2011 Annual Meeting

The League of Women Voters Benicia (LWVB) held their annual membership meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2011, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Camelia Tea Room, 828 First Street, Benicia.  President Christina Arrostuto presided.  As part of her report, Christina thanked the membership for the opportunity to serve as President and cited the following LWVB accomplishments:

• Contributed to the LWV California annual Legislative Interviews by interviewing Assembly Member Mariko Yamada.

• Conducted the annual Program Planning meeting and sent our priorities forward.

• Established an Education Fund to help support future activities.

• Became more active with a formal Action and Advocacy effort, including sending a statement to the national board supporting the revision and update of the Arms Control position as recommended by the Task Force on Arms Control, which included LWVB’s own Lois Requist!

• Made sure the public was well-informed about LWVB events, thanks to Public Affairs Director Paula Sherock’s well-timed Community Calendar submissions.

• Sponsored a second round of the Great Decisions program, very well-attended.

• Hosted the annual “Meet Your Officials” night with record participation, with special thanks to Belinda Smith, who organized the venue and a special showing of works by local artists (and to our beverage servers, Tom Campbell and Dr. Kerry Carney!).

• Made LWVB’s voice heard by participating in Bay Area League Day and the LWVBA Annual Meeting, and by sending an active LWVB member as a delegate to the 2010 LWVC Convention

Special thanks goes to: Maryellen Hayes, who generously opens her Camellia Tea Room and serves up her trademark beverage for our membership meetings; and Jacqueline Jacobberger, our LWVC Management Training Advisor, whose counsel keeps LWV Benicia aligned with both the requirements and the spirit of the larger state and national League of Women Voters framework.