2021 EVENTS:

December 2021:

Thursday, December 16th - 11AM

Press Conference: Voting

Judith Kraines speaks on behalf of LWV-BC via ZOOM about voting rights issues. List of speakers includes US Senator Bob Casey, State Senator Judith Schwank, PA Budget & Policy Center Director Marc Stier and spokesperson from Make the Road. Check back soon for Zoom re-broadcast recording.

Tuesday, December 9th - 8 PM

League Presents: Discussion re: Lawsuit on School Funding and its impact on Berks County Residents

Check back soon for link to watch this re-broadcasted discussion via BCTV.org. Co-hosted by NAACP/Reading, click here to learn more about the nature of this lawsuit and its impact,  how does this lawsuit view property taxes and what is the end-result should this lawsuit be successful. Guests joining in on this discussion include Mimi McKenzie (Legal Director of Public Interest Law Center; Deborah Gordon Klehr, Exec Dir, Education Law Center;  Jennifer Coleman, Teach Plus Fellow & Teacher at Riverside Elementary & Susan Spicka, Exec Dir,  Education Voters of PA.

Fall 2021:

Thursday, September 9th

LWV Climate Group: Wildfires Webinar

Hosted by LVW-US Climate Interest Group/Wildfire Team

Wildfires are a problem and they are becoming hotter, larger, and more frequent, especially in the western United States. Wildfires destroy lives, livelihoods and property. And to make it worse, they exacerbate climate change. Jessica Morse, Deputy Secretary for Forest and Wildfire Resilience at California Natural Resources Agency, will speak on what California is doing about wildfire mitigation and how California's efforts compare with other states. We'll also hear from community members – Terry Rodriguez, Ann Draper, Angela Torrens – who will share success stories about how local governments and citizenry can join forces to mitigate wildfire threats.

Where, When & Cost:  11 AM PST/1 PM EST; Zoom meeting, this event is free, please click here to register.

Tuesday, September 14th

Criminal Justice - Youth Offenders

Hosted by LWVBC's Hot Topics Committee

8 PM on BCTV.org.  Click here to download more information.

Click here to view this panel discussion re-broadcasted on BCTV.org

Friday, September 17th

For the People Rally!

Hosted by Declaration for American Democracy

Corner of 5th & Penn Street, Reading, PA

Speakers include Wenda Kincaid of LVWBC!

Activists and State Leaders have been working tirelessly to protect our freedom to vote in the face of a flurry of blatant anti-voter bills designed to make it harder to vote, especially for communities of color. And while many communities have had success holding off these attacks, we can’t hold these anti-voter bills off forever. That’s why it’s so urgent that our Senate acts now to pass the For the People Act. Please join this event to demand the Senate pass the For the People Act. It is the local observance of the national day of action (on Constitution Day) led by the Declaration for American Democracy coalition, of which League of Women voters is a member.  This event is being held in the evening to say "Democracy Can't Sleep. Pass For the People Act NOW!" Attendees are invited to bring signs and props such as coffee mugs related to this theme. 

To sign up, visit Facebook Events

To view pictures from this event - check back soon.

Tuesday, September 21st

Southeast Regional Hearing:  ReDistricting

Be heard before the boundaries of your legislative district are changed. Join your neighbors, your community-members and your local League of Women Voters at this hearing.   

Where, When, Cost:  location-check back soon; 1 PM EST; this event is free.

The deadline to sign up to testify at the Southeast regional hearing is Wednesday, Sept. 15th.  To sign up to be heard, click here.

The deadline to submit written testimony for the Southeast regional hearing is Wednesday, Oct. 13th; to submit your written testimony prior to the deadline, click here.

Want to learn more about redistricting? Please visit our ReDistricting page.

Tuesday, September 28th

National Voter Registration Day

Register to vote at the Wyomissing Public Library with the help of the LWVBC!

9 Reading Blvd, Wyomissing, PA, 10 AM to 7 PM

Email LWVBC for more info.  For more info about registering to vote, visit our voter registration support page.

Saturday October 9th, 5 PM

Voter Registration Information Presentation

Dominican Community Center,

1158 Buttonwood St, Reading, PA 19604

Our League will be presenting information about everything you need to know about voting (registration, locations etc). Stop by!  To learn more about the Dominican Association of PA visit their website or friend them on Facebook.

Wednesday October 13th (new date!)

Environmental Justice Discussion: "Lead Paint"

Wyomissing Library (9 Reading Blvd, Wyomissing, PA) and Virtual - 5:30 PM to 7 PM

Hosted by LWVBC's Hot Topics Committee

BCTV.org will be re-broadcasting this panel discussion (date tbd)

Check back soon for details! In the meantime,  please read about our League's focus on this topic or download this event flyer or poster about lead paint

To rsvp, or register for the Zoom group, please email the LWVBC

Tuesday, October 12th

BCTV.org - streaming from 8 to 9 PM

Marcellus Shale - Environmental & Health Impacts on the Communities Where We Live

Hosted by LWVBC's Hot Topics Committee

Click here to learn more about this discussion and its participants, including PA Senator Katie Muth, Karen Feridun (Founder of Berks Gas Truth) and Dr. Ned Ketyer (Editor, PediaBlog). And check out the map of this shale region. View a rebroadcast of this program on any device, visit BCTV's YouTube channel.  And for those Comcast subscribers in our area, you can watch this program on television (look for BCTV in your channel guide) on the following dates & times:  Friday 10/15 at 2 PM; Monday 10/18 at 11 AM; and Tuesday 10/19 at 4 PM.

Tuesday, October 19th, 6 PM

Wyomissing Library (9 Reading Blvd, Wyomissing, PA)

Candidate Forums  (Wyomissing Borough)

Hosted by the Wyomissing Library with support of LWVBC's Hot Topics Committee

This is a live, in-person discussion with local candidates.  Masks required and there will be social distancing. For more information, please email the League.

Saturday, October 23rd

Early Voting Day1

Get your mail-in ballots in early!  Mail it today or any day between now and Election Day!  The sooner the better says the League Women Voters!

Monday, October 25th 6 PM

Place Accessibility First: Equity Initiative Discussion

League of Women Voters Pennsylvania presents

Sign up via Facebook for this two part webinar as part of its recognition of PA Disability Action Month.  Check back later for a post-event transcription or recording of the discussion.

Tuesday, November 9th

2020 Census and its impact on Berks County and PA residents

League of Women Voters Pennsylvania presents

View the BCTV recording of this panel discussion.

August  2021:

Wednesday 8/18/21, 7 PM

Zoom discussion

Next Steps: Community Mapping Conversations

Hosted by Fair Districting PA

Mapping experts are now evaluating maps submitted as part of the LACRA Values Mapping Contest. The winning maps will be used during this event.  You will have a chance to hear from some mapping experts, consider how the winning maps met LACRA criteria, and we will begin evaluating maps to see what works best for our own counties or regions. The August 18 event will be a kick-off for local and regional conversations to look more closely at local districts. 

Where, When & Cost: Zoom meeting, this event is free; click here to register

Note: in the weeks leading up to this discussion,  FDPA groups and League of Women Voters chapters will be holding local workshops to prepare testimony and review maps.

Saturday 8/28/21, 11 AM

Reading City Park

Centennial Tree celebrates 100 years of a Woman's Right to Vote

Now that warmer weather is hear, the plaque unveiling ceremony will be taking place!  Our league thanks Burkey Construction for helping coordinate this project including the planting of the tree and placement of its monument stone in Fall 2020.   And just recently, the commemorative plaque has been added!  For more info, please download the event invite and tree flyer.

Where, When & Cost:  Reading City Park, Reading, PA; this event is free; please email the league if you will be attending.

New!  Check out the commendation the LWVBC received from the City of Reading for its Centennial tree event!



June & July 2021:

Tuesday 7/13/21,  8 PM

LVWBC Presents "Chesapeake Bay Conservation & Restoration"

Discussion with Carin Bisland with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Phil Wenger, President & CEO of the Lancaster Conservancy; Harry Campbell, PA Science Policy & Advocacy Director with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and LWV host Bill Litvin. 

Where, when, cost:  BCTV.org, 8 PM, this event is free; click here to view the discussion.

Friday 6/18/21 & Saturday 6/19/21

LWV-PA 2021 Virtual Convention

Save the date for the annual conference of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.

Where, When & Cost: online, to register online

To learn more about this annual conference, visit LWV-PA conference page.

Saturday 6/12/21 & Sunday 6/13/21

America Talks hosted by NCID, presented by LWVBC

Where, when, cost: virtual, 10 AM EST, free

Join in this powerful event, organized by the National Institute for Civil Discourse, that invites Americans to connect one-on-one virtually across all political divides.

To register, visit: America Talks

Tuesday 6/8/21

LWVBC Presents: "Climate Change & RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative"

Where, when & cost: BCTV.org, 8 PM; free

Also viewable on Comcast/Reading - Channel 15 and Comcast Southern Berks - Channel 965

LWVBC moderates a panel discussion about Climate Change and the issues surrounding Pennsylvania joining the RGGI.  Panelists include: Scot Case/Berks County-based Environmental Consultant; Don Naragon/LWV-PA's VP, Environment; and Brian Woods/Environmental Analyst with Vermont Dept of Environmental Conservation and Vermont staff rep for RGGI.

To view this program, click here.

Tuesday 6/1/21

Constituent Meeting- presented by Fair Districts PA

Where, when & cost:  virtual via Zoom; 10:30 AM, free

Join PA Rep. Gillen, 12th District as he hosts a discussion about redistricting reform. Already a co-sponsor of HB22 this is a great opportunity to ask for his help in moving this bill forward.

To register, please contact Fair Districts PA

May 2021:

More events to be listed soon, but in the meantime - be sure to vote on May 18th!

Wednesday 5/13/21 - 6 PM

Annual Meeting - details coming soon

Tuesday 5/11/21 - 8 PM

LWVBerks Presents: "The Impact of Inequitable School Funding"

Where & cost: BCTV.org or Comcast Reading Channel 15 or Comcast Southern Berks Channel 965; online & free.

Discussion regarding inequitable school funding moderated by the LWVBC with Dr Khalid Murmin - Superintendent of Schools/Reading School District (and PA Superintendent of the Year, 2021) and Susan Spicka - Executive Director of Education/Voters of PA. 

To view this discussion, please click here.

Tuesday 5/11/21 - 6 PM

Ballot Questions on the 2021 Primary Election: Legislative/Congressional Redistricting Act

Where & cost: Virtual discussion at the Wyomissing Library, free; to register to receive Zoom link, please email anny@wyopublib.org

Host Judith Kraines of the LWVBC review questions regarding the ballot for the 2021 Primary Election with Attorney Joan E. London and Randall Newnham, Ph.D. - Prof of Political Science at PSU-Berks. Learn about important questions which will have far reaching consequences throughout Pennsylvania.

Click here for link to view after the event.

January 2021:

Thursday 1/21/21

Hot Topics: Did you know Berks is top 4 in the US for STEM programs? 

Lean more during this webinar held at Albright College's Science and Research Institute; co-hosted by LWVBC and the AAUW.

Where, When & Cost:  Zoom, 7 PM, free

Register by emailing:  LWVberksco@gmail.com with your name; please state "Hot Topics/STEM" in the subject line. Guests welcome!

UPDATE: check out the presentation's recording, click here to view. Note you will need to enter passcode 4RHXcM.S to view the presentation which begins at :17 seconds.

 

February 2021:

Thursday 2/4/21

Toss Your Hat in the Ring!

Those interested in serving in local elected office, check out this great webinar hosted by Penn State Extension! 

Where, When & Cost: webinar,  1 to 2:30 PM or 7 to 8:30 PM, free.

Register online to receive your webinar link.  We welcome you to view a recording of this webinar.

Tuesday 2/9/21

"League of Women Voters Presents: why local elections matter"

Exclusive television program hosted by our league. The next, big election is LOCAL! Join our guests District Court Judge Tonya Butler, Exeter School Board President Allison Wilson, Muhlenburg Township Commissioner Michael Malinowski and Monhton Mayor Gary D. Draft to discuss how local elections affect you!

Where & when:  BCTV.org; 8 PM Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

Check back soon for program details & link.

Tuesday 2/9/21

LVW's Community Call: Non-partisanship during Hyper Partisan Times

We welcome you to check out this recording of this webinar hosted by LWV. Questions about Community Call, please reach out.

Wednesday 2/10/21

Toss Your Hat in the Ring!

Those interested in serving in local elected office, check out this great webinar hosted by Penn State Extension!

Where, When & Cost: online webinar, 7 to 8:30 PM, free.

Register online to receive your webinar link:   https://extension.psu.edu/toss-your-hat-in-the-ring-webinar

Wednesday 2/10/21

Toss Your Hat in the Ring!

Those interested in serving in local elected office, check out this great webinar hosted by Penn State Extension!

Where, When & Cost: online webinar, 7 to 8:30 PM, free.

Register online to receive your webinar link. We welcome you to view this webinar's recording (see above link)

Saturday 2/13/21

Judicial Independence in PA

Webinar discussion hosted by the Reading NAACP and JIPPA.   

We welcome you to view the webinar's recording.

Tuesday 2/16/21

Transportation Transformation

Webinar hosted by LWV Palantine Area about the role of government in electric transportation and its environmental benefit.

Where, When & cost: online webinar, 8 to 10 PM EST, free.

Register when you visit: www.lwvpalatinearea.org

Webinar is now available online, click here to view the recording

Friday 2/19/21

From Contempt to Collaboration

National Conflict Resolution Center hosts a Virtual Dialogue Circle

Where When & cost:  online webinar, 1 to 3:30 PM, see link for details; click here to register

Wednesday 2/24/21

LWVBC's Hot Topic Panel: Running for Local Elective Office

A panel discussion about the How and Why to run, with moderator Bernice Hines-Corbit and guests Zelda Yoder - Campaign Manager, Tonya Butler - Magisterial District Judge, Annarose Ingarra-Milch - Reading Mayoral Candidate, Ron Rutkowski - Director, Election Services, Berks County, and Karen Barsoum - Asst Director, Election Services, Berks County.

This event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Berks County and NAACP. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League never supports or opposes any political party or candidate.

Where, When & cost:  Webinar,  6 to 7 PM, free.

To sign up to attend, please email us with "Running for Local Office" in the subject line.  To view a recording of this panel discussion, click here and use password: T4@=B4HM

Wednesday 2/24/21 (and March 2nd)

Meeting each other along the political Spectrum

National Conflict Resolution Center hosts an Art of Inclusive Communication webinar

Where, When & Cost: online webinar, 9 AM to Noon, see link for details; click here to register for 2/24 or for 3/2

Thursday 2/25/21

The Second Founding and Voting Rights

The Wyomissing Library hosts a "Review of the 15^th Amendment, its Aftermath, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Today’s Attempts at Potential Voter Suppression" as led by Donald F. Smith, Jr., Esquire

Where, when & cost:  online webinar, free; 

Please email to sign up.

March 2021:

Wednesday 3/3/21

March to Transparency, next steps

Join a virtual town hall regarding the fast action needed for redistricting transparency in PA.

Where, when & cost:  online panel discussion, 4 PM EST, free

To register, visit Fair District PA

Tuesday 3/9/21

LWV Presents: Considering a County Health Department

Join State Representative Manny Guzman and Berks County Medical Society Chair Dr. Kristen Sandel as they discuss the advantages Berks would gain by having a County Health Department.

Where & When: BCTV.org, 8 PM EST

Link to view the program on youtube

Wednesday 3/10/21

Vote411: Managing candidate responses/reporting results

Webinar hosted by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.

Where, When & Cost: online, 5 PM EST, free

Email to register and receive the webinar link.

Thursday 3/11/21

Gerrymandering: The history, evolution and impact of Gerrymandering

Hosted by Fair Districts PA

Where, when & cost:  webinar, 6:30 PM EST, free

Click here for more info and to register and receive webinar link.

Sunday 3/14/21

Reforming PA Redistricting

Webinar focusing on good rules, good maps, and good governing hosted by the Springfield Huddles.

Where, when & cost:  online, 4 PM EST, free

email to register and receive webinar link.

Monday 3/15/21

Countdown to 2021 Redistricting: South Central Regional Gathering

The march towards redistricting transparency continues: advocacy efforts are crucial for reforms that will help achieve this goal. Learn more during this insightful webinar.

Where, When & cost: online, 6:30 to 7:30 PM EST, free

Click here to learn more, register and receive webinar link.

Wednesday 3/17/21

Candidates Forum- PA Supreme Court Candidates' Forum hosted by LWV of Pennsylvania

Where, When & Cost:  Webinar, 5 to 6:30 PM EST

Join us for a moderated forum with the candidates for the PA Supreme Court hosted by the Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and the Free Library of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, and the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Email to register and receive Zoom link.

For more info about PA Supreme Court and seats up for grabs: PennCapital Star

Now available! Recording of this panel discussion, click here.

3/17 to 3/31/21

Local Woman Makes History: The Extraordinary Life of Ida B. Wells 

Where, when & cost: YouTube (through 3/31/21), free

Recording of Prof. Michelle Duster's presentation of the history of  Ida Wells, as presented by the Barrington Area Library & LWV Barrington, Illinois.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/iVc68QWY1PU

For more info, email Barrington Area Library

April 2021:

Tuesday 4/13/21

LVW Presents!

Where, when & cost: BCTV.org, 8 PM, free

This month the League will be discussing two important local issues. The first half of our program will feature Carol Kuniholm of Fair Districts PA and Senator David Argall of Pennsylvania's 29th district discussing House Bill 22 and Senate Bill 222: the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act (LACRA).

The second half of our program will feature Randall Newnham, Penn State Berks Professor of Political Science and Joan London, local attorney, who will be explaining the three ballot issues that will be appearing on the municipal primary ballot for the May 18, 2021 election. Our moderator will be Elizabeth Stanley.

Please plan to watch or catch up later on BCTV's own You Tube channel

Or check out these links (recordings of these programs):

Ballot questions

LACRA

 Friday 4/16/21

Draw the line PA - Berks County Speaks out about Gerrymandering

Where, when & cost:  Noon/Reading Pagoda and 1:15 PM/Daniel Boone Homestead - free!

Draw the Lines PA Voteswagon making 2 stops in Berks County as part of Draw the Line PA's resource to help Pennsylvanians end gerrymandering by showing how to draw election maps or learning more about them.  Can't meet the Voteswagon in person?  Check out DL-PA's You Tube video or contact them via email.

4/21/21:

Candidates Up Front - Spring 2021

BCTV.org

Now available for online viewing on BCTV's YouTube Channel. 

Wednesday 4/28/21

Hot Topic Panel Discussion: Caste - "The Origin of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson

Save the date for the annual conference of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.

Where, When & Cost: online/Zoom and Facebook Live; 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM, fee.

Panelists: Dr. Ebonic Stringer Phd (PSU); Dr. Joseph Amprey Phd (Kutztown):  Karima Archie, VP - BICA

Hosted by LWV-Berks County, the NAACP/Reading, and The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading (WAC)

email to register; zoom link to view

Video link of the panel discussion is now available, please use passcode NSGnTa8