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Silent auction opens for entertainment experiences: Nutcracker tickets and dinner

Get ready to treat yourself while supporting the vital work of the League of Women Voters of Broward County! We are thrilled to announce that our annual Silent Auction is ready, featuring incredible experiences and packages just in time for the holidays.

Bidding begins online: Sunday, Nov. 9
Bidding closes: Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
Winners will be announced at: Our "Thanks For Giving Brunch" at the Funky Buddha Brewery

This year’s auction includes spectacular packages, like the two unforgettable theatrical and dining experiences we recently announced: premium orchestra seating for the Grand KYIV Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” paired with gift certificates to either Baires Argentinian Grill or a full dinner-for-two package at TIMBR! Both packages valued over $500 each.

Every dollar raised through this auction directly supports our mission to empower voters and defend democracy in Broward County.

Don't miss the chance to grab these amazing items!

Use the direct link below to place your bids. And if you haven't yet, secure your spot at the "Thanks For Giving Brunch" so you can be there for the exciting finale when the bidding closes! Winners do not have to be present. Winners will also be notified using the contact information in the bidding form.

https://form.jotform.com/253085804910052

News about the Broward League of Women Voters:

Members of the Leadership Program of the Broward League in 2025, plus members from the 2024 class who helped organize the activities.

How do I Apply for the 2026 Margaret McGrath Leadership Program? Simply complete and submit an application available herby November 15^th: https://form.jotform.com/252948086620059

Must I be a Member of the LWVBC to Apply? Yes, and it’s easy to become a member here: lwvbroward.org.

Why apply to the 2026 McGrath Leadership Program?

By Beth Solomon

Applications for the 2026 Margaret McGrath Leadership Program will be accepted by Nov. 15.Are you considering applying to the Margaret McGrath Leadership Program, but not sure what to expect? See below for insight from graduates who are current leaders of the League of Women Voters of Broward County.

Dana Bee, a graduate of the 2025 program and the Membership Onboarding Chair, explained, “I joined the League in June of 2024 and applied to the leadership program for 2025 because I wanted to learn more about the League and build community. I am truly amazed at the impact the League has locally, regionally and nationally and its rich history. I wanted to make a difference and was not quite sure exactly where I fit in. We all have passions and ideals and want to find the right course of realization. (After completing the leadership program), I am chair of onboarding, a new division of membership committee with the goals of welcoming new members and helping find connections and build engagement…We are stronger together.”

According to Beth Solomon, a graduate of the 2025 McGrath Leadership program and Assistant Treasurer of the 501(c)(4) Advocacy Fund, “Program participants learn about national, state and local League functions and connect with current League leaders and community representatives. The goal of the Program is to enhance participants’ leadership skills and prepare participants for future leadership roles.”

When asked whether the Leadership program met expectations, Karen Strangwayes, a graduate of the 2025 McGrath Leadership program and the current Co-Chair of the LWVBC Women’s Rights Committee, exclaimed, “I was so excited that the training surpassed my expectations, so much. I not only learned about the mission and the inner workings of the League, but the networking and the connections that I made were incredible…and I loved the lively debate and though-providing conversations.”

Julie Long, a graduate of the 2025 program and a Board member who is active in the Environmental Program, said: “I applied to the program because leaders I respected within the organization suggested it would be helpful. Although I was aware of (the Program), I would not have applied without that nudge. I am glad I did.”

Read more about the program plus FAQs

Broward County's trash crisis and what you can do

A draft Master Plan for a comprehensive solid waste program for Broward County has been created. The League supports this effort as the only viable way forward to handle our waste in an economical and environmentally sound way into the future. Visit https://browardswa.org/ for more information and a copy of the Master Plan.

To move forward, almost all of the 28 cities in the current Interlocal Agreement need to approve this plan by August of 2026. The League is committed to speak to our local elected officials and staff to be sure they say yes. We can use everyone's help.

Here are key points.

 Broward has a solid waste crisis which is more than 50 years in the making.
 Broward creates almost 5 million tons of solid waste every year.
 Our one landfill and one incinerator are almost at capacity.
 None of our disposal facilities (including the landfill and incinerator) are owned publicly so we are at the mercy of for-profit companies. Costs will only rise.
 Our recycling rate is about 30%. We are wasting resources and harming our environment.
 When our cities and the county work together, we can take advantage of economies of scale to control costs and protect our environment.
 28 of our cities and the county and four professional consultants have labored over the past several years to draft a Master Plan to create a unified operation to reduce the volume of waste, recycle effectively and limit the amount of waste landfilled and burned.
 To not go forward now is to forfeit the opportunity to effectively address our solid waste crisis.
 Listen to Mayor Ryan's remarks on from June 15, 2025.

Find your people.

Fight for our future.

When you join the League of Women Voters Broward County, you're showing up for democracy with a community that shares your values.

Issues on which the Broward League is advocating:

Florida Legislature begins work for next legislative session

The official start of the Florida legislative session isn't until January 13, 2026. However, Legislative Committees began meeting this month and Senators and Representatives have started filing bills.

There is one more Broward County Legislative Delegation Hearing, which is open for public comment: Thursday, November 13 at 10 a.m. at the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization Building. For more information and to register to speak, click HERE.

You can keep track of legislative actions by going to the Senate and House websites. A list of all the bills filed can be found at the link below. Bills Filed by Legislators for 2026

League members have interacted with the following Broward County legislators through one-on-one meetings with legislators or their staff or attendance at town halls: Sen. Barbara Sharief (SD 35), Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (HD 95), Rep. Dan Daley (HD 96), Rep. Chip LaMarca (HD 100), Rep. Michael Gottlieb (HD 102) and Rep. Robin Bartleman (HD 103).

Affordable housing: Broward is adding hundreds of units

The Broward Housing Council issued its Annual Report in early October. The County is seeing continued growth in affordable housing efforts. Several new developments have been approved, adding hundreds of affordable homes for families and seniors. Municipalities are adopting accessory dwelling units and transit-oriented zoning changes to expand housing options. The Live Local Act is yielding results, helping advance projects that were previously difficult under old regulations.

2024 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) reports for Broward County and municipalities are now posted online (scroll to bottom of page). These reports outline local housing strategies to incentivize the production of affordable housing. All local governments in Florida receiving funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program are required to submit an annual report to the State.

Dental therapy: Florida needs more dental care; Legislature can take action

The Health Care Committee awaits the filing of Dental Therapy legislation again in 2026. This legislation will include a training program for dental therapists, a new professional oral health position that could make dental care more available in Florida, particularly for those in underserved poverty and rural areas. Florida is 49th in oral health care. Florida has 51 dentists per 100,000 residents. The national average is 60.

Floridians For Dental Access, is a coalition of 515 organizations (including our League and the state League) which support development of this program, which has been adopted in 14 states so far. Like Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, dental therapists will be trained to deliver routine preventive and restorative dental care and be supervised by a licensed dentist. This is not an individual practice.

Thomas Ellington, Nov. 12, on what news deserts mean for democracy

Join the League of Women Voters of Broward County for a compelling general meeting featuring Thomas C. Ellington, professor of political science at Wesleyan College. Dr. Ellington will present insights from his latest book, Government Without Newspapers: Local Politics in the Age of News Deserts.

In an era when local newsrooms are disappearing at alarming rates, Dr. Ellington explores the consequences for civic engagement, transparency, and democracy. What happens when communities lose access to reliable local reporting? How does it impact voter participation and public trust?

Open to members and the public. Invite a friend and help shine a light on the importance of local journalism.

When: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, via Zoom. Register for videoconference link.

REGISTER

Noticias de nuestro socio, Factchequeado

Factchequeado is a partner of the Broward League that promotes media literacy and combats mis- and disinformation circulating in Spanish.

El millonario respaldo de Trump a Milei: qué sabemos del acuerdo por 20,000 millones de dólares mientras se recorta la asistencia internacional de Estados Unidos

Helicópteros Black Hawk y Guardia Nacional: ¿qué está pasando con las redadas de ICE en Chicago?

Ni estas son lanchas con drogas interceptadas en el Caribe ni la cuenta “US Homeland Security News” pertenece oficialmente al DHS

Get a quick lesson on mid-decade redistricting from our Oct. 4 presentation on what it is, why it's happening and what we can do to prevent it

In 2010, over 60% of Florida voters agreed to add Fair District Principles to the Florida Constitution for redistricting purposes. Instead, the Legislature continues with gerrymandering when developing district maps. Learn the history and the League’s fight for Fair Districts!

What can youd do?

Here are suggested social media posts:
https://lwvbroward.org/docs.ashx?id=1620116

You can email legislators serving on the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting:
https://lwvbroward.org/docs.ashx?id=1620117