The League of Women Voters of Washington recently held its biennial convention with several plenary sessions, workshops, and caucuses. The two civic education workshops focused on partnerships—with schools, with youth organizations, and with community groups. Here is a summary:

Schools: Seattle/King County League formed a Youth Committee late in 2022, based on the model from other local Leagues across the US—shifting more program planning and empowerment to students. The committee has gifted LWVWA civics posters (“What Does it Take to Be a Good Citizen in a Democracy”) and civics textbooks (The State We’re In: Washington) to schools in Seattle.

Youth Organizations: Clallam County League has reached out to local organizations serving youth with the questions, “What do you want? What do you need?” The Boys and Girls Club requested volunteer support for their summer food program, and the Clallam League provided this help. Based on this initial partnership, the Boys and Girls Club asked the League for more information on the Legislative Page program and presentations to club members on the basics of this program. Again, the League responded with one League member leading this communication and sharing her previous work experience in the legislature. Here are remarks from one legislative page sponsored by the Clallam Boys and Girls Club:

KSPS Civics Bowl: The Spokane League has sponsored a civics bowl for three years in partnership with the local PBS station, KSPS. Spokane League volunteers compiled 700 questions and answers to civics questions from high school texts, and nine teams of civics students competed. Test yourself on civics questions by viewing these 2023 Civics Bowl Contests. Listen to contestants share the impact of this experience video of KSPS Civics Bowl contestant interviews.