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LWVCC encourages active and informed participation in government. We are a nonpartisan nonprofit organization aiming to support voters and influence public policy.
 
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Date: 10/30/2025
Subject: LWVCC Update for October 30, 2025
From: Your Local League of Women Voters



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 the LWVCC Board gave careful consideration to 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. 
Paint Sip and Make a Difference

The League of Women Voters of Collier County is hosting a fun event to combat hunger: an Empty Bowls Paint and Sip Party!

Grab a friend and join us to paint a ceramic bowl. No need to be an artist—just bring your enthusiasm! All bowls painted will be used at the 20th Annual Empty Bowls Naples event, where proceeds fund grants for local organizations dedicated to ending hunger. They recently awarded $225,000 to 14 organizations!

A $10 donation is suggested to cover the cost of supplies, and we'll have refreshments waiting for you. Space is limited to just 30 participants, so don't miss out!

For questions, contact Julie Wade at jfw222@gmail.com or Ann Fisher at annfisher3@gmail.com
 

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 oversee this process. 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 signature
Teresa Stohs
LWVCC President
VOTER SERVICES NEEDS YOU!

The Naples City Council election on February 3, 2026, will not have Early Voting days—voters can only vote on election day or using a Vote-by-mail ballot. We are reaching out through Naples’ neighborhood/civic organizations to have Voter Services tabling events where we can help voters check their registration online and request a Vote-by-Mail ballot. These are our November tabling events:

 11/8  Lake Park Neighborhood Association Block party
Lake Park-10th Ave. N at 11 St. N, Naples
5-7pm
11/10  Port Royal Club Town Hall meeting (with Loralee)
Trinity by the Cove 553 Galleon Dr, Naples, FL
10-11am
11/13  Leadership Collier Volunteer Expo 3-6
Coastland Mall 
3-6pm
11/15   Island Walk w/ Pass on Plastics 10-11am
Towncenter Circle Ste #101 Naples 34119
10-11am
 11/15  Coquina Sands Association meeting (LHR speaker)
Grace Lutheran Church on Banyan Blvd
5:00-6:30pm
(4:45pm set up)

What do we do at these events? Wear your name badge, and we’ll have the Voter Services iPad with cell service. Ask that you bring a personal iPad, if you have one you are comfortable with, as a back-up. We chat with everyone who stops by, asking if they would like to check their voter registration and re-request a Voter-by-mail ballot (prior requests deleted at 12/31/2024 per Florida election law). We help them click on the SOE website for checking voter registration, then the VBM request. There will also be a small flyer to do-it-yourself at home, if they want to take that. It’s fun to chat with voters and tell them all about our local League!

We’re going to try a new way for volunteers to sign up, using the Signup Genius web-based app. All you’ll need is your calendar, to see which events you are free to volunteer for and your name, email address and phone contact. To sign-up for a November VS tabling event, use this link:


When you click, you’ll see all the VS tabling events and available slots. Just click the blue “Sign up” rectangle next to the slots you’d like to volunteer for, then scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click the blue, centered “Save & Continue” button. Next, the Sign Me Up page lists your choices. Enter your email and phone number, then click the red “Sign Up Now” button. You’ll get an acknowledgement email, and Laura Hansen Reynolds, Voter Services coordinator, will get a list of volunteers with contact info. Easy-Peasy!

Questions? Contact  Laura Hansen Reynolds or call her at the phone number in the LWVCC website Member Directory.

Tabling at Rookery Bay
Lynn Martin and Laura Hansen Reynolds at Rookery Bay, October 2025
Haunted Registration
DON'T MISS THE FINAL FILM: FACING FEAR
November 6 @  2:00 PM

As an engaged group, we invite all League members to join us for the final documentary and panel discussion in this powerful series.

The film is the Academy Award-nominated short documentary, Facing Fear. It recounts the story of Matthew Boger, a gay 13-year-old who was viciously beaten by Neo-Nazis. Years later, he meets Tim Zaal, a former skinhead, and they realize Zaal was one of Boger's attackers—a meeting that sets the stage for an incredible story of confrontation and forgiveness.

Special Reservation for League Members: The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center is reserving 25 seats specifically for our League members! Please register here to reserve your spot for this event.

Tie-In Discussion: Following the screening and panel, the League will host a brief post-meeting discussion to tie the film’s themes of hate, conflict resolution, and forgiveness directly back to our local League work and advocacy efforts.

We look forward to seeing you there for this impactful conclusion!

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.

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?
  • How do we balance 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
JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMITTEE SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Dr. Rachel Dawes
Collier County Public Schools

Combatting Chronic Absenteeism
November 21 @ 10:00-12:00

Rachel Dawes

Did you know that in K-12 public schools across the US, truancy / chronic absenteeism is the primary predictor of lack of academic achievement and whether a child is likely to become involved with Law Enforcement? Did you also know that recently, in the State of Florida, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) ranked #1 best with lowest percentage of students absent 21 days or more during the 180-day school year.? The State average was more than double that of CCPS.

On Friday, November 21, 10:00 am, Dr. Rachel Dawes, CCPS Director of Safety, Security, and Student Relations will be the featured speaker at the Juvenile Justice Committee’s meeting at Finemark Bank Waterside. Dr. Dawes’ portfolio includes safety initiatives and threat assessments, as well as attendance, discipline, and alternative placements.
All members and guests are invited to this timely presentation. Space is limited. These are all sizzling topics in most American communities today
.

 
Civics Unplugged image


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.



  UPCOMING EVENTS  
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  
December 8 @ 3:00-4:30  Book Club
Devil's Element

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 informationLWVCC 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
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
Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting
November 21 @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.

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League of Women Voters of Collier County
 P.O. Box 9883, Naples, FL 34101