Elections and League Business Comprise Annual Meeting
Our local League wrapped up the year at our recent annual dinner meeting where President Kim Lauth summarized the accomplishments of the 2014-15 board and committees. Several key members of the board completed their terms, including President Kim Lauth, Secretary and Treasurer Stephanie Durman, Directors Lisa Carroll, Debbie Sharp and Faith Yandell, and Data Coordinator Crista Cuccaro. We thank each of them for their service which, for some, has extended over a very long period of time.
The election of officers and new directors brings a combination of experience, strength and fresh ideas to our work for the coming year. New to the 2015-16 board are:
Rynn Dupes, President
Kate Roos, Secretary
Christine Copelan, Director, Observer Corps
Jamey Dobbs, Director, Citizens Academy
Judy Poulson, Director, Membership
Newly elected president, Rynn had this to say as she wrapped up the annual meeting, “The main thing you should know about me is that I’m sincerely in love with the romantic idea of what the League can do. When I say that, what I mean is the struggle to make a difference in our community – whether that’s by taking a position on something before City Council and County Commission or enabling other citizens in our community to make their own voices heard.
The League’s founder, Carrie Chapman Catt, said that, ‘service to a just cause rewards the worker with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture of life.’ I have certainly found this to be true, as I know many of you have. One of my goals over the next two years is for you to feel that same satisfaction in regards to our organization.”
In an effort to quick-start an understanding of where and how Rynn Dupes will lead us this year, The Voter (TV) recently conducted an informal interview with her.
TV: You are a young woman with considerable LWV experience. How do you envision the role of LWVKKC in our community in 2015-16?
RD: I think we have two big roles—education and advocacy. This includes enabling voters by providing the information they need.
The most mission-oriented things we do are voter education and registration, candidate and issues forums, Citizens Academy, and Observer Corps.
I want us to create more opportunities for advocacy, to have a League voice on more issues. Advocacy is a way to serve and interact dynamically with the community.
TV: What three goals do you most hope to accomplish in the first year of your presidency?
RD: Reinvigorate the Observer Corps; attain a higher level of member engagement; and make a significant impact on some community issues.
TV: What will you ask of the LWVKKC membership this year?
RD: I want them to engage and to give feedback—specifically, I’m looking for solutions! I want them to show up for League events and to pay attention to opportunities to volunteer and be involved.”
Harold Middlebrook, Guest Speaker at Annual Meeting
Reverend Harold Middlebrook is a national treasure who lives right here in Knoxville. In his short talk at the LWV Annual Meeting, he riveted the audience with stories about his experiences with civil rights and voting rights. Rev. Middlebrook was a partner in the civil rights efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a minister like Reverend King, and was with him the day he was assassinated.
He began as a child in Memphis when there was a contest to register the most voters and a prize of $50, and he won it. He talked about the many impediments to voting for African Americans in the South in the ‘60s, including tests that almost nobody could pass, poll taxes, and the need for a recommendation from another registered voter. There were only three registered black voters in Selma at the time. Your request for your right to vote could be denied via an anonymous person claiming that you were guilty of “moral turpitude.”
He warned that we all need to continue to be vigilant. The recent movie “Selma” reminded many of us of the long and continuing struggle for voting rights. Selma was part of a long struggle for voting rights and we need to be reminded of those struggles—including the women’s suffrage movement and the current efforts to keep and increase voting rights across the country.
Rev. Middlebrook credited the media for the attention given to the events of Selma because the beatings of men, women and children were televised across the United States during Sunday afternoon dinner, and many people finally realized what was happening in the South. The violence and unfairness of the system helped propel the Voting Rights Act of 1965. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Act is considered to be the most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country.”
Rev. Middlebrook served many years as pastor of churches all over Tennessee and is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. However, he stays active in the community and still speaks out about the need for justice. Thank you for your service, Rev. Middlebrook.
by Ann Strange, Chair, Voter Services
Amending the U.S. Constitution: LWVUS study
Did you know there are two ways to amend our federal Constitution, but one method has never been used? That method is the focus of our national study, which will conclude next February. The League wants to learn more about the constitutional convention process: how might it work, would we support it, and if so under what circumstances?
What triggers a constitutional convention? Article V of the Constitution says if two-thirds (that’s 34) of the state legislatures apply to Congress for a convention, then Congress must call one. But there are no details in Article V. And it’s this lack of detail that raises so many questions about using the process, commonly called an Article V Convention.
LWVOakRidge got the study going locally when they hosted Dr. William Brown as their May “Lunch with the League” speaker. Dr. Brown reminded us at the beginning that Congress has no process for handling state applications for a convention. They tried in 1971 to set up a process, but nothing passed both houses.
Dr. Brown presented the audience with a series of unanswered questions about the constitutional convention process. Can Congress regulate the procedure states use to apply for a convention? Can states set the agenda for a convention (determine the scope, limit the scope, make it wide open)? Can Congress set an expiration date for applications, or are they valid forever? Can a state withdraw an application? Does Congress have any discretion in issuing the call? Does Congress have discretion in determining the subject matter of a convention? Does Congress have discretion in determining convention procedures or selection of delegates? Does Congress have discretion in sending proposed amendments for ratification? What if the proposed amendments exceed the authority of the convention?
You won’t be surprised to hear that few of these questions have answers that Constitutional scholars agree on. They do agree that Congress must call a convention if 34 states apply for one, but there is no agreement on whether the applications must match or just be similar. States can withdraw an application. Congress cannot determine the procedures for a convention, but can require that delegates are selected by the citizens, not the legislatures.
With the opposition to Citizens United growing, and an Article V convention seen as one possible method to overturn it, Dr. Brown feels Congress needs to address the possibility of a convention and pass legislation setting up some procedures and providing a template for state applications.
If Congress were to consider such legislation, League members would want a voice in what procedures and processes were to be adopted. That’s where this study comes in: our consensus (reporting deadline is Feb) will determine what, if anything, League members want to say about the process.
Our national website (http://forum.lwv.org/category/member-resources/our-work/-constitutional-amendment-study) has a reading guide, some discussion questions and links to articles by authors holding very different views on the convention process. Intrigued? Get reading and watch for meetings this fall.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Our League is still in need of someone to take on our special events. The person in this role will be responsible for events such as the Fall Gathering, Legislative Breakfast, and Annual Dinner. This can be an on board or off board position – whatever is the best fit for the individual willing to take on this role. We would also like to work on building a committee for this position.
If you or someone you know would be a great fit for this position, please let us know right away! Contact Rynn Dupes at cadupes@gmail.com or 865-803-8763.
LWVKKC Board of Directors
President, Rynn Dupes First Vice President, Judy Barnette Second Vice President, Lance McCold Secretary, Kate Roos Treasurer, Joyce Feld
Directors: Maggie Carini, Christine Copelan, Jamey Dobbs, Mary English, Ginna Mashburn, Judy Poulson, Ann Strange
