League of Women Voters - Greater Omaha                                  

January, 2008

 League Program Planning for 2008-2009

Please join us at the home of Hedy A. for wine, cheese, and planning.

Bring your bright ideas!

Monday, January 21, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Location information removed from web copy.

Your ideas are vital to the success of the League's 2008-2009 program planning session.

LWVUS Immigration Study…Continued

Monday, January 7 - 11:30 a.m.

Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church

2650 Farnam Street

Consensus discussion will be led by Sally F.

For study information, see www.lwv.org and recent issues of the National Voter.

We will offer FREE soup, coffee, and water. Feel free to bring your own sandwich, etc.

This consensus meeting will be repeated at 7 p.m. at the home of Karren K.

See page 2

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, January 5, 11:00 a.m., Presbyterian Church of the Cross, 1517 S. 114 St.:  Memorial service for Anne Binhammer.  See page 6.

Sunday, January 6, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m., Linda D.  Ghana gathering.  See 5.

Monday, January 7, 11:30 a.m.:  Consensus meeting, Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, 2650 Farnam.  See page 2.  Board meeting will follow consensus meeting.

Monday, January 7, 7:00 p.m., Home of Karren and Gary K. Location information removed from web copy:  Repeat of consensus meeting.

Tuesday, January 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Book Group. Location information removed from web copy  See page 4.

Thursday, January 17, 7:30-9:00 p.m.,  International Relations Committee meeting.  Location information removed from web copy.  See page 4.

Monday, January 21, 7:00 p.m., Home of Hedy A. Location information removed from web copy.   League Program Planning for 2008-2009.  See above.

January 26 to 28, W. Dale Clark library:  Exhibit “Campaigning for President”.  See page 4.

Monday, February 18, 11:30 a.m., Upstream Brewing Company (west), 171 & W. Center Road:  League birthday luncheon.  See pages 5 & 7.

Thursday February 28:  Legislative Day in Lincoln

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Thanks to all who attended our December general meeting at Spezia's.  We filled up the room with long-time members, newer members, and guests.  Our speaker, Councilman Jim Suttle, was overflowing with interesting ideas and seemingly boundless energy. 

I sincerely hope our weather in January will be “clement” so that we will be able to do all the exciting things we have planned. 

Shortly after the New Year I hope to see you at my house for a gala gathering to raise money, and awareness, for our Ghana scholars.  It will be at 3:00 on Sunday, January 6, and if you want to bring an appetizer or dessert it would be very welcome.  But mainly we hope to see you.  Watch for your invitation in the mail. 

On the very next day we'll continue our Immigration Study consensus efforts.  We had excellent attendance at the two meetings in November - thanks to all who came.  It was obvious members wanted to learn as much as possible about the issue of immigration before making up their minds, and LWVUS has provided exactly the materials we need for that.

Our general meeting on January 21 is another one where we need as many members as possible to attend so that we can plan Program.  And of course, “plan Program” in League-speak means to bring up issues that we want to see discussed and then highlighted for Action.  “Action” means we want something to happen with these issues, probably in a legislative way.  Therefore the Program planning meeting at Hedy's home will be our chance to decide which issues will receive the most attention when we contact our representatives.  Also, it will be a good time - you can count on it!

Thanks for all you do.

Linda D.

LWVUS Immigration Study…Continued

Monday, January 7 - 11:30 a.m.

Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church

2650 Farnam Street

Enter through office/fellowship hall doors.  Free parking is available in the lots to the west of the church building.  Parking in the lower lot is recommended as the upper lot will be in use for the church's regular “pantry day.”

Please do NOT park in the Channel 7 lot.

Consensus discussion will be led by Sally F.

For study information, see www.lwv.org and recent issues of the National Voter.

 We will offer FREE soup, coffee, and water.  Feel free to bring your own sandwich, etc.

This consensus meeting will be repeated at 7 p.m.

at the home of Karren and Gary K.

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.  --William J. Bryan

You're Invited to a Post Holiday Gathering benefiting the

Alice Amoah Bampo Ghanaian Scholarship Fund

Sunday, January 6, 2008, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Refreshments - Great Company - Project Update

Home of Linda D.

Location information removed from web copy.  Click here for more information.

Hosted by:

Geri C., Linda D., Belinda G.,

Karren K., and Barbara R.

Please bring a tax deductible donation for our Ghana scholars.

or donations can be sent to:  LWVGO Ed Fund (“Ghana Scholarship”),

1941 S. 42nd Street, Ste. 501, Omaha NE 68105-2945

(Check payable to LWVGO Ed Fund)

For the past three years, League members provided funds so that seven bright but needy girls in Ghana could complete Jr. High School.  Last Spring, all seven girls studied and took their secondary school exams.  The results on these exams, as dictated by the government, determined which secondary school they would attend.  In September, they were all placed in boarding schools throughout Ghana (the common form of secondary education in Ghana).  While the cost to send a girl to Jr. High School was about $300, the cost to send a girl to high school has increased to about $1,300 per year.  This is the reason why so many girls do not go on to higher education.  We believe that the key to long-term change and advancement for these girls is education.  We really want to provide scholarships to help them complete high school.  In Africa, when a girl is educated, her income potential increases, maternal and infant mortality are reduced, her children are more likely to be immunized, the birth rate decreases, and HIV infection rates are lowered.  She is more likely to acquire skills to improve her family's economic stability and is more likely to ensure that her daughters also receive an education.  Educating girls pays dividend after dividend to the whole community.  Our goal is to get these girls through high school, if possible. 

Won't you please help these deserving girls continue their education.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE LWVGO

WILL HOLD ITS JANUARY MEETING

THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 2007

LOCATION:  HOME OF CYNTHIA S.

Location information removed from web copy.  Click here for more information.

7:30  P.M.  - 9:00 P.M.

Discussion led by:  DR. ADI  POUR,  Director of the Douglas County Health Department

Topic for Discussion:  " LINKING LOCAL HEALTH AND PANDEMIC DISEASES"

Dr. Pour comes with a wealth of experience, knowledge and excellent

communication skills to inform an interested audience.

Mrs. Ruth D., the new Committee Chairperson, will preside over the

meeting.  Please attend as promptly as you are able.  Monitor the weather

conditions and be alert to any cancellations by 5:00 P.M. on the 17

Book Group Studies Presidential Candidates

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

7-9 p.m.

Location information removed from web copy.  Click here for more information.

            The Book Group met Tuesday, December 18 from 7-9 p.m.   The next meeting is Tuesday, January 1, at the home of Elouise G.  Please note the apartment number before leaving home as resident names are not listed in the building lobby.  At the December meeting they decided which book they’ll read in January and February.  Due to the Bulletin deadline, we can’t tell you which book yet.  More information later.

            All League members are welcome to participate.  To RSVP, or for additional information, please click here.

OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY EXHIBIT

“Campaigning for President”

            On January 26 to 28 the Omaha Public Library will be hosting an exhibit called "Campaigning for President" at the W. Dale Clark branch. The author of the book, Jordan Wright, will be in town on that Saturday to talk about his book and the exhibit. The library would like the League of Women Voters to work with them for the exhibit. We need some people who would be willing to be involved and some ideas about what we might do. Certainly we could set up voter registration and have some information available on why it is important that people vote. We can also encourage people to join the League. There may be some other things we can do as well. Please get in touch with Linda D. or Sally F. with your ideas or if you are willing to volunteer.

LWVGO EDUCATION COMMITTEE

            Are you interested in learning more about what is happening in Education in the Omaha metropolitan area?  You are invited to join the Education Committee of the LWVGO for an opportunity to help create the focus the Education Committee will take this coming year.  The committee will set goals and determine priorities as it decides what is to be accomplished. If you are interested, please click here.

Barb  D., Chairperson, Social Policy – Education

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO HONOR COMMUNITY LEADER

            The League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha is seeking nominations to its annual LWV Making Democracy Work Award.  The award, which will honor an individual for her community activism, will be presented February 18, 2008.

            The League of Women Voters has had an impact on national, state, and local issues for decades.  We want to honor that tradition and those who share our passion for making a difference through this award.

            Nominations are open to any woman who is or has been part of the work force and has contributed to our community in a meaningful way.  Nominees can apply themselves or may be nominated by a friend,  colleague, or organization.   An application form can be downloaded from our web site.   All applications must be received by January 15, 2008. 

            The winner will be announced in February in conjunction with the League’s 88th birthday party.  The League of Women Voters is the premier organization where hands-on work leads to civic improvement. The LWV celebrates community leaders, individuals who have envisioned a way to improve the community and have mobilized others to work with them to effect a change that has  benefited the broader community.  This award will honor one such individual that has, in the League tradition, helped make our community strong, vibrant,  and fair.

            League members are encouraged to nominate members of the community.  However, League members are excluded as potential recipients of this award.

            For more information, please contact Barbara R., award coordinator or visit our web site.

BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON

and

"Making Democracy Work"

Awards Presentation

Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:30 a.m.

Upstream Brewing Company - West

171st & West Center Road

Speaker:

Deb Suttle

LWVGO Speakers Bureau and former Nebraska State Senator

"I May Be Crazy, but This Is Nuts:

How Nebraska Treats Its Mentally Ill"

$18.50 per person

All League members, spouses, and other guests are invited to attend.

The reservation deadline is Thursday, February 14th.

(See flyer page 7)

ANNE BINHAMMER

            The League is sad to announce that longtime member and former LWVGO president Anne Binhammer passed away on November 30.  Her memorial service will be Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Presbyterian Church of the Cross, 1517 South 114th Street.

            The family has designated the LWVGO Education Fund as one of its memorials, and the League will gratefully accept donations in honor of Anne's many years of service.  We are in the process of contacting members who served with Anne on the Board of Directors, and we look forward to providing more details about her life and contributions to the League in next month's Bulletin.

            Our sincere sympathy goes to Anne's husband Bob and the rest of her family.

MEMBERSHIP

            Help us keep in touch! Please email or call me with any address, email or phone number updates.           

            Membership Stats:  I encourage everyone to update their Yearbooks throughout the year as new contact information is provided in the membership report.

            Membership Prospects:  I would be glad to include potential members in the mailing list to receive a few complimentary issues the Bulletin.  If you know someone who might be interested, please submit the complete contact information (name, address, phone number and if possible email address) to my attention.

            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.  

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

Click here for a printable copy of the Membership Application.