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| Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Teresa Stohs
Stand Tall in Tallahassee
This is a call to action! We need you! The LWVFL has announced that the Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting will be meeting on December 4th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. They hope 1,000 League members will flood Tallahassee as we say NO to Redistricting.
The LWVCC will do our part. We have secured a 34-seat bus (with a bathroom) to take members to Tallahassee (and back) on December 4, 2025, to make our presence known and join other League members from across the state of Florida.
I know this will be a long day (5:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.), but our need to Defend Democracy is great. The bus will be provided free for our members. We have also reached out to the Leagues of Lee, Charlotte and Sanibel to join us, provided we have space.
Please see the Calendar of Events for details, and RSVP now.
Let’s make our voices heard on December 4th and say NO to Redistricting.
Thanks,
 | Be Part of Something Enduring:
Join the Helen Franke Legacy Society Today | Two years ago, your League leadership had the foresight to create the LWVCC Endowment Fund, to secure the future of our League from tomorrow’s uncertainties, and to provide resources that allow us to take advantage of exciting and consequential possibilities that we may not even imagine now.
Today we are thrilled to announce that the LWVCC Endowment Fund has reached over $68,000. This significant achievement, in just two years, has been made possible by the generosity and foresight of nearly 50 of our members. In recognition of the generosity of former President Helen Franke in donating the original gift that inspired the creation of the LWVCC Endowment Fund, the Helen Franke Legacy Society was established to honor all donors. Donors who are Charter Members - those who made their first gifts during our inaugural drive 2023-2024 - are designated by an asterisk in front of their names. (Several of those listed made additional gifts in 2025.)
Helen Franke Legacy Society
* Patricia Aiken-O'Neill
* Carolyn E Alden
* Sarah Berg
* Gloria Bailey
* Linda Brandis
* Libbie Bramson
* Nancy Chism
* Catherine Cunningham
* Cynthia Cromwell
* Linda Denning
* Katherine Doerr
* Stephanie Dixon
* Jan Eustis
* Carissa Funk
* Susan Golden
* Cathy Hackney |
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* Ellen Hannan
* Melinda Heim
* Janet Hoffman
* Ray Kalich
* Joanne Huskey
* Anna Christina (Paul) Kardon
* Suzanne Low
* Lynn Martin
* Denise McLaughlin
* Diane Preston Moore
* Judi Palay
* Tina Palmese
* Sandy Parker
* Susan Pezzullo
* Martha Phillips
* Pat Plummer |
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* Larry Polansky
* Wendy (Susan) Riedel
* Patricia Rodilosso
* Linda Scherzinger
* Betty Schwartz
* Laura Scott
* Karen Sendik
* Connie Fako Shoemake
* Elizabeth Smith
* Susan Sonnenschein
* Teresa Stohs
* Lisabeth VanDamme
* Stacy Vermylen
* Diana Walsh
* Anonymous (2)
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We hope you will want to join these individuals who have “voted with their wallets” to ensure the League has a strong future defending democracy and educating voters in Collier County, regardless of economic, weather, political or other unforeseen events to come.
Ensure that your name is on this illustrious list by making a tax-deductible gift to the Endowment Fund today! Donations may be made through the League website at https://www.lwvcolliercounty.org or by check mailed to P.O. Box 9883, Naples, FL 34101.
Remember that if you qualify, you can make a tax-deductible contribution directly from your IRA even if you don’t itemize your federal tax deductions. Contact your tax advisor for more information about that option. If you want information about the LWVCC Endowment Fund, contact Endowment Chair Suzanne Low at Endowment@lwvcolliercounty.org. | 
Voter Services Committee
Laura Hansen Reynolds, Administrative Coordinator
Voter Services – Here, There, Everywhere!
With the 2026 election season right around the corner, Voter Services volunteers are ramping up our vote outreach. The first election in 2026 will be February 3 when the City of Naples will elect three city councilors. Nine candidates have qualified so far, although one withdrew, so the current slate has eight candidates. The candidate qualification deadline is December 15.
Voter Services Volunteer 101 Training
Eighteen league members gathered on November 18 to learn about all the opportunities to volunteer with Voter Services. We role-played tabling events, online voter registration checks and Vote-By-Mail (VBM) ballot requests, VOTE411 website volunteering, Get-out-the-Vote activities, postcard writing and phone banking outreach, and observing at the Canvassing Board for each election cycle. Next, Voter Services is planning a zoom training session in early January. Watch the Weekly Update for timing and registration.
Tabling for Voter Registration
In the past six weeks, Voter Services volunteers have had 6 tabling events, from Rookery Bay to Coastland Mall to coffee with the Mayor and neighborhood/civic organization meetings.
With iPads and laptops, we help voters check their registration status and re-request Vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots. Florida Election Law was changed to require voters to re-request a VBM after each November general election. As of 12/31/2024, Melissa Blazier, Collier County Supervisor of Elections, had her staff delete all requests on file. If you have not yet re-requested your own VBM ballot, you can do so at https://www.colliervotes.gov/205/Online-Vote-by-Mail-Request
We have one tabling event scheduled for December, then many events in January 2026, leading up to the February election. Watch the Weekly Update email for opportunities to join Voter Services in our voter outreach.
Candidate Forum
Patricia Aiken O’Neill is working with our partner, Greater Naples Leadership, planning the League’s City Council Candidate Forum. The Forum will take place on Tuesday, January 13 at 5 p.m. in the City Council chambers, across from City Hall.
WGCU Program on CIVICS:unplugged
Teresa Stohs, Laura Hansen Reynolds, and Jan Lapham were interviewed by WGCU’s Mike Kiniry for a Gulfcoast Life program about our League’s social media short-video initiative, CIVICS:unplugged. (Listen at https://news.wgcu.org/show/gulf-coast-life)
The initiative addresses, in quick 1-minute videos, the civics education topics that have been squeezed out of America’s school curriculum, as a result of the focus on reading and math. Jen Lapham’s creativity shines as she creates these videos for our League. Mike Kiniry included the audio of the “Oath of Office” video in his interview. We now have 18 videos on national, state and local government, and voter education that air on LWVCC’s TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook social media feeds. We already have over 1,300 TikTok followers, with over 2,500 “likes." More videos are planned.
CIVICS:unplugged videos are also available on YouTube and the LWVCC website. |
Social Policy Committee
Janet Hoffman, Betty Schwartz, Co-Chairs
Defending Democracy
Following LWVFL’s Civil Discourse Initiative, on December 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Social Policy Committee is hosting a presentation and discussion aimed at improving our abilities in constructive dialogue.
Democracy is sustained by people who are willing and able to engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Come and learn about communication practices that build relationships, encourage open dialogue, and support our democracy. This will not be a workshop. Some of the ideas presented in last year’s workshop will be reviewed briefly, so everyone can start on a similar page.
Janet Hoffman, co-chair of Social Policy, will present and lead the discussion on civil discourse. Through participation with The Dialogue Company, Empowering Communication, and classes in conflict management, Janet became excited about increasing the awareness of tools for healthy dialogue and wants to share them. Let’s build a more connected community!
REGISTER |
Gun Violence Subcommittee
Bill to Lower the Age to Purchase Firearms Moving in Florida House
Following the Parkland tragedy, the Florida legislature passed a bill that raised the age to purchase firearms to age 21. The bill had the unanimous support of the Parkland families, as we learned that the 19-year-old shooter had legally purchased his AR-15. The bill passed with bipartisan support and was signed by former Governor Rick Scott in 2018.
Since 2018, the Florida legislature has been taking steps to repeal the Parkland bill under pressure from the NRA, Gun Owners of America, and Florida Carry. Last year, a bill to roll back the age to 18 passed the Florida House with the support of Representatives Benarroch, Botana and Melo, but was not heard in the Florida Senate. This year, a similar bill recently passed the House criminal justice subcommittee and will be heard by the House judiciary committee on December 2. HB 133 text and vote history.
The economic impact statement provides that HB 133 is expected to have a positive economic impact for businesses engaged in the sale of firearms and firearm-related products. The bill summary does not estimate the number of additional shootings by 18- to 21-year-olds that are expected to follow passage of the bill, nor does it provide any estimate of the economic impact of the anticipated increase in gun violence.
Please contact your Florida representatives and Senator Kathleen Passidomo to oppose HB 133 and the rollback of the Parkland bill. Find your representatives.
NOTE: This article is an abbreviated version of the full report, which contains additional background material about HB 133. The complete version is available on the LWVCC website. |
Environmental Affairs Committee
Lynn Martin, Patti Forkan, Co-Chairs
Naples Botanical Garden is a leader in urban interface prescribed burns.
On November 13, 2025, the Environmental Affairs Committee had a field trip to the Naples Botanical Garden for a program on Prescribed Burns. Fire is vital to Florida ecosystems and prescribed fire is a powerful land management tool that conserves plant diversity, prevents dangerous wildfires, and safeguards human lives. Without regular fires, plant debris, such as fallen leaves, pine needles and branches, accumulate on the forest floors. This buildup is ripe for wildfires. Peninsular Florida has one of the highest incidences of lightening in the world. During the dry season, these lightning strikes can start wildfires that are difficult to control. With regular clearing of the debris, with controlled burns, especially near residential areas, wildfires don’t spread as quickly and are easier to manage. In addition, the regular burns allow a renewal and rejuvenation process in the forest. Plants rejuvenate from sunlight and wildlife that feeds on plants gets more food. Fires eradicate pests and they add nutrients back into the soil.
The Naples Botanical Garden is one of few entities in Florida to conduct “urban interface burns”. Working with the Florida Forest Service and Florida Fish & Wildlife, the Botanical Garden has designed procedures and considerations to conduct urban interface prescribed burns while successfully protecting residential property. This practice of burning natural land adjacent to developed areas to reduce the risk of wildfires has become a specialty of the Garden.
The Naples Botanical Garden is interested in educating the community more broadly about their program of prescribed burns to control the damage from wildfires. If you have a HOA or a community organization that would be interested in this program, please contact Lynn Martin, Co-chair Environmental Affairs committee and I will connect you with the Garden. |
Education Ambassadors
On October 29, Education Ambassadors held an organizational meeting of all steering committee members and several Members on Call from LWVCC, AAUW-Greater Naples, and the Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida.
We discussed operating logistics and current issues in public education. The chief focus of Ambassadors this month was impact fees that developers pay to support public school construction as well as other county services. We will testify in support of raising the amount of the fees at the meeting of the Collier County Commissioners on December 9.
Other issues being followed by the Ambassadors as the legislative session nears include requests by Schools of Hope charter school operators to collocate in underutilized schools; lack of accountability and irregularities in voucher administration funding; and increased mandates and insufficient funding to cover rising costs. Representatives of the Ambassadors will continue to monitor and attend Collier County School Board meetings. Members on Call will assist with any actions taken. |
Membership Committee
Beth VanDamme, Chair
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members:
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Donna Adan
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Jodi Bisogno |
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Ed Brandt |
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Cherlande Cheribin |
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Susan Cope |
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Judy Harper |
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Diann Keeys |
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Thomas Laeser |
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Linda Mannix |
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Kathleen Muniz |
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Louise Rust |
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Kathy Smith |
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We are excited to have you join our community!
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New Member Coffee
Get ready to start the new year with some great connections! Join us for our annual New Member Coffee Social on Friday, January 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It's a perfect chance to mingle with fellow new members, chat with our wonderful Board and LWVCC leadership, and explore exciting ways to get involved through volunteering. We will gather at the warm and welcoming home of Sara Werder. The address and parking details will be sent once you RSVP.
Register for new member coffee
November Event Recap:
A Month of Engagement and Impact with LWVCC
The League of Women Voters of Collier County had a busy November. Membership engagement programs highlighted the League’s dedication to community service, education, and advocacy.
Empty Bowls Paint and Sip Party
The November 4th Empty Bowls Paint and Sip Party was a fun and creative success. Fifteen attendees gathered to paint ceramic bowls, which will be used at the 20th Annual Empty Bowls Naples event in January 2026. The event generated high enthusiasm, with reports that everyone had a fantastic time. The net proceeds from the annual Empty Bowls event directly fund local organizations combating hunger in Collier and Lee counties—a big thank you to Julie Wade and Ann Fisher for organizing the event.
 
Movies That Matter Film Series
The Movies That Matter Film Series, presented by the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, concluded with strong attendance and engaging discussions. About 10 LWVCC members attended each film, with 12 attending the final screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Facing Fear. The series' films addressed important human rights themes. After each screening, League members led insightful post-movie discussions, linking the film's powerful themes to the League's local advocacy efforts.
League 101: Unlock Your League Potential
The League 101 session on November 12 was an essential dive into the organization for members and prospective leaders. Twelve attendees participated in the one-hour session, which highlighted key operational aspects of the LWVCC. Topics covered included what it means to be both non-partisan and political, how committees tackle pressing issues, and the balance between the League's education and advocacy roles. The positive feedback confirms that this session was highly successful in helping members become an informed force within the organization. Thank you, Julie Wade, Diana Walsh, Ellen Hannan, Sarah Cass Berg, and Laura Hansen Reynolds, for your insightful presentation. |
LWVCC Book Club
Monday, December 8, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
The Devil’s Element, by Dan Egan
Protecting Florida's Waterways and so much more! Join the LWVCC discussion on Dan Egan's important book, “The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance.”
This insightful and thought-provoking book, written for the layperson, sheds light on the serious phosphorus crisis in Florida's Bone Valley. The book highlights the core paradox and environmental danger of the element: “Phosphorus is both lethal and life-giving... Can we find a phosphorus balance, so that we can have food on the table and healthy waters?" Dan Egan.
Everyone is welcome (even if you didn’t read the book)! Lively discussion led by Ida Margolis and Linda Denning.
Need a copy? The new independent store, Books on Third (above Ridgeway restaurant), is fully stocked and promoting it as our book club pick!
Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot.
The location will be emailed to you upon registering for the event.
| League News From Across the Country
| National League News
For more information, visit LWV.org.
State League News
For more information, visit LWVFL.org.
| Please refer to the LWVCC Weekly Update for a complete list of upcoming events or visit the LWVCC website: lwvcolliercounty.org.
Members should log in to ensure they see members-only events and registration options. | 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 9883, Naples, FL 34101
Sent by lwvcc@lwvcolliercounty.org
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