In Washington state, the League of Women Voters has had a long-standing Membership Engagement and Leadership Development (MELD) program. This program is a conduit for communication among all levels of the League, local, state, and national. MELD meetings are where local Leagues can share their successes and challenges and receive information about programs and resources from state, national, and local Leagues. Along with TMIL (This Month in the League), The Voter, and affinity groups, MELD meetings allow League members to stay connected to programs and resources that benefit local Leagues. 

The local League members from across the state who are in a MELD meeting, along with a facilitator and a Board representative, are called a pod. The four pod facilitators manage each group, meeting virtually via Zoom once a month with representatives from four or five local Leagues and the state Board. The Board member provides updates, answers questions, listens to members’ concerns and thoughts, and then takes the comments and suggestions back to the Board. 

The LWV of Washington is currently seeking pod facilitators, a position that involves about five hours a month. This includes the 60-minute Zoom meeting with your assigned pod each month and writing a short report. The facilitators also meet once a month for an hour. The pod facilitator is considered a leadership position, requiring good listening and communication skills and the ability to manage a group discussion. You don’t have to be expert in anything other than listening and facilitating a group discussion.  

If you’re interesting in being a pod facilitator, contact Linda Benson for more information.