The League of Women Voters of Roseville Area hosted its annual Conversations with Constituents on Thursday, January 21, in which local elected officials (county commissioners and legislators) joined League members and guests for informal group discussions of current topics of import in our communities.  

Our questions and challenges were given thoughtful and informed answers from 10 legislators and county commissioners as they lead our communities and state through Minnesota's recovery through the next year and beyond. Our first-ever Zoom Conversations was a success because of the engagement of our members!
The evening was recorded and is available here, so if you missed part or all of our dialogues, or if you wish to share it with a friend, you can access it any time.
https://my.nicheacademy.com/rcladult/course/24487 

The Council of Metropolitan League of Women Voteres (CMAL) will present a panel discussion on January 9, 2021, 10:00-11:30 a.m.  The topic is Metro Area County Government, and the panel will feature Jan Callison, former Hennepin County Commissioner; Lisa Weik, Washington County Commissioner, and Matt Smith, Dakota County Administrator. They will discuss current issues in county government, including the effects of the pandemic, relationship with the Met Council, and efforts at transparency, accountability, and community engagement.

If you were unable to join us on November 17 for this informative event, here is the link to the video recorded by Ramsey County Library-Roseville: https://my.nicheacademy.com/rcladult/course/22069

Join us on November 17th 6:30 - 8:00 pm on Zoom to focus on health policy lessons COVID-19 provides. Our current system is ill-prepared. People are losing employer coverage on top of those who are already without coverage. The pandemic points to the need for a system that addresses health disparities and covers everyone, without exception-a system that plans ahead to address public health needs efficiently. Co-sponsored by LWV Roseville Area and Ramsey County Library - Roseville.  Zoom meeting hosted by Ramsey County Library- Roseville.  Register in advance at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rJlj3Ma9QDCmsOLlvDpy8A.  

Do you have questions about registering to vote, completing an absentee ballot and how to return it, election security or any other 2020 election related issue?  In recognition of National Voter Registration Day, Michael Wall, Voter Outreach Specialist from the MN Office of Secretary of State, will respond to any and all voting questions.

As part of our year-long celebration of 100 years of the League of Women Voters, our League invited Dr. Josie Johnson and her co-author Carolyn Holbrook to speak at our Wednesday, September 16 meeting 6:30 - 8 pm. Due to personal circumstances, Dr. Johnson is unavailable to attend, but we are fortunate that Holbrook will cover both Dr. Johnson’s book as well as her own newly released book, Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify. Both books are published by the University of Minnesota Press and are pertinent to our League anniversary and the times we live in, where we must continue fighting for voting and civil rights. This Zoom meeting is co-hosted by the Ramsey County Library - Roseville.

Here is a link to view the program in its entirely: https://www.rclreads.org/hope-in-the-struggle/

Here is a link to the video of this event recorded by Ramsey County Library: https://my.nicheacademy.com/rcladult/course/20681

League member Mindy Greiling’s memoir, Fix What You Can: Schizophrenia and a Lawmaker’s Fight for Her Son, will be the topic of discussion at the Tuesday, Oct. 20 League meeting. The book, which launches in October and is published by the University of Minnesota Press, chronicles her family's experience and legislative work in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Sue Abderholden, executive director for NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Minnesota’s largest provider of family and public education and support and the state’s strongest advocacy organization, will provide additional remarks about the book and our mental health system.

The meeting is co-sponsored by the Ramsey County Library - Roseville and NAMI Ramsey. League member Florence Sprague will moderate.  Registration at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T71434l9TRq3IPjKuORdRg

To view the planned program calendar for the 2020-2021 year, click here.  It will be updated as future details are available.

 Beginning August 6 through October 29, 7-8:30 pm via Zoom.  LWV Roseville Area, Do Good Roseville and the Ramsey County Library are hosting a series of discussions called "Talking about Race" from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture (https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race)  To register for the event on August 6, go to: rcleads. Each session is limited to 25 participants. Here are the dates and topics of discussion:

If you were unable to attend Secretary Simon's presentation, you can see a recording here.

Both national and local elections are being held in November 2020, but this is no ordinary election year. The health and safety demands of the coronavirus pandemic are affecting both voters and those planning and administering elections. Secretary of State Steve Simon will speak to the practicalities of administering an election in the time of COVID-19. What is the status of voting by mail in Minnesota? How do municipalities recruit and protect election judges? What accommodations and adjustments are being made this year? Listen and learn. Questions can be submitted by chat.

August 18, 2020, 6:30-8 p.m. / Zoom webinar co-hosted by Ramsey County Library-Roseville and LWV of Roseville Area.  Free and open to all.  Advance registration required.  Register here..

Back by popular demand is the 4th annual Brews and Book Reviews, however with a different look. BYOB&B might be a more appropriate description: Bring Your Own Beverage and Book!  LWV of Roseville Area will be hosting this event via Zoom on Wednesday, July 15, at 7 pm in your residence. Beverages will be available from your refrigerator! Details (Zoom link) will be emailed to you a day in advance. To get the link, RSVP by sending an email to lwvrosevillearea@lwvmn.org.
While you are invited to share a book, it is not required. In the past, some participants have come to get personal reading lists. In addition to not being physically at a brewery, we will begin the evening with some prepared quick reviews of books on racism, anti-racism, and history of the black experience, after which the Zoom room will be open to individuals sharing favorite reads. Mark your calendars now, and remember to RSVP to participate!