The LWVD Newsletter
Summer 2025
| Last Days to Order
League of Women Voters of Denver’s
Amaryllis and Paperwhite Bulb Sale
This indoor bulb sale is Denver League's major fundraiser. Please support the sale and give family and friends the opportunity to also purchase these high-quality bulbs. They also make excellent gifts. The bulbs were a major success last year. Many amazing photos were sent in to prove it.
Our Bulb Sale Deadline is Monday, June 30
Thank you to all of you who’ve ordered! Together, we’re supporting the critical work of the League of Women Voters of Denver.
If you’ve been putting off ordering, please DO IT NOW!
Click on the link below for direct access to the League’s Bulb Sale 2025!
Purchase Here
Download Order Form
The Bulbs will arrive in October and volunteers will sort and bag orders at City Park Greenhouse.
A League representative will contact you to arrange for pick-up or delivery.
Thank you!
Questions? Contact Barbara Mattison, Bulb Sale Chair.
303-322-4878 or rambjm@comcast.net | 
Looking Forward to Fall Briefings
While Denver gets greener and warmer as summer starts, the work of the LWVD Program Committee doesn't stop. Please save the following dates for our Fall Kick-Off and briefings:
Tuesday, September 16, 5:30-7:15 p.m. in person at Montview Presbyterian Church, we will collaborate with the Colorado Social Legislation Committee on a joint Fall Kick-Off/Fall Forum event. The general topic is "How the Federal Funding Cuts and Colorado's Tight Budget Will Affect Vulnerable Populations." The details of topics and speakers has not been worked out yet, but the Program Committee has been asked to find rays of hope in what sounds like a particularly bleak topic. We will endeavor to do that! Snacks and beverages will definitely be served while we reconnect with League friends and make new connections with the CSLC folks.
Tuesday, October 14, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in person at Montview Presbyterian Church, we will hold the annual Ballot Issues Briefing after the ballots drop on October 10 and well ahead of the 2025 Coordinated Election on Tuesday, November 4.
Tuesday, November 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in person at the Church weather permitting - Topic/Speaker to be announced.
Sue Stark, Co-Director of Program | A Program-Related Link: What the data says about Social Security
So many things to worry about these days, but talk of the challenges faced by the 90-year-old Social Security program is right up there. As the Pew Research Center states, "Few if any programs of the U.S. government touch as many people as directly as Social Security. Nearly every working American pays Social Security taxes, and more than 55 million people receive retirement benefits through the program." Curious about what this means for our country and you? Here is a link to "What the data says about Social Security" by the Pew Research Center. | 
On May 1, LWV launched the Unite & Rise 8.5 initiative, which aims to mobilize 8.5 million voters using the power of voter engagement as a cornerstone of our democracy. According to Harvard political scientist Erica Chenoweth, historically, nonviolent protest of at least 3.5% of a population can successfully pressure a government to accommodate the movement, leading to policy change. America has roughly 245 million eligible voters; 245 x 3.5% is roughly 8.5 million voters.
We can start as League members by committing to:
- Take action by voting and volunteering to ensure our freedom to vote is protected.
- Mobilize in nonviolent efforts to hold government accountable.
- Stay informed about the policies and decisions that affect us all, combat disinformation, and amplify the voices and stories of those most impacted.
Formalize it here:
Commit to Defend Democracy
And then forward it to your family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and more!
LWVUS makes this easy. Once you have signed the commitment form, the next screen (see below) allows you to forward it by social media or send by email. Once we have signed the commitment, we will receive emails about national mobilization activities.
| Voter Service In Action
Help Wanted – Looking for volunteers to make presentations to local Girl Scouts. Warning: This could be fun!!
The League of Women Voters (LWV) has a partnership with Girl Scouts (GS) of the USA. Members of LWV Denver have met with local GS staff to find out how we can partner. GS has a fabulous venue called the Dream Lab, which is located at 63 North Quebec Street. Scouts from different troops typically gather here on Saturday mornings. We can present information on Patch and Badge programs which have already been prepared. So, this is super easy!!
One option is the Promote the Vote Patch Program, which was developed by LWV and approved by GS. Click on the link to learn more!
The second option is presenting information for Democracy Badges. This curriculum was developed by GS. There are two civics-focused badges per level of the GS. The first badge focuses on democracy and the second badge relates to civics engagement. Here are some examples:
Democracy for Daisies Badge Activity | Girl Scouts
Democracy for Brownies Badge Activity | Girl Scouts
Needed - a volunteer to be our main contact with GS, as well as volunteer presenters. You can ask a friend to help you, even if they are not LWV members.
Time Frame and Location – Saturday mornings in late August or during September, at the Dream Lab at 63 North Quebec Street.
Target Audience - The majority of interest so far has been from younger scout levels: K-1 Daisies, 2-3 Brownies, and 4-5 Juniors.
Time Commitment – several hours to prepare and several hours to present
Results – greater knowledge for young scouts and joyful experiences for presenters!
If these opportunities interest you, please contact Lisa Haddox at lisa.m.haddox@gmail.com | Annual Meeting Highlights – In Case You Missed It
While the highlight of the Annual Meeting is the unveiling of the awards for those who made outstanding contributions (see below), there were other topics covered too. Kudos to the members who showed their culinary skills by bringing delicious breakfast foods!
 Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Westword, Patricia Calhoun, spoke to us about the difficulties faced by journalists in the current environment and needing to protect the paper’s staff writers from threats to their access to information. The question-and-answer period was the bulk of her engagement with members, giving her opinion on a variety of topics including elected officials. You can view the presentation on our YouTube Channel here.
During the business portion of the meeting, we passed next year’s budget. Treasurer Bobbie Heisterkamp assured us that we are in good financial condition. We made changes to the bylaws as required by the national League around membership and our commitment to DEI, and we elected a slate of Board members to lead the League in the coming year. The final list of members can be found here.
As part of the State of the League, Jeanette recognized a few members who contributed to the League in less visible but important ways. She thanked Bobbie Heisterkamp for working locally and nationally to help Leaguers understand how to pay dues and how to make a separate contribution to a local League. She mentioned the successful work of Gordon Butz and Lisa Haddox in their grant writing efforts. She thanked Pearlanne Zelarney and Marty Sloven for joining her in finding and hiring our new Office Manager, Kayla Berry, whose excellent capabilities even include charming our old copier to print without a hassle. Cassie Bishop was recognized for her success in finding Mary Jefferson, Mariam Bouricius and Anais Salcido through VolunteerMatch.com. Pearlanne and Kayla were applauded for their technological skills in helping to adopt the new nationally centralized membership system, and Jackie Denning for her outstanding efforts with our social media. Jeanette also recognized Lisa Haddox, Mariam Bouricius and Susan Stark for their efforts in developing partnerships with community organizations.
 There were numerous directions given to the Board of Directors for the coming year. In addition to some comments that were complimentary, members raised the following topics: Battle DEI attacks, work to help the Denver schools find money, defend 501(c)(3)s; do more PR about all our good work, support Pride activities, sell amaryllis bulbs, start an Observer Corps for the City Council and School Board, and finally – a suggestion was made to study AI for the safety of our elections.
The meeting concluded with a drawing for the book Gender Queer. Frank Bennet had the honor of choosing the winner’s name and all laughed when he chose his wife Carla Bennet’s name.
Jeanette Scotland, Director of Organization | Annual Meeting Awards
Lis Brown
Shirley Weaver Suffragist Award for Lifetime Achievement
Presenter: Diane Young
For those of you who were not members back in the 70's, 80’s or 90's, Shirley Weaver was the secretary/office manager of the LWV Denver for about 25 years. She wasn’t just staff but was very involved in all the activities that the League undertook - petitions, Unit meetings and more. Those of us who were on the LWV Denver board in those days knew that she was a treasured friend and mentor as well.
The Shirley Weaver Suffragist Award is given to a member who has made a lifetime contribution to the Denver League.
I was honored last year to receive this award and am happy today to talk about this year’s recipient.
This member joined the LWV Denver in the early 70’s and was part of the LWV Denver Education Committee for many years. She served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for about nine years, including the extra task of serving as Treasurer for the LWV Denver Neighborhood Tour in 1983: Downtown Denver Today.
She and Shirley Weaver provided catering for some League events, notably supporting our fundraising phonathons by providing food for those who were making the calls to potential supporters.
She stepped away from the League for a few years when she returned to school to get her PhD, and taught college classes. She rejoined the LWV in 2014 and has been active on the Voter Service Committee, including voter registration and helping with Denver Ballot Issue pamphlets by researching and writing up the information. She is also a member of the Observatory Unit.
Congratulations, Lis!
Lisa Haddox
The Marty Sloven Mother Lode Award for Outstanding Contributions During the Past Year
Presenter: Bobbie Heisterkamp
Lisa has revolutionized our approach to voter service with new ideas about community outreach and engagement. She started a Youth Advisory Council which enticed students to bring the League’s message of voting importance into their schools. Peer recommendations and example-setting works!
The LWV Denver received two significant grants and another grant is in line for this year thanks to Lisa’s work submitting the applications. While our League has a budget for voter service, Lisa has expanded that significantly by grant income.
When League volunteers set up our tent at a community event (and there have been many), she has all sorts of ways to lure people over, like buttons, a spinner for a prize, etc., so the message of voting and registration is highly visible and enticing.
Lastly, Lisa is very efficient and easy to work with. When someone becomes certified by Colorado to register voters, Lisa sends them a list of new events that would need covering and keeps track of who will be going. If no one assents, Lisa goes herself. Our League is so lucky to have such an energetic person who adds informed voters to our elections.
 Jeanette Scotland
The Marty Sloven Mother Lode Award for Outstanding Contributions During the Past Year
Presenter: Lisa Haddox
Jeanette is a fifty-year plus member of the League. When I met Jeanette, she was co-chair of the Voter Service Committee. Jeanette is an active member of the Board, the Observatory Unit, the Development Committee, the Budget Committee, the Voter Service Committee, the Program Committee, and is a Voter Registration Circulator.
In 2023, Jeanette retired from being the co-chair of the Voter Service Committee and was looking forward to spending less time on League activities. Then another need became apparent. The Denver League needed someone to step into the leadership role of Director of Organization. Jeanette generously stepped forward. With her many years of experience in the Denver League and others before that, she has been perfect for the position.
Jeanette has put in countless hours being the main point of contact, preparing for and leading board meetings, leading an effort to advertise and secure a new office manager, filling the office manager role during the vacancy time, and training our new office manager, Kayla. Jeanette is thoughtful and proactive in her Director of Organization role. Thank you, Jeanette, for taking on this huge task!
Cassandra Bishop
JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Award
Presented by Nancy Ulrich
Cassandra "Cassie" Bishop was new to LWV Denver in 2023. She accepted the position of Membership Chair and took the reins of the Membership Committee, establishing monthly meetings. Cassie continued the Drinks & Dialogue events, finding new places to hold the event, and inviting LWV Colorado members as well as non-LWV members. They were a big success.
Her primary JEDI connection is listing our Board openings on VolunteerMatch.com, where we were able to find several new board members, which at the same time increased the diversity of our board.
Cassie originated the idea of a book club, focusing on politically-related books, called the Socially Aware Book Club. Cassie selected the books and then the fun began, especially when we read The Shadow Docket. That, too, met with success. Sadly, Cassie leaves Denver for the mountains. She made a big impact in a very short time.
Bob Connelly
JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Award
Presented by Nancy Ulrich
As a retired lawyer, and having practiced law in both state and federal courts, Bob was a very important member of the Federal Courts 101 study and presentation. Bob helped guide the committee to find its focus and hone down material to understandable statements. His in-depth research on the Federal Judiciary position being formed by the LWV United States and for the presentation that the committee created to inform Denver members about this complex subject was much appreciated. All of this good work from Bob emphasizes once again that League is "Not for Women Only."
| Leaving the Board After Long Service
Certificates of Appreciation were also give at the Annual Meeting to those leaving the Board.
| | Leaguer Jeanette Scotland (far right) at a SAVE Act panel hosted by the Denver Clerk and Recorders office. You can watch it here. | Keep Track of Your Volunteer Hours!
Holley Murphy, LWVD member and LWVUS staff member, created a form that any member can use to record volunteer time. LWVUS needs this information and it is also important for us when applying for grants. Please use the form to enter any hours you spend at any cadence you'd like. Maybe once a month or after every event?
Volunteer Hours Form | Welcome New and Returning Members
Lauri Connelly, 80228, connelly.lauri@gmail.com
Nora Grossman, 80212, nmgrossman@gmail.com
Kathleen Hoenig, 80230, francesday53@yahoo.com
Maria Mazalan, 80209, mbmazalan@yahoo.com
Emily Mears, 80206, emilydmears@gmail.com
Penelope Mellon, 80247, penelopemellon@gmail.com
Jocelyn Meltzer, 80205, jocelyn.meltzer@gmail.com
Clara OConnell, 80237, claraoconnell@aol.com
Patricia Schuler, 80210, pbs57ruby@gmail.com
Karen Stern, 80222, karenstern57@gmail.com
Sally Thomas, 80112, sandin-my-shoes@hotmail.com
Sloan Tucker, 80206, sloan.tucker23@gmail.com
Tracy Winchester, 80209, tracyjwinchester@gmail.com
Leah Wolkovitz, 80232, lorrsv@gmail.com | LWV Denver Units
A great place for meaningful conversations
Units are small groups that meet after briefings to discuss the topic further and whatever else is on the minds of the attendees. Look here in the September VOTER for their next meetings. Joining a Unit is a great way to start getting involved with League.
| VOTER Articles Welcome!
We welcome articles from all members. We traditionally publish the VOTER on the fourth Thursday and the deadline to submit articles is the Friday before.
| September |
Friday, August 22 |
Thursday, August 28 |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com. | Please Renew Your Membership or
Become a Member Today
If you received this email VOTER and are not a member, please consider joining us. If it's time to renew your membership, you can do it online through the button below. Members, please consider forwarding this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join!
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Click this link for a printable pdf version of the newsletter:
Printable LWVD VOTER
| | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |