Sunday, May 25, 2025

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.

Monday, May 12, 2025

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. 

Friday, May 9, 2025

Contact your legislators

 Keep big money out of politics.


Thursday, May 1, 2025

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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