September 27 - National Voter Registration Day
September 29 - Membership Meeting
November 8 - Election Day
November 10 - Membership Meeting
President's Desk
Do you know what important day is in September? September 27th, 2016 is National Voter Registration Day!
We’re in a political climate that feels unlike anything we’ve dealt with before, and that’s why it’s so important that we’re helping people make themselves heard in one of the most patriotic ways possible – in the voting booth.
We’re especially excited to have received a grant from the LWVUS that we hope will help us have a big impact on National Voter Registration Day. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of it? If you’re willing to help register voters this month, let us know. We love to have our members actively helping us pursue this mission!
Keep us in mind in November as well! We’re gearing up to have a corps of Poll Watchers. Even if you want to help us for an hour, you’ll be making sure our democracy is running smoothly.
This is an incredibly unique election season. We know you’ll be voting, but we’d love for you to step up, even in a small way, to make an even bigger impact. Consider helping us make a difference. We need you!
In League,
Rynn Dupes, President
League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County
September Membership Meeting
After membership feedback that they wanted to learn more about this important topic, the League has organized our first member and friend meeting of the year around human trafficking. This is a problem that certainly has an impact in our area.
Join us on September 29th from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bearden Branch Library (100 Golfclub Rd Knoxville, TN 37919) to hear from Katie Little, Operations Coordinator with CCAHT (the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking). Learn more about them at ccaht.org.
The LWVUS has a position on human trafficking that you canfind here.
Voter Services
The League is pleased to become the source for non-partisan voting information in Knoxville/Knox County. We are proud of our reputation of helping citizens to exercise their right and responsibility! to vote for their representatives. Every vote counts!
Ann Strange went to the Knox County Election Commission meeting on August 22 to push for early voting days and times to be held on the UT campus the same as other locations in Knoxville. The Commissioners were considerate in listening to the League’s concerns. We are encouraged that we were heard and hope that UT and the Election Commission will work to make early voting more accessible on campus for future elections.
The League applied for and was granted $500 to help with marketing efforts on National Voter Registration Day on September 27. We are planning events at UT but if we have League volunteers, we can be in more locations. Now’s your chance to get involved if you had been hesitant before. Just one day’s effort can make a big difference!
Ann will help with logistics and you can set up a table wherever you think you might have an impact. There will be stickers and posters and “Voting Boxes” which have been compiled by Helen Tews and are available for a “do it yourself” voting table. The grant money will be used to supply some snacks and advertising. If you get permission to set up a table, contact Ann so we can advertise your effort and draw folks to you. It’s a great feeling to help people be involved in the democratic process.
Land Use Issues
This is a quick rundown on what’s hot in land use policy county- and city-wide.
Three major proposals are scheduled to go before the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) at its Sept. 8 meeting (1:30, Main Assembly Room, City-County Building):
A proposed Bearden Mixed Use District city ordinance
A proposed Off-Street Parking city ordinance
An update of Knoxville and Knox County’s subdivision regulations
Once reviewed by the MPC, the two city ordinances must be adopted by City Council to take effect. The subdivision regulations officially require the approval of the MPC only. For the preliminary Sept. 8 MPC agenda, see http://agenda.knoxmpc.org/preagenda.pdf Check back, however – the final agenda is often different.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions … menglish@utk.edu
Mary English, LWVKKC Land Use and Environment Chair
First Member Survey Coming Soon
The League is conducting its first member survey. In the coming weeks all members will receive a link to an online survey, which will collect key demographic data, which the League hopes to use to better serve its members and their interests. Members will be able to easily complete the survey either on a desktop browser or through a mobile device. Additionally, all new members will be asked to complete the survey upon joining so that the League may know what areas of public service they are interested in and how they would like to participate in the League. Keep an eye on your inbox for this exciting new initiative! - Luis Ruuska
While not an official LWV video, author John Green has some important thoughts about voter apathy that we can all use this election season.
LWVKKC Board of Directors
President, Rynn Dupes First Vice President, Candice Gilreath Second Vice President, Lance McCold Treasurer, Joyce Feld
Directors: Kindall Aaron, Jamey Dobbs, Mary English, Linda Maccabe, Cathy McCaughan, Judy Poulson, Luis Ruuska, Ann Strange
