Recent Events

Civics Outreach Events Bring the Community Together

In September, the League of Women Voters of Northeastern North Carolina (LWVNENC) brought civics to life with two special outreach events—one in Elizabeth City and one in Hertford.

Over the course of four sessions, community members enjoyed Civics Trivia, door prizes, and even gift cards from a local business for those who completed the entire series. To keep everyone fueled, we also served sandwiches, water, and candy—a small touch that participants always appreciated.

Our lineup of guest speakers included a diverse range of local leaders, including city and county officials, the Board of Elections, the Chamber of Commerce, the county school superintendent, a School Board member, a Superior Court Judge, and the county Sheriff and Chief of Police.

Each session drew an average of 15–30 attendees, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Participants shared how much they enjoyed the events and how important it is for all of us to understand the role local government plays in our everyday lives.

Board of Directors Retreat

LWVNENC held our annual Board of Directors Retreat on 7/26/25. We had 20 members attend, plus 4 guests. Thank you to everyone who attended, shared valuable feedback, and volunteered to support various efforts as we prepare for the year ahead. The agenda and draft minutes are provided below.

Annual Meeting

LWVNENC’s Annual Meeting was held on June 26, with the Board Directors providing a potluck dinner for the approximately 35 people in attendance. Our speaker was Heidi French, NENC Alliance for Change, who talked about the outreach efforts of her nonpartisan organization in Currituck County. Discussion included how we can partner with NENC Alliance for Change on our outreach efforts. LWVNENC members approved the budget for 2025-2026, installed Directors and Officers, discussed changes to our bylaws based on the new membership system, and agreed on the issues for emphasis in our program for 2025-26. We also reviewed all our events/outreach in 2024-25 and how to make improvements for the upcoming year.

Elizabeth City Juneteenth Festival

On June 14, LWVNENC participated in the Elizabeth City Juneteenth Festival. Our booth featured voter outreach and voter registration, with our Trivia Wheel drawing adults and children to spin and answer questions from the U.S. Citizenship Exam. Lots of candy, League wristbands, League fans, and voter information were given to those who stopped by. We had 10 LWVNENC members who volunteered their time and wore our new LWVNENC visors to identify who we were and the importance of voting.

Trailblazers for Democracy in Northeastern NC

Our League was featured in this month’s LWVNC’s Newsletter. See what they have to say:

“The League of Women Voters of Northeastern North Carolina was recently honored for its outstanding community impact. On May 2, President Sue Engelhardt and the entire League were recognized at the Elizabeth City–Pasquotank County 2025 Witherspoon-Harris Annual Banquet. Sue received the individual Trailblazer Award for her dedication to promoting the community and making a meaningful difference in the lives of its residents. LWVNENC was also presented with the group Trailblazer Award, acknowledging the organization’s commitment to empowering citizens and improving civic life across the region.

Continuing their outreach, LWVNENC hosted a vibrant booth at the Elizabeth City Potato Festival on May 17-18. The booth featured voter registration and education, with a popular Trivia Wheel inviting adults and children alike to test their knowledge with questions from the U.S. Citizenship Exam. Festival-goers received candy, League-branded wristbands and fans, and helpful voter information.

Twenty LWVNENC members volunteered at the booth, proudly wearing their new LWVNENC visors to raise visibility and highlight the importance of voting. The festival offered a dynamic opportunity to engage the public and advance the League’s mission of informed and active participation in democracy.”

LWVNENC at the Elizabeth City Potato Festival

On May 17–18, LWVNENC hosted a booth at the Elizabeth City Potato Festival to connect with the community and promote voting. Visitors of all ages enjoyed spinning our Trivia Wheel to answer questions from the U.S. Citizenship Exam. We handed out candy, League wristbands, fans, and helpful voter information.

A big THANK YOU to the 20 LWVNENC members who volunteered and proudly wore our new visors to highlight the importance of voting!

We’re Honored to Be Trailblazers!

We’re proud to share that Sue Engelhardt and the League of Women Voters Northeastern North Carolina were recognized with the Trailblazer Award for making a meaningful impact in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County.

This award recognizes and celebrates those who have made extraordinary community impacts and contributions.

Take a look at some highlights from the event below!