League of Women Voters^®
of the South Bend Area

The St. Joseph County Council is considering a bill (69-14) which would require an abortion provider to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. If passed, this bill will almost certainly shut done our area's sole abortion clinic.

The League has and will continue to speak out against this bill, relying on the League's position that public policy ... must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices and arguing that the bill is not about patient safety but about stopping abortions in St. Joseph County.

I ask you to participate in these efforts in the following ways:

1. Please plan to attend the February 10 County Council meeting (4th floor County-City Building, 7:00pm). Whether or not the bill will come to a vote that evening is not yet known. Regardless, there should be opportunity at the end of the meeting to speak in opposition. Please plan to attend and make your personal statement -- even if your voice shakes (like mine).

You might also want to attend the January 27 committee meeting where this bill will be discussed. Space is limited, with no opportunity to speak (unless asked), but you will learn and your presence will make a statement. 5:30 4th floor Council conference room.

2. WRITE to your Council member. Direct emails to: cocouncil@co.st-joseph.in.us . You can also call and send letters to home addresses, which you will find here: http://www.stjosephcountyindiana.com/departments/sjccouncil/default.htm (as well as in your Citizen's Guide).

Catherine Hostetler is the Director of the St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission. Come hear about the history of St. Joseph County and about the projects and opportunities to see and learn more about our community.

122. S. Michigan St., South Bend Chocolate Cafe.

Speaker begins at noon.

Come as early as 11:30 to purchase lunch.

Next Month:Therese Dorau, City of South Bend Office of Sustainability, March 13

LWV South Bend Area now offers a student membership rate of $25.00! A student is defined as an individual who is enrolled either full or part-time in an accredited institution.

Consider a gift student membership - you will be opening the door to lifetime of Making Democracy Work.

For as long as any member can recall, the League of Women Voters has published the Citizen's Guide to Representative Government, a comprehensive collection of contact information for local, state, and national government offices, plus St. Joseph County voting information.

The League distributes this valuable citizen resource free of charge at public places such as libraries, public offices and local businesses. We update the Guide following most November elections to keep it as current as possible and sometimes reprint between updates as demand dictates and purse strings permit. Organizations and individuals often tell us how eager they are for each new edition.

Your ongoing support will be most appreciated and will help ensure the League is able to continue Making Democracy Work® by making this legacy publication available to local citizens.

Interested in becoming a Sponsor? Contact us: league@lwvsouthbend.org

★ Visits area high schools to register voters - 1077 in 2012!
★ Registers new voters at local events - at least 40 events since 2008
★ Sponsors candidate debates and forums before every election
★ Organized and cosponsored B Green to Save Green, an environmental education program for low-income families
★ Hosts Lunch with the League, a monthly public event featuring a talk by local leaders, followed by discussion
★ Provides voter information at the community events such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration and Michiana Monologues
★ Hosts Evening with the League, a monthly gathering of members and friends
★ Sponsors public forums on topics of community interest such as the Property Tax Cap Constitutional Amendment, Redistricting, and Economic Development in our area

Want to learn more? Contact us at league@lwvsouthbend.org today.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm at St Joseph County Public Library, Main Street, Downtown South Bend. Free Parking. Guests are welcome.