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JOIN LWVCC AT MOVIES THAT MATTER SWFL:
LIBRARIES AND BOOK BANS
October 23 @ 2:00
Film Focus: Free For All: The Public Library
The League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) invites members to the first film in the fall Movies that Matter SWFL series, presented with WGCU Public Media and the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center. We will attend as an engaged community group and hold a brief discussion afterward to connect the themes to voting and our mission. Access to information is key to informed voting.
Event & Panel Details
- Panel Discussion Date: Thursday, October 23, 2:00 PM
- Topic: The origins of the "Free Library Movement" and the contemporary challenges facing librarians, including the history of book bans and the Holocaust.
Panelists:
- Arnie Rubin – Friends of the Library: President of the Friends of the Library in Collier County; former public school administrator and current chair of the Stand Up For Justice Committee.
- Marge Cox – Retired Librarian and Right To Read Advocate: Award-winning former CCPS Librarian and dedicated advocate voicing concerns about book bans and censorship.
Viewing the Film
Please note that the October 23rd event is for the panel discussion only.
Please view the film on your own - either on WGCU-TV Monday, October 20th at 9:00pm Eastern, or at your convenience through this link to the program on PBS's Independent Lens program and PBS Passport.
The Holocaust Museum has reserved a block of 25 FREE tickets for League Members and their guests.
| VINCENT KEEYS, PRESIDENT NAACP COLLIER COUNTY
Special Guest Speaker
Juvenile Justice Committee
October 24 @10:00-12:00
Finemark Bank
Vincent Keeys, President, NAACP Collier County, will be the featured speaker at the Juvenile Justice Committee’s meeting on October 24, 2025, 10:00 am, Finemark Bank Waterside. In addition, Keeys is the recipient of the Greater Naples Leadership 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award and will become President of the Kiwanis Club of Naples- on-the-Gulf in 2026.
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. All League members are invited to attend.
| EDUCATION AMBASSADORS / MEMBERS-ON-CALL
SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION MEET & GREET
Skilletss, 5461 Airport-Pulling, October 29, 11 – 1 PM
Education Ambassadors, comprised of LWVCC, AAUW Naples, and Interfaith Alliance of SWFL, is dedicated to supporting public education. We increase community awareness of issues that positively or negatively affect our public schools. Our voices are heard thanks to our Members-on-Call who write letters to elected officials, key decision makers, and provide testimony as needed.
If you are interested in supporting the well-being and continuation of public education, we encourage you to join us at Skillets, 5461 Airport, on October 29, 11 to 1. Together, we make a difference. RSVP to Nancy Chism by October 22.
| SB 180 LIMITS LOCAL CONTROL
In the last Florida legislative session, Senate Bill 180 was passed and signed by Governor DeSantis. Originally aimed at easing post-hurricane regulations, the bill was amended with a “Local Government Land Regulation” provision that blocks local governments from making changes to comprehensive plans or land-use rules for three years after a declared storm (retroactive to August 2024). Most of Florida is affected by this law.
This means that any new rule deemed “more restrictive or burdensome” by private parties is barred, effectively giving developers veto power over local growth management tools such as impact fees, plans to manage growth, or storm abatement investments.
The law undermines community efforts like Naples’ resiliency planning and would even shift control of the Naples Airport away from local oversight. Municipalities statewide have protested and several, including Naples, have joined a lawsuit to fight the measure. The League of Women Voters of Florida strongly opposes this law, which strips “home rule” from citizens and their representatives.
Action Needed: Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to reverse SB 180’s restrictions on local control of growth, resiliency, and safety planning across Florida.
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Join the League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) for a fun and creative Empty Bowls Paint and Sip Party
This is your chance to paint a ceramic bowl, with a requested $10 per person donation to cover the cost of art supplies. We'll have refreshments available, and we encourage you to bring a friend to share in the fun! No artistic experience is needed—just a desire to help a great cause.
All bowls painted at this event will be used at the 20th Annual Empty Bowls Naples event on January 17, 2026.
The net proceeds from that annual event support the Empty Bowls Naples Inc. Grant Program, which provides grants to local organizations fighting hunger in our community. This past June, the program awarded $225,000 to 14 organizations in Collier and Lee counties, directly helping to eliminate hunger in our area.
Space is limited to just 30 participants, so be sure to register early to secure your spot!
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Please join Lynn Martin and Laura Hansen Reynolds, as individuals, at the No Kings peaceful rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Collier Courthouse, 10am.
Come to a Poster Party today (Thursday afternoon), 2:30, at Altavilla Restaurant, 7550 Mission Hills Drive, North Naples (just off Immokalee Road) – we’ll have poster board and markers and ideas for non-partisan messages supporting democracy. Email Lynn (lynnsmartin14@gmail.com) or Laura (laura9hansen@gmail.com) so we’ll have enough supplies for everyone. On Saturday, bring your sign, dress in comfortable shoes (no League logo wear), plus water and sun protection. We’ll stay together and show a force of like-minded people marching to protect the Constitution and support the rule of law in America.
| Stand up (as an individual – no League logos or t-shirts) with like-minded members at the NO KINGS peaceful rally. This Saturday, we’ll meet at 10am in front of the Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples. We’ll walk together to the rally area and stay as long as you wish. |
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UPLOAD A PHOTO TO THE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
A posted photo in the Membership Directory could help you find the person…if they had posted a photo in their profile!
We are encouraging everyone that has not added their photo to their Member Profile to do so to improve member to member communication. Your photo helps to associate a name with a face.
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Tech Tip!
We have developed two modes of directions to meet member learning preferences;
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Hoping to see you in the directory soon!!! | |
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.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| October 23 @ 2:00-4:00 |
Movies that Matter Panel Discussion
Free for All |
| October 30 @ 2:00-4:00 |
Movies that Matter
Change Not Charity |
| November 4 @ 4:00-6:00 |
Empty Bowls Paint & Sip |
| November 6 @ 2:00 |
Movies that Matter
Facing Fear |
| November 10 @ 11:30-1:30 |
November 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. | Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting
October 24 @10:00-12:00
Finemark Bank | Board Meeting
November 5 @ 9:30-12:00
Moorings Park Board Room | Environmental Affairs Botanical Gardens Field Trip
November 13 @ 10:00-11:30
| Plastics Task Force Meeting
November 13 @ 3:30-5:00
Zoom
| Gun Violence Prevention Subcommittee Meeting
November 19 @10:00-11:00
Zoom
| 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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