President Notes

Ahh, spring! The season of hope, the symbol of new beginnings and growth. Just as nature begins to awaken from its slumber, so too can we find renewed energy and motivation in spring. 

We are living in such divided times, fueled by polarizing political ideologies, social injustices, and cultural clashes. It seems like we are so deeply entrenched in our own echo chambers, unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints or engage in meaningful dialogue with those who think differently. We all have seen the consequences of this division - increasing hostility and intolerance towards others to gridlocked political processes that prevent us from achieving meaningful change.  

The LWVMI has been offering webinars to facilitate conversations in these divided times. Creating safe dialogue between opposing groups requires intention, empathy, and vulnerability. It takes courage to engage in uncomfortable conversations with someone who holds radically different views and listen openly without judgment. And it is most certainly easier said than done!  Some of you may know what this is like within your own families. But what if we look at it from a different point. Rather than trying to change someone’s mind,  we see it as an opportunity to build a bridge by trying to understand a persons perspective, even if that view seems at face value to be incomprehensible. Understanding and agreement – they are not the same thing. If we can approach it from this viewpoint, maybe the expectation of ‘bringing someone to our side’  can take a backseat, and leave an opening for the possibility of connection.

Is there reason to hope we can bridge these divides? I believe there is. The fact that the League is nonpartisan and made up of volunteers gives us ready-made opportunities for connection and dialogue.  While we have progressive positions that focus on public good rather than special interests, we have no stake in which party aligns with those positions. This nonpartisan stance is sacred to the LWV and allows for a nonthreatening neutrality. We don’t ask party affiliation before registering voters, or while working the polls, or handing out voting rights information. LWVNLM members have made these connections during our public forums, talking to passersby at our League booths at farmers markets, and working alongside other election workers and our election clerks.  Our members are promoting an environment where all voices can speak with respect and be heard with respect, which is a start to breaking down some barriers and finding common ground.

And wow - we’ve reached our 5 year mark and look at what we have accomplished together!  Our efforts nationally, statewide and locally are helping to shape the political landscape, increase voter turnout, and fight against voter suppression tactics. We are over 120 members strong! Together, we are part of a national effort to uphold the principles of democracy that are essential for a just and equitable future. And this election season, we will continue our work of empowering voters and defending democracy. Read on to learn about opportunities to volunteer for activities this election season.

This is my last Presidents note in the Northern Voter. It’s truly been an honor and privilege to serve in this role representing all of you in the League mission for the last 5 years. It has been a joy to work alongside so many dedicated individuals who share a passion for our shared mission and goals. I have made many dear friends through the League! As we transition leadership, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and relationships forged during my time as League President. I will continue to support the LWVNLM in other roles, carrying the lessons learned and memories made with me always. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility – it has been an honor that I will forever cherish.

Robin

Public Townhalls on Expanded Voting Rights

May 7, 5:30 pm – Boyne District Library – Ethel Larsen

May 8, 5:30 pm - Petoskey District Library – Ethel Larsen and Suzi Kanine, Emmet County Clerk

May 8, 5:30 pm- Mackinaw Area Public Library – Eileen Mikus and Lana Jaggi, Mackinaw City Clerk

May 9, 5:30 pm - Cheboygan Area Public Library – Eileen Mikus and Karen Brewster, Cheboygan County Clerk

May 15, 5:30 pm – Charlevoix Public Library – Emily Meyerson and Julia Drost, Charlevoix County Clerk

Other Events

May 2, 6:30 pm - Carnegie Building - United Way & the LWV

May 14 – new member meet and greet (see below in membership news)

May 15 - new member meet and greet (see below in membership news)

May 16 - 7:00 pm - Book Discussion via Zoom - The Fight to Save the Town

June 6 - 5:30-7:00 - Members only Annual Meeting - Walloon Lake Winery 3rd week in June - Voter Services Public Forum tbd

View more details about each event below or on our Events Page.

We will be voting on a slate of officers, our 2024/2025 budget, our course of action for the next year and changes to our bylaws. And we’re so pleased to have the LWVMI past president, Christina Schlitt, as our featured speaker! As this is our 5th year, we’re going to recognize those members who’ve been with us right from the start.

Let’s celebrate our achievements of 2024-2025!  Join us for wine, nibbles, cake, and a toast to our League. Don't miss the prize give-away and the opportunity to mingle with LWVNLM friends and new members! 

Please RSVP so we can plan food and beverage.

Are you interested in making a positive impact on the environment in your own yard?  Ecologists say that it is achievable and practical for us ordinary individuals to start planting native plants in our yards to increase the stability and productivity of our natural environment. The more biodiversity in the natural environment, the more productive and stable it is.  

According to Naturalist Douglas Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope, our lives and our planet relies on this stability in our ecosystem.“ Plants produce our oxygen, clean our water and delay its journey to the salty sea.  They store atmospheric carbon that would otherwise wreak even more havoc with our climate.  Plants build our topsoil and hold it in place and they prevent floods when we leave enough of them in our landscapes.  Animals, in turn, provide pest control services and pollinate not just our crops but nearly 90 percent of all plant species.“

But more often than not our yards are designed with grass and plants that probably evolved in Asia, Europe or South America and are unable to sustain ecosystem functions in our area. Non-native species are not productive parts of our natural ecosystems and their existence does not contribute to biodiversity.  They do not attract natural animals and  tend to outcompete with the native plants.   

Do we have to redo our landscapes entirely?  No, but when you replace plants in your yard, choose native plants, especially those that will not need fertilizing and watering. Provide plants that will not only attract birds but more native insects that will feed birds, animals, provide nectar to pollinators and attract more butterflies. Increasing native plants in our yards, no matter how small or large, will increase  the stability and productivity of our ecosystems. You and your neighborhood will benefit!

Native Planting Events

May 10 – Little Traverse Conservancy Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk   

Join Conservation Specialist Amy Lipson for a hike, 3:30-5pm, through the beautiful Charles A. Ransom Nature Preserve in Charlevoix County. A wide variety of spring wildflowers bloom here, and there is a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Click for information about this and other LTC events.

May 11- Arbor Day Celebration and Petoskey Garden Club 90th Anniversary

Celebrate Arbor Day at Arlington Park in Petoskey from 11:00- 1:00 PM and get a free native shrub-Serviceberry for Mother’s Day.

May 29-June 2 – Aldo Leopold Festival

Les Cheneaux welcomes you to celebrate the legacy of Aldo Leopold — one of America’s most influential naturalists.  Activities include paddling excursions, orchid and wildflower tours, birding trips, presentations, and many other nature-based activities. Experience the woods and water that formed Leopold’s early impressions of the natural world as we honor the mark he made on conservation and the environment. Click for information.

June 1 – Otsego Conservation Native Plant Nursery Opens

Otsego Conservation District Native Plant Nursery opens for the season. Click for information.

June 13

Wild Ones gathering at Gruler Gardens, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. See and learn about native plants for your garden. This is a Wild Ones chapter event and is open to members, friends, and anyone interested in native plants. Details will be posted on Gruler Gardens website. 

June 15

Gruler Gardens first native plant sale of the 2024 season. Click for information.

Resources on the Role of Native Plants in Environmental Preservation and Improvement:

Books

Bringing Nature Home , author Douglas Tallamy

Natures Best Hope  , author Douglas Tallamlly

Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan , author Lynn M. Steiner 

Websites

Wild Ones – a national group dedicated to promoting natural landscapes  and biodiversity

Otsego Conservation District – promotes planting of native species in Northern Michigan

Garden for Wildlife – part of the national Wildlife Federation, promotes use of native plants for biodiversity  

*Submitted by the ENR committee

LWVNLM Annual Fundraising Campaign

All members have received our fundraising campaign letter for 2024. Please consider giving to the LWVNLM this year.  We have accomplished so much in the short time we have been in existence.  We have made an important impact in our three-county area, including voter registration drives, voter education events, forums and establishing our Vote411.  

Your donation of any amount will help us continue this essential work! 

“Speaking with one voice” is one of the most important tenets of the League. This policy allows for a uniform message and good working relationships with activity partners and other organizations. But what does this really mean in practice?

From the LWVMI: “As members of the League of Women Voters of Michigan, we agree to Speak with One Voice when acting on behalf of the League. The League speaks with one voice through the President or designee in all forms of communication, LWVUS President or the Executive Director on national issues, LWVMI Co-Presidents or their designees concerning state issues and the local League President on local issues. At the local League level, any posts to social media, publications, written statements or professional communications should be approved by the local League President or designee.” If ever in doubt about an item, ask!

Welcome New Members

Deborah Banyai, Sarah Gurney, Sheila Hartson, Jackie Mitchell, Lisbeth Novak, Donna Stine, Susan Stine, Gretchen Tambelinni, and Linda Wiseley

As a member, you have access to the “members page” on our website. Email info@lwvnlm.org for the passcode. All members receive LWVNLM newsletters and the quarterly LWVNLM Northern Voter via email. If you have not been getting these, please email info@lwvnlm.org for assistance.

We are hosting new member meet and greets at different times on Tuesday, May 14th and Wednesday, May 15th.

We’d love to meet you and put some faces and names together, talk about how the League works, and answer any questions you may have about the League of Women Voters. If you are a new member and did not receive an invitation, you can fill out your preference here!

Christine Gebhardt

Approaching retirement, I wondered how I could possibly support all of the issues and values I believed in without over committing myself (sound familiar?) and it struck me that protecting and encouraging our right to vote was the common denominator, so, naturally, I joined the League.  Serving on the Voter Services committee has allowed me to help with voter registration, community presentations, voter outreach, and promoting the VOTE411 website.  I’ve also served as an election inspector and on the Receiving Board for the City of Petoskey, an experience I highly recommend!

My early life was spent as a nomad in an Air Force family (8 schools in 12 years!) followed by several college and career moves, finally settling in Petoskey in 2004.  Given my propensity for change, my professional life was in three acts: as a sales and marketing representative with Control Data during the early evolution of personal computers; as a firefighter, EMT, sergeant, and incident command instructor with the Farmington Hills Fire Department; and ending with 25 years at North Country Community Mental Health before retiring as CEO in 2022.

My husband, Tom Renkes, and I have five children and 10 grandchildren between us.  We love camping, hiking, kayaking, playing cribbage, and road trips to our national parks.  

News From LWVMI

Action Alert

LWVMI supports the NPV bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature this spring. An action alert to write your elected representatives urging them to VOTE YES on joining the National Popular Vote Compact was recently sent to all members. Passing these bills would enable Michigan to join the National Popular Vote Compact and would give the Compact 224 of the 270 electoral college votes needed to implement the Compact.

If you haven’t done so yet, please contact your elected officials now and tell them to vote Yes on HB 4156/SB 126 to add Michigan to the National Popular Vote Compact. Here’s the EASY BUTTON to write your representative. it takes less than a minute!

National Popular Vote

For anyone unfamiliar with the NPV - this would guarantee that the electoral college and the presidency will be won by the candidate with the highest number of poplar votes in all 50 states and DC. This will mean that in reality, every vote WILL count, making every voter politically relevant for every presidential election for the first time. Leagues across the state are holding educational forums to provide public education on this essential effort to make our government more representative of the voters. This 15-minute National Popular Vote presentation explains what it is and how it works.  

Want a good reason to spend more time on social media? If you’re feeling guilty about spending too much time on TikTok and Instagram, we have a reason to validate your obsession!  From now until the November election, LWVUS is seeking out mis/dis/mal-information on social media. In collaboration with the Algorithmic Transparency Institute, LWVUS will be hosting weekly “election rumors briefings” to address trends of mis/dis/mal-information at 3:30-4:15 ET on Mondays. If you’re interested in combatting mis/dis/mal-information, contact LWVMI co-president Paula Bowman for the meeting information.  [From March League Links]

The 56th Biennial LWV National Convention will take place in Washington DC and online, June 27-30. The Convention will be a fully hybrid experience, with both combined and unique experiences for in-person and virtual attendees. Members are welcome to attend! These conventions are really energizing and fun! All information related to National Convention, including registration and hotel bookings, can be found here.

Observer Corp Chair: Penny Crim, paigecrim@charter.net. Meet as needed.

Health Care Committee Chairs: Patty Fralick, plfralick@gmail.com and Eileen Mikus, eileen.mikus@gmail.com. Meet 1st Thursday of the month, 10:00am. Next meeting 8/1/24.

Environment & Natural Resources Committee Chairs: Marcia Meyer, marciakmeyer@gmail.com and Ann Scott, alscott2050@gmail.com. Meet 2nd Tuesday of the month, 2:00pm.

Equal Rights Advocacy Chair: Jessica Shaw-Nolff, jnolff6@gmail.com. Meet 3rd Thursday of the month, time varies. Check events page.

Membership Committee Lead: Mary Netzky, mary.netzky@gmail.com. Meet 2nd Monday of the month, 3:30

Voter Services Committee Chair: Dibby Smith, dibbys@aol.com. Meet 2nd Friday of the month, 10:00am