Tag: education

League of Women Voters Condemns White Supremacists in Charlottesville

The League of Women Voters of the United States president Chris Carson issued the following statement following the horrific acts by white supremacists in Virginia this weekend:american-flag-clip-art-waving-waves-w

“Yesterday the world watched in horror as white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia. There is no place for hatred and violence in our democracy and all leaders must condemn these acts of domestic terrorism. We must send a strong message that while the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly are some of our most cherished rights and must be protected, those rights do not extend to what we witnessed yesterday. The League of Women Voters stands in solidarity with the victims of violence in Charlottesville and against white supremacism.”

The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley agrees and supports this message by our national president.

The Latest on Our Children’s Trust Lawsuit

We, the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley, are proud that our state League (LWVOR) signed on to an amicus brief in support of Our Children’s Trust with our national League (LWVUS).

As Eleanor Revelle, Chair of the national League’s Climate Change Task Force, said on 8/12/17:

As I reported last week, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a temporary stay in the proceedings of the Juliana et al v. United States climate lawsuit while it considers a petition from the Trump administration that it review the November 2016 decision by District Court Judge Ann Aiken to allow the lawsuit to go to trial.  The attorneys for the 21 youth plaintiffs have been ordered to file an answer to the Trump administration’s petition.  And Our Children’s Trust (OCT) has requested that the Leagues (LWVUS and LWVOR) submit an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs’ response.

As you will recall, the LWVUS and LWVOR filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs when the case was before Judge Aiken in the District Court in fall 2016.  Courtney Johnson with the Crag Law Center will be drafting a new brief for us now. The basic premise for the Leagues’ brief is our organization’s interest is in protecting the rights of everyone in the democratic process.Unknown

When the political process fails, as here, to protect the rights of children, then the courts must step in to secure those rights.  The government has been debating climate change for so long, we’ve now reached a tipping point, and this case must move forward on the merits and not get bogged down in procedural issues.  These children’s rights are at stake, and time is of the essence.

As before, with the 2016 amicus brief, the League of Women Voters of Oregon has agreed to collect contributions towards the costs associated with drafting and submitting the brief, about $3,000.  I invite you to join me in making a contribution towards this effort.

If you can help, please send your check to:

League of Women Voters of Oregon
1330 12th St. SE, Suite 200
Salem OR 97302-2858

Include a note indicating that it is to support the amicus brief in the OCT climate lawsuit.

Download the amicus brief here

The LWV of Oregon consolidated into a 501(c)(3) organization in 2015; therefore your contribution is tax-deductible.  Thank you!

Roseburg Community Bookshelves

Roseburg Community Bookshelves Grand Opening on Thursday, June 15 at 12:30

A grassroots, volunteer action team has announced the grand opening of Roseburg Community Bookshelves at Cascadian Coffee Co., 732 SE Cass, Roseburg (in the Grand Hotel).

A few speeches and a short ceremony are planned for Thursday. Some light refreshments will be served. All are invited.Books_0

Roseburg Community Bookshelves will provide a “grassroots honor-based lending system … because everyone should have something to read.”

In a proactive partnership with Cascadian Coffee Co., Roseburg Community Bookshelves will provide books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and books on CD (or tape) for loan during the business operating hours of 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday. There is a suggested limit of three items to be borrowed for up to a three-week timeframe.

Donated books have been categorized as fiction, non-fiction, children’s and other books. They’ll be available for reading on-site or for loan, using an honor system.

Updates can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DCLibraryRescue/ or click here

We’ll see you at the bookshelves!

Eleanor Roosevelt in Eugene

“Eleanor Roosevelt: Across a Barrier of Fear”, a one-woman play

150805-eleanor-roosevelt-jsw-109p_94af2607b8c2d02f356e6ae6dd1152a1.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000The League of Women Voters of Lane County is pleased to sponsor “Eleanor Roosevelt: Across a Barrier of Fear”, a one-woman play in which acclaimed actress Jane VanBoskirk portrays Eleanor Roosevelt. It will be performed at 1 pm on Sunday, June 18, at the Wildish Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield.

The actress Jane Van Boskirk and the Wildish Theater (courtesy of Dan Egan, League member and theater manager) will donate a portion of each ticket purchased to the League when the purchase is made on line and the code word “Vote” is applied.

This is a great opportunity to get to know Eleanor Roosevelt! The play deals with Roosevelt’s influential and controversial place in American history, from her troubled childhood; her desire as a young woman to alleviate social problems; her marriage to four-term President Franklin Roosevelt; and her widowhood, which included an illustrious career at the newly founded United Nations.

Please share this message with your friends. Invite them to join you at the play! Put this event on your own Facebook page and share posts from the LWVLC page.

Buy Tickets Here! wildishtheater.com When you put in the code word, your purchase will be counted toward the League’s share of ticket revenue.

League Supports CASA

Learn more about CASA of Douglas County — Court-appointed special advocates for Children

The need for CASA advocates is greater than ever. Their website says:

When a child enters the foster care system because his or her home is no longer safe, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer to help. That volunteer is called a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA. CASA volunteers are screened, highly trained and then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests in the child protection system.

And you can become one.9345951

CASA of Douglas County, Inc. provides valuable volunteer advocacy for abused children. CASA volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judges in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives.

Or there are other ways to be supportive and help kids.
See their web page that says you can also choose to do shorter-term projects, if you can’t commit to two-years as an advocate.

Or, you can Donate.

Please help. Contact them today.

Roseburg Library Rescue Action Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Further Info: 541-673-9759 or 671-2555
EMAIL rossjoe@hotmail.com

Grassroots Effort Building New Roseburg Cascadian Library

A Roseburg Library Rescue Action Team (LRAT) has formed, and the grassroots, volunteer, community effort is off to a great start to provide minimal library service in Roseburg after the main branch closes June 1.

The LRAT has partnered with Cascadian Coffee Co. to provide books, DVDs and CDs for loan at the business at 732 SE Cass Street, Roseburg, Or. Coordinator Joe Ross said, “A whole wall of shelves has been installed. DSC06879Now we need decent, clean, popular books and materials. We need volunteers to regularly maintain the collection, as well as some funds to purchase current items. ”

Donated books will be categorized as fiction, non-fiction, children’s and other books. They’ll be available for reading on-site or check out, using an honor system, during the coffeeshop’s normal business hours of 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday. “We may just trust that folks return items or have something as simple as a clipboard to sign out things for a couple weeks,” Ross said. “That’s all being worked out. It’s got to be simple, easy and low stress for everyone.”

The LRAT wanted to collaborate with a downtown business, and Cascadian Coffee had the interest, as well as a well-lit, welcoming space that also offers food, beverage, art and music. Business owner Courtney Dillon said, “We look forward to hosting a small Roseburg library to support education, literacy, knowledge and economic development within our community.” Using donated funds, LRAT purchased shelves from another supportive downtown business, Roseburg Resale, owned by Curt Smith.

Roseburg City Council was told about the library rescue efforts on 8 May. Three local library boards were briefed about plans on 16 May, including Friends of the Douglas County Library System, Douglas County Library Foundation and Douglas County Library Advisory Board. All were supportive. Although the latter is being disbanded by County Commissioners, the other two groups will continue supporting County public libraries. The Friends of the Library will ask their members to help with maintenance of the new Roseburg Cascadian Library. Some friends, like Marcy Tasso Belzner, have already provided great encouragement, advice and guidance.

The Roseburg Library Rescue Action Team has put out a call for community fundraising, book donations and volunteers. They hope to obtain non-profit 501(c)3 status. To provide books, magazine subscriptions, or audio/visual material to the Roseburg Cascadian Library’s collection, simply drop them off during open hours. Cash donations will be used to order items that people want, maybe even some computers. Checks payable to “Library Rescue” can be dropped or mailed to LRAT, c/o Cascadian Coffee, 732 SE Cass, Roseburg, Or. 97470. Any unused funds will be given to the Friends of the Library and/or Douglas Co Library Foundation.

The Library Rescue Action Team is an all-inclusive community effort, and all are welcome to attend their weekly Thursday meetings at 12:15 PM at Cascadian Coffee Co. The team welcomes your personal involvement, encouragement and support. An official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Roseburg Cascadian Library will be announced soon. Grand Opening is expected about the time that the main branch closes (June 1). The actual date will depend on acquisition of books and development of an easy, informal system for book circulation.

Updates can be found here on Facebook here.

Thank you, Cascadian Coffee & Joe!

Local Ballot Measures Forum – Library & Cannabis Issues

Please attend a free and unbiased local Ballot Measure Forum covering the library taxing district and the cannabis measures.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016
7PM to 8:30PM
@ The Douglas County Library

In the upcoming election, Douglas County voters will be making decisions about important issues in our county. How will our library system survive in the future? Will marijuana businesses be allowed in the unincorporated parts of Douglas County? Both of these issues will have financial consequences for our county.

The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley invites the public to an opportunity to learn more. At this forum you will have a chance to ask your questions.

Douglas County Library
Douglas County, OR Library

The Local Ballot Measure Forum will feature a panel of speakers to provide information about local ballot measures pertaining to a library taxing district and the location of marijuana businesses in Douglas County.

Bring your questions with you!
Download a Ballot Measure Forum Flyer to post around town! Thank you!

You and Me Reading!

Check out our brand new webpage all about the importance of reading with your child – You and Me Reading.

The Umpqua Valley League of Women Voters announces ndc8LXeTea new program that improves the quality of reading time with your child. This project is an extension of the Children At Risk statewide study that was championed by the Umpqua Valley League of Women Voters.

Find out how important reading with your child is. Or perhaps you’d like to help a grand child. We offer a personalized introduction into this effective and fun process. Just contact us.

See our web page. Find out more here.