November - December 2025 Bulletin Issue 55
| In This Issue: December Gatherings, Voter Services, Advocacy, Diversity-Equity-Inclusion, Welcome New Members, Calendar
December Gatherings for Members & Friends | |
LWVAC’s December Luncheon with “Eleanor Roosevelt”
Wednesday, December 3, Noon - 2:30
Normanside Country Club, 150 Salisbury Rd, Delmar
An historic interpretation of Eleanor Roosevelt by Phyllis Chapman, Vintage Visitors Presentations.
Luncheon and program - $40/person
($20 reduced rate, $60 to support others)
| | | | LWVAC Members & Guests
Harvest of Friends & Food Potluck Dinner & Membership Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 6:30 - 8 pm
Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave, Delmar
Enjoy delicious dishes, catch up with friends, hear the latest news and hear about volunteer opportunities where you can make a difference.
| | | VOTER SERVICES
New Citizen Voter Registration
Due to the uncertainties created by the Federal Shutdown, two November naturalization ceremonies at the Federal Courthouse, at which League members would have helped new citizens to register to vote, were cancelled. While disappointed, we were happy to learn that those candidates for citizenship would be scheduled instead for the November administrative ceremonies at USCIS offices. The Federal Government and USCIS continue to announce changes to the naturalization process, as reported in the Times Union today (11/18/25), but so far Albany USCIS ceremonies have not been cancelled. We believe that the Federal Court will be resuming its schedule of naturalizations in December. In addition, our Federal court liaison has shared with us the jam-packed schedule for 2026, and she is working out dates with three of our school districts which have expressed interest in hosting naturalization ceremonies. The 2026 schedule will be shared with all League members shortly.
High School Voter Services: Students Inside Albany Conference, May 17-26, 2026
The LWVAC High School team invites you to share news about Students Inside Albany (SIA) as we seek applications from Albany County high school juniors and seniors. The annual state League conference fosters civic engagement in the next generation of voters and leaders, bringing together students from across the state to learn about New York State government through an exciting interactive four days. LWVAC will offer one or two students the opportunity to attend the Conference with all expenses covered. Please encourage your family members or neighbors to apply.
| ADVOCACY
ENVIRONMENT
City of Albany Invites Climate Survey Responses
Albany is developing a new climate action plan and is asking residents, and those who work in the city or visit frequently, to complete a Climate Survey. The questions ask about how people have experienced extreme weather events, and what they think they need to keep families safe and comfortable in coming years, as we expect more extreme climate-related weather events. Maura McNulty, one of the City's new Climate Ambassadors* says, "It takes just a few minutes, and it will help the City develop the best possible Climate Action Plan." (In addition to helping the City, respondents can enter to win one of two $100 gift cards.)
* Climate Ambassadors go into the community to educate people about climate basics, gather people’s experiences with changing climate, and learn how the City can best support residents as climate impacts progress. To request a climate ambassador presentation, email the Albany Office of Sustainability's Energy Manager Emma Terwilliger.
OBSERVER CORPS
In Albany County and New York State
An observer attends a governmental meeting, notes what happens, and reports back to the League and the community. Observer corps members promote government transparency and accountability, helping ensure that citizens are aware of government decisions that impact their lives. Have you seen our Albany League's Observer Corps reports? Find them here.
New this year, the League of Women Voters NYS is creating a statewide Observer Corps, to help prepare for the 2026 election and keep our democracy strong. The plan is for one representative from each League to relay the work their observer corps is doing. The state group will meet monthly with those delegates to talk about statewide trends, share advice, and highlight any training resources. If you would like to become active at the local level or with the LWVNYS’s new group, please reach out to us at LWVAC@lwvalbany.org.
HEALTH CARE
NYS Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Bill -- Call The Governor
The MAID act passed the legislature but we are still waiting for Governor Hochul to request the bill and sign it into law. It has been "radio silence" regarding MAID. Calls are urgently needed NOW to tell the Governor that we support this and want to see it signed! Please call the Governor multiple times per week for the next few weeks at 518-474-8390. Here is a suggested script: Hello. I am (your name) from (town/city), New York. I urge Governor Hochul to support the Medical Aid in Dying Act so that New York can join all the other states that give a compassionate choice to the terminally ill.
IMMIGRATION
Know Your Resources, Know Your Rights
New York State Department of State lists resources available to everyone, including immigrants: Immigrant rights, support and preparedness; food and nutrition resources; health and family services resources; employment and other vital services at dos.ny.gov/know-your-rights.
| DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION
Share a Personal Reflection on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at a Board Meeting The LWV of Albany County begins each board meeting with someone offering a short personal reflection related to diversity, equity and inclusion: an experience, thoughts, an insight, a reading, etc. Thoughts from any member, whether on the board or not, are appreciated. Contributors are welcome to stay for the board meeting if they choose. (Any member is always welcome to attend.) Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. If you are interested, please contact Joanne Shawhan. Past Personal Reflections can be seen here. | | DEI Bookshelf
They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms by Mike Hixenbaugh, 2024
In this disturbing and absorbing book, journalist Mike Hixenbaugh depicts how the Southlake School District in an affluent Dallas suburb, became a battleground in the right-wing campaign to control public education. While right-wing groups were able to take over this school district, the book also describes how other communities were able to successfully resist similar campaigns. A call to action for all of us. Read the entire commentary.
| | | | Makeeva Coston, Cohoes
Shelley Gilroy, Albany
Tam Le, Albany
Lesley McLaughlin, Albany
Brianna Nugent, Voorheesville
Jenny O'Neil, Albany
Jodi Pearlman, Albany
| | Roberta Najjar Read, Albany
Debra Sunukjian, Albany
Lynn Shatsoff, Slingerlands
Tamara Sheiffer, Delmar
Nina Sher, Delmar
Therese Stillman, Guilderland
Susan Weber, Loudonville
| | | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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