WREN: At our Friday evening work session, we discussed the problems created when WREN invoices become due before DEP monies arrive. Our auditor, Jim Krimmel, joined us with his advice. The main issue was whether or not to apply for a line of credit to be used only in this situation. It was decided to implement some reforms before doing that.

Convention 2005: On October 21st, I traveled to Scranton to watch LWV Lackawanna County President, and LWVPA Board member, Andrea Mulrine, receive an award for their civic participation. After the luncheon, Andrea and I toured the University of Scranton convention facilities where our June 3-5, 2005 LWVPA convention will take place. I was very impressed, and I know you will be too. The facility is brand new and very “state of the art.” It is completely handicapped accessible. The plenary room is an intimate setting with a “lecture hall” configuration. It has all the computer goodies one would expect in a modern convention facility. The dining areas are lovely with beautiful views of the surrounding area. The living arrangements are very pleasant. They consist of small apartments with two or three bedrooms (each one with a locking door), two bathrooms (I think) and a communal living area w/kitchen. These are perfect for caucuses, too. Of course, as Andrea says in her PBS, anyone who doesn’t want to stay in the college can have a reduced rate at the nearby Hilton.

Please send us your “wish list” for workshops, etc.

In other Convention related news:

Nominating Committee: Chair Heidi Gold will soon be calling prospective Board members. If you would like to nominate someone to the LWVPA Board of Directors, or would like to be considered yourself, please let Heidi know. Her e-mail address is: hjgold@rossassociates.biz. I know I’ve said this before, but being on the Board is no longer an onerous job. The presence of our wonderful staff makes being a Board member almost fun.

Anna Estes Strawbridge Honor Roll: Please send your nominees to this prestigious list to Margaret (mpollard@epix.net.) This is the perfect way to honor those members who have gone above and beyond to make your local League successful. You might also consider making a donation in honor of a deceased member so she/he will always be remembered for her/his contributions to the League. Your potential honorees are already on the AES Honor Roll? Consider naming them to the new, yet-to-be-named VIP honor roll. For more info on this next level of award, contact Bonita (bchoke@epix.net).

Other stuff:

Debates: Katherine Miller did her usual terrific job lining up debates for the fall election. We did two senatorial debates, one in Pittsburgh and one in Philadelphia in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, and one for Attorney General in Philadelphia, with no co-sponsors. Great job, Katherine.

Website: Have you seen the new website yet? Andrea Mulrine describes the new site in her PBS. We owe her, and Katherine Miller and Olivia Thorne big-time. Katherine and Olivia have been our webmasters for several years now. Along with Andrea, they have put together a good-looking, user-friendly, helpful and informative website. There are opportunities to join and/or send donations on-line. Jenn Bender in the office is our in-house web person. She will be responsible for seeing that current information is gathered from the off-Board specialists to be placed on the site. Pictures, etc., are welcome from Local Leagues. Send information to Jenn (lwvpa@epix.net) for posting on the site. Please make sure you visit the site (http://pa.lwv.org). The members-only section uses the same passwords as the members-only section of the LWVUS website (user ID: lwv, password: carriecatt)

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Katherine and Olivia for their many years of stewardship over our website. With this new and improved site, they are taking a step back to allow the site to be managed in-house. As I said before, we owe them a debt that is not easily repaid. Thank you ladies. You have left us with a terrific site and we are very proud of it.

Have you seen the “VOTE” pins that we have for sale? They are available for purchase on the website. They are quite beautiful and sold very well before the Election.

Voter: The deadline for the next issue of the Voter is November 18th. Stephanie Minnaugh has had to relinquish her position as Voter editor due to the responsibilities of her new job that requires much traveling. The Voter will now be done entirely in-house. Stephanie, we thank you so much for your work as editor. The Voter improved both in look and in content under your stewardship. I know that our terrific staff will continue to put out a Voter we can all be proud of.

Please remember to send your updated rosters to LWVPA and LWVUS. Several of our Leagues have not done so and it makes it more difficult to get information to the right person if we don’t know who that person is. Also, it is vital for all Leagues to have their PMP payments up to date, or they will not be able to send delegates to Convention.

One other reminder: As you do your holiday shopping, please remember www.igive.com. We have registered The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund and any shopping you do through that website will result in a portion of your sales being donated to CEF. Most of the common shopping sites can be found at igive.com. If you’re not sure what to do, let me know (liz.milner@verizon.net).

Thanks again to our wonderful staff.

Happy Holidays to you all. Liz