Community Outreach Activities 2002

Rotary Club 13

On October 24, Connie Schmidt was the featured speaker at the Rotary Club 13 meeting. Representatives from all metro counties were in attendance. Mrs. Schmidt highlighted the Help America Vote Act of 2002 - Election Reform and the impact throughout the country. Guests were encouraged to volunteer as election workers and to be an active participant in the democratic process.

League of Women Voters

Connie Schmidt was the guest speaker on October 5 at the League of Women Voters meeting in Overland Park. The presentation emphasized the responsibilities, importance and recruitment of election workers for Elections 2002.

Senior Quest

October 3 marked the annual Senior Quest event at the Shawnee Civic Centre. Visitors to the event participated in a mock election on the touch screen voting machines and received election related information.

Navy League Council of Greater Kansas City

On September 20, Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt was the guest speaker at the breakfast meeting of the Navy League Council of Greater Kansas City. "Celebrating the Vote in Elections 2002" was the topic. Attendees were invited to serve as election workers in November and received informational packets.

Johnson County Senior Leadership Class

Members of the Johnson County Senior Leadership Class participated in an Elections 2002 workshop session with Connie Schmidt, Election Commissioner on September 19 at the Johnson County Administration Building. The election process was discussed as well as opportunities for participation as election workers. Election related informational packets were distributed.

Shepherd's Center of Shawnee Mission

"Mastering the New Election Machines and Other Election Processes: A Hands-on Experience" was the workshop topic presented by Connie Schmidt at the Shepherd's Center of Shawnee Mission on September 17 at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Overland Park. Attendees learned of Voting Options in Johnson County and were introduced to the new touch screen voting machines.

Northeast Johnson County Republicans

On September 9, Connie Schmidt was the guest speaker at the meeting of the Northeast Johnson County Republicans. The presentation included highlights of Election Reform and Elections 2002 in Johnson County. Attendees received early voting information, and an update on the available information on the Election Office website.

Olathe Noon Optimist Club

Members of the Olathe Noon Optimist Club welcomed Election Commissioner, Connie Schmidt, to their meeting on September 5. Mrs. Schmidt provided information about Elections 2002, election process and the importance of voting. Those in attendance received current election information to share with their families and neighbors.

Merriam Kiwanis

Connie Schmidt, Election Commissioner, was a guest speaker at Merriam Kiwanis on July 26. The presentation included Elections 2002 and the imporance of voting. Members received current election related materials and were introduced to the new voting machines. Coalition for Independence

Members of the Coalition for Independence participated in a mock election on the touch screen voting machines on July 18. Connie Schmidt explained the election process followed by a question and answer session. Election related materials were distributed.

Retired Officers Association

The Sunflower Chapter of the Retired Officers Association welcomed guest speaker, Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt to a general membership meeting on July 14. The members enjoyed a patriotic presentation about election reform and the importance of each citizen voting in all elections. The new touch screen voting machines were demonstrated with a mock election. Guests received election materials.

Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Event

Fifty attendees at the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce meeting on July 10 participated in a mock election on the touch screen voting machines. Guests received voter registration forms, advance voting information and other election related materials.

Celebrate America - Vote! Rally - July 8

This event was the first VOTE rally held in Johnson County, Kansas. It celebrates the beginning of the 2002-2003 elections. Over the next eight months, Johnson County voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot in four countywide elections. Guests included candidates, elected officials, business and organizational leadership and the general public.

The Celebration of Patriotism Foundation and the Johnson County Election Office encourage all businesses, corporations, chambers, organizations to join together in encouraging and motivating the general public to participate in the election process by registering to vote and voting in every election.

Connie Schmidt, Election Commissioner, kicked off the rally with introductions of guests. Guest speaker was Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh who serves as the Chief State Election Official of Kansas, and President of National Association of Secretaries of State. Secretary Thornburgh spoke of the privilege of voting and the responsibility of each American to cast their ballot on Election Day.

The event was sponsored by Celebration of Patriotism Foundation and Johnson County Election Office, and hosted by the Overland Park Marriott Hotel.

Santa Fe Rotary Club

One June 27, Connie Schmidt introduced the new voting machines to members of the Sante Fe Rotary Club. Election Reform and the impact on Johnson County was the topic of the presentation. Election 2002 related materials were distributed.

Guests from Republic of Belarus

Five officials from the Republic of Belarus were guests of the Johnson County Election Office on June 21. The Republic of Belarus is a new country that originally was a part of the U.S.S.R., but which received national recognition August 1991.

The visitors were invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State's International Visitor Program. Representatives of the International District Council, an affiliation of the U.S. State Department, arranged the visit to the metropolitan area.

While visiting in the United States, the Belarus delegation examined local government matters, with a focus on election processes and the role of Election Commissions in a Democracy. Because of Johnson County's leadership in elections, the group specifically requested to tour our facilities and observe our systems first-hand.

Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt detailed the election process in Kansas and specifically Johnson County. Election related materials were shared with each of the Belarus officials. The delegation toured the facilities and participated in a mock election on the voting machines.

Young-At-Heart

The new touch screen voting machines were showcased at the Young-at-Heart group of the First Baptist Church of Olathe on June 19. Guests voted in a mock election and received early voting information.

3 Area Shopping Malls

On Flag Day, June 14, the new voting machines were showcased at Oak Park Mall, Mission Mall and the Great Mall of the Plains. Volunteers demonstrated the voting machines to visitors at a patriotic booth. Guests voted in a mock election and received election related materials. Voter registration forms were also available.

Olathe Teacher's Conference

On June 5, Olathe School District hosted a teacher's conference at Olathe South High school. The touch screen voting machines were demonstrated to the 600 teachers and administrators. Teachers received election related materials and voter registration forms.

Shawnee Mission Area Council of PTAs

Johnson County's new touch screen voting machines were showcased on May 8 at the annual School of Instruction of Shawnee Mission Area Council of PTAs. Over 300 guests had the opportunity to vote on a mock ballot and receive election related materials.

Leadership Northeast

Connie Schmidt, Election Commissioner, was a guest speaker at Leadership Northeast. The presentation included Election Reform and Elections in Johnson County. Attendees received current election related materials.

Overland Park Chamber Expo

On April 2 over 100 visitors at the Overland Park Chamber Expo participated in a hand-on demonstration of the new voting machines. Guests received "I Touched the Future" stickers and election related materials.

Olathe Rotary

Connie Schmidt introduced the new voting machines to members of the Olathe Rotary on March 20. Election Reform and the impact on Johnson County was the topic of the presentation. Election related materials were distributed.

Mission Mall

On March 16, the Election Office showcased the new voting machines to visitors at the Mission Mall. In addition to election related materials, visitors were provided with an interactive preview by voting on a demonstration ballot.

Shawnee Chamber of Commerce

Members of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce participated in an interactive demonstration election on the new touch screen voting machines on March 13. Connie Schmidt shared informational updates of the election process in Johnson County and across the nation.

Lenexa Republican Women's Club

On March 9, Election Reform and the Impact on Johnson County Elections was the presentation topic of Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt at the Lenexa Republican Women's Club. The new voting machines were demonstrated.

Leadership Olathe

On March 8 Connie Schmidt spoke to the Leadership Olathe class. Topics covered involvement in the election process; election reform and the impact on Johnson County elections; and an introduction to new voting machines.

Johnson County Library

The Election Commissioner met with staff members of the Johnson County Library on March 5 to introduce the new voting machines. The Johnson County Library is partnering with the Johnson County Election Office by displaying the new voting machines at libraries. Citizens will have the opportunity to interactively preview of the voting machines prior to going to the polls on election day.

Mission Optimist Club

On March 4, Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt showcased Johnson County's new touchscreen voting machines at the Mission Optimist Club meeting. Members participated in a mock election on the machines and were encouraged to serve on election boards at polling places.

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

On February 21, the touch screen voting machines were demonstrated at the Olathe Chamber coffee. Over 100 chamber members and guests cast votes in a mock election which included the following questions:

1 - What is your favorite color? (Red, White, Blue, All of the above)
2 - Do you think a woman will be elected President in your lifetime? (Yes, No)
3 - What is your favorite fast food? (Hamburgers, Pizza, Tacos, Write-in)
4 - What is your favorite comic strip? (Peanuts, Garfield, Family Circus)v 5 - What is your favorite music? (Classical, Country, Jazz, Rock)v 6 - What is your age? (Under 18 years, 18 - 29 years, 30 - 49 years, 50 - 74 years, 75 years or over)

Lakeview Village

On January 15, Connie Schmidt was the guest speaker at the Lakeview Village "Visions" meeting. Sixty-three residents learned about the election process, election reform nationwide and were invited to become election workers. The new touch screen voting machine was demonstrated. Residents were given the opportunity to experience voting on the touch screen machines and received "I Touched the Future" stickers.

Last Updated: June 21, 2010 11:30 AM