 | MONTHLY MEETING FEE INCREASE
Our monthly luncheon meetings provide both an educational speaker program and an opportunity for current members to gather and renew acquaintances. These meetings are also a popular way to attract new members to the Collier league to introduce new entrants to the voting structures and issues in Florida which, in many cases, are very different from the “up north” experience. For those reasons, LWVCC has subsidized the cost of our monthly general member meetings for the past decade or more.
Our per member charge has been a constant $34.00 for the past three years, despite the increased costs faced by our vendor. After careful consideration by your board of all aspects of our meetings, we believe the current venue is most suitable to the needs of the membership and provides the best value we can secure. However, the contract costs have risen annually for several years while our member charge has not kept pace. Additionally, as discussed at our Annual Meeting in April, the net dues we receive per person has declined substantially due to the new pricing structure from the LWVUS. Our revenues are declining while our costs are rising.
Thus, beginning October 2025, we will be instituting a new charge of $40.00 per member or member guest registered by the member by the registration deadline (still an approximately $10 subsidy, requiring website login to qualify) and $50.00 for non-members who register themselves and at the door for all walk-ins. | MID-CYCLE REDISTRICTING CAUSES CONCERN
Mid-cycle redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries between regular census-based redistricting periods. While redistricting usually follows the U.S. Census every ten years, some states allow maps to be altered mid-decade. This can be used to gain political advantage—a practice known as gerrymandering—by adjusting lines to favor one party or weaken the other. Lawmakers in power may concentrate opposing voters in a few districts (“packing”) or spread them thinly across many districts (“cracking”), diluting their influence. Mid-cycle changes can disrupt voter representation, shift electoral outcomes, and create instability in political competition. Critics say it undermines fairness and public trust, while supporters claim it can correct flawed maps. The practice remains controversial, with legal challenges often deciding its fate. Texas is currently in the middle of this controversy, and there have been indications it might occur in Florida. Call or write your reps today with your concerns. | PASSING OF RICHARD MACKEN
The League of Women Voters of Collier County was recently informed of the passing of member Richard "Dick" Macken, who passed away on August 12, 2025.
Richard had been a dedicated member of the League since 2022 and was known for his commitment to the organization. He was a dedicated supporter who often accompanied past president Jeannette Boucher to LWVCC events. Richard will be remembered for his intellect, adventurous spirit, and the joy he brought to all who knew him.
We express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. A celebration of life will be held for Richard at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples on Saturday, September 6, at 4 p.m.
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The Communications Team recently began a video series titled “Civics Unplugged” posted on all of LWVCC’s social media sites. The goal of these short reels is to educate viewers on the basics of national and local civics, such as Branches of Government, Voting Rights, Constitutional Amendments, City Council, and more.
We will be posting these 1-minute videos approximately once a week on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube. As always, the more “clicks” on the postings we get, the more engagement we will see in our community! So please make sure you check-in to our social media to view, like, comment, and share our reels.
| GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTION SPECIAL SPEAKER
The Gun Violence Prevention Subcommittee (GVP) of the Social Policy Committee is pleased to have Kristen Ziman as the speaker at our opening meeting at 10:00am on October 15, 2025. The Zoom link is provided when registering. Ms. Ziman is the former police cthief of Aurora, Illinois and author of the book Reimagining Blue: Thoughts on Life, Leadership, and a New Way Forward in Policing. She will discuss the mass shooting that occurred while she was Chief of Police and also her experience choosing support staff. This book provides valuable insights about law enforcement which is relevant to the increased use of visible police presence we are experiencing. The observations on leadership are inspiring and applicable to any situation. Please join us for this enlightening and fascinating program.
| VINCENT KEEYS, PRESIDENT NAACP COLLIER COUNTY
Special Guest Speaker Juvenile Justice Committee
October 24 @ 10:00-12:00
Vincent Keeys, President, NAACP Collier County, will be the featured speaker at the Juvenile Justice Committee’s Fall Kick-Off meeting on October 24, 2025, 10:00 am, Finemark Bank Waterside. All League members are invited to attend.
The NAACP is one of the foundational organizations in our community. Among its numerous missions, it supports youth through programs focused on education, leadership development, and community engagement. These programs empower young people to reach their full potential academically, professionally, and as community leaders committed to social justice and equity. Please join us for this thought-provoking presentation and bring a friend.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| October 13 @ 11:30-1:30 |
Luncheon & General Meeting |
Visit the LWVCC Calendar for event details
| ONLINE REIMBURSEMENT FORM IS NOW AVAILABLE
Board members, committee chairs, and others who need to submit reimbursement requests can now do so via our Submit Online Forms page. | UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Check our Event Calendar for meeting locations and more information. LWVCC committee meetings are for members and their invited guests unless stated otherwise, members should log in to the website to register to get the Zoom links for committee meetings and other events. | Board Meeting
October 1 @ 9:30-12:00
Zoom
| Environmental Affairs Committee Meeting
October 9 @10:00-11:30
Collier Community Foundation
Guest speaker will be Eve Samples, the Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades. As you know from the news, a detention center has been built in the Big Cypress Preserve, part of the Everglades. Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biodiversity and Earth Justice have sued alleging that the required environmental review wasn’t undertaken. Eve will update us on the status of the lawsuit, the detention center and other activities of Friends of the Everglades. | Gun Violence Prevention Subcommittee Meeting
October 15 @10:00-11:00
Zoom
| Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting
October 24 @10:00-12:00
Finemark Bank | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in Government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. Our goal is to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of Collier County does not support or endorse any candidate or political party.
| League of Women Voters of Collier County
P.O. Box 9883Naples, FL 34101
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