April Events Roundup
In April, LWVSP organized two events and tabled at the 2026 Goodman Lecture at St. Catherine’s University. The latter event, which took place on April 8, was an interfaith panel on religious nationalism, a salient issue at a time of U.S. involvement in armed conflict in the Middle East. The League’s Voter Service Committee staffed a public table in the lobby as part of our community outreach efforts. Many Goodman Lecture attendees stopped by our table to chat and pick up information materials. “Our table display was a success with much visibility and traffic,” said LWVSP member Molly Flowers. “Our literature piles were almost entirely diminished. Lots of questions from a variety of attendees. We felt very welcomed and appreciated.” The League hopes to have a presence at next year’s Goodman Lecture.
LWVSP members Pamela Mercier, Barbara Burleigh, and Molly Flowers pose for a photo while Voter Service Co-Chair Chris Schneiders speaks with an event attendee.
On April 11, LWVSP’s Membership Committee hosted an orientation event to connect new and veteran members, as well as to help new members decide how they want to be involved with the League. In an effort to encourage socializing among members, the event was card game-themed, with participants enjoying cribbage, UNO, and hearts. This “coffee-cards-and-committees” event went well, drawing 19 attendees made up of 13 newer members and 6 board members and/or committee chairs. New members received an overview of League’s mission, activities, and history, as well as LWVSP’s committee structure. Committee chairs could then follow up with interested members.
“Coffee, Cards, and Committees” participants posing with their pocket U.S. constitutions.
On April 19, LWVSP hosted its April Learn with the League event on Zoom, called “Trash Talk: Garbage and Recycling in St. Paul.” Our featured speakers were Trista Martinson, Executive Director of Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy and Katie Drews, Co-President and CEO of Eureka. Participants learned what happens to their trash and recycling after it is picked up every week, including where it goes, how it’s sorted, and how resource recovery efforts help keep waste of out landfills. Both speakers spoke about the long-term goal of a zero-waste society. The speakers also discussed the new organics recycling/composting program soon to debut across Ramsey County. Event participants were also able to ask about which items are recyclable, which are not, and which need to be disposed of in special ways. The event was recorded and you can view it here.
Screenshot from Trash Talk: Garbage & Recycling in St. Paul, held on April 19 on Zoom.