Coming, Ongoing & Recent Events
Happening Soon...
LWVTV Board Meeting
September 2, 2025 5:30 PM
Zoom & Noel Wien Library
Email for a Zoom invitation
Board Meetings are generally held using Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month. All members are welcome. Please email us for a Zoom invitation if you would like to attend. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LWV of Alaska Board Meeting
August 18, 2025 5:45 PM
Zoom
All members are welcome. Email alaskalwv@alaskalwv.org for information.
Let's Talk about Digital Threats to Democracy
How AI Could Save Our Democratic Institutions
with
Dr. Beth Simone Novek
Sept. 10 ~ 1:00 PM Alaska
While artificial intelligence has emerged as a potential threat to democratic institutions,
Dr. Novek makes the case that we can choose to use these powerful tools to reinforce rather than undermine our democracy. Drawing from her extensive experience building technology for government at every level—from the White House to state agencies—Noveck will outline her vision for "Democratic AI": systems designed to expand our collective capacity to gather knowledge, deliberate choices, and deliver public action. She'll share concrete examples of how AI can help us write better laws, deliver services more fairly, and create meaningful opportunities for civic participation, while addressing the urgent need to treat democratic renewal as both a moral imperative and a solvable design challenge.
Visit the LWV of Maine to watch recordings of the twenty+ conversations we have held with experts covering how the digital age is affecting our democracy.
Guests in 2025:
April 29, 2025 - Courtney Radsch
Mar. 25, 2025- Anne Applebaum
Jan. 29, 2025- Michael Tomasky
Municipal Candidate Forum
City of Fairbanks
City Council Chambers &
Broadcast on KUAC-FM 89.9
Friday, September 19
Begins at 6:30 PM
LWVTV in partnership with the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and KUAC-FM 89.9 will host a live candidate forum for candidates running in the municipal elections.
Golden Days Street Fair
July 19, 2025
Downtown Fairbanks
The Golden Days Street Fair offers a great opportunity for LWVTV to interact with our community in a fun and festive atmosphere. We provided voter information, voter registration and address changes, absentee ballot applications and answered questions. Eight volunteers staffed the table throughout the day.
LWVTV Summer Picnic
July 13, 2025
Pioneer Park ~~ Square Dance Pavilion
About 35 members gathered on a classic summer day in Fairbanks. Mary and Ramon Galvan organized the fun and took care of the grill while others brought side dishes to share . There was plenty of time for great conversations and getting to know each other. A special honor was Joe Hayes (Sen. Kawasaki's Chief of Staff) presenting us with a legislative proclamation honoring our local League's 60 years of service to the community.
Juneteenth Freedom Day
June 14, 2025
Bernice Allridge Park
LWVTV continues our support honoring Juneteenth. We staffed a booth at the celebration and offered voter registration, address updating, information on how ranked-choice voting works and reminded those enjoying the day of the upcoming Municipal
Election.
Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture to learn more.
LWVTV Testifies in Opposition to FNSB Ordinance 2025-10
June 12, 2025
FNSB Mona Lisa Drexler Assemby Chambers
The LWVTV Board voted to oppose FNSB Ordinance 2025-10 regarding vote-by-mail, absentee voting requirements and deadlines introduced by Assembly member Barbara Haney on April 25, 2025. Co-President Linda Witt testified in person. The ordinance failed by a vote of 7 - 2.
LWV of Alaska Annual Convention
April 26 - 27, 2025
LWVTV In-Person at IBEW Multipurpose Room
Online participation using Zoom
We held our LWV of Alaska Annual Convention with our sister chapters in Anchorage, Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula. Each Local League hosted an in-person location and there was a Zoom option. The Saturday meeting was a full agenda with information provided by LWVUS president, Diana Wynn and member of the LWVUS nominating committee, Jen McKenzie. Following LWVUS, we had video messages from our Congressional delegation. A very enlightening presentation on civics education by Fairbanks' Kids Voting North Amy Gallaway and Fawn Jelinek was a big hit. Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel gave a comprehensive overview of the state of our state. Next we were treated to a panel discussion on the decline of local journalism moderated by Lori Townsend with panelists Dermot Cole, Andrew Kitchenman, Larry Persily and Sage Smiley. We ended the day with brief reports on activities from each of the local Leagues.
Sunday was all online and all business. We adopted a program for the upcoming year and associated budget. We adopted amendments to the bylaws mainly dealing with the changes to membership/dues collection. We voted to retain all the current twenty LWV of Alaska positions and recommended areas of emphasis. Finally we elected the new leadership and Board members.
LWVTV Testifies in Support of FNSB Ordinance 2025-09
April 24, 2025
FNSB Mona Lisa Drexler Assemby Chambers
The LWVTV Board voted to support FNSB Ordinance 2025-09 introduced by Assembly member David Guttenberg on April 10, 2025. The ordinance would amend FNSBC 5.32.020, Canvass of Returns, to require a manual verification audit. Member Diane Lyon read LWVTV support of the ordinance into the record. A number of LWVTV members attended in person and online. About 35 residents testified with about 2/3 in support. The ordinance passed by a vote of 5-4.
Coffee, Tea, and History with H.W. Brands
March 21, 2025
Noel Wien Public Library
Noted historian H. W. Brands was our guest at a social hour. It was an opportunity for him to meet some local people in a more informal setting than a lecture hall.
He is a professor of American history at the University of Texas-Austin. He was visiting Anchorage and Fairbanks as part of the Critical Issues lecture series sponsored by the Alaska Historical Society (AHS).
In its second year, the AHS series, which was cosponsored by the LWV of Alaska last year, focuses on what history has to tell us about current public policy issues.
Federal Judiciary National Study
March 19, 2025 - In-Person Consensus Meeting
March 29, 2025 - Online Consensus Meeting
At the 2024 LWVUS National Convention, the delegates voted to support a national study on the federal judiciary with the goal of proposing a new LWVUS position that we can all use. The study recommendation was in response state and local requests. LWVTV was one of the local Leagues that advocated for this study. As part of the study, all Leagues were encouraged to do their own study and respond to a study survey for. Input gathered from across the country is used to guide the development of the proposed position. LWVTV members Bernardo Hernandez, Janna Miller, Sue Sherif and Shari George led the local discussion with much, active input from our members. Sue Sherif took on the task of filling out the LWVUS Consensus Survey. The snazzy poster was created by Board member Jessica King.
To learn more about the study, click here.
LWVTV Setting Up for NEW Membership System
LWV of the United States launches a new membership system at the beginning of February 2025.
A new membership system (e.g., joining, paying dues, renewing) debuted in early February. This is a fundamental change from how dues have been collected in the past. Features include a sliding dues schedule, and online payment system, joining at anytime, automated receipts including charitable donations if applicable, selecting your local league and more. Members may also pay by check although online payment is encouraged. All local and state Leagues had a lot of behind-the-scenes work to do to make it work. Many Board members were actively involved in making this transition. There may be some growing pains this first year as LWVUS responds to implementation issues.
Program Planning for 2025
January 23, 2025
Using Zoom
Although we'd planned a hybrid meeting with members gathering in-person at the IBEW multi-purpose room and other members joining using Zoom, the crazy rainy weather made it too dangerous to drive so we all met via Zoom.
We proposed recommendations for the LWV of the United States and the LWV of Alaska. We discussed priorities and the League's positions at the national, state and local levels. We also talked about the key activities that the local League should take on over the coming year. A survey was sent to all local members to gather more information.
Election Recovery Party
December 9, 2024
Fairbanks Distilling Company
Following the work that swirls around a major election, LWVTV invited all members to wind down, have fun and enjoy camaraderie in downtown Fairbanks. We had a full house with food provided by the League, a no-host bar and door prizes. It was great to see long-term members, new members and we even signed up a couple of new folks at the event.
Voter Support at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
November 5, 2024
A cherished tradition of the LWVTV offering voter support to citizens who find themselves in the hospital on Election Day was revived by member Jennifer Schmidt. A dedicated group of our members made sure that ballots were available and delivered safely to the Division of Elections.
Local Area Alaska State Senate and House Candidate Forum
October 21, 2024
Live Broadcast by KUAC FM
The LWV of Tanana Valley, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and KUAC FM hosted a candidate forum for Senate Districts P and R, and House Districts 31 -36.
Originally planned for the Noel Wien Public Library auditorium and live broadcast by KUAC FM, bad weather and terrible road conditions caused the library to be closed. LWVTV and the candidates pivoted to a radio, live broadcast only format. Girl Scout Troop 187 was scheduled to be a major collaborator with the forum but with the closure of the library their in-person participation was not possible. Questions from the Girl Scouts and Kids Voting were included during the question period.
A recording of the forum can be found here at KUAC FM 89.9.
Municipal Election Candidate Forum
September 13, 2024
FNSB Mona Lisa Drexler Assembly Chambers and live Broadcast by KUAC FM
The LWV of Tanana Valley, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and KUAC FM hosted a candidate forum for borough mayor, borough assembly, borough school district, Fairbanks City Council and North Pole mayor.
Tanana Valley State Fair
July 26 - August 4 , 2024
The Fair celebrated its 100th anniversary and the LWVTV staffed a booth in the Borealis Building for the whole, darn thing. Although our location was a little out of the way this time we had many visitors, offered voter registration, helped with address changes and polling locations, information on absentee voting, had a quiz for kids to win some jelly beans and our strawpoll opportunity for anyone who came by.
Our annual straw poll saw nearly 500 fair visitors cast a ballot. As always, we encouraged voters to cast their ballot on all three 2024 elections: the Primary on August 20, the Borough on October 1 and the General on November 5. Posters had all the important dates and information.
Golden Days Street Fair
July 20 , 2024
Downtown Fairbanks
LWVTV was there for the whole thing offering our usual voter information, voter registration, and encouraging people to vote.
There were vendors with various goods, services, and information, a variety of food trucks to satisfy every appetite, and on-stage entertainment from some of Fairbanks’ most talented music and dance groups.
LWVTV 2nd Annual Summer Picnic
July 14, 2024
Pioneer Park Square Dance Pavilion
League friends and family gathered around a hot grill to enjoy conversation and a summer day.
Mary and Ramon Galvan did all the organizing and the rest of us brought side dishes to share. Summer is a busy time but make sure to mark yor calendar for next year's fun event.
Solstice Festival
June 22, 2024
Downtown Fairbanks
We were there with lots of other people! On a gorgeous, hot summer day we staffed a booth and did our usual work of registering voters, helping them change addresses and find their polling locations. Folks asked about ranked choice voting, the upcoming elections and our forums.
Juneteenth Freedom Day
June 15, 2024
Allridge Park
LWVTV continued our support honoring Juneteenth. We staffed a booth at the celebration and offered voter registration, address updating, how ranked-choice voting works and other voter information.
On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all.
Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture to learn more.
LWV Tanana Valley
Annual Meeting
May 11, 2024
In-person at IBEW Meeting Room and Online
All League members were invited to attend the LWVTV Annual Meeting and to celebrate 104 years of our national organization and the 60th anniversary of our local chapter this year. Our annual meeting is where we look back at our past year, elect officers and board members, approve our budget, and launch into a new year of voter education and civic engagement activities. We once again started our meeting with a delicious potluck and a fascinating speaker discussing human rights issues.
Proposition A
Special Election Debate
Live Broadcast
April 30, 2024 7:00 PM
Broadcast by KUAC-FM 89.9
Re-Broadcast May 6, 2024 11:00 AM
"Shall the Fairbanks North Star Borough be authorized to increase its maximum
allowable tax revenue for areawide taxes by $10,000,000 to fund education? "
In order to educate voters about the issue and to raise awareness of this special May election, LWVTV and KUAC sponsored a live radio broadcast on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 PM on KUAC-FM 89.9 with speakers to address the Yes and No positions. The program was re-broadcast on the day before the election, Monday, May 6.
A Community Conversation on Voting by Mail
April 26, 2024
Murie Auditorium and Broadcast by KUAC-FM 89.9
To explore whether voting by mail in local elections might increase and broaden voter participation, two knowledgeable guests from Anchorage, Jamie Heinz, Anchorage Municipal Clerk, and Joyce Anderson, LWV Anchorage board member and former member of the Anchorage Elections Commission, shared information from Anchorage's experience with their elections by mail. April Trickey, Clerk of the FNSB, and Dani Snyder, City Clerk of the City of Fairbanks participated and provided local perspective. The panel was moderated by Jeremy Johnson, CEO of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and past Supervisor of the Region III Elections Office in Fairbanks.
LWV of Alaska Annual Meeting
April 27, 2024 at IBEW & on Zoom
April 28, 2024 using Zoom
The State League Convention was held on Saturday, April 27, and the business meeting on Sunday, April 28.
Once again, Saturday was a hybrid convention with delegates, members and guests meeting in person at locations in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Soldotna, Homer and Juneau while other members attended via Zoom. We had speakers, presentations, and a democracy café discussion. Speakers were Leah Edwards (our Liaison to LWV of the United States), Carol Beecher (Dir., AK Div. of Elections), Bruce Bothelo (campaign finance reform), Fran Ulmer (former Lt. Gov of AK), Juli Lucky (Exec. Dir., Alaskans for Better Elections), and Anchorage Youth Vote.
On Sunday, we conducted the business portion of the Convention via Zoom only. LWVTV Delegates were Jean James, Helenmarie Matesi and Joan Soutar.
Program Planning for 2024 - 2025
January 20, 2024 at IBEW & on Zoom
April 16, 2024 using Zoom
LWVTV members gathered in January to discuss League guidance and goals and to make recommendation to the LWV of the United States and LWV of Alaska on League positions and priorities for the coming year. Our recommendations are then passed onto the LWVUS to be used to set national priorities and studies at the National Convention in June and to the LWV of Alaska for consideration and presentation at the LWV of Alaska Convention at the end of April.
In April, local members met online to talk about our goals, local positions, potential studies, and to prioritize activities. The results will be presented to the local membership at our Annual Meeting in May.
Book Group
August 2024 - July 2025
2024
- AUG - No Meeting
- SEPT - The Life and Times of Hannah Crafts, by Gregg Hecimovich
- OCT - The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams
- NOV - Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry That Radicalized America, by Ryan Busse
- DEC - No Meeting
2025
- JAN - The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet, by Jeff Goodell
- FEB - The Adventure of English: A Biography of a Language, by Melvyn Bragg
- MAR - any book about Eleanor Roosevelt (reader's choice)
- APR -We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unhearlded Story of Native Americans and Comedy, by Kliph Nesteroff
- May - Poverty, by America, by Matthew Desmond
- JUNE - Select Books
- JULY - The Undocumented Americans, by Karla Comejo Villacencio
Cans, Bans & Fans (of the LWV)
November 11, 2023 1:00 - 3:00 PM
IBEW @ 2000 Airport Way
Members and friends gathered at the IBEW multipurpose room for great food, conversation, and a banned book quiz and trivia fun. Fall decorations, a baked potato bar with fixings, and a host of potluck appetizers, salads, and desserts made for a special afternoon with our friends and fans of League. Special thanks to Phyllis Darrah and Diane Lyon for all the prep work, gathering books, activities, and organization.
KUAC Fall Fundraiser Phone Bank
October 22, 2023
LWVTV has a close connection with KUAC as we sponsor the broadcast of the Borough Assembly meetings and they cosponsor our candidate forums and some of our Hot Topic events. We had a full house of volunteers for the Fall Fundraiser event. It was a fun and easy way to spend a couple of hours with other League members for a good cause.
Citizenship Celebration
October 20, 2023
LWVTV has a long-standing tradition of signing up newly naturalized U.S. citizens. For years we did this at the official national Immigration Service ceremony in Fairbanks.
Beginning with the pandemic and with continued federal budget constraints, the Immigration Service no longer conducts naturalization ceremonies in Fairbanks.
To fill the gap for the last three years, the Literacy Council has scheduled a citizenship celebration for newly naturalized Fairbanks residents. These are smaller but no less meaningful occasions. The Literacy Council invites us each year to offer the new citizens an opportunity to register to vote,
MUNICIPAL CANDIDATE FORUM
FNSB Assembly / FNSB School Board
Friday, SEPT. 22 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
In-person at FNSB Assembly Chambers.
Broadcast live on KUAC-FM 89.9
CLICK HERE to listen to a RECORDING of the FORUM.
Brought to you by the League of Women Voters of Tanana Valley, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and KUAC-FM 89.9. Thanks to the FNSB for room and technical support.
LWVTV Registers Young Voters at West Valley HS
September 21, 2023
Several LWVTV members were on hand at West Valley High School on the day that students held their candidate forum featuring FNSB School District School Board candidates. This is a nice opportunity to meet young people who are dipping their toes into civic engagement and support Vote Local.
LWVTV Helps with FEA and ESSA Tallies
August 31 & September 9, 2023
LWVTV members supported the Fairbanks Education Association and the Education Support Staff Association with their recent contract ratification tallies. Members were on hand to count ballots and provide nonpartisan support for the Associations' votes.
LWVTV On-Hand to Register Voters at Teacher Professional Development Days
Aug. 11 & Sept. 1, 2023
New registrations, changing addresses, upcoming election day information, Division of Elections info - LWVTV members provided current and new educators with what they need to keep voting.
Book Group
August 2023 - July 2024
2023
- AUG - No Meeting
- SEPT - The Train to Chrystal City by Jan Jarboe Russell
- OCT - Profiles in Ignorance: How American Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber by Andy Borowitz
- NOV - The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway
- DEC - No Meeting
2024
- JAN - The Women They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
- FEB - Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Meyer
- MAR - Eisenhower: The White House Years by Jim Newton
- APR - Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann
- JUNE - Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling AND Let American Be America Again by Langston Hughes and Select Books
- JULY - Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
First Summer Social
Sunday, July 23, 1:00 - 4:00 PM 2023
The grill was hot, the side dishes were delicious, the weather was great, and there were no mosquitoes. About a third of our membership showed up to socialize and just have fun. It was great!! Thanks to Mary and Ramon Galvan for spearheading this event. If you missed it this year, don't miss it next year. We even got a new member!
GOLDEN DAYS STREET FAIR
JULY 15, 2023
A Fairbanks tradition since 1952, we jumped in to host an informational tent with all-things-voting. We want to support our community and showcase the League's nonpartisan support of our democracy at all levels. LWVTV volunteers staffed the tent from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and shared information all day.
MIDNIGHT SUN FESTIVAL
June 22, 2023
Downtown Fairbanks
About 30,000 folks enjoy the Midnight Sun Festival and LWVTV was there, too. It was our first time hosting a tent at this event and we got a lot of traffic with our info on registering to vote, help changing addresses, how ranked choice voting works and dates on upcoming elections.
Juneteenth Freedom Day
Saturday, June 17, 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Allridge Park
A gorgeous day celebrating Juneteenth. Members Shari George, Bernardo Hernandez, Ellen Mannion and Linda Witt were there enjoying the community support, music, food and fun. We talked to participants, registered voters and provided information on running for office and voting in Alaska.
LWVTV Annual Meeting
May 20, 2023
We held our Annual Meeting at the IBEW Meeting Room and on Zoom. We reviewed our local positions, updated bylaws, set priorities for the coming year, adopted a budget and elected officers for the new year. We were also treated to a fascinating and humerous presentation by James Brooks of the Alaska Beacon.
LWVAK Annual Convention
April 22-23, 2023
The Convention was held in-person at sites in each local area and online. We heard from Dr. Turner (LWVUS), Leah Edwards (AK's liaison to LWVUS), Anton McParland (Mary Pertola staff member), and Sen. Murkowski. We hosted a panel on overcoming obstacles for voting in Alaska.
During the business sessions, the group retained all current Alaska positions, but voted to revise/update campaign finance, election processes and energy.
We adopted a state study on civics education and endorsed a study on gun safety. LWVAK's emphasis areas are: election policy and procedures, ranked choice voting, reproductive rights, gun safety and judicial selection and retention.
We updated bylaws, adopted per member payment and the proposed 2023-24 budget. Officers for the coming year were elected.
Hot Topics Forum: Mining in Our Backyard
March 3, 2023
Schaible Aud. UAF and broadcast live by KUAC-FM 89.9
Fairbanks has long been a mining center of the Interior from the days of the original gold panners to our large-scale modern, mechanized operations. What is the impact of mining on our local economy and our daily lives? Join us for a discussion of the role of modern mining exploration and operations in our borough.
Speakers included representatives from the Alaska Mining Association, the Institute of Social and Economic Research, UAA, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Department, Save Our Domes, and Advocates for Safe Alaska Highways.
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Tanana Valley, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and KUAC-FM.
2023 LWV Program Planning and Annual Meetings
LWVTV Program Planning
January 13 & February 8, 2023
Program Planning recommendations to the LWV of Alaska for 2023 - 24 were decided during the January gathering and forwarded to the LWVAK. In February we focused on priorities for the Tanana Valley local League that would be discussed and voted on at the LWVTV Annual Meeting in May.