Highlights of the Sussex LWV Biennial Meeting: new board members, 2-year program, annual report

Every two years, the Sussex LWV membership meets to choose new board members and to approve the budget and the program for the coming term. This year's meeting, which was held in Georgetown Library on May 17, was no different in this regard, but thanks to the efforts and imagination of the planning team, the efforts and imagination were particularly exciting and effective. But the most important thing first: the credits. Many thanks to all volunteers who donated and sent their time!

In the following you will find some highlights; Further details and actions will take place shortly.

Defend democracy and avoid burnout: President Barb Hedges-Goettl's opening speech largely focused on the topic of Defense of democracy and take care of it US
. We hardly have a breath of election year 2024, and here we look at a constitutional crisis and preparation for Midterms in 2026. How can we face the real challenges of the political scene without tiring without outrage? Barb spoke to this and presented a framework to give the work of the league structure and perspective: education, relief, strengthening, adjustments and energy supply or the 4 E. This connected, comprehensive activities will form the basis for our crucial work in the next two years. The chairman of the membership, Sue Claire Harper (R), deals with the meeting when President Barb Hedges-Goettl (L) with the Governor certificate on May 17, 2025 is the Sue Claire Harper recognition day.

The chairman of the membership, Sue Claire Harper (R), appeals to the group when President Barb Hedges-Goettl (L) shows the governor certificate from the official award of May 17, 2025 as Sue Claire Harper Recognition Day.

Celebrate Delawares Sue Claire Harper Recognition Day. Before the introduction of the main speaker, Barb and VP Lisa Wellone, elevated a few minutes to take the time to take the work of Sue Claire Harper, the former LWVSCDE, the chairman of the former land usage committee, the current chairman of both members and the nomination committee, and the mentor and a mentor And a mentor and inspiration for many years. Sue Claire was presented with a crystal plaque from LWVSCDE and then with a certificate from the governor Meyer from May 17, 2025 as “Sue Claire Harper Day” by Delaware.

Main speaker Jill Hicks, President, SPC. Jill Hicks is both a LWVSCDE member as well as the president and founding member of the Sussex Preservation Coalition, whose member is LWVSCDE. Jill spoke to the realities of the experiment to cope with growth in Sussex, which is really an impartial problem. Jill pointed out some of the worst crimes in recent development, including the failing note of the state for groundwater, transport problems and the shortcomings of the infrastructure. But then she pointed out the recent events that reflect the real change in the way Sussex County compensate for the need to preserve our precious wetlands and wild animals with the reality of the “silver wave” of new residents looking for houses. Among these are the main shift in the district council after the elections of 2024 and the establishment of a Sussex land usage committee, which brings the specialist knowledge together from many different areas to try to keep a more sustainable way to the district.

Committee reports. After a break for lunch (and cookies), the group came together again to fight the business of the day. Up First were reports of successes last year by representatives of each committee. These reports are included in the 2025 annual report, which is available to members at this link.

Action points and voices. Next were the big objects of the day. The participants were asked to coordinate the proposed board members, the proposed budget, minor updates of the statutes and the program plan for the 2026-2027 financial year.

• Board members: There were two groups of candidates who needed a vote. First, the board members or board officers. Fortunately, the capable incumbents were ready to climb for two more years. The following officers were unanimously approved: President Barbara Hedges-Goettl; Vice President: Lisa Welle Malone; Treasurer: Patricia Petchel; And secretary: Ann Freeman. Next, the group voted in another board director: Communication Chairman: Rachel Sieber; Membership co-chair: Ann Osterdale and Karen Parker; Co-chair of the voter services: Lyn Brown and Sue Curtin; And press releases: Jane Lord.

We thank both the current board members and the incoming members for their commitment
and to serve willingness. Many thanks also to the work of the nomination committee Sue Claire Harper,
Judy Parkins, Shari Frankfurt and Vicki Sessoms for the search and review of the new management team.

• Budget for the 2026 financial year. The treasurer Pat Petchel presented a proposed budget for the coming year, in which we explained our current financial position and the assumptions in the development of the budget. Pat also explained that there is still uncertainty about how the new membership platform, chapter spot, the cash flow for the first year or so will influence. As typical of most budgets, our fictional and aspiration is; This means that the exact figures represent a well -founded estimate, and the overall structure and distribution of money represents our hopes for the coming year. The annual report shows simplified diagrams; The participants received a detailed expression that is published together with the annual report.

• Article updates. A few changes to the language of the statutes were presented to the members for approval. Article IV Officers, Section 1 Elections, qualifications and term It was corrected to show that board members are chosen in a bienia. Article IV Officers, Section 4, The Secretary was corrected to prove that the secretary is not responsible for receiving a protocol in the committee or other meetings to the Board of Directors. These changes were unanimously approved.

• Fiscal year 2026-2027 program: Based on the answers to the questionnaire, which was sent to all members 2 weeks before the meeting, Barb Hedges-Goettl developed a proposed program in three parts: (1) Topics that received a significant number of “definitely interested” answers And “Ready to organize;” (2) Topics that received a few “definitely interested” voices And “Ready to organize;” and (3) topics that cause considerable interest zero “Ready to organize” voices. Category 1 topics that were unanimously approved as a framework for our program for our program Candidate forums, the vote, tabling events for the registration of voters and league/vote 411 Info and participation in impartial measures that protest against the changes in the government. You can find more information in the annual report and in the upcoming communications from LWVSCDE.

• Finally: sing and mix! Everyone finally took a deep air and congratulated themselves on the work achieved, and then President Barb (guitar and voice) and secretary Ann Freeman (voice) led the group in a reproduction of Listen to people New texts on an old melody.
• Added! The meeting was then postponed.