Congratulations to the four Leagues awarded Daniel Scharfman Citizen Education Grants. The total amount dispersed in this cycle for the four grants was $1,000.00
For information on the grant program, click here.
The grant program offers funds to help Leagues carry out events and projects in the areas of citizen education and voter service. Generous contributions to the Lotte E. Scharfman Education Fund have made this successful grant program possible. Please consider donating to the fund. Donations can be made through the website, lwvma.org. A big thank you to those of you who have donated in the past, making this grant program possible.
LWV Cape Ann: Public Forum on the November 2016 referendum questions
This is an educational forum for the voters of Cape Ann explaining the referendum questions that will appear on the November 2016 ballot. LWV Cape Ann plans to involve high school students in researching and developing the discussion points, one student for the PRO and one for the CON in each presentation. If all three Cape Ann high schools participate, LWV Cape Ann will do the presentation three times in three separate locations.
LWV of the Springfield Unit of the Northampton Area: Candidate meet and greet for Hampden County Sheriff
In 2016, Voters in Hampden County will elect a sheriff for the first time in 42 YEARS. The Springfield Unit of the LWV of Northampton Area is planning an educational event followed by a candidate meet and greet in the “candi-dating” format pioneered by the LWV of Southwest Missouri to maximize voter contact time and allow for more in-depth discussion with primary candidates.
LWV Norwood: Norwood Public Schools Financing Study
The Norwood League of Women Voters elected to study the financing of the Norwood Public Schools. Each year, the School Committee is asked to prepare a budget and the appropriate funding of the schools has become very difficult. The funding being provided by the Town of Norwood and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has left the School Committee with some very difficult choices. The League elected to study this issue to determine why there was a continual problem and what needs to be done to provide adequate funding. Norwood is one of many towns facing a financial strain with regard to funding public schools.
*A report on the study is available, please contact the LWVMA office.
LWV Westford: “A Guide to Town Meeting” booklet
The Westford League edits and prints a booklet named “A Guide to Town Meeting.” This 28-page booklet describes the entire process of Town Meeting for Westford. It includes sections on the participants, articles and motions, the debate, and voting. It is an invaluable reference for voters who have just moved to Westford, or are unfamiliar with the way Town Meeting is run locally. As procedures and rules change, League members have worked on the document to keep it up to date. The League prints and distributes this booklet at Town Meeting.