League members came together at this year's LWVWA Convention in Vancouver, Washington to Stand Up For Democracy. Together, delegates took on the important work of electing incoming Directors and Nominating Committee members, passing a budget, updating our bylaws and finally, defining our Program of Work. We were presented with a rich selection of workshops and warmly welcomed and hosted by members of the LWV of Clark County. 

It was a full agenda that included powerful messaging from inspirational speakers. We heard from Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown who lifted us up with his commitment to justice and hope. Dr. Kate Starbird, Associate Professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, shared her research on how public 'sense-making' can lead to misinformation during crises. It was a sobering presentation. LWVUS President Dianna Wynn delivered the final keynote that lit a fire under the entire delegation. She encouraged each of us to be actively and visibly present in our communities. She reminded us that: "Nonpartisan is not neutral. We are a political organization." When asked what activism might look like, she urged us to be safe, then added: "From Seneca Falls forward, hope has always fueled activism. Hope isn't a lottery ticket you sit on hoping to win. Hope is an axe you keep by the door in case there's a fire and you have to break it down."

As I reflect on the three days of plenary sessions, I am struck by the connection of the theme of our Convention to the work—standing up for democracy. Delegates debated, submitted amendments, wrote resolutions, voted, debated again, and voiced their directions to the incoming board of directors. A convention is democracy in action. The process was passionate. The discourse was civil. In the end, the work reflected the wisdom of the impressive group of leaders. 

Members will be able to review recordings of many of the presentations and workshops on the LWVWA website soon. 

I am honored to have been elected your president and look forward to working with the Board to move the approved Program of Work items forward. Members said yes to these projects:

• Update the LWVWA's 1980 Indian Treaty Rights Study
• Update the LWVWA's 1970 Washington State Housing Study
• Launch an education project to assess the strength of democracy in Washington State—LWVWA State of Democracy: Washington report.

What's next? The new Board of Directors is coming together for an all-day retreat in July. We will review the input from Convention and do some creative dreaming about how the LWVWA can rise to meet the challenges facing us. How do we best use resources to support both local Leagues and the bold direction set by national League leadership? How do we chart our own transformation roadmap that mirrors the LWVUS Transformation Journey? We must deliver on the new Program of Work and set strategic priorities that carry us forward in powerful ways. 

We have big work to do. I will be keeping in touch with local League leaders and inviting input on these questions. I welcome your thoughts. Please reach out to me. 

We are living in historic, challenging times. Be hopeful. Be safe. Know this: when we work together with courage, we have everything we need. Together, we are enough. 

Karen Crowley, LWVWA President