ANNUALREPORT2016–2017

LEAGUEOFWOMENVOTERSOFALBANYCOUNTYwww.lwvalbany.org

VoterEducation

PaulTonkoatEnvironmentalProgram NaturalizationCeremony

Women’sEqualityDay BarbaraBartoletti VoterEducation

FriendusonFacebookatLeagueofWomenVotersofAlbany

County

Writetousat:P.O.Box611,Slingerlands,NY12159

Visitusat:www.lwvalbany.org

FollowusonTwitter@LWVAC

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

§ Agenda Page3

§ President’sReport MargaretDanes Page4

• LWVACOfficersandDirectors Page6

• 2016-2017Committees Page8

• ProposedLocalPrograms

Page9

§ CommitteeReports ActionReport Page10 AlbanyCountyObserverCorps Page11 Communications Page13 GreatDecisionsDiscussion Page14 LongTermCare Page15 Membership Page15 NewCitizensVoterRegistration Page16 PollReporting Page17 Programs Page17 StudentsInsideAlbany Page18 Treasurer’sReport Page19 VoterServices Page22 Addendum

1. LWVUSImpactonIssuesPositionsinBrief

2. LWVNYSImpactonIssuesPositionsinBrief

Page25Page29

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LWVAC’SAnnualMeetingonJune13,2017

Location:Martel’sRestaurantatCapitalHillsGolfCourse

6:45 Welcome MargaretDanes

6:55 StudentsInsideAlbany:Student,SarahBracken,11thGrader,ClaytonBoutonHighSchool

TinaRaggio

7:05 GuestSpeaker:

Dr.JamesKetterer,DeanofInternationalStudies;DirectoroftheBardGlobalizationandInternationalAffairsProgramTopicofPresentation:"SixMonthsLater”AnAnalysisoftheTrumpAdministration'sForeignPolicyActions

MarggieSkinner

7:35 BusinessMeeting–AppointmentofParliamentarian MargaretDanes

VerifyQuorum MarggieSkinner 7:40BudgetPresentation LauraBierman 7:50LocalProgramAdoption PaulaPhilo 8:00 ReportfromLWVNYConvention PatriciaSibilia 8:10NominatingCommittee’sReportand

ElectionofBoardMembersandNominatingCommittee

AnnBrandon

8:158:20

IntroductionofBoardMembersRecognitionofRetirements

AnnBrandonMargaretDanes

8:30

Adjourn

MargaretDanes

FormoreinformationregardingtheAlbanyCountyChapter:PostalAddress:P.O.Box611,Slingerlands,NY12159Website:www.lwvalbany.orgTwitter:@LWVACFacebookPage:LeagueofWomenVotersofAlbanyCounty

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LWVACPresident’sReportfor2016-2017

President’s Report TorepriseanoldSinatraclassic,“Itwasaverygoodyear.”Indeed,itwasabusyyear,butmoreimportantly,itwasaverygoodandproductiveyear.AttheSeptembermeeting,membersindicatedmajorconcernsfortheyearwereCountycharterreform,climatechange,corruptioningovernment,andnetworkingwithotherlike-mindedorganizations.Newissuesalsogainedourconcernasanewadministrationindicatedadismantlingofkeyprograms.

Onceagain,voterengagementworkundertheleadershipofBarbaraFrankelwasfilledwithcandidatedebateswithpositivefeedback,voterregistrationdrives,andaneffectiveimplementationofVote411.org.NaturalizationceremonieshavecontinuedtobesuccessfulinintroducingnewcitizenstotheLeagueandtovoterparticipationthankstoJulieElsonandadedicatedgroupofvolunteers.

TheAlbanyLeaguewasalsoquitevisiblethisyearatvarious“tabling”eventsincludingtheMartinLutherKingprogramattheEmpireStateConventionCenter,theCherryHillhistoricalcommemorationofthesuffragettemovementinAlbany,andthe“SocialJusticeandCommunityOrganizationDay”atProctor’sTheaterinconjunctionwiththefilmshowingof“1984”.TheseprogramshavegiventheLeagueanopportunitytoactivelyengagewiththepublicaswellastoshareLeagueinformation,literature,andadvocacywork.OutreachworkwasaffectedataLeaguepresentationtotheJuniorLeagueofAlbany,agroupengagedandcommittedtocommunityvolunteerism.

Ofcourse,asakeyelementofvoterparticipationmission,therewereanumberofinformationalforumsandprogramsonkeyissues.Women’sEqualityDaywasrecognizedwithdisplaysatarealibraries.BlairHornerwasourguestspeakeratourprogramon“CorruptioninGovernment.“InFebruarytherewasastellarturnoutforapaneldiscussiononimmigrationintheCapitalDistrict.InMarchtheLeaguesofAlbany,Rensselaer,Saratoga,andSchenectadysponsoredalivetheatricalproduction“PetticoatsofSteel”attheNYSMuseum,aninspirationallookbackatsuffragettehistory.InApril,therewasanotherfullhouseforaprogramentitled“EndangeredSpecies:TheFutureofJournalism”,aprogrampresentedinsuccessfulcollaborationwiththeWomen’sPressClub.Ourfinalprogramoftheyearwas“ClimateChange:TheEnd…OrtheBeginning.”TheeventattheBethlehemTownHallwasplayedtoanotherpackedhouse.Severalclimategroupswerealsoinattendanceforapanelpresentationonpositiveapproachestotheclimatechangechallenges.

NewthisyearwereopportunitiesformemberstojoininsupportofmajorconcernsatpublicralliesincludingtheWomen’sMarchinJanuaryandtheClimateChangerallyinApril.BothtookplaceinD.C.andsistercitiesthroughoutthecountry.Inadditiontoourlobbyingwork,“peoplepower”maybeapowerfultoolingainingrecognitionandrespectfromourelectedgovernmentofficials.

Onthelocallevel,theObserverCorpspresenceattheAlbanyCountyLegislaturehasbeennoticeableandwellreceived.PatriciaSibiliaandotherLeaguemembershaveofferedsensibleandnon-confrontationalinputonkeyissuesincludingredistrictingeffortsandotheraspectsofAlbanyCountyCharterReform.Onanotherfront,oursupportoftheexpansionofthepolystyrenebanwaswell-documented;however,itfailedtogainthevotesnecessarytobeputintolegislationatthistime.

Aswelooktothecomingyear,thereisworktobecontinuedandnewandimportantprojectsandissuestoundertake.TheLWVofNewYorkStateinconjunctionwiththeStateEducationDepartmentiscommittedtogettingcivicsbackintotheclassroom.TheNationalLeagueisadvocating“MakingDemocracyWork”andforleaguememberstodemonstratecollectiveimpact,relevance,andvisibility.

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And,justaswevoteonthelocal,state,andnationallevel,ourworkneedsbetrifoldandtoembraceandpromotelocal,state,andnationalissues.Asweworktowardsthesegoalsandaninformedelectorate,wemustdemonstratetoourelectedofficialsthatanenergizedvoterresponsecanbemightierthanbig-moneyedlobbyistsandspecialinterestgroups.Aswelookforwardtomeetingourgoals,wecanalsolooktomorenetworkingwithotherlike-mindedgroupsandindividualstobroadenourreachandincreasetheimpactofourprograms.

Inclosing,Iwouldliketothanktheamazingandhard-workingmembersofourAlbanyBoard.AimeeAllaud,MaryBielby,LindaEllenBrown,BarbaraFrankel,HerbGordon,PaulaPhilo,PatriciaSibilia,MarggieSkinner,andSteveWinters.Itisbecauseofyourindividualeffortsandinitiativesthatsomuchhasbeenaccomplishedthisyear.Ithasbeenrewardingexperienceinworkingwithagroupofteamplayers.Many,manythanks!!!

YoursinLeague,

MargaretDanes

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OfficersandDirectors

Bylawsstate:

• BoardofDirectorsconsistsofallofficersandnomorethan10otherelectedDirectors• ElectedDirectorsandOfficersserveatermoftwoyears• BoardofDirectorsmayappoint,butappointeddirectorsserveaoneyeartermwhichends

withAnnualMeetingfollowingtheappointment.• President,FirstVicePresident,Secretaryareelectedinevennumberedyears.• SecondVicePresident,Treasurerareelectedinoddnumberedyears.• NominatingCommitteehas5members.TheChairandtwomembersshallnotbeBoard

members.TheyshallbenominatedbytheNominatingCommitteeandbepresentedattheAnnualMeetingforelection.

Current(2016-2017)OfficersandDirectors:

OFFICERS

President MargaretDanes 2016–2018

1sVicePresident(Administration) PaulaPhilo 2016–2018

2ndVicePresident BarbaraFrankel 2015–2017

Secretary MaryBeilby 2017(Appointedtofillvacancy)

Treasurer MarggieSkinner 2015-2017

DIRECTORS

Communications AimeeAllaud 2015-2017

Webmaster LindaEllenBrown 2015-2017

AtLarge HerbGordon 2015-2017

ObserverCorp PatriciaSibilia 2016-2018

AtLarge StephenWinters 2016-2018

AtLarge MaryBeilby Appointed2017

NOMINATINGCOMMITTEE

AnnBrandon,Chair TinaRaggio AimeeAllaud

LorettaSimon PaulaPhilo

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SlateofCandidatesfor2017-2018:

OFFICERS

President MargaretDanes 2016-2018

1sVicePresident(Administration) PatriciaSibilia 2017-2018

2ndVicePresident(Advocacy) MaryBeilby 2017-2019

Secretary BrittWestergard 2017-2018

Treasurer MarggieSkinner 2017-2019

DIRECTORS

Communications AimeeAllaud 2016-2018

Webmaster LindaEllenBrown 2016-2018

VoterService BarbaraFrankel 2016-2018

AtLarge SusannaMartin 2017-2019

Membership PaulaPhilo 2016-2018

AtLarge StephenWinters 2016-2018

NOMINATINGCOMMITTEE

MarianSchwager,Chair TinaRaggio ArleenStein

THANKYOUtoHerbGordonforhisyearsofserviceasBoardMember.

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LWVACCOMMITTEES–2016-2017

Belowisthelistingofour2016-2017Committeesandtheirleads.Wewanttothankthosewhohaveputforththeefforttoparticipateinthem.Aswebeginourplanningfortheupcomingyear,weaskallmemberstoconsiderjoiningacommitteetomakeourorganizationstronger.ActionandAdvocacy AimeeAllaud

MaryBielby

AlbanyCountyCharter/ObserverCorps PatriciaSibilia,ChairHerbGordonMargaretDanes

Communications AimeeAllaud,ChairMarianSchwager(BulletinEditor)LauraBierman(BulletinFormatting)MarggieSkinner(Mailings,Facebook)LindaEllenBrown(WebContentManager,Twitter)MaryBielby(WebsiteCalendar)

GreatDecisionsDiscussionGroup MarthaKennedyPeggyGutmanJudyWingKatieHenrikson

LongTermCare ArleenStein

MembershipCommittee PaulaPhilo,ChairMarggieSkinnerPatriciaSibilia

NewCitizenVoterRegistration JulieElson,ChairCindySchultz,LisaNissenbaum,LindaBernardi,JanetReilly,ColleenMaloney,JudithGrose-Johnson,BarbaraTraynor,JudithWing,BrittWestergard,PatriciaSibilia

PollReporting MarggieSkinner

ProgramCommittee OfficersandDirectors

StudentsInsideAlbany TinaRaggio,ChairRemaGoldsteinPaulaPhilo

VotersService BarbaraFrankel,ChairTinaRaggioPatriciaSibilia

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PROPOSEDLOCALPROGRAMS2017-2018

• AlbanyCountyCharterReviewStudyContinuefollowingdevelopmentsinAlbanyCountyconcerningrevisionstotheAlbanyCountyCharterandtakeactiontosupportthepositionsonitadoptedbytheAlbanyCountyLeague.

• EnvironmentMonitorproposalsforlandfillsinAlbanyCounty,basedonourexistingfour-countysolidwastepositionwiththerecognitionofresponsibleandsustainableuseofnaturalresourcesbymunicipalities.TheLeaguewillmonitortheenvironmental,publicsafetyandhealthimpactsassociatedwiththetransportationofcrudeoilshipmentsintothePortofAlbany,andtheextensionofanaturalgaspipelineintoandthroughAlbanyCounty(Newlanguageadded:althoughtheextensionhasbeensuspended,itcouldberevived).

• LongTermCareinAlbanyCountyContinuemonitoringlongtermcareoptionsandissuesinAlbanyCounty.

• AStudyofAlbanyCitySchoolBoardElectionProcessThisisaproposaltostudytheelectionprocessforAlbanyschoolboardmembers,budgetandotherfiscalitemsthatmustbeapprovedbythevoters.TheLeaguehasalonghistoryofinvolvementintheCityschoolelections,beginningin1970withthenonpartisanelectionoftheCityofAlbanyschoolboard.In1988,theLeaguestudiedtheelectionprocessfortheschoolboardandcametotheconsensusonarotationelectionsystemfortheseven-memberboard.CandidatesfortheAlbanyschoolboardareelectedintheNovembergeneralelectionandthebudgetisvotedinMay.Theboardmaycallareferendumonotherissues.

Ø TheLWVACBoardrecommendstothemembershipthatthisitembedropped.

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COMMITTEEREPORTS

ACTIONANDADVOCACYREPORT–AimeeAllaud&MaryBeilby

1. LWVACparticipatedintheLWVNYSLegislativeProceduresUpdatethat2015conventiondelegatesagreedshouldoccur.Thestudycommittee(AimeeAllaud,chairperson,PaulaPhilo,MaryBeilby,BarbaraBartoletti,DonnaMahoney,andPatriciaSibilia)metinOctober2016toprepareforapresentationtomembersinNovember.ThequestionsfordiscussionandconsensuswerewhethertheLegislatureshouldbeafulltimeorparttimebody,howlongthetermsofstatelegislatorsshouldbe,shouldtherebelimitsonoutsideemploymentbylegislators,shouldtherebetermlimitsforlegislativeleadershipandcommitteechairs.Followingalivelydiscussionaconsensuswasreached,approvedbytheLWVACboard,andsenttotheLWVNYS.FortheLeague’newlyupdatedposition,seehttp://www.lwvny.org/advocacy/gov-reform/reform/2017/LWVNY-New-Legislative-Procedures-January-2017.pdf.

2. LWVACboardinaboarddiscussionattheDecember1meeting,recommendedtotheLWVNYSthefollowinglegislativeprioritiesforthe2017legislativesession:1),Women’sIssues,esp.reproductivechoice,2)NaturalResourcesissuesidentifiedinthe2016Leaguepriorities,andemphasizingclimatechangerelatedissues(non-carbonenergy),andnodecreaseinfundingtoassurecleanwater,cleanair,3)JudicialIssues,esp.relatedtoracialbiasinNYSprisonsystems.

3. LWVACheldameetinginJanuarytoeducatemembersandthepublicontheconstitutionalconventionquestionthatNewYorkerswillvoteoninNovember2017.ShouldtheLWVNYStakeapositiononwhethertosupport,opposeorremainneutralontheballotquestionwasthesubjectofaPowerPointpresentationbyJenniferWilsonandLauraBiermanoftheLWVNYSstateoffice.TheLWVACrecommendedthattheStateLeagueshouldremainneutralonthequestionandprovidebalancedinformationtothevoters.Subsequently,theLWVNYSannouncedLeaguesupportincallingforaNYSConstitutionalConvention.(seehttp://www.lwvny.org/programs-studies/concon/2017/Press-Con-con_032717.pdf)

4. AbillwasintroducedintheAlbanyCountyLegislatureinNovember2016tobantheuseofpolystyrenefoamfoodcontainersinAlbanyCounty.AfterreviewingthelegislationandtheLeague’sfourCountySolidWasteposition,theLWVACboardvotedtosupportthelegislationinMarch2017.AlbanyCountyLocalLaw"S"banningPolystyreneFoamfoodcontainerswasdefeatedintheCountyLegislatureonMarch13byavoteof21-16toopposethebanexpansionalthoughtheLWVACjoinedwithenvironmentaladvocatestomountavisiblecampaignthroughpetitionsandcallstolegislators.AimeeAllaudpresentedtheLeague’spositioninthepubliccommentperiodofthecountylegislatureattheMarchmeeting.

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5. AimeeAllaud,MaryBeilbyandReginaTillmanattendedAdvocacyTraining/LobbyDayon

April25,2017.Duetoaschedulingglitch,theissuepresentationswerecompressed.ThemainfocuswasontheHealthCarebill.The3ofusjoinedotherareamembersinvisitingtheofficesofAssemblywoman,PatriciaFahy;AssemblymanSteckandSen.BreslindiscussedtheHealthCarebillanddistributedourstateLegislativeAgenda.

6. MaryBeilbyjoinedagroupofseveralLWVNYmembersattendingtheSenateElection

Committeevoteon“earlyvoting”whichLWVNYhasbeensupporting.ThebillwasreferredtotheLocalGovernmentCommitteeandlatertotheSenateRulesCommittee.Thegroupalsoattendedalegislativepressconferenceintroducingabilleliminatingtherequirementtolistone’ssalaryhistoryonjobapplications.

TheLeaguetakesactionbasedonLWVUSandLWVNYSpositions,attachedintheaddendumtothisAnnualReport:

• LWVUSImpactonIssuesPositionsinBrief,page25

• LWVNYSImpactonIssuesPositionsinBrief,page30

ALBANYCOUNTYCHARTER/OBSERVERCORPS-PatriciaSibilia

Thesummerof2016wasahotonefortheAlbanyCountyLegislature,andtheopenquestionwaswhetherwewouldhaveapropositionontheballotintheNovemberelectiontoaddressAlbanyCounty’sCharterconcerns.PeterCrouse(R-24th),workingtogetherwiththeDemocraticleadership,putforwardthreeproposedlocallawstoaddresswhathadlongbeenthecriticismsabouttheAlbanyCountyCharter.HisproposedLocalLawFoutlineddownsizingoftheLegislatureintwostages;firstfrom39legislatorsto33in2024,andthento29legislatorsin2032.HisproposedLocalLawGwasaimedatredistricting,andproposedLocalLawHwasalengthysetofeditstoclarifyandbringuptodateover50sectionsoftheCharter.TheMajorityMinorityDistrictLegislatorsputoutaMediaAdvisorytoannouncethatthey“willusealllegalmeanstostoppublichearingsandrelatedeffortstoenactlocallawsthatdownsizethenumberoflegislativedistricts.”ItwastheMajorityMinorityconcernsthatresultedinthethreelawsuitsagainsttheCountyundertheUSVotingRightsAct,allofwhichtheCountylost.

TheLeaguewasveryactive,attendingCommitteemeetings,talkingtokeyLegislatorsonbothsidesoftheissues,makingpubliccommentsateveryPublicHearingaswellasspeakingduringthePublicForumperiodofeachLegislativeSession.Wealsoduginanddidsignificantresearchonlegislaturesizeandredistricting,butfailedtohaveenoughtimetolookmorecloselyattheCoronersversusMedicalExaminerissuethathadbeenraisedbytheCharterReviewCommissionandwhichhadsomepreviousresearchdonebyLeaguemembersinprioryears.

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Inmid-JulyweheldaLeaguemembershipmeetingtoreviewtheCrouseproposalsagainstourconsensuspositionreachedin2014andthemorerecentresearchthathadbeendone.WefeltwecouldnotsupportCrouse’sproposedlocalLawFandGastheywerewrittenversusthewordingofourcurrentconsensuspositionandstatedthisattheJulyPublicHearingonLocalLawsF,GandH.

IntheAugustLegislativesessionavotewasscheduledforthesethreeproposedLocalLaws.Inthatmeetingthedebateragedatgreatlengthsasdifferentmembersofareformcoalitioncounteredwiththeirownproposals.Predominantlythediscussionwasondownsizing,butmixedwiththatofredistrictingasthesubjectsaresomewhatentwined.ChrisHiggins(D-5th)introducedanamendmenttoCrouse’sLocalLawFtodownsizeto25membersasitwasproposedbytheCharterCommissionfouryearsearlier.TheHigginsamendmentfailedwith22opposedtoit,14infavor.ThesubsequentrollcallvoteonCrouse’sdownsizingproposedinLocalLawFresultedina31-5defeat.MarkGrimm(R-29th)thenputforwardanamendmentonLocalLawGthatmirroredtheCharterCommission’srecommendationonredistricting.Afterconsiderablemoredebatetheamendmentfailed27to9,andtherollcallvoteonCrouse’sLocalLawGwasclose,butwasdefeatedwithonevoteshortofthe20neededtopass.Finally,ToddDrake(R-19th)proposedanamendmenttoCrouse’sLocalLawHonthe“clean-up”whichwasdefeated.HoweverintherollcallvoteonLocalLawHasproposedbyCrouse,itpassedtheLegislaturewithavoteof20-15,whichfinallyresultedwiththisontheballotinNovember.TheLeaguesupportedProposalNumber1,asitwasnamedonthebackoftheballot.Eventhoughwefeltitfellfarshortofthereformneeded,itwasstillastepintherightdirection,anditpassedwithover67%ofvote.

FurtherstepstowardreformquicklystartedbackupinOctoberwithtwocompetingLocalLawsonredistrictingbeingproposed.AstheLeaguefeelsthistobeoneofthemostcriticalareasofreformneeded,especiallyinlightofthepastlawsuits,weworkedverycloselywithCrousewhosponsoredLocalLawV,withJoanneCunningham(D-30th)whosponsoredLocalLawW,aswellaswithotherLegislatorsandlegislativestaff.InpartduetotheLeague’sinsistencethattherenotbeseparatePublicHearingsforthesetwoproposals,andoururgingthatthelegislatorsworktogetheronasingleproposal,discussionsacrosstheaislehavebeenhappening,withinputfromtheLeagueonpotentialpointsforimprovementforboth.IntheMayLawCommitteemeetingbothsponsorsreportedthattheyfeltpositiveaboutthediscussions,andthenextfewmonthswilltellifthisNovemberAlbanyCountyvoterswillhavesomerealreformtoweighinon.

OthersignificanthappeningsbytheCountyLegislaturethisyearinclude:

• Raisingtheageto21onthesaleofalltobaccoproducts• SoldierOn,ahousingopportunityforhomelessveterans,getsa50yearleaseatthe

formerAnnLeeNursingHome• ProhibitingAlbanyCountygovernmentfromdiscriminatingagainstpotential

employeesbasedontheircriminalarrestrecordorconviction.

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• Defeatofproposaltofurtherlimittheuseofpolystyrenefoamindisposablefoodserviceware

• ProhibitingtheuseoftobaccoproductsinparksorrecreationalareasownedandoperatedbytheCounty

• Proposedlegislationtoaddresswagegagebetweenwomenandmenbyprohibitingemployersfromrequiringjobapplicantstoprovidepriororcurrentsalaryinformation(inprogress)

COMMUNICATIONSANNUALREPORT–AimeeAllaud

TheLWVACCommunicationsTeamhasresponsibilityforcommunicationofourprogramsandissuestotheAlbanycommunityviawebsite,bulletin,ConstantContactmessaging,Facebook,Twitter,pressreleasestomediaandflyerstolibrariesandothervenues.OurteamisMarianSchwager(bulletineditor),LauraBierman(bulletinformatting),MarggieSkinner(mailingsandPayPal),LindaEllenBrown(websiteandTwitter),MaryBeilby(websitecalendar),AimeeAllaudandMarggieSkinner(FaceBook).HaveyoucheckedourwebsitewithabeautifulimageoftheEmpireStatePlaza?Graphics/videos/photographs,alongwithtimelymessagesandeaseofusabilityareduetotheskillsandharmonizationofourCommunicationsTeam.

Newin2016-17Twitteraccount@lwvacwaslaunchedinAugust2016.WefollowandarefollowedbyLWVUS,LWVNYSandlocalleaguesthroughouttheUSaswellasgoodgovernmentgroups,journalistsandcivic-mindedcitizens.Withsupportofboardandmemberswewillincreaseourutilizationofthisfreeserviceintheupcomingyear.Twitterisaleading-edgechanneltocreateanongoinganddirectdialoguewithanaudience,spreadnewsrapidly,informandmobilizeactivists,andprospectnewsupporterstoexpandournetwork’sreach.PayPalPaymentsaccountwasestablishedandmadeavailableonourwebsitetoreceiveonlinepaymentsofduesanddonationstoLWVAC.PayPalallowsustoacceptcreditcards,debitcards,PayPal,andPayPalCreditandmakesiteasyforuserstomakepaymentssecurelyandconvenientlyonlineoronmobile.Fivebulletinswereproducedduringthepastyearandpostedtothewebsitebyourwebmaster,LindaEllenBrown.Aboutone-halfofourmembershipreceivestheelectronicbulletinsavingtheLWVACprintingandpostagecosts(anditarrivesearlierinyourhandstoo!).IfyouwouldliketoreceiveitinyourInbox,contactAimee(85aimee@nycap.rr.com).Ourbulletinisfullofnewsandopportunitiesfortakingactioninourcommunity,stateandnation.President,MargaretDanes,hasgivenus“foodforthought”ineachissue---thankyou,Margaret.

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GREATDECISIONSDISCUSSIONGROUP

TheLWVAC’sGreatDecisionsGroupself-selectedintotwogroups,oneinthemorningandtheotherintheafternoon.

MorningGroupUpdate-MarthaKennedyBeginningattheendofSeptember2016andcontinuingintoNovember,theGlobalIssues/GreatDecisionsdiscussiongroupheld4meetingstodiscussNaomiKlein’sbookdealingwithenvironmentalissuesandspecificallyclimatechange,“ThisChangesEverything”.ThemeetingswereheldintheCommunityRoomattheBerkshireBankonVistaBlvd.inSlingerlandsandprovidedsomeinterestinginsightsintoentitiesimpactingenvironmentalpolicies.

FromtheendofFebruaryandthroughMay2017,themorningGreatDecisionsdiscussiongrouphasbeenmeetingbi-weeklytoaddressthetopicsinthe2017editionoftheForeignPolicyAssociation’sannualbriefingbookatthissamevenue.Adifferentmemberofthegrouphasvolunteeredtofacilitateateachmeetingandprovidebothsupplementalinformationandguidancethroughoutthediscussionsaswellastheever-appreciatedrefreshments.

Weextendourthankstothebankanditsemployeesfortheirhospitalityandcoffee,aswellasacomfortable,accessiblemeetingspace.

Atthefinalmeeting,thegroupreviewedmembersubmittedrecommendationsofbookstoconsiderfordiscussionbeginningnextfall.“EarningtheRockies”byRobertKaplanwasselectedandmeetingswillbeheldatthesamevenueOct.2,16,and30th.AnyoneinterestedinparticipatinginthatprogramisencouragedtocontactMarthaKennedyatdkennedy2@nycap.rr.com.

AfternoonGroupUpdate–PeggyGuttman,JudyWingTheGreatDecisionsafternoongroupmetatBeverwycktwicemonthlyfromFebruarythroughMaytoreadtheGreatDecisionsbookletpublishedbytheForeignPolicyAssociation.

2017year’stopicswereasfollows:TheFutureofEurope,TradeandPolitics,ConflictintheSouthChinaSea,SaudiArabiainTransition,U.S.ForeignPolicyandPetroleum,LatinAmerica’sPoliticalPendulum,ProspectsforAfghanistanandPakistan,andNuclearSecurity.

Thoughstartingwithaboutfifteenpeopleonpaper,severalchosethemorninggroupandtwowereunabletoparticipatethisyear.Aboutsixindividualswereregularattendees,andthreewereoccasionalattendees.Participantsseemedtoenjoylivelydiscussionsandfoundthelocationconvenient.Itwassuggested,andagreed,thatwithsuchasmallgroupweshouldreconsiderhavinganafternoongroupatBeverwycknextyear.

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LONGTERMCAREREPORT–ArleenSteinIt’sbeenasbusyasusualintheAlbanyCountylongtermcarearena.TheCountyExecutive’sOfficecontinuestomakeapushforseniorcommunity-basedservicesforboththeMedicaidandnon-Medicaidpopulationkeepingpeoplehealthyandathome.Hereareafewhighlights.

• Inthefall,theCountywasawardeda$750kgrantforseniorrehab.andAlbanyCountyaddedanother$25k.The30homesidentifiedinneedofmodificationareexpectedtobecompletedbytheendofJune.Repairshaveincludedroofs,furnaces,windows,rampsandmodificationstobathroomsandkitchenstomakehomesmoreseniorfriendly.Thereisawaitlistofmorethan100otherhomes.

• AnewseniorcenterhasbeenopenedinWestAlbanywithweeklydrop-inservicesofasocialworkerandregisterednurse.

• AreportontheHomeCareCrisisintheAdirondackswascompletedandaplantotrytoseekasolutionisbeingimplemented.

• Ontheinstitutionalside:in2017,theAlbanyCountynursinghomeexpectsa$2millioninprofitandfuturedecreasesincountyburden.Whilesomeimprovementstothenursinghomearealreadyunderway,includingupgradingbeds,furnishingsandmedicalequipment,it'sslatedforafullrehabilitationwithestimatedcostsatabout$50millionsometimenextyear.

MEMBERSHIPCOMMITTEE–PaulaPhilo

ThetopprioritiesfortheMembershipCommitteethisyearweretorecruitnewmembers,retainestablishedmembersandgetmembersinvolved.

InSeptemberweformedaPhoneTeamtocallbothnewandestablishedmemberstoencouragethemtocometoupcomingmeetingsandotherevents.InJanuarywedecidedthat,althoughthiseffortwassuccessfulforthePotluckinSeptember,itdidn'tseemtobeworkingoverall.Wenolongermakethesephonecalls.

Wealsoformedateamofvolunteerswhogreetattendeesatthedoor.ThegreetersencouragegueststotakeanyavailableLWVliteratureandtoleavetheircontactinformationiftheywanttobeaddedtoourConstantContactlist.

Weencouragedmemberstofilloutinterestsheets,indicatingtheareaswheretheyarewillingtohelpanddistributedthisinformationtotheappropriatecommitteechairs.

OnJune28wewillbehostinganInformationSharewherememberswillminglewithothermembersandalsolearnmoreabouttheLeague.Theeventwillbeopentothepublic,someofwhommightbepotentialmembers.Speakerswillinclude:MargaretDanes(abouttheLeague),PatriciaSibilia(ObserverCorps),BarbaraFrankel(VoterServices),JulieElson(Naturalization

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Ceremonies)andJenniferWilson(LWVNY).TheeventwilltakeplaceonJune28from7:00p.m.to8:30p.m.intheCommunityRoomoftheBethlehemPublicLibrary.

Membershipnumbersasof2/1/16: Individual-123,additionalhousehold-23,lifetime–10,student-3Membershipnumbersasof2/1/17:

Individual-118,additionalhousehold-25,lifetime-10AsofMay,2017:

Individual-150,additionalhousehold-28,lifetime-10

NEWCITIZENVOTERREGISTRATION–JulieElson

Participationbroadenedintheserviceprojectdramaticallybyusingitasatooltoincreasemembershipandvisibility.Infact,ithasgrowninbothscopeandsupport.AsreportedintheLWVAlbanyDecember2016bulletin,inadditiontoattendingthirteennaturalizationceremoniesattheFederalDistrictCourt,acadreofnewandoldLeaguemembersalsoassistedatthreeAlbanyCountyCourtceremoniesandoneWashingtonCountySupremeCourtceremony.BesidesJulie,thoseinvolvedincludedJanetReilly,LindaBernardi,LisaNissenbaum,ColleenMaloney,CindySchultz,JudithGrose-Johnson,BarbaraTraynor,JudithWing,BrittWestergardandPatriciaSibilia.Morethan500newvoterswereregisteredtovoteduringtheseceremoniesandeachreceivedmaterialsaboutthevotingprocess,organdonationandtheactivitiesoftheLeague.In2017theAlbanyLeaguewillberegisteringnewcitizenstovoteatatotalofseventeenceremonies.

Butthemanynewcitizensaren'ttheonlybeneficiaries.VoterServiceschairBarbaraFrankelsuccessfullyappliedforNationalLeaguegrantfundingtoprovideuswithanarrayofvotinginformationandsupplies,includingflags,pensandstampsforvolunteerstomailincompleted,outofcountyregistrationforms!TheprojecthasalsoprovenagreatintroductiontotheLeagueforprospectivememberslookingforwaystoassistwithvoterregistrationinamomentouselectionyear.Despitethe7:45amstarttime,wewelcomednewvolunteerstonotonlyshareintheexcitementandhappinessofpeoplebecomingAmericancitizens,butalsotoprovidethemwithavitaleducationalservicefortheirnewcivicresponsibilities.

TheAlbanyLeaguelaidthegroundworkfortheLeaguesinSaratogaCountyandRensselaerCountytobegintheirownvoterregistrationofnewcitizenprojectsatthenaturalizationceremoniesintheirowncounty’scourthousesorinthosenearby.AftersendingaleaguemembertoanAlbanyceremony,theSaratogaLeaguehastakenontheresponsibilityfortheWashingtonCountyCourthouseceremoniesandtheRensselaerLeaguehasfollowed-uponcontactsmadebytheAlbanyLeagueandhasregisterednewcitizenvotersattheRensselaerCountyCourthouseforthefirsttimeinMay2017.

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POLLREPORTING2016–MarggieSkinner

Thankstoeachofthemorethan60leaguemembersandfriendswhocoveredapollingplaceonElectionDay.Wereceivedatotalof$2,370fromWNYTandtheAssociatedPressforallthecoveragethatwewereabletoprovide.WedidreceiveanapologyfromPaulContiwhooverseesthisoperation.HeacknowledgedthatthephonelinesdidgettiedupandIhaveheardfromsomeofyouthatyouwerenotabletogetthroughandreportyourresults.Butwehavebeenpaidforcoveringalloftheplaces.Theywillbeworkingonfixingthephonesystembeforenextyear.PaulaandIalsometwiththeElectioncommissionersandraisedissuesthatwerebroughttoourattention.

Thankyouagain.Thiseffortcovered153ElectionDistrictsin58locationswithateamofover60leagueandnon-leaguemembers.ThisisamajorsourceofsupportforourLeagueandIthinkitputsusinthe"roomwhereithappens"foratleastonephaseofourpoliticalsystem.

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PROGRAMCOMMITTEE–MargaretDanes,HerbGordon,AimeeAllaud

PlanningprogramsfortheLeagueyearisanexcitingthoughdauntingtask!ManyopportunitiesexistintheAlbanycommunityforbringingdiversityintoourprogrammingthroughcollaborationswithpublicpolicyorganizations,advocatesandeducators.Informativemeetingsoncurrent“hottopics”canleadtopositiveactioninourcommunities!TheLeagueboardfunctionsasaprogramcommitteebysuggestingprogramideasforasmallertaskedcommitteetopursue.In2016-17,MargaretDanes,PaulaPhilo,HerbGordon,MaryBeilbyandAimeeAllaudreviewedoptionsformeshingLWVNYS/LWVACpositionswithemergingissuesoflocal,stateandnationalconcern.[SeeattachedsummariesofLWVUSandLWVNYSpositionsintheaddendum]

Inconsideringoptionsforinterestingprograms,ourcommitteehasfocusedonthemessagebroughtbacktousbyourdelegatestotheLWVUSJune2017convention:impact/visibility/relevance.Thepresidentialelectionof2016furtherstimulatedthinkingonhowtheAlbanyLeaguecouldincreaselocalunderstandingofissuessuchasimmigration,journalismvaluesinademocracyintheeraofsocialmedia,therelationshipoftheU.S.totheworldwithanewpresidentinoffice,theNYSConstitutionalConventionballotissue,longertermsforNYSlegislators,positiveactiontoreduceclimatechangeimpacts.Usingthesecriteriaresultedinprogramsthatattractedverybroadaudiences,manyofwhichwereunfamiliarwiththeLeague!Programsonthesetimelytopicsresultedinaverageaudienceattendanceofover200peopleforeach(Immigration,Journalismintheeraofsocialmedia,ClimateChange),atestamenttocreativeandcollaborativeprogramplanning.

Programsin2016-2017:

September: PotLuckSupperwiththemeofexploringkeyissuesonwhichmemberswouldlikeinformationandprograms.

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November:“NYSLegislature:LongerTerms?StaggeredTerms?LimitsonOutsideIncome?”DiscussionandconsensusonrevisingtheLeague’s1977position,St.Sophia’schurch,6:30-8:30PM.

December:HolidayLuncheonwithDr.JamesKetterer,DeanofGlobalOutreach,BardCenterforCivicEngagementandtheBardGlobalizationandInternational,speakingon“TheNewNormal:MakingSenseofTheElectionResultsandImplications,”Martel’sRestaurant,12N-2PM

January:“ShouldNYSHoldaConstitutionalConvention?”FollowingaPowerPointpresentation,LeaguememberswereaskedtohelpdecideiftheLWVNYSshouldsupport,opposeorremainneutralontheballotproposalinNovember2017,St.Sophia’sChurch,Sunday,1:30-3:30PM.

February:“ACommunityConversationonImmigrationintheCapitalDistrict,”acollaborationwithorganizationsservingimmigrantsandrefugeesintheCapitalRegion,sharinginformationonthedimensionofthelocalissue,theservicestheyofferandwaysforinvolvement,Sundayafternoon,St.Sophia’schurch(largehall)2:00-4:00PM.

March:Celebratingthe100thanniversaryofwomen’srighttovoteinNYS,“PetticoatsofSteel”theatricalperformanceattheCulturalEducationCenter/EmpireStatePlaza,5:00-6:00PM.

April:“EndangeredSpecies?TheFutureofJournalismandthe1stAmendment,”jointprogramwiththeNYSWomen’sPressClub,”withguestpanelistsfromtheTimes-Union,UAlbany,AlbanyLawSchool,andCollegeofSt.Rose,DelmarReformedChurch,6:30-8:30PM.

May:“ClimateChange:TheEnd?OrTheBeginning?”withguestpanelists,CongressmanPaulTonko,AssemblywomanPatFahy,Dr.JeffCorbinofUnionCollege,andadisplayofelectricvehiclesandotherenvironmentalinformation,BethlehemTownHall,6:30-8:30p.m.

June:AnnualDinnerMeeting,businessmeeting,programwithDr.JamesKetterer,BardCollege,“SixMonthsLater”,AnAnalysisoftheTrumpAdministrations’ForeignPolicyActions,Martel’sRestaurant,5:30-8:00PM.

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STUDENTSINSIDEALBANY(SIA)–TinaRaggio

TheCommitteefor2016-2017wascomprisedofTinaRaggio,Chair,RemaGoldstein,andPaulaPhilo.Onestudent,SarahBracken,an11thGraderfromClaytonBoutonHighSchoolinVoorheesville,NYattendedtheconference,whichwasheldMay21st–24th.The2017-2018CommitteewillbechairedbyRemaGoldstein,andincludePaulaPhiloandTinaRaggio.______________________________________________________________________________

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TREASURER’SREPORT–MarggieSkinner

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VOTERSERVICES–BarbaraFrankel

TheLeagueappliedforandreceivedtwonationalLeagueofWomenVotersgrants:• TheNationalLeagueofWomenVotersEducationFund(LWVEF)inconjunctionwith

recordingartistPattyGriffinfundedaproject,entitled“UseYourVoice”.Aspartofa39-citytour,theGrammy-awardwinningartistheldanAlbanyconcertthatpromotedLWVvoterengagementandprovidedLWVACwith$500tosupportlocalleague2016voterservicework.

• Aspartofa2016NaturalizationCeremonyVoterRegistrationproject,NationalLWVEF

awardedpass-throughgrantsof$800toourLeaguetoundertakevoterregistrationactivitiesatnaturalizationceremoniesfornewcitizens.(SeeNewCitizenVoterRegistrationforfurtherdiscussionof2016expandednaturalizationactivities.)

VoterRegistrationThetwograntshelpedfundaverybusyyear.VolunteersspoketothreepoliticalscienceclassestotrainCollegeofSaintRosestudentstoconductvoterregistrationdrives;helpedstudentseducateandregistertheirfellowstudentsatSageCollegecafeteriaatlunchtime,didavoterregistrationpresentationtoaUniversityofAlbanyfreshmenclassandregisteredstudentsatSienaCollege.WehadatablsatShopritegrocerystoreonCentralAvenue,the100BlackMenPicnic,theDelawareStreetFair,andtheHealOurCommunityCookOutsponsoredbytheCenterforLawandJustice.VolunteersregisteredvotersattheCenterforDisabilities,severalmosquesandanIslamicCenterandhadavoterinformationtableattheRocktheVotedayduringtheValleyCatsgameatJoeBrunoStadium.WealsotrainedstaffattheWhitneyYoungHealthCentertodovoterregistrationandeducation.WehadavoterregistrationtableattheLiveStreamingofthe10thanniversaryofthemovie“Idiocracy”attheMadisonTheaterandtheWatervlietLibrary.Finally,underthedirectionofAimeeAllaud(CommunicationsDirector),wehadavoterregistration/educationtablesatalloftheAlbanyCountyPublicLibrariesforWomen’sEqualityWeek.Thisyear,LWVACtrieddifferentapproachestostandardvoterregistration:TheLeaguetriedthefollowingapproaches:Expandedvoterregistrationactivitiestoincludevotereducation‘turnout”relatedinformation.Mostpotentialvoterswerealreadyregistered.Wetalkedaboutusingvoterregistrationformtoupdatevoterinformation(namechanges,addresschanges,partyenrollment,changeinpartyenrollment,andorgandonation);theimportanceoflocalracesontheballot(votingisnotjustaboutPresidentialraces),whyonevotematters,absenteeballots,locationofpollplaces,usingpaperballots,electiondates,vote411,andLeaguemembership.

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“TraintheTrainer”-Training/providingvoterguidesandotherLeagueinformationtootherorganizationswhoconductedvoterregistration/educationdrives-expandingourreach.Examples:WhitneyYoungclinicstaffandCollegeStRosestudents.Partneredwithmoreorganizations:CollaborationsatFourUniversities(CollegeofSaintRose,Siena,UniversityofAlbanyandRussellSageCollege),presentationsatpoliticalscienceclasses,CenterforCriminalCenterforLawandJustice,MasjidAsSalamMosque,AL-HIDAYACenterMosque,CenterforDisabilitiesand100BlackMen.VoterRegistration/TurnOut/atdifferentsettings:Inadditiontostreetfairs,wehadtablesatagrocerystore,baseballgame,andmovietheaterevent.Recognizinghowlabor-intensivevoterregistration/educationtablescanbe,wedidnotstafftheWomen’sEqualityTableatthepublicLibraries.Thetableshadallappropriateeducationandregistrationmaterialbutnovolunteers.CandidateEventsWeheldthreewell-attendedcandidateevents:NewYork’s20thCongressionalDistrictCandidateForumwasco-sponsoredbyLeaguesofWomenVotersofAlbany,Rensselaer,SaratogaandSchenectadyCounties.Theeventusedathree-personpanel(KarenDeWitt,CapitolBureauChiefforNewYorkStatePublicRadio,MatthewHamiltonReporterfortheTimesUnion,andSteveMullerLeagueWomenVoters)toaskquestionsaboutEconomic,Domestic,andForeignPolicy.NewYorkStateLeagueofWomenVotersofAlbanyandSchenectadyCounties,AltamontFreeLibrary,andGuilderlandPublicLibrarysponsoredacandidateForumforthe46thSenateDistrict.

TheLeaguealsosponsoredtheBethlehemCentralSchoolDistrict“MeettheCandidatesNight”fortheeightcandidatesrunningforschoolboard.TheeventwashostedbytheBethlehemCentralSchoolDistrict.VOTE411VOTE411providesaone-stop-shopforelectioninformation.Itprovidesnonpartisaninformationtothepublicaboutthenational,stateandlocalelectionprocessandallthecandidates,propositionsandproposedlegislationonthe2016ballotsfornational,stateandlocalelections.Thenationalandstateleaguesinvitednationalandstatecandidatesrespectivelytoparticipate.PatriciaSibiliainvitedAlbanycandidatestoentertheirbackgroundsandpositionsonissuesforthe15localraces.ShealsoenteredinformationabouttheproposedLocalElectionLawHontheballotconcerningAlbanyCountyCharterRevisions.VotersaccessedVOTE411throughthe

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League’swebsitehttp://lwvalbany.orgordirectlyatwww.vote411.org.WejustlearnedattheStateLeagueconventionthatusageofVote411significantlyincreased,andAlbanyhad3,495visitstothesite.

ThankyoutothenineteenwonderfulvolunteersthatmadealloftheseVoterServiceeventsandactivitiespossible.

ADDENDUM

1. LWVUSImpactonIssuesPositionsinBrief

2. LWVNYSImpactonIssuesPositionsinBrief

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