by Beth Pelliciotti, LWVWA Board & Nominating Committee
Knowing that The Evergreen Voter is designed for League members as well as an audience outside of LWVWA, here are my general comments about board work from the perspective of a second year of recruiting board members.
Prospective board members usually ask the question, "Will I have the time to do this work?" Those being recruited are busy people. They may be members serving on their local Leagues' boards, working full-time at a demanding job, or balancing more than one volunteer commitment.
This question deserves an honest answer. Board work takes time—reading detailed agendas for monthly meeting, preparing reports, asking questions of treasurers about financial statements in advance of the meeting, and more. Board work calls for an ability to pick up information quickly and ask questions about things that don't make sense.
There is a payoff for this time commitment: LWVWA board work is very interesting. One meeting alone may involve detailed reporting on current advocacy work, a summary of statewide efforts in candidate forums, and innovation in voter outreach and civic education. The people board members meet are also interesting and are doing amazing work:
- A League member from Clallam County is partnering with her local Boys and Girls Club to help young people learn more about civics in general and voting in particular.
- A League member from Kittitas County created an opportunity for little free libraries to offer children’s books on voting.
- A 50-year League member from Thurston County was recently honored for her 20-year commitment to managing LWVWA's civic education textbook, The State We’re In: Washington. In this moving ceremony, legislators spoke of this member’s dedication to creating and passing legislation to making civics a high school graduation requirement.
LWVWA board work calls for a commitment of time and talents, but the benefits are real and long lasting. Here are a few benefits- new knowledge, new people, and new appreciation for statewide advocacy work.
If you would like to speak with a Nominating Committee member about LWVWA board work, we encourage you to contact the committee members below. League members can also access more information and the application form. Consider the benefits!
Nominating Committee Members
Timeline
- Fall 2022/Winter 2023: Nominations for positions elected at Convention
- Applications for Election at Convention Due: End of January 2023
- Interviews with Candidates Scheduled for: January/February 2023
- Slate Announced: March 15, 2023
- Election at Convention: May 2023
