 Joanne Schultz, though a relatively new member, has stepped gamely into the League’s culture and blossomed by taking advantage of the myriad volunteer opportunities available. She now occupies a solid leadership position as League Secretary and a member of the Voter Service and Government Policy Committees. We are excited to introduce Joanne in this month’s League Member Spotlight.
Joanne has always had a positive impression of the League, but it was the SLO County League’s actions challenging the Patton redistricting map that reflected her concerns about gerrymandering and convinced her that” these are my people.”
Her advice to new members is to find a group that has common interests and values and to make the connection. She pointed out that membership is inexpensive and that our website has great information about our program, our committees and how to get involved. After joining, she attended the new member orientation and a member meeting. She found members welcoming and excited to have someone new become active in the organization.
Her initial involvement with the League was with the Voter Service Committee as a volunteer, first, at a high school registration event and then, later, at a candidate forum. She noted how both were fun and well organized. It was an easy way to get involved.
Since she was already monitoring Pismo Beach City Council meetings, it was a natural fit for her when Government Policy Committee Chair Leslie Brown suggested that she do so as part of her committee. Joanne added that she found the monthly meetings with that committee always stimulating and a continuing education for her.
Her bravest undertaking, this past year, was to take on the enormous, all-day position of poll inspector for one of the five polls overseen by the League for the county. She felt intimidated because of her relative inexperience but the training and support provided by Julie Rodewald and Patti Dale helped her overcome her trepidation. Joanne gave special thanks to her mentor, Shelly Higginbotham. Finally, she praised to the caliber of League volunteers who helped her poll run smoothly.
Joanne has been part of the League’s legislative interview team for the last three years and that has provided a unique opportunity for her to meet with state senators and assemblymembers. She appreciates that our League encourages new members to get involved in this. Participating in the development of interview questions and reports expanded her understanding of legislators records and interests as well as the legislative process.
Now as a board member and secretary, she sees what each of the committees – Civil Discourse, Communications, Government Policy, Membership, Natural Resources, Social Policy, and Voter Services – undertakes each month. She pointed out that gaining an understanding of the overall work of the League and supporting them administratively has been very rewarding.
Joanne fully retired in 2022 after a 30-year career in project management and construction management holding positions such as project coordinator and scheduler for Walt Disney Imagineering, project controls for CH2MHill and Jacobs Engineering, vice president and EEO officer for Brutoco Engineering & Construction and proposal manager for Flatiron West. During that time, she worked on a wide variety of construction projects, including roadway, bridge, aviation, ports, water treatment, facilities, retail development and theme parks. She received a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH and an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Cal State University Fullerton.
These days she enjoys attending movies at The Palm Theatre, going to life drawing sessions, and walking Shell Beach with her husbandSteve and dog Buddy.
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