H-F Patch Editor Ryan Fitzpatrick Guest Speaker at HFArea LWV Annual Meeting

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Editor of the HF Patch.com, was the guest speaker at the Annual Dinner Meeting of the Homewood-Flossmoor League of Women Voters on Wednesday, May 16, at Ravisloe Country Club.  Mr. Fitzpatrick explained that Patch.com has been in existence since 2009, and the H-F Patch was established in late December, 2010.  Conceived as a venue for people in local communities to "connect" on-line, the HF Patch has grown from getting 50 "hits" per day to over a thousand today. Many individuals have chosen to write "blogs" under the "Local Voices" section of the News.  Using this format, President Erin Roeper has shared information about the League with H-F Patch readers since August of 2011. Mr. Fitzpatrick explained that members of the community are encouraged to engage with one another via the "comments" section of the various articles that are posted daily.  Many members of the audience already subscribe to Patch, and the rest were encouraged to sign up for this free on-line publication in order to stay informed about Homewood and Flossmoor communities.

Following Mr. Fitzpatrick's presentation, the formal meeting of the H-F Area LWV was held.  The proposed budget for the 2012-2013 season was approved and the slate of nominees for the Board was also voted upon and approved.  The 2012-2013 Officers include: President, Erin Roeper; Vice-President, Ruby Marsh; Secretary, Maureen McSherry; and Donna Moore, Treasurer.  The Board of Directors are:  Kate Atkins-Trimnell, Barbara Hayes, Karen Maurer, Susan Palcek, Chris Schmitt, and Margaret Smith.  The 2013 Nominating Commitee will be chaired by Marjorie Armstrong, with Peg Butler and Marie King serving with her.

The League does not hold public meetings during the summer, but look for information regarding the annual September Pot Luck Supper/Meet and Greet Local Legislators in early September.