ANNUAL MEETING A SUCCESS
Celebrating a productive year, the Winchester League held its annual meeting on May 27th at Sanborn House. The meeting was planned and executed by a committee consisting of Marilyn Mullane, Elizabeth Ghoneim, Jo-Ann Michalak, Betsy Cregger, Vicky Coccoluto, Judie Muggia, Susan Lewis, and Charlene Band.
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Sanborn House, Winchester |
While socializing and serving ourselves from the dinner buffet, members perused a photomontage of event highlights, created by Vicky Coccoluto, reminding us of the past year’s annual meeting, as well as Town Day, Moveable Feast for town employees, Day on the Hill with Sen. Pat Jehlen and Rep. Jason Lewis, Day at the Races, Book Discussion, and EnKa Parade. After dining, members heard a prizewinning essay detailing what he would say if he met President Obama, written and read by Nicholas Facciolo, a student at St. Mary’s school. Then, Dr. Peter Levine, a long-time LWV member, who is Director of Research at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, gave the keynote address and answered questions.
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Nicholas Facciolo |
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Dr. Levine’s presentation, “How the Millennial Generation Will Change Democracy”, helped us understand that young people today are less ideologically polarized, more liberal (especially on economic and health care issues), more apt to volunteer, and closer to parents than previous generations were. However, there is diversity among this generation. Those with some kind of college experience vote at a much higher rate than those with no college experience, and they trust others, go to church, and belong to white collar unions more. So going to college correlates with more civic participation.
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Peter Levine |
However, Dr. Levine noted a fundamental inequality of opportunity for participation – young people from families in the bottom quarter of income distribution have only a 7% chance of going to college, while those in the top quarter have a 60% chance. Hence, a question for the LWV might be “How to engage disadvantaged youth so they become civically engaged.” He suggested that there should be equal availability across all public schools, and within individual public schools, for students to participate in civics research projects, school newspapers, and school government.
Following Dr. Levine’s keynote, Vicky Coccoluto and Judie Muggia presented a recognition award to Madeleine Kaiser for her many years of service to the Winchester LWV. Moderator Marilyn Mullane introduced the current steering committee members and announced the new members -- Maria O’Connor, Elizabeth Angelino, and Jill Abrahamsen. Members then approved last year’s annual meeting minutes and next year’s budget, and elected the new steering committee members and re-elected Elizabeth Ghoneim as treasurer. Peg McKenna won the door prize, an autographed copy of The Assassin’s Accomplice by Winchester resident Kate Clifford Larson, which was the recent LWV book discussion title.
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Madeleine Kaiser |
- Bonnie Alpert
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