ESCOM (Emeritus Students College of Marin) presents State Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who will speak about new laws set to take effect this year, providing insights into how these legislative changes will impact the region and the state. RSVP here to receive ZOOM link.

The League will be hosting a poster making and button making event for upcoming protests and for League promotion. All are welcome and there will be light refreshments provided.

Marin City will be hosting its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, from 11am to 3:30 pm.

More details will be available closer to the event

The celebration will have music, food, spoken word, youth presentations, songs of inspiration, speakers and fellowship.

Source:: https://equity.marincounty.org/events/marin-citys-annual-celebration-honoring-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr

The LWVMC Education & Libraries Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month.

The meeting is hybrid: In person at the League Office (address above) and on Zoom

Questions? Contact: Education@marinlwv.org

The LWVMC Communications & Technology Committee meets on the third Friday of each month.

The meeting is hybrid: In person at our League’s office (address above) and on Zoom.

Questions? Contact: communications@marinlwv.org.

Zoom meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87043142077

Presents: Human Trafficking in Marin County 

Hidden in Plain Sight

Date:     Thursday, January 15, 2026

Time:     Check-in 1:00pm - 1:30pm, Program from 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Where:  Marin Rod & Gun Club, 2675 Francisco Blvd East, San Rafael 94901
Cost:     Free - Underwritten by Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking

 Program Description

Human trafficking is often thought of as a distant problem, but it is a serious issue here in Marin County and across the Bay Area. Trafficking involves the exploitation of vulnerable people—most often women and children—for forced labor or commercial sex. It thrives in secrecy, making awareness and education essential for prevention and intervention.

Our program will feature local experts and advocates who are working on the front lines to identify victims, support survivors, and hold traffickers accountable. Attendees will  learn about resources available in Marin for victims and families, and how to support organizations dedicated to ending this exploitation.

Panelists:

Lori E. Frugoli is the elected Marin County District Attorney and a lifelong member of the Marin community. Her career in public service began early, serving as a police cadet, reserve officer, and later as a full-time police officer in Santa Rosa, where she worked in investigations, undercover assignments, and crisis response. She joined the Marin County District Attorney’s Office in 1990 and has prosecuted a wide range of cases, including domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and gang-related crimes. As District Attorney, she is committed to strengthening public safety through collaboration, increasing community understanding of the justice system, and ensuring fair and effective administration of justice.

Elizabeth Quiroz is the co-founder of Redemption House of the Bay Area, a survivor-led nonprofit supporting women impacted by human trafficking. Drawing on her own lived experience, she is a nationally recognized advocate, author, and social worker dedicated to healing, education, and empowerment. Elizabeth’s work focuses on outreach, peer support, and helping survivors build pathways to safety, recovery, and self-sufficiency

Lisa Diaz-McQuaid is a survivor, advocate, and co-founder of Redemption House of the Bay Area, a Sonoma County-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of human trafficking. Born and raised in Santa Rosa, California, Lisa brings lived experience of trauma, addiction, and recovery to her work in survivor support, mentoring, and community education. She has contributed to published works on surviving human trafficking and works as a human trafficking case worker in Sonoma County. Through her leadership, Redemption House provides outreach, support, and pathways to healing for women affected by exploitation and trauma, helping them reclaim purpose and build resilient futures.

The LWVMC Education & Libraries Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month.

The meeting is hybrid: In person at the League Office (address above) and on Zoom

Questions? Contact: Education@marinlwv.org

The LWVMC Board meets monthly to review and discuss decisions related to the organization's policy, program, and administration. The Board oversees the League's activities, including financial matters, advocacy efforts, voter service initiatives, and program planning. They also address membership updates and other business as needed.

All League members are welcome to attend any Board Meeting.

If you have any questions or are interested in attending the meeting, then call 415-507-0824 (League Office) or send an email to lwvmc@marinlwv.org 

The Transportation Land Use Housing (TLUH) Committee is meeting today on Zoom at 10am — link to join the meeting will be posted below soon.

Send questions to TLUH@marinlwv.org

Collaboration – Affordable Housing project update in Marin County

More details to come as we get closer.

The Justice Committee meets on the second Thursday of every month. The meetings are open to anyone with an interest in immigration, criminal justice reform, gun safety, human trafficking, and human rights. Contact justice@marinlwv.org for more information. Join the meeting on Zoom here.

The Executive Committee meets monthly to review the next Board Meeting agenda and any League items needing immediate attention.

The Executive Committee consists of all League Board officers and one (or two) additional director who is nominated by the president and elected by the Board.

Questions? Call our office 415-507-0824 or send an email to lwvmc@marinlwv.org

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS!

Thursday, December 18th

4:30 – 6:30pm

 Join Marin LWV members and friends for a cocktail/mocktail to toast the holidays at Il Fornaio Restaurant at the Corte Madera Town Center Mall. Easy access from the 101, plenty of parking. This is a no-host event.

No RSVP necessary. but if you want to let us know you will be there, then send an email to Membership@MarinLWV.org.

On Friday, December 12, please join us for a Special Holiday Season Field Trip on the Smart Train to Santa Rosa

We will enjoy a buffet lunch at Chevy's and be joined by guest speaker:

Eddy Cumins, SMART's General Manager

Time: 12Noon - 2PM

Cost: $36

(Taco Buffet, Dessert, and Beverage)

Register here for the lunch.

Event attendees are encouraged to ride the train to and from Santa Rosa with other LWVMC members

Arrive early or stay late to enjoy the shops and stores in Santa Rosa's Historic Railroad District

Recommended Train Time Schedule:

 #16 route departs Larkspur at 10:56AM — Arrives Santa Rosa Downtown 12:01PM

(One Block from the Train Station)

#27 route departs Santa Rosa Downtown at 2:32PM — Arrives Larkspur 3:40PM

Fare 65 Years and Older: Free

Under 65: $3.00 to $6.00 one way (Depends on where you get on and off)

Please refer to schedule for your closest stop

          https://www.sonomamarintrain.org/schedules-fares

Guest Speaker: Eddy Cumins

SMART’s General Manager will provlde us with an update on SMART’s operation and how successful the Train System has had in the last several years with passenger growth. He will also share with us SMART’s status of plans for expanding the System to Healdsbug and Cloverdale. Finally, he will provide us with a status report on SMART’s sales tax renewal.

Eddy Cumins Bio:

Eddy Cumins currently serves as General Manager ofthe Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), bringing a strong background in rail and transit operations. He began his role at SMART in November 2021.

An advocate for multimodal transportation, Cumins has emphasized the importance of first- and last-mile connectivity, walking and biking links to rail stations, and positioning SMART not just as a rail operator but as a community partner in the Sonoma and Marin counties region,

Prior to joining SMART, Cumins held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), where he oversaw operations including commuter rail, light rail, fixed-route bus service, vanpools, and more, covering a service area of over l,400 square miles and some 2.3 million residents.

Before his transit career, he served over 20 years in the United States Air Force in vehicle management and leadership roles across assignments in California, Alaska, Portugal, Utah, and Japan.

Eddy holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Development from Southwestem College.

Statement of Vote for the November 4, 2025 Special Election certified by the Secretary of State.

Learn more HERE

The Justice Committee meets on the second Thursday of every month. The meetings are open to anyone with an interest in immigration, criminal justice reform, gun safety, human trafficking, and human rights. Contact justice@marinlwv.org for more information. Join the meeting on Zoom here.

Please join the Education and Library Committee for a one-night screening of “The Librarians” addressing censorship and book bans in libraries across the country.

Librarians have emerged as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities.

The evening includes the screening and conversation with the Director/Producer Kim A. Snyder.

Tickets are available at here.

Contact Sue Ream if you have any questions.

The LWVMC Board meets monthly to review and discuss decisions related to the organization's policy, program, and administration. The Board oversees the League's activities, including financial matters, advocacy efforts, voter service initiatives, and program planning. They also address membership updates and other business as needed.

All League members are welcome to attend any Board Meeting.

If you have any questions or are interested in attending the meeting, then call 415-507-0824 (League Office) or send an email to lwvmc@marinlwv.org 

The LWVMC Voter Service Team Leaders meet monthly with the Voter Service Committee Chair to discuss the past months activities and to plan for future activities.

The monthly meeting is scheduled for the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Questions? Send an email to voterservice@marinlwv.org

Come enjoy some social time with housing and transportation enthusiasts in our League, and invite a friend too. From 4 to 5:30pm we will hang out and mix/mingle to get to know each-other face to face (no host).

We still meet on Zoom monthly (second Tuesday 10am to noon) but in December we will enjoy a holiday break. In 2026 we will return to following the 3 Ps – production, preservation and protection – of housing including the demolition and Phase 2025 residential and commercial building at Northgate Mall (demolishing coming soon) and the Fireman’s Fund residential development in Novato (currently being demolished). Together these two projects will add over 3,000 units of housing to Marin County.

If you have any questions, please contact Regina Bianucci Rus reginabrus@gmail.com

The Executive Committee meets monthly to review the next Board Meeting agenda and any League items needing immediate attention.

The Executive Committee consists of all League Board officers and one (or two) additional director who is nominated by the president and elected by the Board.

Questions? Call our office 415-507-0824 or send an email to lwvmc@marinlwv.org

The Registrar of Voters will certify the election on December 2 in accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 280 that was passed this year. 

Learn more at MarinVotes.org

The LWVMC Communications & Technology Committee meets on the third Friday of each month.

The meeting is hybrid: In person at our League’s office (address above) and on Zoom.

Questions? Contact: communications@marinlwv.org.

The LWVMC Education & Libraries Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month.

The meeting is hybrid: In person at the League Office (address above) and on Zoom

Questions? Contact: Education@marinlwv.org

The LWVMC Education & Libraries Committee meets on the third Thursday of each month.

The meeting is hybrid: In person at the League Office (address above) and on Zoom

Questions? Contact: Education@marinlwv.org

The Transportation Land Use Housing (TLUH) Committee is meeting today on Zoom at 10am — link to join the meeting will be posted below soon.

Send questions to TLUH@marinlwv.org

Collaboration – Affordable Housing project update in Marin County

After election day, officials conduct a hand count of one percent (1%) of all the ballots counted. The purpose of the hand count is to confirm that the machine count is accurate. All races in the election must be included in the hand count. Marin County also hand counts ballots from each machine used in the election. A public notice of the date and time is posted at least five days before the hand count.

Learn more HERE