up a different aspect of the Immigration issue.  Mr Kerwin focused on the humanitarian side--how the US can help those who need our help and resources.

Doris Meissner pointed out how immigration is going to compliment our future needs for workers.  Overall current problems are tapping into emotional elements, but the facts are not clear cut.   Overall the evidence is positive, and contributing to the 'good' growth of our economy.  Largely employers are contributing to Social Security, etc.   About 40% of the illegals came on legal visas, and simply over stayed the visas.  And now they find getting back to be too hard.  We must 'protect' the Texas border.  Target states used to be:  New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Texas & Illinois.  But current illegals are going all over, and recognition of problems has been magnified.  Cultural and social problems are now exploding.  Could use a National Identity cards, but can use the Social Security card, Drivers License cards, passports  & "green card' that we have now.

Frank Sharry stated there has been an unintended consequence of the illegals staying in the US.  The laws we have now are from the 1950's and are not useable in the 21st Century.  We need Congress to act.   We need to enforce the laws we now have   Our biggest need is for a workable employer verification system.  Now if employers ask questions, they are accused of discrimination.  We need to start making laws that are good and get the job done.    Our old laws are for 15 MPH speed limit--when everyone is going 65 MPH.  We need to set realistic limits and enforce them.  We need statesmanship now.

This summary is not sufficient to give you all the information that I gained.  But I hope it will stimulate talk and some action in the future.

 REPORT ON LWVNE STATE MEETING ON JULY 21, 2007

by Virginia B., State Laiason

Peggy A. presided over her first State LWV board meeting on July 21, 2007, in Lincoln.   Peggy informed us that she will be making a big effort to visit each League in Nebraska, in person, in order to get a good feel for how and what each league is doing.

Nancy I. reported that there will be a campaign to target the age group 18 - 25, trying to get these women to vote, using a new DVD.  Sherry M. (Treasurer) reported that it is possible to use Ed Fund monies to run HAVA (Help American Vote Act) activities.

Keri R. (Action Vice President) stated she is setting up a 'My Space' page so she can be contacted.  She is also keeping contact with lobbyists, etc.

Reports from various board members were given to Jim Johnson to put in his state minutes.  Laura S. (from Hastings) announced that they just received a Green Space award.  Lois P. (HAVA chairman) is receiving a special 'award' for her voting awareness activities.

Virginia B. (Omaha liaison) urged everyone to attend the August 20 Omaha League Shrimp Feed to be held at Surfside--a little north of Omaha on the river.

Peggy A. brought a list for strategic planning for 2007-09, and we had a general discussion.  But no specifics were determined.

FOURTH ANNUAL SHRIMP FEED

AUGUST 20, 2007        (Rain Date August 27)         SURFSIDE CLUB

The 4th Annual LWVGO Shrimp Feed Fundraiser will take place on Monday, August 20, at the Surfside Club, 4 miles north of the Mormon Bridge on North River Road.  The event was a great success the last three years.  It provided an opportunity for food, fun, and fellowship, and it raised significant operating funds for our organization.

The Shrimp Feed is open to the general public as well as to League members, their families and friends.  The Missouri River setting makes for a great casual evening.

It is important for all of us to work on selling tickets.  You should have received a packet of information about the shrimp feed and a few tickets to sell.  While no one is required to sell tickets, we hope that everyone will choose to buy tickets to use personally and to sell tickets to friends and neighbors.  The meal is a good value, and the success of the event is very important to the financial health of the League.

See you August 20.  (Rain date August 27)

"Does Omaha Need A Public Safety Auditor"

From Jonah D.

The ad hoc committee who has been reviewing this issue will be reporting on their findings. Information will be shared from the four forums held across the city and meetings with the Mayor, Chief of Police, Councilmen, Omaha Police Union, UNO Department of Criminal Justice, former Omaha Public Safety Auditor, Urban League of Nebraska, and others.

With the issuance of the Matrix Report for the City Council, the question has expanded into the area of public safety for the City of Omaha. "Does Omaha Have An Adequate Public Safety Infrastructure?" Ad hoc committee members have reviewed the Matrix Report and several of the Public Safety Auditor Reports and will share their conclusions.

The Town Hall meeting on June 21 can still be viewed on COX Channel 998 - Local Programs - Community Events.  This is the ON DEMAND channel but there is no charge for this viewing.  Also, the power point presentation from the Town Hall meeting is available for viewing on the League's website - Public Safety Auditor PowerPoint Presentation.

Please plan to attend the League's meeting at 6:30 on Monday, September 17 for a full presentation of the committee's findings and the opportunity for discussion. 

RUNNING AND WINNING NEEDS A FEW GOOD WOMEN!

We are very excited to be bringing Running and Winning back to Omaha!  Running and Winning is a workshop for high school girls that brings the girls together with current and former female elected officials for networking and mentoring.  The purpose of the workshop is to encourage girls to consider running for office or helping with a campaign sometime in their future. 

We will need League members the day of the event to take registrations, help with refreshments, take photographs, act as judges for the girls' campaigns, and help facilitate the event.  Also, League members are welcome to just come and observe.

Running and Winning will be on Thursday, October 11, from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.  It will be held in the Alumni Center on the west end of the UNO campus.

If you are interested in participating or just observing, and you haven't yet contacted the Running and Winning Committee, please call Peggy A.or email Sally Fellows.

 Every so often let your spirit of adventure triumph over your good sense.  -- Author unknown

 It's kind of fun to do the impossible. --  Walt Disney

VOTERS’ SERVICES

On August 6 eight LWVGO members participated in a training session for voter registrants conducted by Lisa Wise from the Douglas County Election Office.  A voter registration was held at Bryan High School on August 8 for teachers who are new to OPS.  Approximately 53 teachers and students were registered at the morning and afternoon sessions.  Thank you to all who registered new teachers at OPS New Teacher Training. 

VOTERS’ SERVICES NEEDS REGISTRARS

     OPS has asked us to be available the week of September 17th to register parents during their back to school open houses from 6 - 8 P.M.  and again in October during parent/teacher conferences.  Since this involves 80+ schools WE NEED VOLUNTEERS.  Please contact Marianne C. or Marilyn R. if you would like to be trained or have previously been trained and would like to volunteer.  Personal contact information removed from web copy.  Click here to contact Marianne or Marilyn

SURVEY ON RETIREMENT ACTIVITIES

Retirement is a Growing Opportunity for Omahans to Volunteer

OMAHA, NEB. – The League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha celebrates the city for being recently named as one of the top five cities for volunteering in the nation, according to a new report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, and calls on Omaha residents to continue their volunteer efforts throughout their lives, especially after they retire.

“Retirees play a crucial role in the city’s commitment to community service,” says Linda D., president of the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha, which, in a recent, informal survey of Omaha residents, found more than 80 percent of those polled planned to spend their retirement helping out their communities through volunteerism and advocacy work.

“Retirement more and more means the freedom to choose what to work on and when,” continued Linda D.. “Retired Omahans may consider joining community organizations, such as the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha, where citizens are actively engaged in affecting change on the local, state, and national level.”

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service’s report, which looked at volunteering in America, cities with high volunteer rates also have lower crime, higher employment, better education, and a better quality of life.

For its survey, the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha—which offers retirees opportunities to use the skills they’ve accumulated during their careers to create change in their communities—used phone, email, mail-in and in-person interviews to learn more about what Omaha residents plan to do with their free time during retirement. An overwhelming majority of respondents agreed they wanted to stay active outside their homes and families.

“Several of the local residents we talked with said it was important for them to have a hand in shaping their communities,” explains Linda. “At organizations like the League of Women Voters, retirees and others have an opportunity to participate in a broad range of activities such as working to educate and inform voters about issues that affect them–all aimed at safeguarding democracy and driving other civic improvements.”

Local league member Sally F. said, “I joined League about three years after I retired and I was looking for ways I could get involved in the community and, one hopes, make a difference.  I admired  the League of Women Voter's historic mission, especially since I taught history and enjoyed American History.   After attending a luncheon I realized the members I met and the prospective members were women I wanted to know better. Since I cannot belong to something without getting involved actively, I have done so and feel a part of a group of active and politically astute and adept women.  I have enjoyed the activity and never regretted joining.”    

LWVGO Board meeting

Monday, September 10, 2007

1:30 p.m., League office

All members welcome

(Board meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m.)

OMAHA YWCA 1ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RACE

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Demystifying the Black Woman - How to Engage and Serve African-American Women

A one-day conference devoted to examing the emotional, physical, mental,

and spiritual impact of racism and discrimination in the lives black women.

This conference will specifically address the impact of racism, discrimination, and oppression in the lives of black women with special emphasis in the areas of spirituality, health, behavioral health, career, and relationships.  We hope that you will join us for an insightful and informative conference that will provide participants with strategies to build rapport, establish trusting relationships, and provide culturally sensitive services to black women.

Registration will begin on August 31 and end on September 28th.  The cost is $65 and that includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and 6.0 CEU's.  Please plan ahead, you will not be able to pay at the door.

For more information please feel free to contact Catrice J. at 402-345-6555.

Please share this information with your friends and colleagues!

Catrice J.  MS, LMHP, LPC

Program Director, Racial Justice and Career Services

222 South 29th Street

Omaha, NE 68131  

Phone:  402-345-6555

URBAN GARDENING AND THE BIG GARDEN PROJECT

Thursday August 23 at 7 P.M.

Sierra Club Program at the Tree of Life Community Garden

25th & E Streets    Omaha

Public is welcome to attend.

The large garden is the showpiece of the Big Garden project. There will be a presentation by the project’s master gardener, followed by a tour of the 30 raised beds. There is plenty of parking in a lot by the gardens.

The Big Garden Project seeks to develop food-producing urban gardens in the neighborhoods of East Omaha. The project started last year with five garden sites, and this year has expanded to 16 sites.

The Project is run by the United Methodists for Mission and Justice, and funded in part with a USDA Community Foods Project grant, as well as by grants from the United Methodist church, congregations, and individuals.

All the gardens in the Big Project are organic.  They are farmed in the “French Intensive,” or raised bed, style, which allows a lot of produce to grow in a small area.  Last year five gardens produced a total of 3,000 pounds of fresh produce.

The goals of the Big  Garden project are to empower neighbors to grow nutritious food, to build stronger neighborhoods, to provide nutrition and preventive health education, and to promote intergenerational activities based around community gardens.

MISCELLANEOUS

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a telephone number for citizens to call when they know or have strong suspicions of illegal immigration activity. That toll-free number is 1-866-347-2423.

Also, League member Helen P. had an article written about her and her family in the July UNO Alumni magazine.

Congratulations to Erin S., who recently received the UNO Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service.

To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so.  --  Robert Orben

MEMBERSHIP

Membership information removed from web copy.  Please click here to contact our Membership Chair.

Click here for a printable copy of the Membership Application.

Message from Membership Chair:

Calling all volunteers!  Help is always needed with membership outreach.  I am looking for experienced members who are interested in greeting new members over the phone.  If you are interested, please contact me.