| Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | | __________________________________ | |
Co-Presidents' Updates
FUHSD Update – Map selected
The FUHSD School Board made the decision to move to district elections from at-large elections. The School Board listened to the community and created a committee (CTAD) to propose maps for the individual Trustee Areas. The CTAD was formed and thousands of comments were gathered through in person meetings and emails. While participation was high so were the emotions of the community. Some misinformation about possible school closure fueled concerns: in fact no school closures are planned. | | | The CTAD and the staff worked hard to create maps from which the School Board could choose. On April 24th the School Board selected the Scenario 5 - Revised map. Click Scenario5PDFChartsandMapwSequencing_1.pdf (finalsite.net)
LWVCS Participation
Our League was very active in this process – thank you Bill Wilson for serving on the CTAD and providing your expertise. Thank you Polly Bove and Tracey Edwards for serving on the CTAD nominating committee. Thank you Polly Bove, Pam Anderson, Roberta Hollimon, Debbie Timmers and Nina Wong-Dobkin for attending and speaking multiple times at various meetings over the last 6 months.
The result was a very thoughtful map that addressed the concerns of the community. With the smaller Trustees areas, it will make it easier and less expensive for candidates to run for the School Board. The map will then go to the Office of Education for Santa Clara County for their approval in May. Once they approve it, then it goes to the Registrar of Voters to be programmed into their system.
Annual Meeting on June 8th
Annual Meeting is just around the corner on June 8th. Your kit will be mailed in May. This year the meeting will be at the Sunnyvale Community Services Center in their Community Room. We greatly appreciate their willingness to let us use this room.
We have a significant change happening at the national level regarding our membership processes and dues which we will discuss at the meeting. This change will impact the finances of our League and we have some possible solutions. We will discuss those ideas and see what direction our membership wishes to go. Given the significance of this change we hope that you will attend.
At the Annual meeting we’ll also hear the latest on Election Security from the Registrar of Voters.
LWVCS Booth at Earth Day
A shout out to thank Marieann, Beth, Nina, Dan, Debbie, for hosting our LWVCS booth at the Cupertino Earth Day Celebration. People love to spin our wheel and guess the answers. It’s quite educational and fun.
Lots of ways to engage with us. Let us know what you’re interested in doing. You can also go to our website at LWVCS.org and click on Members Only and then Volunteering.
Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Your Co-Presidents | __________________________________ | From LWV National...
LWVUS has established a partnership with the Algorithmic Transparency Institute to provide League members with a weekly online Election Rumors Briefing that reports on rumors (mis- and dis-information), conspiracy theories and hateful content relevant to democracy, voting and elections. This week, for example, the briefing covered false claims about USPS delays enabling election interference, confusion about poll watchers, lawsuits claiming states are not maintaining clean voter rolls, non-citizen voting, and voting rights for convicted felons.
It's every Monday at 12:30-1 p.m. Pacific. Sign up if you would like to participate.
LWV Convention - June 27-30, 2024, Washington, DC - You can participate virtually!
Members can register as Observers or Delegates. Virtual delegates will have the ability to submit motions, debate, and vote. Delegates need Local League approval as Delegated. Observers have full access to all convention events and the ability to observe plenary. They are not permitted to perform any plenary actions. The deadline to register for Convention is June 10. Registration
LWV Files Federal Lawsuit Against AI-Generated Robocalls Sent on the Eve of the New Hampshire Presidential Primary -
New Hampshire Lawsuit for voting integrity: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/lwv-files-federal-lawsuit-against-ai-generated-robocalls-sent-eve-news
Framing the Future ZOOMS - Register to attend monthly LWV US Framing the Future Office Hours hosted by LWVUS - third Wednesday of the month at 1pm.
| __________________________________ |  | | Lots Going On - Take a Look at These Events!
- Santa Clara County Office of Education - Visit the SCCOE Newsroom for the latest news and updates.
- Santa Clara County Library Notes:
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which is observed in May, celebrates the contributions that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society and culture.
Throughout the month of May, we invite you to programs for adults, such as author visits, book clubs, and a virtual Asian Art presentation. There are also teen programs and children’s programs including special storytimes and arts & crafts programs. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
- LWV San Jose/Santa Clara - Virtual Lunch With League - "Unlocking Justice", Todd Fries, Executive Director, Northern California Innocence Project, Thursday, May 16, 2024, 12 noon-1 p.m. via Zoom
Join us for a riveting discussion on the power of innocence advocacy with the Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP). Discover how NCIP tirelessly fights to overturn wrongful convictions and set the innocent free. Through a combination of real-life cases and legal insights, learn about the complexities behind wrongful convictions and the impactful work being done to restore hope and truth in our legal system.
Our speaker, Todd Fries, began working for the Northern California Innocence Project in 2007 as a clinical law student and returned to NCIP in 2010 as a research fellow. Over the course of his tenure at NCIP, he has held almost every position within the organization, from research attorney to operations manager to associate director to his current job as executive director. He earned a B.A. from UCLA and graduated cum laude from Santa Clara University School of Law with a certificate in public interest and social justice. He is the co-author of the groundbreaking study "Material Indifference: How Courts Are Impeding Fair Disclosure in Criminal Cases."
REGISTER now for this webinar and ask questions you would like our speaker to address in their talk. This event is free and open to the public so please pass along this invitation to others.
- National Conflict Resolution Center - NCRC's Certificate Training Program has started! Register today for our LIVE ZOOM trainings and learn how to:
- Resolve differences during confrontational dialogue.
- Speak up when you witness red-flag behavior.
- Intervene before conflict situations escalate.
- Build strong relationships with team members.
- Dates May 2, 9, 16, 23 at 1-3pm PST
- Bus Tour to CA State Gov – Sen Cortese, May 15, 2024 - Senator Cortese's Sacramento Bus Trip for Education
Want to drive changes in our local schools? Now's your chance!
On May 15, State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) and a spirited group of students, parents, teachers, and community members will head to Sacramento for the 21st Annual Bus Trip for Education. What started as a small group heading to the Capitol has become a diverse, robust team fighting for better schools!
We invite you to join Senator Cortese to meet face-to-face with the Senators and Assemblymembers who decide on education policies and funding in California. You'll see how decisions are made up close and get to tell your state representatives what matters to you.
We encourage you to join our bus trip and help us make schools better for everyone!
WHERE: Leave San Jose at 6:00 a.m. for the State Capitol and return at approximately 5:00 p.m. Click HERE to register.
Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Thanks to our generous sponsors, this event is FREE to the public. Transportation and lunch will be provided!
For more information and special accommodations, please get in touch with Estefany Meza at 408-558-1295 or Estefany.Meza@sen.ca.gov.
| __________________________________ | | Catching Up On LWVCS Events |
- Check our website for Event Details
- LWVCS Monthly Board Meeting, May 6, 7pm
- LWVCS Coffee Hour - May 16, 11-12, join here to ask questions, get information
- LWVCS Communications Committee Meeting - May 16, 4pm, join here
- LWV Santa Clara County Civil Discourse Committee - May 20,1pm, join here
- LWVCS OAT Meeting, May 22, 2024 at 3pm
- LWVCS Monthly Board Meeting, June 4, 7pm - check website
- LWVCS Annual Meeting, June 8, 12-4pm, Register here
| __________________________________ | | At the Sacramento Capitol Larry Klein & Elaine Manley | | | We Went to Sacramento and...
Nina Wong-Dobkin, Debbie Timmers and I were able to attend the Leadership Sunnyvale Capitol Tour in Sacramento. We were joined with 19 Spanish speaking members of Sunnyvale Community Services as well as Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein and Vice Mayor Murali Srinivasan among others. We were among the movers and shakers of our area. Organized by Leadership Sunnyvale Executive Director Tara Martin-Milius and Assemblymember Evan Low’s office today was designed to educate and connect more local residents to their representative’s in Sacramento. Our hosts for the day including Chief of Staff Patrick Ahrens and Field Representative Alice Yoon and they took great care of all of us.
Once we arrived, we met with State Assemblymember Evan Low and State Senator Josh Becker. They shared a little bit about what they have been doing on behalf of our area. Assemblymember Low has drafted more bills that have come from requests from residents than any other Assemblymember. He is passionate about working full time on behalf of his constituents. Low shared more details about two specific bills – one that created a minimum sentence for someone that rapes another after the Stanford student received 3 months for raping an unconscious woman. That bill passed. He is also working to pass a Financial Literacy requirement to make sure those graduating from high school have a basic understanding of money including balancing a checkbook and investment basics. What’s preventing its passage is funding needed to pay for that development and instruction.
Senator Becker shared that he is focused on 3 areas plus Artificial Intelligence (AI). His areas of emphasis include our climate, advancing social justice and protect reproductive health. He answered a few questions and then had to head off to his next committee meeting.
We were able to go into the chambers to experience it, take a photo and even sit in the chairs to see what it would feel like to be in that position. Assemblymember Low shared the voting process and answered more questions and then had to go to his next meetings.
We toured more of the building and had lunch with two guest speakers. I asked Patrick Le about the budget deficit and how he would solve it if he had the power. He said many items were one-time expenses and could be eliminated. He also said tax revenues are coming in better than expected. They plan to keep the core expenses and focus on other expenses that could be reduced. The deficit is between $37B and $73B. Either way, it’s a large deficit and a lot will need to be done. When asked about how that affects Santa Clara County, he said each area has their own budget to manage. The state is not causing their deficits so each government organization will need to find what needs to be done in their area. We ended the day in one of the larger committee meeting rooms to learn more about how a bill is developed and passed. It was a great day that educated and engaged people in our democracy. Thank you to Leadership Sunnyvale and Assemblymember Low’s office for creating this program and inviting us.
By Elaine Manley
| __________________________________ | | LWVCS Coffee Hour -
Informal Conversations about League.
Join us at our regular third Thursday, May 16th Coffee Hour at 11am here
If you missed last month's most interesting presentation on Leadership Sunnyvale with Tara Martin Milius - check here
You can view recordings from all our Coffee Hours here.
If you missed our January speaker event with Iryna from UNWLA, Ukraine, you can catch up via the video here. | | | __________________________________ | Co-Creating Informed Civic Communities
Working with the LWVCS, Leadership Sunnyvale (LS) had an extraordinary Political Day! Imagine yourself, suddenly a candidate for City Council for a day. You have not only the expertise of the City Clerks, the Registrar of Voters, current and past politicians, Leadership alumni, other participants, but also the collective wisdom of the League of Women Voters as your coaches and mentors to guide you.
Wow, what a dream team, what fun we had on our Political Day, and how much we learned by working together. Our Leadership cohort got to experience some of the challenges and excitement of being a candidate, or of being a candidate’s team. The legalities, the constraints, the work, the activities, a raft of resources, and experience a mock LWVCS candidate forum at the end of the day.
This day was the first time our two groups had worked together. LWVCS, with their 50 years of experience in the political and training world and LS with 38+ of work with civically engaged people and businesses. A great team for our cohort of learners. Let’s do it again!
As a 501 (c) 3, Leadership Sunnyvale is nonpartisan and works within our governance systems. We create the capacity for principled and responsible community leaders to be effective in their advocacy. The program is about 2 days a month from September to May. Our ages range from 21 to 70 and reflect the wonderful diversity of our region. For more information check out the website: www.LeadershipSunnyvale.org
Tara Martin Milius was our star for the April Coffee Hour – catch the video here.
Leadership Sunnyvale builds capacity for effective and principled leadership in our communities and provides you with the tools, knowledge, and relationships to make a difference in our community.
Initially, Leadership Sunnyvale’s curriculum focused on full-day Civic Affairs Seminars with topics such as government, health services, education, the non-profit sector, business, the environment and community development.
Over the first few years, the program identified leadership as a critical skill-set and added Leadership Skills Workshops to the curriculum. These workshops deliver practical skills that transfer directly to the volunteer sector, the workplace, public service, and participants’ personal lives.
Leadership Sunnyvale now has over 750 graduates. Many of our strongest supporters come from alumni of the program and alumni of other leadership programs around the United States. Volunteers to this program enhance our community through their involvement, networking and effective leadership. The impact flows to family life, local business, community organizations and local government. You can see some of the resulting results of the program in this list of graduates here. | __________________________________ |  | | Legislative Interview: Evan Low, Current AssemblyMember District 26
Every year, the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) encourages local League members to interview their state legislators or staff. Legislative interviews are a powerful tool - increasing League visibility, gathering information, and raising awareness among California’s state representatives about our interest in policies they are considering. LWVC provides questions to ask the legislators.
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale members, Pam Anderson, Roberta Hollimon and Nina Wong-Dobkin and LWV San Jose-Santa Clara member Roma Dawson, interviewed Assemblymember Evan Low, Assembly District 26. In answer to the question about open meetings, Assemblymember Low recognized that the challenge here is to balance access and the ‘outdated’ requirements for holding meetings in person; technology is a key component and can make virtual meetings more accessible for the public, as it reduces the time commitment to attend a meeting. However, the Assemblymember also feels that the elected officials should participate in-person, as it is a more effective way to work with peers.
Assemblyman Low was asked, “What kinds of legislation would you bring or support to mitigate health effects of climate change, particularly air pollution and extreme heat?” He emphasized that a key component of this type of legislation is understanding the barriers that prevent individuals from taking actions that are environmentally friendly. Assemblymember commented that a key role of the state legislature is to provide incentives to local communities to put in place the infrastructure and support - use carrots, more than sticks.
Low was asked what approach he would support to help resolve the problem of housing underproduction. Assemblymember Low emphasized that a multi-pronged approach will be the only way to tackle our housing shortage. The income required to purchase a home is so high, that even people with good jobs cannot do so. Meanwhile it is critical that our communities work for everyone – teachers, doctors, nurses, public safety officers, retail clerks, etc. Assemblymember Low did feel that reduction of CEQA should also be allowed, but only for infill development. Another issue is that more public education is needed about the impact of not increasing the housing supply. People think more housing will only hurt their property values, but in the case of Cupertino, the lack of affordable housing has caused a decline in student enrollment, which resulted in school closures, which then hurt property values. Assemblymember Low feels that the state must set housing goals that push communities to increase housing and then use a combination of carrots and sticks to help communities approve and build that housing.
In answer to what other issues he thinks the legislature must deal with in 2024 and what are his personal priorities, Assemblymember Low focused on 3 specific priorities: the need to improve civic engagement by supporting civic education, financial literacy, and home economics. support for ACA1, which allows communities to lower the threshold for approval on their local bond measures and parcel taxes, and support for ACA5, which will protect the legality of same-sex and inter-racial marriages. This is a response to the Supreme Court’ repeal of Roe v. Wade.
Now that it has been four years since the declaration of the State of Emergency for COVID, Assemblymember Low was asked What steps is the legislature taking to learn from that experience and help prepare for future public health emergencies? He said one very significant challenge that surfaced during the pandemic was the decentralization of authority and flows of information. He was often learning of requirements at the exact same time as the public. The decentralization also resulted in inconsistent policies and requirements which also eroded public trust.
Submitted by Roberta Hollimon | __________________________________ |
| Framing the Future ZOOMS - Register to attend monthly LWV US Framing the Future Office Hours hosted by LWVUS - third Wednesday of the month at 1pm. |
- Leagues' News
Mis/Disinformation: How to Recognize and Respond To It
Community Conversations are a joint project of the Contra Costa County Library, LWV Diablo Valley and LWV West Contra Costa County, and CCTV.
Previous Community Conversation on this topic,
- The League of Women Voters of Sonoma County is pleased to offer a virtual series on how our government works:
Quickly and easily improve your "government IQ". If you know a lot about government, this series will be a good refresher. If you have been thinking you should learn more about government but never seem to find the time – you’ll love this series!
| __________________________________ | | LWV Santa Clara County
Civil Discourse Committee
Our upcoming program series is titled "BS and the Brain - Who Decides What We Teach?
June 5, 7-8:30pm
A Panel with Education Experts
Help us with future event planning!
Join our next planning meeting May 20, 1pm here
View the recordings of prior events here.
| | | __________________________________ |  | LWC Bay Area - LWVBA
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LWV Bay Area Biennial Convention is June 14
The biennial convention of LWV Bay Area will be held via Zoom on Friday, June 14, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The agenda will include LWV Bay Area business, elections, housing policy concurrence, updates on the Regional Government and Planning Study, as well as guest expert speakers tackling the regional issues of housing, transportation, and community safety with breakouts. More detail will be available May 9. Register HERE if you would like to attend.
This is a Zoom convention featuring LWVBA business, elections, housing policy concurrence, updates on Regional Government and Planning study, as well as guest expert speakers tackling the regional issues of housing, transportation, and community safety with breakouts.
To facilitate business of LWVBA, it is important that each Bay Area local League be represented to approve steps forward. Voting members of the Convention include LWVBA Board members, Presidents and delegates chosen by the local Bay Area Leagues. The number of delegates for each League is determined by the membership numbers transmitted from LWVUS and Article 10 of LWVBA bylaws (the latest report with delegate count is available here)
A full Convention 2024 kit with agenda and all background materials and reports will be emailed May 9th for informed voting participation and reference.
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More Bay Area News on the website here.
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Bay Area League Day - "Connecting the Dots: Building Healthy Communities" You can view the recording here.
League Day 2024 focuses on creating healthy communities and the inter connections of health and policy. Experts will define the interrelationship of social, economic, education and healthy living, and discuss solutions to Bay Area health equity and inequities.
Guest speakers included State Senator Aisha Wahab (District 10), state Chair of Public Safety and Health Committees, committed to advocacy work and legislation addressing housing affordability, civic engagement, education and economic inequality. She was joined by Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools, and representatives from housing, health, and environment problem solvers.
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You can view prior event recordings here and
Death vs Dollars Chronic Disease - here
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Impact of Race and Gender -here
- Debrief on BAHFA program - LWVBA Video BAHFA with Kate Hartley: BAHFA
|  | __________________________________ | Important Organization Events:
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We did it again - Cupertino Earth & Arbor Day Festival was a great day for all! We shared candy, voting information and fun!
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Youth Voter Toolkit link here
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From the Santa Clara County Library:
Have you checked out your library programs lately – lots going on!
Programs for youth, teens, and even adults. Just like LWVCS, they are looking for volunteers – for tutoring who are willing to provide homework help to students in grades K-6 in the topics of Math, Science, and English.
Take a peek here.
| __________________________________ | Districting in the Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) - Updates
FINAL MAP ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON APRIL 24, 2024
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the FUHSD Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution adopting Map Scenario 5 Revised with the accompanying sequencing that was presented at the map hearing. Map Scenario 5 Revised was one of two maps recommended by the Community Trustee Area Districting (CTAD) committee to the Board at the final map hearing.
| __________________________________ |
City Meeting Agenda
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City Council Meetings for May 7, 6pm
Agenda link here Contact Phone: 408.777.3223
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Cupertino City Updates
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Updated City Council status here
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Cupertino News & Events here.
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Vallco Project Update - Second Modification to the Rise Development Approved
The City has approved the second modification to the Rise Development pursuant to streamlined, ministerial processes allowed under state law for projects that include a specified percentage of affordable housing units. Formerly the Vallco Town Center Development, the Rise is a mixed-use housing development with 2,669 units, of which 890 units are affordable to lower income households. The modified project includes 47 townhomes, which were not contemplated in the previously approved project. The project also includes approximately 1.95 million square foot of office space, 225 million square foot of retail space and at grade open space areas. The approval documents and approved plans are available online at Cupertino.gov/vallcosb35.
| __________________________________ | __________________________________ |
Sunnyvale City Events Calendar - and More... here
Sunnyvale City Governance
- City Council Welcomes In-person Public Participation
- To FIND INFORMATION ABOUT COUNCIL & COMMISSION UPCOMING MEETINGS:
- Go to https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, find the date of the meeting, then click on Meeting Details.
- Next City Council meeting is May 7 at 6pm; May 13 & 14 at 5pm. Info here
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To join in person and comment:
- Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
To join online and comment:
- Join on Zoom
- Call-in: 833-548-0276 | Meeting ID: 961 1158 0540
To provide audio public comment, connect to the meeting online or by telephone. Use the Raise Hand feature to request to speak (*9 on a telephone).
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Subscribe to the Public Meetings Calendar
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- City of Sunnyvale Top 30 Project Summaries Project Summary List Has Valuable Updates On Priority Projects For Sunnyvale.
Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Events
| __________________________________ | |
LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale
Board of Directors
Co-Presidents: Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Secretary: acting: Debbie Timmers
Treasurer: Beth Claywell
Voter Service Director: Pam Anderson
Membership Director: Nina Wong-Dobkin
Online Access Team Director: Marilyn Sherry
Technical Services Director: Bruce Kendall
Online Events Coordinator: Debbie Timmers
Director at Large: Polly Bove
Director at Large: Bill Wilson
Nominations Chair: Marieann Shovlin
| | | __________________________________ | LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale Board Meeting Notes - April Meeting, 2024
- National Financial changes will have large impact
- Register for our LWVCS Annual Meeting June 8, 1-4
- Updates from Coach Kathee Tyson re League transformation and memberships - reference here
- Student engagement project - LWVCS & FUHSD Trustees Rod Sinks & Student member announced
- Next Board meeting May 6, 7pm, join via website link.
May, 2024 Quote:
“When we try and pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything in the universe." John Muir
| __________________________________ | Elected Officials Representing Cupertino & Sunnyvale
For contact information and more detail visit:
| __________________________________ | Join the League of Women Voters
Voting membership in the League of Women Voters is open to men and women 16 years of age and beyond.
Annual Membership:
$100 Individual member
$50 for each additional member in the same household:
Free for full-time students at this time
| | | __________________________________ | | The Cupertino-Sunnyvale VOTER
Published 10 times a year by the
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale.
This newsletter is posted on our website:
| | The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Permission is granted to reprint any part of this newsletter with credit to the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale | | | __________________________________ |
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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