As the nation looks to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer, League members across the state are planning a variety of events and activities.
Helping to guide the planning is the Washington’s 250 Committee, chaired by Lt. Gov. Heck. The committee calls for June 14 Days of Service, special activities on July 4 and Days of Civic Engagement on Sept. 17.
Partnering with a local library, the Kitsap County League is working on a First Amendment panel discussion, likely to be between Sept. 17-19. Local President Ursula Volwiler said the event will feature panelists whose experiences are directly impacted by the First Amendment, such as a journalist, a legal professional, a member of the clergy, an educator and an activist.
“We want to use storytelling and personal narratives to help people understand the importance of the First Amendment, what it means, and what ways it is under threat right now,” Volwiler said.
Skagit County League plans to participate in a birthday bash on June 16 at a recovery café along with other area nonprofits that support the community, local League President Jane Vilders said. In mid-July the Skagit League will host another birthday celebration planned at the Anacortes Family Center with games, art activities and cake. Finally, in September, Skagit members are making plans for a trivia night at a Mount Vernon restaurant where at least one round of civics questions will be on tap.
Other League plans are still in the brainstorming stage.
In Mason County, local League leader Peggy Morell said she is looking forward to an activity on the Day of Civic Engagement. She noted the local’s civic engagement storytelling project with the Office of the Secretary of State is a nod to the 250th anniversary. (See the story about that project in this edition of the Evergreen Voter.)
In Spokane County, Lunell Haught said League members plan to produce an information card for distribution to libraries and schools and at tabling events. It will feature a timeline showing when voting rights were extended to different groups of people. The flip side will include references to lesser-known facts, including how some ideas promoted by Revolutionaries about creating a democratic republic originated from Native Americans, and perspectives Abigail Adams shared with her husband about the role of men and women in the new government.
The Spokane League will also collaborate with news outlets to raise awareness about the League mission of empowering voters and defending democracy.
Haught noted the options for commemorating the anniversary present a challenge and an opportunity. “There isn’t a ‘rule’ about what we can do to mark the occasion and the structure is flexible enough to allow for creativity.”
