LWVPRA Invites you to "Media Literacy in the Modern World" at our 25-Year Celebration

Celebrating 25 Years of Citizen Power in Park Rapids! You're Invited!

 
Get ready to celebrate a major milestone with us! The League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area (LWVPRA) is thrilled to announce our 25th anniversary of dedicated service to the Hubbard County community. For a quarter of a century, we've been empowering voters and championing civic engagement in our corner of Minnesota.

Rewind to January 4th, 2000: a group of 21 passionate individuals gathered with a shared vision – to bring the League of Women Voters back to life in Park Rapids. While a vibrant chapter had previously flourished in the 1930s and 40s, it eventually faded. These 21 dedicated folks reignited that spark, laying the foundation for the organization we are today.

Join the Celebration on June 25th!
We're throwing a party to mark this special occasion, and we'd love for you to be there! Join us on Wednesday, June 25th, at the Northwoods Bank Community Room for an evening of connection, celebration, and insightful discussion.
    •    5:30 PM: Social Hour & Refreshments: Come early to mingle with your neighbors, enjoy sandwiches and some cake! It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow community members.
    •    6:00 PM: Honoring Our Roots: We'll take a moment to recognize and appreciate the 21 individuals whose vision and dedication brought the LWV back to Park Rapids in 2000.
    •    6:15 PM: Engaging Program - Media Literacy in the Modern World: In line with our core mission of voter education, we're excited to welcome Sabrina Halvorson, an award-winning journalist and CEO of the North Dakota News Cooperative. With over 30 years of experience in radio, TV, and print, and a deep understanding of agricultural and rural policy, Sabrina will lead a crucial discussion on Media Literacy in the Modern World. Learn practical strategies to navigate today's complex information landscape, spot misinformation, recognize bias, and identify reliable sources. This is a must-attend for anyone wanting to be a more informed news consumer!
    •    Following Sabrina: We'll also hear from Shannon Geisen, the editor of our very own Park Rapids Enterprise. In an era where local newspapers are facing challenges, Shannon will share insights into how her team works tirelessly to cover the news that matters to Hubbard County.

Why This Matters to You:
Understanding the media landscape and supporting local journalism are vital for an informed and engaged community. This event offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills and connect with individuals dedicated to keeping our community strong.

Who We Are:
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that believes in the power of every citizen to shape democracy. We are entirely volunteer-run and never support or oppose political candidates or parties. Instead, we focus on critical issues that impact our community, our state, and our nation.

Get Involved!
Want to learn more about the League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area? Have questions about our activities or upcoming events? Ready to become a member and make a difference?
    •    Email us: lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org
    •    Join Online: Scan the QR code below for easy online membership!

    •    Stay Updated: Follow our activities and events on our website:  lwvparkrapidsarea.blogspot.com

We can't wait to celebrate with you on June 25th! Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of community, learning, and reflection on 25 years of empowering voters in Park Rapids.

LWVMN 2024 IMPACT - THANKS TO YOU!

Leagues across Minnesota showed up in a big way in 2024! Together, we:

•  Hosted 1,339 activities statewide
•  Registered 14,700 voters
• Contributed 38,700 volunteer hours
• Engaged 1,915 League volunteers
• Generated $1.4 million in volunteer value

This incredible impact reflects our shared commitment to strengthening democracy across Minnesota. Every activity, every hour, every voter—it all matters.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we prepare for a pivotal election year in 2026, the work we do in 2025 will set the stage. From registering voters and hosting candidate forums to advocating for fair elections and educating communities about voting rights, there are countless ways for new members to get involved. Let’s grow our reach and build even more power in communities across the state.

👉Invite a friend to join the League and be part of this vital work. With over 2,500 members across Minnesota, we’re a powerful, growing network—together, we’ll keep making a difference.

Join League

Information provided by LWV Minnesota. 

Contact your legislators

 Keep big money out of politics.

Recap of SWCD Program presented on April 30, 2025

Watch the Program by clicking on this link

As this is a non election year for LWVPRA, we are shining a light on the often-under-appreciated races found on the back of your ballot.! While the front typically has the high-profile contests, the reverse side includes crucial elections for judges, township officials, and your Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Supervisors.

To help us understand the importance of these local conservation leaders, this afternoon’s panel will provide valuable insights into the SWCD and its impact on the residents of Hubbard County.
Our panel will speak for about 15 minutes each and then we will have time for audience questions.

Our speakers:
Heidi Anderson-Thomas was elected in 2021 to represent District 3 on the Hubbard County SWCD Board.  She has served as the Board Chair since 2023."

Megan FitzGerald, is the Community Engagement and Grant Reporting Coordinator for Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)  Hubbard County.  She has a background in both social and environmental sciences.”

Tarah Young is U of M  Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems person for Hubbard County.   She recently completed her M.S. in Applied Plant Science at the University of Minnesota. She grew up on a small Hereford cattle farm in Buffalo, MN, and works on topics such as gardening, soil health, crop and livestock production, woodland management, and shorelands.
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Make Your Mark on Conservation: Don't Overlook Your Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisors

 

This off-election year, the League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area (LWVPRA) is shining a light on the often-under-appreciated races found on the back of your ballot. Remember the last general election? That 8.5 by 11-inch ballot was packed with choices on both sides! While the front typically showcases high-profile contests, the reverse side includes crucial elections for judges, township officials, and your Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Supervisors.

Many voters wonder if they need to vote in every single race. The answer is no – you can skip any race and your ballot will still be counted. However, these "down-ballot" races, especially the election of SWCD Supervisors, play a vital role in our community and deserve your informed vote.

To help you understand the importance of these local conservation leaders, LWVPRA is hosting a series of public programs focusing on the "back of the ballot." Our first event will feature the Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Join Us to Learn About Your SWCD:

• Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 
• Time: 4:00 PM 
• Location: Northwoods Bank Community Room

This informative session will provide valuable insights into the SWCD and its impact on the residents of Hubbard County. You'll learn about:

• The Background of the SWCD: Discover its history and mission. 
• Essential Services: Understand the crucial services the SWCD provides to our community. 
• Funding Sources: Learn how the SWCD is funded. 
• Why Elected? Gain insight into why these important supervisors are elected by you, the voters, rather than being appointed. 

We are pleased to announce our confirmed speakers:

• Heidi Anderson-Thomas: Chair of the Hubbard County SWCD Board of Directors  
• Megan FitzGerald: Community Engagement & Grant Reporting Coordinator for the Hubbard County SWCD

Don't miss this opportunity to become a more informed voter and understand how these locally elected officials directly impact the conservation and sustainability of our natural resources.

For any questions about LWVPRA activities, upcoming events, or how to become a member, please contact us via email at lwvparkrapids@lwvmn.org. Stay up-to-date on our initiatives by following this website: 

As a bonus the SWCD will collect water samples for Nitrate Testing 

Follow these directions for bringing your water sample for testing.
    Hubbard County SWCD offers a Free Nitrate Testing Clinic the first Friday of every month at their office at 603 Central Ave. No. #100. Bring a half cup of tap water in a clean DISPOSABLE container after running your tap for 5 minutes. Samples should be taken on the morning of testing. You can print a form from the Home Page and complete it before dropping it off, or complete a form provided at the front desk. If you prefer not to wait, staff can email results after testing. Call 218-732-0121 Ext. 4 or email info@hubbardswcd.org if you have any questions. Please note: This is not a certified lab test.

 

 

Can a President Do That ?

 This was a very informative program: Click on the link below to view the video recording.

Understanding Executive Power and State Protections

 
Recorded Tuesday, February 25
Many of us are wondering: Can the President do that? What actions can the President take without Congress? Can executive orders override the U.S. Constitution? And most importantly, how do Minnesota’s state and local laws protect our civil rights, voting rights, and environment from federal overreach?

University of Minnesota Law School Professor Alan Rozenshtein will break down how our federalist system balances power and how we can use state and local authority to safeguard an inclusive democracy.  Michelle Witte, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Minnesota, will moderate our discussion and also share specific ideas for action that we can all take to support our democratic institutions and protect vulnerable populations in our local communities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how we can navigate and defend our rights in an evolving political landscape!


https://youtu.be/gpFII_F2stk?si=Q8Ki-mu6FVDoYqu-