League of Women Voters of Camden County A non-partisan organization, promoting political responsibility through informed and active participation in government.

League Activities

At LWVUS Convention 2010

Four members of the LWVCC were at National (LWVUS) Convention in Atlanta in June 2010. Co-Presidents Harriet Snyder and Winne Rowell-Bullard went, and found the experience to be inspiring and educational. Members Ed Gracely and Anne Maiese are on the LWVNJ state board (Anne is the President thereof) and went as representatives of the state League. They both enjoy conventions and find them very worthwhile experiences. In addition to attending sessions, Anne participated in a panel to describe our award-winning Running & Winning activity for high school girls, and Ed helped run a session on issues in election auditing.

LWVCC Co-Presidents Harriet (L) and Winne	NJ attendees at Convention (Hover cursor for info)	Anne Maiese summoning NJ

Registering Voters

One of the classic League activities. Yes, we really do it, although it is by no means our only (or main) activity! One of the most satisfying places to register voters is after the Naturalization Ceremony for new citizens every few months in Camden. Freshly-minted Americans, eager to participate in democracy, and the League is THERE to register them to vote! Here are some pictures from our voter registration activities.

2010 -- After the Naturalization Ceremony in Camden	2010 -- Ditto. More new citizens, ready to vote (with Winne!)	2009 -- with collaborators from Delta Sigma Theta

Member Appreciation Brunch June 27, 2010

Paid up members were treated to brunch at the Coastline in Cherry Hill, after which we heard about some opportunities for members to become involved and to learn skills.

At this meeting, we heard about a number of opportunities and tasks:

• The program committee, responsible for the planning of the annual “kick off” and other activities, gave an overview of its process. It is also responsible for organizing the League's annual Running & Winning event. Needless to say, this is a very active committee which could always use more help, especially if we hope to have more program activities in the future.
• The moderating committee, led by a moderator coordinator, is responsible for providing League members to other Leagues and outside organizations upon request to moderate debates or discussions; this is also a funding vehicle for the League. More moderators and time keepers are always needed -- we train! Both tasks are at the core of the League's mission. These tasks are closely related to other key activities such as monitoring elections in public housing units.
• The membership director helps contact and involve members and prospective members. This position is currently vacant (7-24-10). Do you know someone (maybe yourself?) who enjoys outreach and communication with other members and prospective members? Consider taking on this role.
• Our League newsletter, “The Voter”, can always use contributions of specific interest to the League. Anyone interested in covering a League or county event should let the editor know. We also could use help around meeting times with design of fliers and mailings for the Voter and for postal mail. The Voter is published monthly and is distributed electronically and via U.S. mail to active members of the local League.
• The Treasurer and Budget Chair -- maintaining our finances and planning for the upcoming year are essential aspects of running our organization.
• Callathon is our annual fundraising initiative in support of the LWVNJ, which also provides significant income to local Leagues (like ours!) that participate. Anyone interested in calling a few other members to ask their support for the state League should let the Co-Presidents know. A larger team would allow us to call more people!
• The nominating committee reported on its process of identifying potential board members, executive officers, and elected committee chairs and how they proceed to develop a slate of candidates. Note that actually being on the board is an excellent way to learn about the League and its activities -- the board is the inner circle of the League!
• Last, but certainly not the least, of these reports was that of the holiday party committee, that described its preparations for the annual holiday party hosted annually at the home of one of our League members.

Many of these tasks provide an amazing opportunity for personal development. You could learn to be comfortable and skilled as a public speaker (moderating), learn how to prepare an organization's budget or keep its books, how to organize a program, write for publication, facilitate a small group (as part of Running & Winning)… The League provides leadership training (consider it a perk of membership!). Now it's up to you…

Claudia Tucker-Keto

2001 -- Rally in Trenton for Campaign Finance Reform

In 2001 a number of LWVCC members went to Trenton to see and support "Granny D", a senior citizen who walked the country for campaign finance reform, and Steve Ma, who did the same in NJ. Preliminary to the rally, we all made personal plackards in support of reforming campaigns!

LWVCC contingent	Steve Ma and Granny D make their entrance!	Steve Ma and Granny D addressing the crowd

Vist to NJ American Water, October 2009

The League has long been interested in environmental issues, including clean water. So we took a tour of the NJ American plant in Delran, to learn more about how our local water is processed and cleaned. We saw both a scale model and an actual room with a "superpulsator". The water flows into the bottom, percolates up through the slats, and leaves its particles and such behind before exiting at the top.

Water purification: Initial purification is with ozone, which is generated electrically from oxygen (as happens in a thunderstorm). Later a bit of chlorine is added to maintain purity. The devices to generate ozone are quite large as well!

Superpulsator scale model	Superpulsator room	Ozone generator

Meetings with Speakers

Several times a year we hold meetings for our membership, many of which are open to potential members or the public. Often we have interesting speakers to address the League on local topics.

2007 Chad Tolman, Global Warming expert	2008 Zach Stalberg, Committee of 70 (Philadelphia)	2010 Hon. Dana Redd, Mayor of Camden

2004 fall LWVCC Kickoff -- visit to the statehouse and Old Barracks Museum via the River Line

We all met up and took the "green" route to Trenton on the train. We began with a very interesting tour of the Old Barracks Museum, with historical actors presenting their "side" of historical events and reenacting scenes. Then we visited the statehouse, saw meeting rooms, and had a good informative time!

The Old Barracks Museum	The group in front of the statehouse	The Assembly chamber

URL: http://www.lwvnj.org/camdencounty/LWVCC_Activities.htm
Last updated: Aug 8, 2010
Comments: lwvcc@hotmail.com
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