Greetings! If you thought the Topeka and Shawnee County library primarily offers books, no doubt you were totally surprised by the Executive Director, Marie Pyko’s, Tuesday Topics presentation! From converting VHS tapes to digital devices and arranging for personal delivery of your library goods, we found out about an array of free services available to the public. Many thanks to Marie for sharing updates with us. The library’s outreach is quite expansive.
For the month of December, we plan to hear from our City Management team. Strategic updates on the direction of our city will be shared. Be sure to join us on December 2 at Noon at the Topeka Library. The Tuesday Topics team is already lining up exciting speakers for 2026.
We still have slots open for members interested in working with a new initiative – Young adult legislative advocacy. If this is a passion for you, we need you. If you have skills or hobbies that include mentoring, teaching, debate, public speaking, research, legislative advocacy, social media and/ or tech marketing, this committee is for you!
We continue to engage in our active renewal and recruiting campaign effort. If you know anyone who would be a great fit for our organization, please forward them our contact information. In addition, we continue to send invitation letters to non-partisan organizations and individuals encouraging them to join us in defending and strengthening democracy, definitely a task where we continue to need all hands on deck.
Our engagement of LWV work in 2025 includes the following:
● Provided voting education at Naturalization service, Farmer Markets, Washburn University,
schools, community agencies, and other sites
● Completed voter education presentations at high schools
● Sent petition to the Election Assistant commission (EAC) to deny documentary proof of
citizenship on the Federal Voter Registration form
● Provides Observers at city, county and other governmental entity meetings
● Sent thank you letters to known representatives that held out or voted in opposition to
redistricting. We support fair maps!
● Coordinated Candidate Meet and Greet forum
● Collaborated with partners who share nonpartisan desire for democracy and attended their
events in support
● Presented to organizations seeking information on the LWVTSC
● Conducted Tuesday Topic forums to provide information on community services and
education on voter rights
● Coordinated onsite trips to Brown vs Board and Forensic lab during summer tour
● Presented position on climate issues
● Supported and attended rallies for strengthening democracy
● Presented and serve as representatives of Kansas Fair Maps
● Expanded our communication efforts to include press releases on positions taken and
enhance social media presence
● Implemented efforts to retain and increase membership
Yes, we have been busy in 2025 and look forward to continuing our work in 2026!
The 2026 LWV National Convention will be held in Columbus, Ohio at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. It starts on Thursday, June 25, 2026 and ends Sunday June 28, 2026. Registration for the Convention will open in January 2026. Check the LWVUS website for details. The convention is
open to all members.
Our recent membership is at 221 and growing! It is all because of you. You are our lifeblood. Thank you! Welcome to our New members: Lesley, Marcia. We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!
Thank you to our renewing members: Ethel, Judy, Robin, Vickie, and Danielle!
We appreciate all you do!
Feel free to continue to connect with our voter services team! Although many of the events are wrapping up for the year, our planning never ends. This is a great time to get on board and express your interest in participating. Join them on the POINT application and get in on the experience! They are outreaching to the community providing education on registration and voting.
Your thoughts and voices are needed on our state survey. Please consider sharing your views on how we can make our league better. Here is the link to complete the form. https://forms.gle/Yv4dBBP58vR82Uji9
Join us in welcoming our new board member, Dennis Bosley! He will be working with the Health Equity committee. Your board members are always available to answer questions and help you move the League’s mission forward. Feel free to reach out!
Board Members
Dennis Bosley
Kimberley Brown
Vicki Buening
Glennie Buckley
Mary Lou Davis
Allan Foster
Mary Galligan
Gretchen Gleue
Kristin Hammer
Lissa Staley
Danielle Twemlow
Meredith Williard
Cindy Lash
Paul Post
If you have a community group interested in learning about the recent proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution, which eliminates the merit selection of Supreme Court Justices, please reach out to the League and we will connect you with a resource to come make presentations to your group(s).
This is the season for giving thanks and for celebrating holidays. May you and your families be blessed with good health, grace, and mercy. Remember as we work to protect democracy,
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn
President
Legislative Session Resource
I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed or passed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.
- Sen. Brenda Dietrich Room #223-E 785.296.7648Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Rick Kloos Room # 418-E 785.296.7645Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E 785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E 785.296.7656Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
- Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W 785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N 785.296.7374Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N 785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S 785.296.7673Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W 785.296.7460Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen 785.296.7669 Room #174-W Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S 785.296.7632Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S 785.296.7104virgil.weigel@house.ks.gov
Furthermore, you may access the Kansas Legislative website at http://kslegislature.gov to review bill status and content, house and senate calendars and committee schedules. Through this website you may listen to or via video streaming follow committee hearings and General Session proceedings.
An additional resource is the State Library. You may access their services in the following ways:
- Phone:800-432-3919 or 785-296-2149
- Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
- Email: infodesk@ks.gov
- Download the Ask a Librarian app to your mobile device.
