 | A Note from Your New President
It is an honor and a privilege to step into the role of President of the League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast. I want to begin by extending my deep gratitude to Lanelle Philmon for her dedicated leadership as well as her friendship. Lanelle has given so much to our League, and her contributions will be felt for years to come. I also want to thank Elaine Weistock for her service as Secretary. Susan Aertker who has served as the chair of the Education Committee has announced that she is stepping down from that role and I want to extend my thanks to Susan for her vital work around education in our area. Finally, I want to thank our 25-26 Nominating Committee, Mary Finnan (Chair), Margaux Finn Keller and Christine Allmand who have done an amazing job of filling our open Board positions. We wish them all the best in the chapters ahead.
I am also pleased to welcome Jacqueline Schinlever — known as Jackie — to our Board as our new Secretary. Jackie brings a wealth of experience in human resources, employee benefits, and community service, and we are delighted to have her step into this leadership role. Paige Gottlieb and Erika Kristo continue their dedicated service with renewed terms through 2028.
I come into this role inspired by the work we have already done together and energized by all that lies ahead. Our mission — to empower voters and defend democracy — feels especially urgent and meaningful at this time. I look forward to building on our strong foundation while listening closely to our members as we shape the path forward together. To that end, my first ask of our members is to complete a membership survey. Click here for survey.
Thank you for placing your trust in me. I am so grateful to serve alongside every one of you.
In League, Rhona DiCamillo President, LWV Jacksonville First Coast |  | Results of Annual Business Meeting 6/3/26
Elected Board Members
President - Rhona DiCamillo
Vice President - Vacant
Secretary - Jackie Schinlever
Treasurer - Victoria Bryant-Riggins
Board Member - Paige Gottlieb
Board Member - Hattie Kaufman
Board Member - Erika Kristo
Board Member - Juanita Powell-Williams
Board Member - Michelle von Euw
Pursuant to our Bylaws, the vacancy in the role of the Vice President shall be filled until the next annual meeting by a majority vote of the Board. Wendy Snee who is currently serving on the Board as an Appointed Director and as the chair of our Reproductive Health and Justice Committee has expressed interest in filling the role of the Vice President. The Board will take action on this matter at its next Board meeting on June 8th. The Bylaws also provide for the appointment of up to five Appointed Directors who serve for a one-year term until the next annual meeting. At its next meeting, the Board will also take action to reappoint Chase Jones as an Appointed Director. Chase currently serves as our Director of Technology. The Board will also take action to appoint Julia Ross as another Appointed Director. Julia currently serves as our Director of Voter Registration but has not been a member of the Board. With the appointments of Chase and Julia, we will have three open positions that the Board can fill to carry on the work of the League. If anyone is interested in serving as an Appointed Director, please reach out to Rhona. | Membership Orientation - Saturday June 6
On June 6 we will hold our quarterly membership orientation session. You can join in person or via Zoom.
Our orientation is an opportunity to learn about the League of Women Voters, our mission and guiding principles, our board structure and how we conduct business. It is also an opportunity to meet League members from across our four county area, our board members and action chairs. While we often refer to orientation as "new member orientation" we welcome all members regardless of how long you've been with the League.
If you would like to attend, complete the registration. When the date gets close, we'll email a Zoom link to the people who registered in case you'd like to attend virtually.
June 6, 2026 at 10:30 am
Pablo Creek Regional Library
13295 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246
| Seeking Volunteers to Contact Candidates for VOTE411
The League of Women Voters Education Fund produces an online voter guide, VOTE411.org, for federal and state races, judicial retention races, and local races and ballot measures for Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. If you are interested in helping with the voter guide for the 2026 election cycle, please contact Deb Miller, debunf@gmail.com. We need a few more folks to make phone calls in late June/early July to candidates to encourage them to participate as a follow up to the email we will send out inviting their participation. | Let’s Talk School Board Elections
Did you know that voter turnout in the Primary Election is only around 23% state-wide? Did you know that school board races are open to everyone despite Florida being a closed primary state? Join us to learn about why school board elections are so important so that you can share good information with your family and friends. Please reach out to Rhona at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com with any questions.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 7:00 PM until 7:45 PM
| 2026 Legislative Debrief Tour
What’s happening in Tallahassee is affecting all of us — and it’s more important now than ever that our community knows the full story. The Equal Ground 2026 Legislative Debrief Tour is coming to Duval County!
Join us as we break down what happened this legislative session, what new laws mean for our community, and how we take action together. Thursday, June 25th 6:00 PM First Church of Oakland, 1025 Jessie Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206
|  | Please join us for a book discussion on July 9 at 5:30 pm in an Orange Park home. The book is Jon Meacham's “American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union.”
It's an anthology of writings and speeches from the beginnings of American history till now. He shows various aspects of our national character over time. Several of you have said you don't have time to read a book. Taking that time is not everyone's cup of tea.
So here's an option: Come to have a discussion about American history: the good, the bad, and the ugly. We'll have highlights from the book to share that night. We can also email them ahead of time for anyone who wants to see the notes before the meeting. Please come! We can learn more about how we got where we are today.
Here is a link to register:
The address will be sent before the meeting to those who register. |  | Voter's Rights In Florida
Each registered voter in this state has the right to:
- Vote and have his or her vote accurately counted.
- Cast a vote if he or she is in line at the official closing of the polls in that county.
- Ask for and receive assistance in voting.
- Receive up to two replacement ballots if he or she makes a mistake prior to the ballot being cast.
- An explanation if his or her registration is in question.
- If his or her registration is in question, cast a provisional ballot.
- Written instructions to use when voting, and, upon request, oral instructions in voting from election officers.
- Vote free from coercion or intimidation by elections officers or any other person.
- Vote on a voting system that is in working condition and that will allow votes to be accurately cast.
| Forbidden Florida Reads
Izzy Miletic is a junior Economics and Literature student at Florida State University. She is a board member of the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee, where she began publishing Forbidden Florida Reads. Forbidden Florida Reads is Izzy’s original monthly column that highlights a book banned in at least one Florida school district. Izzy is passionate about books and educational policy making. She hopes to attend law school and earn her Masters in Library and Information Science.
| New Members - Welcome aboard!
Jessica Edwards
Katherine Kasten
Mary Bland Love
Alexandra Picavet
| Donations are always appreciated!
We wish to acknowledge and thank those who made donations this month:
Chase Jones
Paul Hellings
Risa Kauffman
Deb Miller
Our website lwvjaxfc.org offers an easy way to make donations to LWVJFC, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the Homepage. | | | | Local
Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on the LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast:
• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
Regional
The Regional Facebook Group, LWV Florida North Region Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee.
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Contact Us!
Phone: 904-355-8683
Email: LWVJAXFC@gmail.com
Postal Address:
League of Women Voters of Jacksonville First Coast
PO Box 350210
Jacksonville, FL 32235-9998 | | | | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. | | |
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