Will a win in California solidify some candidates' leads from earlier competitions in Iowa and New Hampshire, or will Californians' choices shake things up and draw out the contest? Will financing--or lack of it--determine candidates' success in our state? How do voters make sense of candidate choices and the referendums that share the election ballot?

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Orange County: Capistrano Bay, Central, Orange Coast, and North Orange County

Co-Sponsors AAUW Fullerton Branch, Chapman University School of Law, Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, Orange County Women Lawyers, Western State University College of Law, Whittier Law School

Speakers confirmed for March 1, 2008 forum:

8:30-9:15 Registration

9:15-9:30 Welcome-Mary Fuhrman, President LWVNOC

9:30-9:45 Greetings and Remarks-Janis R. Hirohama, Esq., President League of Women Voters of California

9:45-11:15 Introduction of Guests and Panel-Pearl Mann, Esq. LWVNOC

"Challenges and Judicial Pressures"

The first panel will discuss such challenges and pressures as judicial selection; retention removal process; campaign financing and conduct; accountability, voter access to accurate information about judicial candidates and political threats to the courts.

Moderator-Dean John Eastman, Chapman University School of Law

Panelists:

Justice Richard Aronson, CA Court of Appeal 4th District, Division 3
Judge Karen Robinson, Orange County Superior Court
Judge Glenda Sanders, Orange County Superior Court
Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, UCI Bren School of Law
William Kopeny, Esq., Chair, State Bar Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation

11:30-1:00 Lunch: "The View from the Supreme Court" California Supreme Court Justice Justice Ming William Chin

1:15-2:45 "Options and Potential Solutions"

The second panel will focus on options a potential solutions to the problems raised in the above panel and the need for public education, legislation, and advocacy support groups.

Moderator:Joseph Dunn, Esq., Former State Senator, CEO California Medical Association

Panelists:

Presiding Judge, Nancy Wieben Stock, Orange County Superior Court
Judge Franz Miller, Orange County Superior Court
Joseph Chairez, Immediate Past President Orange County Bar Association
Michelle Reinglass, Orange County Lawyer, former President of the Orange County Bar Association
Jo-Ann Grace, President and General Counsel, Metropolitan News Company

$35 includes Lunch Free Parking

Registration Form

Name______________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________ City_________________________ ZIP_________________________ Email________________________ Phone_______________________

"Health Care Legislation: What is Next?" William W. Bonney MD, MS

Dr. Bonney is a Clinical Associate Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. In addition, he is a Clinical Associate Professor of Urology at University of California, Irvine

Presently he is President-elect of the Health Care Council of Orange County
Dr. Bonney received his MD degree from UCLA and a MS degree from Dartmouth University. He completed postgraduate fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University and Duke University.
His current activities include UCI participate in Urology residency teaching and a UCSD Research project, development of patient questionnaire

714-828-86624

714-828-86624

Come join a lively discussion group as they share impressions and opinions about Peter Hessler's experience in China. China is an important force in our lives as we learn more about her growth and change.

Sesame Ginger Chicken Salad
Trio Salad (Fruit, tuna, Pasta)
Veggie (Fruit and Pasta)

LWVNOC
PO Box 3073
Fullerton, CA 92834

Joseph Dunn, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, California Medical Association.

Prior to his appointment as California Medical Association's CEO in 2006, Joe Dunn served for eight years as a California State Senator representing the people of the 34th Senate District. As Senator, Mr. Dunn worked on behalf of children's hospitals, emergency services, seniors and affordable housing. He was honored as "legislator of the year" by military veterans, peace officers, firefighters, doctors, attorneys, homebuilders, affordable housing advocates, conservationists and mobile home owners.

Mr. Dunn led California's investigation into the state energy crisis and uncovered how Enron and other energy pirates were gaming the market. He helped unearth the infamous Enron memo that described in detail how the state was plundered and which led to civil penalties and criminal indictments of rogue energy traders. Mr. Dunn was dubbed the "Man Who Cracked Enron" by California Lawyer Magazine.

Prior to his election to the Legislature, Mr. Dunn played a major role in litigation to stop tobacco companies from targeting youth in their advertising campaigns. He fought industrial polluters who exposed neighborhoods to toxic chemicals and worked to give patients better access to quality health care.

In collaboration with the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI), the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, a federal historical institution, will host a series of discussions on issues. All twelve presidential libraries operated by the federal National Archives and Records Administration, in communities all across the country, are participating in this initiative. The libraries will each host a forum on health care and other forums will be on a range of topics including immigration, federal debt, education, and energy. The forums will reflect the interests and enthusiasm of the community that supports the Libraries. As a result, the forums will be held in a variety of locations including the Presidential Libraries, local community centers, public libraries, and university campuses.

"Hosting National Issues Forums at the Presidential Libraries is consistent with our emphasis on civic education," Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, said. "Presidential Libraries are public places and it is appropriate for citizens to engage in discussions about major public policy issues in the midst of a presidential campaign."

"Participants in a forum," NIFI Chairman William Winter said, "deliberate with one another eye-to-eye and face-to-face, exploring options, weighing others' views, considering the costs and consequences of public policy decisions. In a democracy, citizens have a responsibility to make choices about how to solve problems and forums help enrich participants' thinking on public issues. By offering citizens a framework for deliberative forums, NIFI helps the public take an active role in acting on public issues."

The Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Administration are not libraries in the usual sense. They are archives and museums, bringing together in one place the documents and artifacts of a President and his administration and presenting them to the public for study and discussion without regard for political considerations or affiliations. Presidential Libraries and Museums, like their holdings, belong to the American people. They promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience, preserving and providing access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is the country's newest presidential library. Established in July 2007, the Library maintains facilities in Yorba Linda, California, and in College Park, Maryland. It is a nonpartisan federal center for the study of the life and career of Richard Nixon and American history. ublic policy issues between Labor Day and Election day this fall. All forums will be free and open to the public. WVNOC is co-sponsoring with the National Issues Forum 3 discussion topics at the Richard Nixon Library. The other two events are on October 16 and October 28.

No Candidate Campaign materials will be allowed in the room, but a table will be available outside the area for distribution of campaign Literature.

"Hosting National Issues Forums at the Presidential Libraries is consistent with our emphasis on civic education," Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, said. "Presidential Libraries are public places and it is appropriate for citizens to engage in discussions about major public policy issues in the midst of a presidential campaign."

"Participants in a forum," NIFI Chairman William Winter said, "deliberate with one another eye-to-eye and face-to-face, exploring options, weighing others' views, considering the costs and consequences of public policy decisions. In a democracy, citizens have a responsibility to make choices about how to solve problems and forums help enrich participants' thinking on public issues. By offering citizens a framework for deliberative forums, NIFI helps the public take an active role in acting on public issues."

The Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Administration are not libraries in the usual sense. They are archives and museums, bringing together in one place the documents and artifacts of a President and his administration and presenting them to the public for study and discussion without regard for political considerations or affiliations. Presidential Libraries and Museums, like their holdings, belong to the American people. They promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience, preserving and providing access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is the country's newest presidential library. Established in July 2007, the Library maintains facilities in Yorba Linda, California, and in College Park, Maryland. It is a nonpartisan federal center for the study of the life and career of Richard Nixon and American history. ital issue will be the focus of a 2 hour discussion group co-sponsored by the National Issues Forum and the League of Women Voters North Orange County. Find out what the possible alternatives are for building a health care system.

There will be a table for candidate materials outside the room.

With the number of initiatives on the ballot this fall, it is helpful to hear a non-partisan presentation on the Pros and Cons of each measure.

"Hosting National Issues Forums at the Presidential Libraries is consistent with our emphasis on civic education," Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, said. "Presidential Libraries are public places and it is appropriate for citizens to engage in discussions about major public policy issues in the midst of a presidential campaign."

"Participants in a forum," NIFI Chairman William Winter said, "deliberate with one another eye-to-eye and face-to-face, exploring options, weighing others' views, considering the costs and consequences of public policy decisions. In a democracy, citizens have a responsibility to make choices about how to solve problems and forums help enrich participants' thinking on public issues. By offering citizens a framework for deliberative forums, NIFI helps the public take an active role in acting on public issues."

The Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Administration are not libraries in the usual sense. They are archives and museums, bringing together in one place the documents and artifacts of a President and his administration and presenting them to the public for study and discussion without regard for political considerations or affiliations. Presidential Libraries and Museums, like their holdings, belong to the American people. They promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience, preserving and providing access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is the country's newest presidential library. Established in July 2007, the Library maintains facilities in Yorba Linda, California, and in College Park, Maryland. It is a nonpartisan federal center for the study of the life and career of Richard Nixon and American history. ublic policy issues between Labor Day and Election day this fall. All forums will be free and open to the public. WVNOC is co-sponsoring with the National Issues Forum 3 discussion topics at the Richard Nixon Library. The other two events are on October 16 and October 28.

With the economic down turn, this book is even more vital for us to discuss as more people will be returning to the poverty level.

Sandi Brooks will co-lead the discussion with Kay Bruce. There will be a lively discussion on the issues in the book. Come join the League of Women Voters of North Orange County to discuss this daunting situation.

Read this self portrait written by Dr. Ganer:

Education: BA and MA in Political Science from USC and UCLA,respectively. Ph.D in Communication from the University of Utah with an emphasis on Political Communication. Dissertation: "An Analysis of the Role of Values in the Argumentation of the 1980 Presidential Campaign." (Did you fall asleep reading the title?)

Teaching: Full-time faculty at Cypress College since 1971, teaching Speech Communication and some (especially when I taught our Semester Abroad programs in London and Madrid) Political Science. I also teach each semester at Long Beach State, generally alternating the courses in Campaign Communication and Communication Strategies of International Speakers

Papers and Publications: I have presented numerous papers at the Western Communication Assn and National Communication Assn conferences, mainly in the areas of Political Communication and Argumentation. I have also presented at international conferences in Japan, Dublin, Amsterdam, Sydney and Sao Paolo.

Mary Fuhrman and Kay Bruce will lead the discussion with two power point presentations on "What is a Compact" and "Supporting Arguments for the National Popular Compact."

You need not be present for each session to be a part of the discussion. Materials will be shared to help research the issues. Remember this group will meet five more times on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of February, March, and April.

1-714-528-4295
1112 N.Bradford
Placentia

STANLEY R. SMILEY, ESQ.

Senior Vice President, Advanced Markets, Insurance and Annuities

ING Advisors Network

Combining over thirty-five years of solid legal experience with expertise in estate business planning, Stanley R. Smiley is established as a trusted professional advisor. As Senior Vice President, Advanced Markets, Stan implements creative advanced planning strategies by utilizing an array of traditional and innovative wealth preservation techniques.

At ING Advisors Network, he manages Advanced Markets, Insurance and Annuities and provides consultative services as a technical resource for various select registered representatives, focusing on tax planning for highly compensated individuals, estate planning and wealth preservation strategies for high net worth clients and family wealth transfers.

A former partner of a Los Angeles-based law firm, he served as counsel for small and multi-billion qualified pension and welfare benefit plans, private trusts and foundations. Stan also held positions within the office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service in New Jersey and California, which allowed him to develop keen insight by seeing first-hand into the technical areas of the Internal Revenue Code as it affects individuals and businesses. He was a part-time instructor of business law at the University of Maryland and an adjunct professor for Golden Gate University's Masters of Taxation Program. He has been a platform speaker in his areas of expertise. Rounding out his impressive history, he had the opportunity to serve as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force and as a featured lecturer and commentator for various legal subjects on the Armed Forces Radio Network.

Stan is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trusts Section and the Taxation Section of the American Bar Association, and serves on its committee of Tax Standards and Exempt Organizations. He is licensed to practice law in New York and California and is admitted to the United States Tax Court. He also maintains memberships in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bar Associations. He works closely with financial planners and insurance representatives and has been an active participant in the Valley Estate Planning Council under the auspices of the National Association of Estate Planning Councils.

The recipient of numerous accolades, Stan distinguished himself early on as a Dean's List honoree and Law Review Associate Editor while earning a law degree from St. John's University School of Law in New York. He earned a Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Stan maintains an insurance license and holds an FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63, license as well

You need not be present for each session to be a part of the discussion, but you must be a member to vote on the final decision. Materials will be shared to help research the issues. This is the last session of this study.

1-714-879-4416

2618 Shawn Lane
Fullerton

To learn more about this book go to Google and type in "The Second Civil War" for comments and reviews.

This book is available through public libraries, bookstores, or from the website http://www.amazon.com

As Supertindent of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Dr. George Giokaris is leading this District through the maze of reorganization and cuts that will affect students.

Here is his biography.

George J. Giokaris, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Fullerton Joint Union High School District

George is currently completing his 35th year as an educator in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. After teaching at Buena Park High School between 1974 and 1983, George served as an Assistant Principal at Sunny Hills High School for four years. Between 1987 and 1989, George was the Principal at Buena Park High School, and then returned to Sunny Hills High School, where he served as Principal until 1993. Between 1993 and 2003, George worked in various administrative roles, including Director, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. George was appointed Superintendent on February 1, 2004.

Our Speaker is Maureen Meehan Aplin. Here is what she plans to do in at this meeting:

"I am planning to give a PowerPoint presentation on the three Juvenile Collaborative Courts. Specifically, I will speak to: 1) Juvenile Drug Court and the profound benefits and services we offer for OC youth; 2) Truancy Court - and our terrific Truancy Response Program (TRP) and how as a team we target chronically truant youth and encourage them back into school; and 3) Dependency Drug Court -- a How the Juvenile Collaborative Courts Positively Impact Orange County and the effort made to free parents from addiction with the goal to reunify foster children with their birth parents."

I have written five novels in addition to my work as a Juvenile Court Referee. If you go to my website at http://www.maureenaplin.com, you can see my bio -- and likely copy and paste it into your "Voter." As far as my legal career, I started out as General Counsel for a bank. Thereafter, I transitioned into a business litigator for over 10 years. Several years ago, I decided seek out service-oriented law and was offered an opportunity with the Orange County Superior Court to serve as a judicial officer to both the juvenile and probate courts. Today, I preside over Juvenile Drug Court -- with a mission to help teenage drug-users and their families to be restored to healthy lifestyles and relationships, free from drugs or alcohol. In addition, I preside over Truancy Court -- designed to target chronically truant youths and their families and provide progressive intervention so that youth obtain the value of their education. I also am assigned Juvenile Dependency calendars-- with a goal to assist children who suffer abuse and neglect. I also am assigned Juvenile Delinquency calendars -- with a goal to assist youth who commit crimes. With respect to the probate calendar, I serve Orange County by conducting mental health hearings at the various hospitals so that psychiatric patients do not have to be transported to court for hearings.

Fred Smoller is Professor of Political Science at Chapman University. He will show a 20 minute video called Rocco the Vote. It is about the importance of informed participation in local elections.

Go to the web and type in the title and author under Google and hit "GO". This will give you sites to see other comments about the book.

Completely covered walking shoes (tennis shoes or boots) are required for all tours. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toes, open-heeled or high-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended.

Large items such as backpacks, bags, books, etc. are not allowed and should remain in your vehicle.

Chris Epting, local author of 16 travel/history books, will present an illustrated talk at the annual Kickoff Luncheon of the League of Women Voters of North Orange County on September 12. The author's presentation, titled "Vanishing Orange County," will include photos of Orange County sites that span the years from 1889, when Orange County gained its independence from Los Angeles County, to present day.

Chris is a frequent featured guest on numerous radio and television programs such as National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," "The Savvy Traveler," "Access Hollywood" and FOX TV's the "Best Damn Sports Show Period," plus international programs in Australia, Japan and the U.K.

He has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways, Travel + Leisure and Preservation magazine, and recently started writing a weekly column for the Huntington Beach Independent newspaper.

Chris lives in Huntington Beach, CA with his wife and their two children.

Minard Duncan will address these issues and more. He served 41 years in the Fullerton School District as a teacher at Commonwealth School and Ladera Vista Junior High, and as principal at Pacific Drive School, Rolling Hills School, and Richman School. Upon retirement, he went to work part-time for California State University, Fullerton, where he supervises student teachers and teaches a seminar titled Problems and Procedures in Elementary Education.

A timely book that examines the panic in the U.S. that followed 9/11 and how it led to decisions in the pursuit of terrorists around the world that some say have ignored the Constitution, violated American values, and hampered the pursuit of Al Qaeda.

The author finds a serious gap between the job skills that are needed in today's world with the education that schools are now offering. Closing that gap might require reinventing the education profession.

This will be an interesting discussion on our education system and what system may need to change.

Don McCanne received his B.A. at the University of California at Riverside in 1959 and his M.D. from the University of California at San Francisco in 1963. After serving two years as a medical officer in the U.S. Army, he practiced as a family physician for over thirty years in San Clemente, California. He was a Charter Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, and a Charter Fellow and Life Member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He has served as chief of staff of his community hospital and as chairman of the board of a community bank. He has dedicated his remaining productive years to health care reform activism: speaking and writing extensively on universal health care and other policies for expanding health care coverage, access and affordability. He served as president of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) for two terms, in 2002 and 2003, and is currently Senior Health Policy Fellow for PNHP.

Dr. McCanne writes a daily health policy update, taking an excerpt or quote from a health care news story or analysis on the Internet and commenting on its significance to the single-payer health care reform movement. PNHP posts Dr. McCanne's Quote of the Day messages at www.pnhp.org; or to subscribe to the listserv, please visit the Quote of the Day mailing list website at http://two.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/quote-of-the-day

In addition, this is the opportunity to suggest the LWV programs for local, state and national. Think about the issues that you want to bring forward for study or review and update. COCA members will join us for this day of planning.

Dr. Smoller is a professor of Political Science at Chapman University. Education: Ph.D., political science, Indiana Univ.; B.A. State Univ. of NY at Fredonia; M.A. Univ. of Texas at Austin.

The mission of the Orange County Human Relations Commission is to foster mutual understanding among diverse residents and eliminate prejudice, intolerance and discrimination. Mr. Kennedy will report on our county's progress in fulfilling the Commission's goals.

Rusty Kennedy has served as Executive Director of the Orange County Human Relations Commission since 1981 and as the founding CEO of the non-profit Orange County Human Relations Council, established 1991.

Kennedy leads this dynamic public/private partnership that includes the nationally recognized BRIDGES: School Inter-Ethnic Relations and Violence Prevention Program, a Mediation/Conflict Resolution Program, and a Community Building Program that includes Diverse Leadership Development, Police/Community Relations Training, Collaborative Community Planning, Living Room Dialogues and civil rights.

Rusty Kennedy regularly publishes articles on civil rights, hate crime and building inter-group understanding and has received numerous awards and honors, including being selected as a delegate to the White House Conference on Hate Crime and appointed to the California Attorney General's Hate Crime Commission. He also serves on the Board of the California Association of Human Relations Organizations and the Orange County Congregation Community Organization.

Mural Room
237 West Commonwealth
Fullerton, CA
Free Parking

The Ballot Initiatives will be discussed with PROS and CONS for each issue.

Before joining the National Archives, Naftali taught history at several universities, including the University of Virginia, where he also served as director of the Presidential Recordings Program at the Miller Center of Public Affairs. There he oversaw a team of researchers who transcribed and annotated meetings and telephone conversations secretly recorded by Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.

Naftali received his undergraduate degree in history from Yale University, an M.A. in international economics from Johns Hopkins University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University.

Come early for good seats.smartvoter.org

Every Vote Counts

Decide for whom you will vote based on knowing each candidate's stand on issues.

Amy Bach writes how people in the criminal justice system can suffer from empathy/justice fatigue, a form of neutral adaptation when they become desensitized to injustice.

She uses real cases that demonstrate an unjust outcome as a result of wrongful arrest, charge, conviction, sentencing, incarceration and revocation of parole/probation. The most frequent unjust outcome would be a wrongful arrest on a simple misdemeanor when the arrested person is advised their least costly option is to plead guilty, pay the fine and move on.

Join this lively discussion even if you have not read the book. Books may be acquired from the public libraries, book stores or on line.

Los Alamitos Community Center
Located on Los Alamitos Avenue/Katella near the Police Station

10161 Moody St
Cypress

Join the Read With League group for a stimulating discussion on the prevalence of voter fraud in the states from 2000 to 2008 by discussing Mark Crispin Miller's book Loser Take All. The book starts with Chapter One entitled "Because Jeb Said So: What Really Happened on Election Night in Florida". One of the reviewers writes that this book exposes election system run by private corporations with partisan agendas and is based on technology anyone can rig. The book concludes with information on how this all can be corrected.

In Aesop's fable about the ant and the grasshopper, everyone foresaw the grasshopper's demise and shook their heads,..."He should have known better." We don't see ourselves as the "grasshopper-type," yet when it comes to preparing for things that are unpleasant or dreary (such as writing wills, preparing for emergencies and cleaning out the garage), we do seem to fall into grasshopper mode.

In this presentation, emergency preparedness will be put into common sense terms with easily achievable goals. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of disasters, this presentation will show how Preparing for Emergencies will be an opportunity to examine many important aspects of your life, and for your family and community, as well. With step-by-step instructions, every person can find a level of preparedness that meets their individual needs. By weaving some simple concepts into everyday activities, everyone can find the confidence that survival from any disaster is achievable.

Nussbaum makes a passionate case for the importance of the liberal arts at all levels of education. From elementary education to now college and university programs, the nation has been making such a strong case for the sciences and mathematics, the humanities are going in the direction of art and music programs.

It was Thomas Jefferson who argued for a well rounded education for all with the goal of teaching students to think critically and become knowledgeable and empathetic citizens. Has the loss of these basic capacities jeopardized the health of democracies and the hope of a decent world?

(at the corner of Edinger)

Valerie R. O'Regan is an Associate Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fullerton. She received her Ph.D. from U.C Riverside in 1997. Her research and teaching focuses on women and politics and comparative politics with an emphasis on Latin America and Western Europe. Her publications include the book Gender Matters: Female Policymakers' Influence in Industrialized Nations and several book chapters and articles in leading journals. Some of the topics that she addresses in her research include what type of voters vote for female candidates, the campaign strategies and differences in party support for women candidates, the effect of term limits on increasing the percentage of women in legislatures, and the effect of novelty on the success of female candidates. She is also the director of the California State University Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence at CSU Fullerton. Besides teaching she enjoys traveling to places where she can incorporate her experiences into the classroom.

LWVNOC will celebrate the Leagues' 91st anniversary since the founding of the League of Women Voters as an outgrowth of the Women's Right to Vote Movement. It is also the 100th year that California women have had the right to vote.

Central Orange County Area League will also join us as we do Program Planning to be shared at the state convention.

Host and discussion leader will be Frann Shermet.

Mark Paul is a former deputy treasurer of California and deputy editorial page editor of the Sacramento Bee. Currently, he is a senior scholar and deputy director of the California program at the New America Foundation.

Mark Paul is a former deputy treasurer of California and deputy editorial page editor of the Sacramento Bee. Currently, he is a senior scholar and deputy director of the California program at the New America Foundation.

Kathay Feng, Executive Director of Common Cause, will be speaking about the latest progress of the Citizens Redistricting Commission. She'll discuss who is on the Commission (and who is from Orange County!) and some of their initial challenges. She will walk through their hearing schedule and talk about how League members can get involved.

California Common Cause's Executive Director, Kathay Feng, brings over ten years of experience working in the area of election reform. During that time, she has developed strong relations with both local and state election administrators, community advocate organizations, election integrity advocates, and national and state experts. As a result, California Common Cause occupies a unique position of trust in bringing these disparate stakeholders together to talk about potential solutions.

California Common Cause has anchored a statewide coalition of election reform groups, called California Voter Empowerment Circle (CalVEC), that meets regularly to talk about major election policies. She recently co-authored and played a leadership role in winning the passage of Prop. 11, to reform California 's redistricting process. She sits on the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee for the Help America Vote Act and the LA County Human Relations Commission. Prior to joining Common Cause in 2005, she directed the Voting Rights and Anti-discrimination Unit of Asian Pacific American Legal Center. She was responsible for organizing poll monitoring of hundreds of poll sites in Southern California , building a statewide coalition to advocate for communities in the 2001 redistricting process, the creation of the Office of Independent Review providing oversight for the LA Sheriff's Department, and representing hate crime victims.

She is a graduate of UCLA Law School and Cornell University.

1. A Historical Perspective of Public Education

2. Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding

Read the background papers.

"Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives" by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and Margaret Hawkins Hill

and

"Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding" by Pat Aaron"

LWVUS Education Study Committee members are researching and writing background papers to help Leagues educate members and communities about the Role of the federal government in public education issues. At the bottom of each paper is a link to a downloadable PDF version.

Other recommended papers are:

Session #1 "Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding" by Pat Aaron

Session #1 "Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives" by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and Margaret Hawkins Hill

Session #2 "Common Core Standards and Assessments by Janelle L. Rivers, PhD

Session #3 "Legislation and Funding for the Education of Children Who are Disadvantage" By Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD

Sessions #4 and 5 "Funding and Equity Issues" by Jean Pierce

Read the background paper: "Legislation and Funding for the Education Of Children Who are Disadvantaged" by Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD

LWVUS Education Study Committee members are researching and writing background papers to help Leagues educate members and communities about the Role of the federal government in public education issues. At the bottom of each paper is a link to a downloadable PDF version.

Other recommended papers are:

Session #1 "Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding" by Pat Aaron

Session #1 "Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives" by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and Margaret Hawkins Hill

Session #2 "Common Core Standards and Assessments by Janelle L. Rivers, PhD

Session #3 "Legislation and Funding for the Education of Children Who are Disadvantage" By Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD

Sessions #4 and 5 "Funding and Equity Issues" by Jean Pierce

Free Parking, No Charge

Read the background papers:Session 4 and 5 "Funding and Equity Issues" by Jean Pierce

LWVUS Education Study Committee members are researching and writing background papers to help Leagues educate members and communities about the Role of the federal government in public education issues. At the bottom of each paper is a link to a downloadable PDF version.

Other recommended papers are:

Session #1 "Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding" by Pat Aaron Session #1 "Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives" by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and Margaret Hawkins Hill

Session #2 "Common Core Standards and Assessments by Janelle L. Rivers, PhD

Session #3 "Legislation and Funding for the Education of Children Who are Disadvantage" By Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD

Sessions #4 and 5 "Funding and Equity Issues" by Jean Pierce

Free Parking, No Charge
Everyone is Welcome!

Read the background papers: "Funding and Equity Issues" by Jean Pierce

LWVUS Education Study Committee members are researching and writing background papers to help Leagues educate members and communities about the Role of the federal government in public education issues. At the bottom of each paper is a link to a downloadable PDF version.

Other recommended papers are:

Session #1 "Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding" by Pat Aaron Session #1 "Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives" by Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and Margaret Hawkins Hill

Session #2 "Common Core Standards and Assessments by Janelle L. Rivers, PhD

Session #3 "Legislation and Funding for the Education of Children Who are Disadvantage" By Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD

Sessions #4 and 5 "Funding and Equity Issues" by Jean Pierce

Free Parking, No Charge
Everyone Welcome

Read the background papers:

LWVUS Education Study Committee members are researching and writing background papers to help Leagues educate members and communities about the Role of the federal government in public education issues. At the bottom of each paper is a link to a downloadable PDF version.

Common Core Standards and Assessments by Janelle L. Rivers, PhD

Early Childhood Education, Equity and Funding by Pat Aaron

Funding and Equity Issues by Jean Pierce

Legislation and Funding for the Education Of Children Who are Disadvantaged by Patricia O'Brien Libutti, PhD

Judge Aguirre was born on August 26, 1946 in Fullerton, CA. He awarded a four year academic scholarship to USC receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1968. He then was awarded a three year UC Regents Fellowship to UCLA Law School receiving his Juris Doctor in 1971.

He then was awarded the Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship and served as law clerk and attorney in the offices of the Santa Clara County Legal Aid Society from 1971-1974. He became an Associate in the Office of Cohen, Stokke, Owen and Davis, Santa Ana, CA from 1974-1976.

Judge Aguirre opened his private practices in Fullerton, CA and Santa Ana, CA., in 1976 and continued until 2002. He is the founder and Managing General Partner of Bradford Square Retirement Community, a 92 Unit facility for the elderly in Placentia, CA, 1985-2002.

He was appointed in 2002 and now serves as Superior Court Judge.

He is well known for his involvment with these organizations: 1) Co-Founder of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, 1974; 2) President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, 1975; 3)Orange County Bar Association Delegate to State Bar Conventions, 1976 and 1977; 4)Board Member, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, 1979 and 1980; 5) Board Member, Alzheimer's Association of Orange County, 1994-1997 6) Chairman and Board Member, Placentia Linda Hospital, 1993-1996; 7) Board Member, KOCE TV Foundation, PBS Station, 1999-2002; 8) President, Latino Advocates for Education, Inc., 1996-Present; 9) Founder and Chairman of the Superior Court's Leadership Academy, 2007-Present

He has published the following:

Author, Mendez v. Westminster School District: How it Affected Brown v. Board of Education, Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 2005; 4; 321
Co-Author, Undaunted Courage: Mexican American Patriots of World War II, 2005
Co-Author, Strength and Honor: Mexican Americans in the Vietnam War, 2006
Co-Author, Freedom is not Free: Mexican Americans in the Korean War, 2007
Co-Author of CD, Mexican American Patriots- World War I to Iraq War and Afghanistan War, which profiles 1,202 Latino veterans, 2009
Author, Handball: 3,000 Years Old, Handball Magazine, February, 1994

Topics covered: How will redistricting affect you? The past and present history of CA redistricting. Information on the Orange County Redistricting Committee and on the State Redistricting Commission.

Email President@lwvnoc.org for more information.

Linda Rogers, Mary Fuhrman and Kay Bruce will present this program, with time for questions and answers.

Come join us. Our change to the Meridian as the site of Lunch with League events has required a change in policy.

To attend a Lunch with League, you MUST make a reservation no later than noon on Monday the week of the event. Walk-ins can no longer be accommodated because lunches at the Meridian are catered.

You can make a reservation by emailing lunchwithleague@lwvnoc.org OR by calling the NOC phone at 714/254-7440. You will pay at the door on the day of the event. The cost is $16. Cancellations must be made by noon Monday the week of the event by emailing or calling as above.

If you do not cancel, you must still pay for the lunch. A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID.

You may register and pay by credit card at the LWVC website http://www.lwvc.org by January 28. Or write a check payable to LWVC and mail to 2506 Calle Jade, San Clemente, CA 92673.

Lunch will be provided by the members of our board of directors.

In addition to the birthday celebration and lunch, members will participate in planning the 2012-14 program for the LWVUS. Every local League in the United States participates in this process. The process provides grassroots input to the LWVUS regarding areas of emphasis for the next two years, including study topics and advocacy.

Linda Rogers will be the leader with many others serving as facilitators.

Background Papers for this study

We will meet for lunch (on your own) at 12:00 noon at either Lazy Dog Cafe or Prime Cut, both of which are within two blocks of the theater. Then on to the Century Stadium 25 at 1701 Katella Ave., Orange, CA. Car pooling is encouraged.

If we have 20 people sign up, the price is $16.00 for the broadcast. If less than 20, the price is $18.00 for this exciting event.

Speaker: Professor Toni Sullivan

The annual expense of health care is one of the greatest financial burdens on the American people and our government. Professor Toni Sullivan will present a talk on the many benefits of the new health care law + advantages that far outweigh the flaws which can be amended. She will discuss specific legislative measures that provide major advances to our health care system.

Dr. Sullivan is Professor and Dean Emeritus of the Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri. She earned her doctorate in nurse science and public health science from Columbia University. Her passion and devotion to public health have been expressed often in her presentations throughout Orange County and other parts of the country.

To attend a Lunch with League, you MUST make a reservation no later than noon on February 20. Walk-ins can no longer be accommodated because lunches at the Meridian are catered.

You can make a reservation by emailing lunchwithleague@lwvnoc.org OR by calling the NOC phone at 714/254-7440. You will pay at the door on the day of the event. The cost is $16. Cancellations must be made by noon on February 20, by emailing or calling as above.

If you do not cancel, you must still pay for the lunch. A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID.

Linda Rogers will be the leader with many others serving as facilitators.

Background Papers for this study

You do not have to have attended the previous session in order to attend this one. The discussions will be lively and exciting.

Linda Rogers will be the leader with many others serving as facilitators.

Background Papers for this study

You do not have to have attended the previous sessions in order to attend this one. The discussions will be lively and exciting.

Pearl Gondrella Mann has a solo practice in Fullerton where she emphasizes Elder Law, conservatorships, trusts and estates. She frequently speaks to the public about elder abuse, identity theft, estate planning, probate and gender bias.

Pearl serves as Vice President of the League of Women Voters of North Orange County and previously was Publicity Director and Government Director. She is also a member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees and the Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors.

An active volunteer with the Orange County Public Law Center, Pearl was honored in 2010 as its Attorney of the Year for helping clients who could not afford lawyers. She has extensive leadership experience, having served as President of California Women Lawyers, Orange County Women Lawyers, Orange County Barristers, Western State University College of Law Alumni Association and Lex Romana: Italian-American Lawyers of Orange County.

Previously, she served as Vice President of the Council on Aging - Orange County Board of Directors, President of the Fullerton Library Board of Trustees and on the City of Fullerton Infrastructure Committee.

She is a graduate of Western State University College of Law, where she was Law Review Editor-in-Chief. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she worked as a librarian. Other education includes a Master of Arts in American Studies from the University of Hawaii, a Masters in Library Science from the University of Illinois and a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana State University. She has lived abroad in Indonesia and Korea.

Pearl is committed to "making a difference" and providing greater accessibility to justice for all, especially for the poor, the elderly and the disabled. She loves "back door" travel, Creole and Japanese cuisine, roller coasters, Mardi Gras parades and wearing costumes.

To attend a Lunch with League, you MUST make a reservation no later than noon on March 19. Walk-ins can no longer be accommodated because lunches at the Meridian are catered.

You can make a reservation by emailing lunchwithleague@lwvnoc.org OR by calling the NOC phone at 714/254-7440. You will pay at the door on the day of the event. The cost is $16. Cancellations must be made by noon on March 19, by emailing or calling as above.

If you do not cancel, you must still pay for the lunch. A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID.

Linda Rogers will be the leader with many others serving as facilitators.

Background Papers for this study

You do not have to have attended the previous sessions in order to attend this one. The discussions will be lively and exciting.

Linda Rogers will be the leader with many others serving as facilitators.

Background Papers for this study

You do not have to have attended the previous sessions in order to attend this one. The discussions will be lively and exciting.

Linda Rogers will be the leader with many others serving as facilitators.

Background Papers for this study

You do not have to have attended the previous sessions in order to attend this one. The discussions will be lively and exciting.

Shannon Peterson is the program director for HOMES, Inc., providing support to 100+ mentally ill adults in independent housing programs. This includes conducting house meetings; on-going support for program "graduates"; arranging social and recreational activities including an annual four-day Mountain Respite Camp, utilizing client volunteers.

Shannon is the NAMI Orange County Community Program Director. (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). She manages trained client volunteers to implement "Peer to Peer" recovery educational courses, "In Our Own Voice" presentations for the community, and "Connection" support groups. Her clients have been trained to implement Spanish- speaking "Conexion" and "En Nuestro Propio Voz" training groups, and "Persona a Persona", a course for bilingual clients.

A recipient of the prestigious Thomas A. Riley Award, Shannon is also currently serving on the California State Board of NAMI.

Shannon received her degree in Human Services from California State University Fullerton with postgraduate courses in counseling.

To attend a Lunch with League, you MUST make a reservation no later than noon on March 19. Walk-ins can no longer be accommodated because lunches at the Meridian are catered.

You can make a reservation by emailing lunchwithleague@lwvnoc.org OR by calling the NOC phone at 714/254-7440. You will pay at the door on the day of the event. The cost is $16. Cancellations must be made by noon on March 19, by emailing or calling as above.

If you do not cancel, you must still pay for the lunch. A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID.

For the third time in twelve years, Californians changed the way we elect the people who represent us in federal and state government by enacting the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act on June 8, 2010. Post-election opinion writers called it "seismic" (Newsweek), and "downright despised" by the political parties (Washington Post).

Whatever they call it, this proposition significantly changed the look and the choices on your Presidential Primary ballot when you vote on June 5, 2012, and election officials are afraid that you will call it confusing!