Time to Go
I Bid You All Adieu
Change is the only constant in the universe. I’ve always loved this saying because it makes no judgement on the value of change, only that it is inevitable.
The eVoter is undergoing change. A change in leadership. A change in form. A change in function.
These changes will be good. Our new editor will bring a fresh perspective, boundless energy, and technical savvy. She will make changes that will improve the eVoter, including the use of new software that will provide a more polished, professional look.
So join me in welcoming Laura Gowans as the new eVoter Editor.
Take care and stay safe.
Jim Calvert
Editor
| Vote Today!
Municipal Elections (including KCPS Bond Issue) Are TODAY!
| | Laura Gowans will not be the same as the old boss. Service has been her passion, volunteering with many local nonprofits and serving as Chief Operating Officer of an education nonprofit. In addition, she has spent the past five years serving as President of SocialHeart, a local non-profit organization that brings people together to share the joy of providing money to fund needed services in our community. Needless to say, Laura is our kind of volunteer. | | | The eVoter will flourish under her leadership. In addition to her passion for serving her community, Laura brings an understanding of technology that will fundamentally change the way the League communicates. As she steps into the editor’s desk, you will immediately notice a new structure to the eVoter.
Laura has been working behind the scenes to evaluate our current email system (which was developed in the 1990s) compared to some of the newer software available. She has determined that it’s time to change, and I agree. The new system will not only improve the appearance of our email communications with members, partner organizations, and the news media, it will provide much better data to help the League’s leadership work more efficiently. We will be able to put our resources where they have the most impact.
I have always touted the importance of bringing younger members to the League, and Laura is a good example of why. Having grown up with technology in a way that those of us who remember using punch cards to feed a computer the size of a basketball court didn’t, Laura quickly solves problems using the tools she knows so well.
Will the eVoter look the same? Thankfully no. It will look better with every new issue.
So, join me in welcoming Laura Gowans as our new eVoter editor.
Take care and stay safe.
Jim Calvert
Editor | Upcoming Events
Monthly Membership Meeting
Federal Judiciary Study
Guest Speaker: Kay Parks, Board Member, St. Louis Metro LWV
Dr. Kay Rabbitt Park practiced Audiology for 41 years before retiring in 2021. She managed infant hearing screening programs for five area hospitals over the course of 21 years. She has been a member of the Missouri Newborn Hearing Screening Standing Committee since 2002 and was chair for over seven years and was president of the Missouri Academy of Audiology for 3 years.
In her retirement she is on the LWV Metro St Louis Board and is the LWVSTL and LWVMO Chair of the Reproductive Rights Committee, for which she received the LWVMO Rachel Farr Fitch award in 2024. She worked closely with other organizations, including Abortion Action of
Missouri and Missourians for Constitutional Freedom to organize signature gathering and combat misinformation. She is the team lead for Reproductive Rights on the KC Legislative Action Committee, and also a member of the Initiative Petition team. She is currently leading the Federal Judiciary Study, pooling members from across the state to lead their local leagues consensus discussions.
When: Apr. 12, 2025 Social time 9:30 a.m. Meeting time 10:00 a.m.
Where: North East Branch, KC Public Library, 6000 Wilson Ave
Zoom: here! (Meeting ID 865 5411 2353)
(Bring your own coffee cup) | | Committee Meetings
Technology Committee Meeting
When: Apr. 24, 2025 12:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom here! Meeting ID 889 5371 2786
Over 150 members have been trained to interact with the public so get out there and volunteer. New opportunities are posted every day here! | | New Member...Veteran Member...All Are Welcome!
Just joined the League, or haven't made it to an orientation? Come join us...via Zoom, on Monday, June 16th. Grab your favorite beverage and jump on at 7:00 p.m. Meet other new members and learn more about our 105 year old League.
When: June 16, 2025 7:00 p.m. CST (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting here!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Email Laura with questions here!
| A Call to Action
Thank You
I have enjoyed having my voice heard by so many of you. Anyone who knows me (and my sister for that matter), knows I love to tell stories. And it has certainly been a privilege for me to share my stories with such an appreciative, though captive, audience. Many of you have given me feedback, both in writing and in person. I take all of it to heart.
Want to read more? Click here!
I will still serve the League through the Leadership Academy and other events that fit with my new schedule, but please give Laura the same support you’ve given me over the past few years. | | So, my final "Call-to-action: Please give Laura the same support you’ve given me over the past few years. She will prove more than capable of representing the good work we do, particularly if you reach out to her with your events and pictures. Help her as you've helped me and you will be as impressed as I am with her work.
Take care and stay safe.
| | | State Convention
Your Chance to be a Delegate
The League of Women Voters’ State Convention will be held in Columbia June 7, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Kansas City League earned 15 delegates, so this is your chance to get involved in our broader organization. Delegates may vote on League issues.
Our League has some funds set aside to help cover the costs associated with serving as a delegate.
Members interested in serving as a delegate should contact:
Anne Calvert, President
BTW, all members are welcome to attend the convention.
More information may be found here!
| We Want Your Blood
A Poke and a Sting to Save a Life
Calling for All Selfies
Two agencies collect blood in Kansas City, American Red Cross and Community Blood Centers. Please consider providing this gift of life as one of your community service projects. The websites are listed below.
American Red Cross may be found here!
Community Blood Centers may be found here!
| Suggestion Box
(It's Actually Working...Just Ask Anne)
Ok...it's actually a form, but it is a form for suggestions with boxes to fill out
Do you have an idea for a future meeting topic or guest speaker? How about a great design for a “Get-out-the-vote” poster? Or maybe you’ve been wanting to present a PowerPoint on redistricting.
Now’s your chance!
Put a suggestion in our suggestion box and you just might have the next great idea that we will share with the state and national organizations. Then, you will be famous.
It all starts by filling out the form and submitting it to our suggestion box here! | To volunteer, join a committee, register for a special event, or view the Member Roster, please log in to your member account on our League website lwvkc.org:
- Click on "Member Login" in the upper right corner of the website lwvkc.org. The "Login" page will appear.
- Enter your User Name and Password. If you are on a device you own, check the box "Remember me on this computer" so it will remember your User Name and Password for next time. Click the "Login" button.
- Or, if you forgot your Username or Password, click the "Forgot my Username / Password" button on the "Login" page. The "Forgot Username/Password" box will appear.
- Enter your email address and first name and click the "OK" button.Your Username and a temporary Password will be emailed to you. Be sure to use the email address you provided to the League!
| Democracy looks like the League of Women Voters | |