LWV-Wake Update 7/12/2021

• Redistricting committee- Has created a Fair Maps Art Contest for LWV-Wake in an effort to increase public awareness of the power of redistricting and the need for fair maps. From July 15th-August 15th, artists are invited to submit 2D work related to the themes of fair voting maps in North Carolina. We will be holding an online exhibition and offering a cash prize to contest winners. We hope this contest will engage citizens to advocate for more public input opportunities and more transparency by the NCGA during the upcoming redistricting round. Learn more here:

• Timely Topics committee- Is developing new topics relevant to our Wake County community for the upcoming program year, which starts in September. The Timely Topics committee has asked all issues committee co-chairs for suggestions of topics related to issues they may be working on. However, we welcome any member who has ideas for topics and/or speakers to email Co-Chairs Cheryl Keeton or Katherine Wilkinson. More details about our September Timely Topics can be found below in our Upcoming Events section.

• DEI committee- Is developing new programs for our DEI Roundtable series that help members understand different lived experiences and to consider shifting our perspectives and behaviors to develop more inclusive ways of thinking and behaving. Please join us for our July DEI Roundtable Are We a Democracy? where we will discuss American exceptionalism, our election system and whether students should be taught more enriched versions of elements of our history, such as the electoral college, by explaining the origins and who they were actually intended to serve. Register here:

• WED Committee - Is busy planning our Women's Equality Day event on August 26th. This year's event will be held at the newly remodeled All Faith's Chapel at Dix Park and feature performing artist and cultural arts leader Carly Jones. Carly has worked to make the arts more inclusive and accessible across socio-economic boundaries in NC. In addition, she has been cast as "Camila Rosario" in NC Theater's upcoming musical In the Heights. During this event, we will also recognize the incredible work of all women elected officials in Wake County. This event is our major fundraising event of the year and we hope all members will support us by attending and/or purchasing a sponsorship. We rely on these funds to offset the increasing costs of our programs and for operational support. Please note: WED sponsorships can be purchased online or you can click a link to download a sponsorship form and mail a check. Register/support us here:

• PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP and complete your member profile on our website. Memberships, unless renewed, will expire at the end of July. In an effort to decrease the amount of volunteer work, we have transitioned to an easy online renewal process. Once you log in with the credentials that were emailed to you last month, you will be prompted to update your password and renew your membership. Please note: You CAN pay your membership dues by credit card and you DO NOT need to have a PayPal account to do so. PayPal is the processing company we use to process credit cards and debits. Once you click PayPal, you can enter your credit card information or your bank account info. You can also choose to download the renewal form and mail it with a check. We hope you will continue to support us with your membership in order to receive information about important issues and our educational programs!

• July 22nd BruePrint Meet-Up - Live in Apex, Holly Springs or Southwest Cary? Join fellow members of the Wake League at Brueprint in Apex from 4 to 6 p.m. No agenda. No speakers. No reservations needed. Just a chance to sit outside under some trees and talk. Brueprint is easy to find at 1229 Perry Road, Apex. They have a few picnic tables and umbrellas, but to be sure you’ll have a place to sit, bring a folding chair. If you don’t drink beer, bring your own beverage. If you have a membership pin with your name, wear it and if you don’t, we’ll give you a paper name tag so that we can learn names as we make connections. And of course, feel free to bring a friend! If it rains, this event is cancelled. Any questions? email paulinehoulden82@gmail.com.
  

• July 27th DEI Roundtable - Are We a Democracy? We will discuss American exceptionalism, our election system and whether students should be taught a more enriched version of elements of our history, such as the electoral college, by explaining the origins and who they were actually intended to serve. 5pm- 6pm. Register here. 

• August 26th Women's Equality Day - Please support the League and celebrate Women's Equality during our major fundraising event of the year! Join us in the newly remodeled Dix Chapel with guest speaker Carly Jones. Learn more about Carly here. We will also recognize all women elected officials of Wake County. Register here.

• September 30th Timely Topics- Save the date for our first Timely Topics of our new series. Guest speaker will be Carolyn Jefferson Jenkins, PhD. The event will be held at the NCSU University Club at 5:30pm. Registration link will be provided soon.