NOVEMBER LUNCHEON & GENERAL MEETING
November 10 @ 11:30-1:30
Tiburon Golf Club
Leveraging New Frontiers in Science
to Restore and Protect Our Coral Reefs
presented by
Dr. Bradley Weiler
Postdoctoral Researcher
Coral Program for the Cooperative Institute
for Marine and Atmospheric Studies
University of Miami
Dr. Weiler will provide an impactful dive into the drivers of coral reef decline, the research combating these threats, and the conservation approaches required to revitalize these underwater rainforests.
MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
MEMBERS MUST LOG IN FIRST TO RECEIVE MEMBER PRICE
If you are bringing one or more guests, please be sure to register them when you register yourself.
Registration and payment must be made online by
Tuesday, November 4 @ 12:00 PM
Walk-ins will be seated in order of arrival on a space available basis
Late registration/walk in price will be strictly enforced
Let's Grow Together! Bring a Friend to Our General Meetings
| 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 have 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. | A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Leaguers,
We are entering our busiest time of the year. Thanks to those year-round members who have been doing such important work over the spring, summer, and early fall. Welcome back to those part-timers just returning. Hope you are rested and ready to roll up your sleeves.
It is essential that we coordinate our efforts, especially when it comes to communicating with elected officials. Our Government Committee, led by Stacy Vermylen, and I will coordinate our efforts. Of course, as an individual citizen, you are welcome to communicate with your elected officials on a local, regional, state, and national basis. But Stacy and I will be determining which representatives will be contacted on behalf of the League.
I am so grateful for the passion and commitment of our members and want to make sure we use the voice of the LWVCC to our best advantage. If you think the LWVCC should contact elected officials on issues, please contact me with your suggestions.
Thanks for your continued support,
Teresa Stohs
LWVCC President
| 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
October 29 @ 11:00–1:00
Skillets, 5461 Airport-Pulling
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.
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JOIN LWVCC AT MOVIES THAT MATTER SWFL:
THE FIGHT FOR ACCESIBILITY
October 30 @ 2:00
The League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) invites you to join us for a powerful viewing experience at the Fall Film Series, presented by the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center!
We're gathering as an engaged community group to watch the second film in the series, followed by a brief, focused discussion connecting the film's vital themes directly to voting rights and the LWV mission.
Special Perk: The Holocaust Museum has reserved a block of 25 FREE TICKETS exclusively for League Members and their guests! Registration is required to secure your seat and a seat for your guest(s).
Film Focus: Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
Why You Must See This: The fight for accessibility is fundamentally linked to the fight for voting rights! This film powerfully illustrates the political action required to secure and protect the rights of all citizens to participate fully in democracy—including casting their ballot. See how historical civil rights battles shape our ongoing work to empower every voter!
| 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!
| UNLOCK YOUR LEAGUE POTENTIAL:
ATTEND LEAGUE 101!
November 12 @ 4:00-5:00
ZOOM
Ready to move beyond the basics? Join us for League 101, the essential dive into how the League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) truly drives change.
This one-hour session connects you directly to the heartbeat of our organization—from our local chapter to our powerful State and National Leagues.
- What does it mean to be non-partisan and political?
- How do our Committees tackle today's most pressing issues?
- Balancing both Education and Advocacy to achieve our mission.
This session is the mandatory first step for anyone interested in the LLP leadership program.
Presenters: Julie Wade, Diana Walsh, Ellen Hannan, Sarah Cass Berg, and Laura Hansen Reynolds.
Don't just be a member—become an informed force!
REGISTER
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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 |
| November 12 @ 4:00-5:00 |
League 101 |
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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