CAPITOL VOTER LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE LANSING AREA

LWV is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS January 26, 2010 February 3, 2010: LWVLA Ingham County Commissioner District 8 Special Election Candidate Forum: Wednesday from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Room 211 at Hannah Community Center. Bob Miller will act as Moderator and Joanne Winkelman will serve as Timekeeper. If you would like to greet people, pass out cards for questions or be a runner, please contact me at 351-0417 or email me at [email protected]. February 16, 2010: LWVLA Program Planning and Pot Luck Supper on Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the East Lansing Public Library Meeting Room. February 23, 2010: Ingham County’s Special Election for Ingham County Commissioner to represent District 8 in East Lansing. April 20, 2010: Equal Pay Day on Tuesday at the Capitol Rotunda. Details will follow. Please plan to attend. May 4, 2010: Ingham County General Election for Ingham County Commissioner to represent District 8. March 10, 2010: Do Kids Really Count in Michigan? from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the East Lansing Public Library Meeting Room featuring Jane Zehnder-Merrell, the Project Direct for the Kids Count in Michigan from the from the League for Human Services. May 11, 2010: LWVLA Annual Meeting: Celebrating the LWVUS’s 90th Anniversary on Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame at 213 West Main Street in Lansing. At the annual meeting, we enjoy a buffet provided by the Board, elect LWVLA officers for

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2010-2011 and honor some LWVLA members, who have made significant contributions to the League and their community. The suffrage exhibit will still be available. If anyone has League-related pictures, or memorabilia, we would love to organize an exhibit. June 11 – 15, 2010 LWVUS National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia

President’s Report The LWVLA-MSU Women’s Resource Center Ingham County Commissioner District 8 Forum in Room 211 at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. All the candidates have accepted the invitation. Bob Miller will act as Moderator and Joanne Winkelman will serve as Timekeeper. Liz Arasim, Deanna Hanieski and Gloria Kovnot have volunteered to work as greeters (hand out file cards and pens for questions) or runners (take questions to the screener). One of them may act as screener. We could use about three more volunteers. If you would like to help, please call me at 351-0417 or email me at [email protected]. The LWVLA Ingham County Commissioner District 8 Voter Guides were published last week. You should have received your copy electronically or by mail. We printed four hundred copies. They are available at East Lansing Public Library, Schuler Book Store in Eastwood Towne Center, Prime Time Senior Center at Hannah Community Center, Goodrich’s Spartan Shop Rite, Twitchell’s Cleaners, Cosi’s, the MSU Federal Credit Union in East Lansing, Just 4 Fun Comics in Frandor, Absolute Gallery in Old Town, Lansing. There will also be copies available at the MSU Women’s Resource Center, MSU Main Library and Everybody Reads Book Store. I want to thank everyone who attended and supported the Roe v. Wade Commemoration: Interfaith Service on January 20th at Shaarey Zedek. Joy Whitten organized this service, sponsored by Michigan Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice with a grant from Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom. There were a wide variety of sponsors, included the LWVLA and the Lansing Area National Organization of Women, whose president, Mary Pollock, took part in the program. The MSU Medical Students for Choice and Students for Choice, created Cookies for Choice, iced with options and warnings. Pictures of the students, cookies and participants can be seen on our Facebook page soon. About fifty people took part in the interfaith service. Over five hundred people attended She Laughs V, the Women’s Center fundraiser at the Radisson. A laugh a day is not only good for the soul, but in this instance

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helped all those who depend upon the Women’s Center for emergency and everyday help. I want to welcome new League member, Emanuel Hackel. I also want to thank all the LWVLA members who have renewed their membership for 2010 and contributed to the League or the LWVLA Education Fund. If you have not renewed your membership, please do so. You are the lifeblood of the League. Your help and support are crucial to the League’s work in the Lansing Area. Kathy Esselman President January Observer Corps Report Hello to ALL from Delta Township, Eaton County Observer Corps is back in gear for 2010. The Township meeting took place on January 19 at 6 p.m. Discussions of Fire Code recommendations, zoning ordinances, private well licenses, condominium site plan approval just to mention a few of the very typical issues all of our area governments address on a monthly basis. A couple that stood out and are worth mentioning are the recommendation by the Town Manager regarding amending the appointment process polices for Board & Commissions. This recommendation will streamline the way volunteer appointments are made. The second one is a proposed utility agreement with our neighboring Oneida Township along Saginaw Highway. An important issue that the Board will be working on in the coming months is the Medical Marijuana Zoning Issue. In November, 2008 Michigan voters passed medical marijuana legislation. However, Michigan's legislature was silent as to how patients acquire marijuana. Several Michigan municipalities are now dealing with requests to establish Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. The three options the Board has is: # 1 do nothing #2 Consult with the Township Attorney and have the attorney provide a recommendation #3 Have the Planning Committee draft zoning ordinance amendments permitting medical marijuana dispensaries in commercial zoning districts as a use permitted by right. Address whether medical marijuana caregivers in residential districts would be required to obtain a permit as a home occupation. I will keep you posted. Gloria Kovnot Observer Corps/ Delta Township/Eaton County

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LWVUS Program Planning The LWVUS Program Planning Session and Pot Luck Supper is scheduled for Tuesday, February, 16, 2010 at East Lansing Public Library. You can prepare for

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participation in Program Planning by looking at Impact on Issues, 2008-2010, which is available on the LWVUS website at www.lwv.org. LWVUS Program Planning Leader’s Guide 2009-2010. If you have issue interests join the LWVUS Convention Preparation discussion list, where members will be discussing and/or promoting issues and the Program Planning process. Subscriptions can be made on the LWVUS web site at https://member.lwv.org/member.asp. ● Evaluate possible issues by asking, for example: ▪ Is there widespread member interest? ▪ Is this a timely issue? ▪ Is government action the most effective way to address the problem? New Study, Review, or Concurrence Local and state Leagues and ILO’s are only asked to propose one new study, one review or one concurrence, or to make no recommendation. Leagues are no longer being asked to adopt existing program, although convention delegates will continue to do so. Resources and Volunteer Time Before recommending a study, review or concurrence, Leagues need to consider the resource commitment required for their own League as well as for the national League. A recommendation of a new study, review or concurrence is a request to give the recommendation a high priority for the biennium at both the local and national League levels. If a recommendation is adopted, local Leagues and LWVUS, with limited resources – money, but even more importantly volunteer time – may find it necessary to drop other activities in order to participate. Although technology has made it possible to reduce expenses, an increase in PMP may be required to help fund the work at the national level. New Study/Program Item To propose a new study, you need to fill out that section on the response form by including a brief statement (200 words or less), stating the scope of the study. List this statement under the appropriate position heading – Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources, or Social Policy (see Impact on Issues for detailed descriptions of these headings –a summary of these positions is also included with this mailing). A statement of scope lists the areas to be explored, the emphasis on a particular aspect of the issue, and the parameters of the study. It is helpful to the staff and Program Planning Committee, if several Leagues are proposing or supporting the same study, that they use the same position heading and consistent wording in the brief summary of scope.

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Review Likewise, Leagues may recommend one LWVUS position for review during each biennium. Again, it is helpful to the staff and Program Planning Committee, if several Leagues are proposing or supporting the same review, that they use the same position heading and consistent wording in the brief summary of scope. If adopted, a Review Committee will be appointed to examine the position and, if appropriate, suggest changes and updating. Women’s Center of Greater Lansing Area January Newsletter New Anger Management Class starting Free Computer Classes! Second Job Seeker Support Group & New Co-Dependency Group New Anger Management Class starting Beginning Thursday February 4th, through Thursday April 22 from 3:00- 5:00 pm. This interactive class uses a structured, cognitive behavioral approach to anger management. Weekly reading and homework assignments will be given. Topics include triggers for anger; the negative impacts of anger on physical and mental health; relationships and employment. Class will provide tools to: stop blaming, generalizing, catastrophizing and other thoughts that lead to expression of inappropriate anger. Also included will be relaxation techniques and other ways of managing anger. Class size is limited to 6 individuals, $10 per session/sliding scale, preregistration is required. Call 517.372.9163 to register! NOTE: If there is enough interest in a class from 6-8pm on Thursday nights, please call the Center and ask to be put on the list. We need 4 people who can commit to the entire series before we can set up another class. Learn Microsoft Word with Windows 7 and Excel in these FREE classes Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel Thursday February 4th, through Thursday April 1st, Participants can choose from the 2-4 p.m. or the 6-8 p.m. classes. February 4, 25, March 18, Introduction to Computers will help individuals be able to describe and differentiate among commonly used computer platforms (e.g. PC and Mac, servers, etc.) computer hardware, I/O devices (keyboard, scanner, printer, monitor, camera) storage alternatives (hard discs, floppy discs, Zip drives, flash drives, CDs, and DVDs). Participants will also learn to perform basic computer system operations (log on, shut down, start programs and disk management including locate, copy (backups), delete, transfer files, create folders and directories), perform basic file and folder functions (create, save, format, edit, print and quit) and use and maintain a computer system including changing system settings, adding and maintaining 5 http://lansing.mi.lwvnet.org

protection software (anti-virus, spam, spyware, adware, system updates, firewalls, etc.) to guard the integrity of your computer and data. February 11, March 4, and March 25, Introduction to Microsoft Word will teach the basics of Microsoft Word and individuals will learn how to prepare a resume and cover letter using Word. February 18th, March 11th, and April 1st, Introduction to Microsoft Excel will teach the basics of Excel and individuals will learn how to use Excel to assist in their job search. Class size is limited to 6 individuals, FREE, pre-registration is required, call 517.372.9163. These classes are made possible by a grant from the Capital Region Community Fondation. Second Job Seeker Support Group Begins on Wednesday, February 3rd from 6:00 - 8:00pm Are you underemployed? Unemployed? Looking for a career to feed your soul? Thinking about changing careers? Want to move up within your organization but haven't been able to? Retired but still want to work? Just want to ask some questions about careers and professional development? This group is for you! Both job seeker groups take a structured approach to finding and keeping a job you look forward to. If you are an employer with hiring needs or would like to talk to job seekers about your company, we encourage employers to speak to our job seekers about your organization, who you hire and why, turn-offs on job applications, etc. Contact Cindie or Manuela if you'd like to speak to either of the groups. The Monday group meets from 10 am to Noon. Both job groups are FREE From Co-Dependency to Healthy Relationships Thursdays starting February 18 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm The goal of this nine-week series is to learn how to develop healthy relationships. Topics to be covered include identifying patterns of co-dependency; identifying new ways to set and keep boundaries; develop and maintain self-care practices; identify and stop rescuing patterns and behaviors; and, develop assertive behaviors. Group is facilitated by Marnee Rutledge and Amanda Bernes

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As you have just read, there are many, many ways to realize your potential at the Women's Center of Greater Lansing. Please join us for a class, workshop, support group or just stop by for a tour. Sincerely, Cindie Alwood and Manuela Kress, Co-Directors Women's Center of Greater Lansing, Inc. Introducing Club Wellness Healthy lifestyle changes are more successfully made in the context of social support. Club Wellness creates an atmosphere where women can build the relationships and support needed to make lifestyle changes. Participants are provided the knowledge, skills, and support they need to live healthier. The club emphasizes practical, affordable, sustainable, and enjoyable wellness by: 1. Identifying needs 2. Enhancing strengths 3. Implementing strategies 4. Encouraging growth Club wellness is facilitated by Kathy Hollister of Skye Consulting. All sessions meet from 10:00 to 11:30 am February 11 Club Relaxing Topic: Stress Management Healthy relaxation February 18 Club Good Friends Topic: Relationships/Healthy support systems February 25 Club Talking Topic: Healthy communication March 4 Club Good Eats Healthy eating on a budget

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Come join us and make some new friends, discuss valuable topics, and enjoy delicious food! To register, call the Center 372-9163. A Success Story! Cathy Motycka left a 20 year career in nursing to focus on her music - specifically composing and performing. This Sunday, January 24 at 2:00 pm in the Dewitt Memorial Building as part of the Dewitt Concert Series, Cathy will play piano, Ernie Block will be on the Dulcimer and young artist Kira Moore will delight their audience and fans with their tremendous musical talent. Cathy has generously offered to donate a part of the proceeds to the Women's Center. Please plan to attend this musical event. It will be a wonderful experience. Congratulations Cathy on taking a big risk to realize your potential! We knew you could do it. ____________________________________________________________________

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Please join us and make a difference! The total annual dues for 2009-2010 are $60.00. This includes $29.20 for LWV-US, $21.00 for LWV-MI, and $9.80 for LWV-LA. If another member resides in the same household, the dues for the second member are $30.00. National and state dues are assessed to our local league based on the national membership list as of January 31, 2010. If you wish to join or renew your membership, please complete this form and mail in the enclosed envelope to: LWV-LA P.O. Box 971 E. Lansing, MI 48826

NAME ________________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS _____________________________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIP ______________________________________________ PHONE _______________________________________________________ E-MAIL _______________________________________________________ Please note that we will keep your information confidential. Amount enclosed: $ ___________________________________ $60.00 for one member $ ___________________________________ $90.00 for two members in the same household Additional donations: $ ___________________________________ for LWV-LA $ ___________________________________ for League of Women Voters Education Fund (Please use separate check)

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Capitol Voter publication sponsored in part by the following:

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