by Lunell Haught, LWVWA President

The midterm election may be over and the legislative session still weeks away, but the League of Women Voters of Washington is as busy as ever. So, what are League members up to? Here is a short list—we’d love to have you join us!

Listening Up 

At the League, we want to try to understand what what is going on from multiple sources. Shop the competition and the allies. Knowing what others are saying and how they understand a situation is crucial to being relevant and effective. At the end of listening, try saying “Let me see if I understand you…”

Standing Up

Sometimes at the front, sometimes alongside, and sometimes at the back. Standing up and showing support for the values and principles we believe in makes it easier for others to do the same. Act based on your underlying values and find opportunities when the world asks you to stand up for them.

Speaking up

There is guidance on how to speak up on the League’s positions. The League is unique in that when we speak about public policy, we have our membership—local, state, or national—behind us, as our positions are based on member research and consensus. We can speak up because we have real authority on the subjects and because we have learned how to do so.

If you would like to learn how to speak up, we have two virtual workshops that will teach you how to communicate effectively with your legislators.

Speaking up also provides safety for those who think they are the only ones who think “that way” and they agree with the League, but are concerned about being the only one publicly sharing their opinion. Vulnerability can be a very real concern, so if you are willing and able to speak up, we’d love to have your voice.

Stirring Up

Don’t just do something, stand there… and when you are finished considering the best strategy for demonstrating your values and moving them to the center of our culture, act. Relentlessly stirring up is a perfectly valid method to accomplish goals. Don’t give up. Pause and assess the situation, change your tactics if you must, but keep stirring. Be bold.

by Liz Bander, LWVWA Director

When we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), we often spend a lot of time talking about diversity, and how to build a more diverse League. With our Double Up/Double Down campaign in full swing, and Lunell's message on welcoming, I also want to highlight the principle of inclusion, as that is also required for us become a League that is representative of our communities.

After a white woman called police on Black birdwatcher Christian Cooper, in June 2020, The Washington Post interviewed another Black birdwatcher, Walter Kitundu. It has stuck with me ever since, and if you've heard me talk about DEI, you've probably heard me reference it.

The line that I keep coming back to is, "It's about addressing the nature of those organizations, not bringing people into a space that is still riddled with the same issues and toxicity." This is not meant to say the League is a horrible place and we shouldn't welcome new members and leaders—we absolutely should! But we can't expect new people to come in and fix old problems. We need to be willing to do that work ourselves. Making the League more inclusive and equitable will lead to it becoming more diverse.

Inclusion shows up for us individually as grantors and recipients. One example is the one Lunell gave about how someone said they felt welcome because, "I was not introduced as 'one of our younger (or another identity) guests.'" We valued this person not because they made the group more diverse, but because they were Jane or Shanti or Bob—a whole person who had chosen to spend their valuable time with us. Each of us can be inclusive and welcoming, but that's not a complete solution.

Inclusion also shows up systemically, and this is what the above quote really addresses. For example, the League has a long and storied history, but it our history also includes founder Carrie Chapman Catt and others choosing exclusion to focus on white women in getting the 19th Amendment passed. This shows up today when League members wear period costumes to events. Is that welcoming people into today's League? Are we reminding people that our nonpartisan values are 102 years old or that their great-grandmother was purposefully excluded? 

This can also show up when we think about our values. One exercise we've used to facilitate values discussions is called "Preferences, Traditions, and Requirements." For example, "education" comes up regularly as a requirement. What do we mean by education? Do we mean a PhD or the ability to thoughtfully discuss issues? Who are the educators? Who should receive education?

Finally, inclusion shows up in how we do our work. Where do we go to register voters? Should we be focusing on registration or should we focus on getting out the vote? Who should we partner with? Are we even the right people to carry the message?

Becoming inclusive as an organization is a continuous process. It involves regular questioning and evaluation. It requires us to sit with discomfort and examine what we thought we were, what we are, and what we want to become. It is also a path that will create the necessary conditions for diversity, and as we double up on membership, I invite you to double down on inclusion.

by Lunell Haught, LWVWA President

Inviting people to join the League or attend a forum is a bit like inviting someone into your home. What will they think of your house? What will they think of your family? Will your family be welcoming?

As part of our Double Up/Double Down campaign, members have been asked to send an email/note to two friends this month, so we expect to have some new people joining us. We want to welcome them, and if League is right for them, we want to retain them. Retention has to do with finding meaning and friendship in the group. Retention has to do with being able to disagree while appreciating other people's viewpoints and their positive qualities. And retention is also about feeling welcome. When I ask people how they feel welcome here are some responses:

• "I was greeted by name and asked to do a small job."
• "When I did the small job no one told me I'd done it wrong or I should have done it a particular way, they let me do it. I was thanked."
• "If something had to happen a particular way I was told before, not after I did it."
• "Someone asked me what I was interested in and introduced me to another person who shared that interest or background."
• "I was not introduced as 'one of our younger guests.'"
• "I was not smothered with attention or ignored, it was just right."
• "I was not asked to join right away—I could attend without joining."

These are just some examples of how people have found a welcoming environment within the League. Another way to welcome people is to invite them into leadership—with support, of course. This is truly doubling up, as individuals get an opportunity to connect more deeply to work they care about and we make sure that the League has leaders to continue our mission. There are a number of ways to help build up League leaders:

• Create or identify opportunities;
• Create clarity around the leadership role and who is following through a RACI matrix;
• Engage the collective wisdom of the team by crowdsourcing with colleagues and members;
• Provide clarity around what needs to be executed and the timeline;
• Offer coaching and mentorship along the way;
• Provide feedback along the way;
• Celebrate success.

As mentioned, RACI is an excellent tool for bringing clarity to everyone's roles and responsibilities—as leaders and followers. The R is for responsible; A is for accountable.  C is for consulted and I for Informed.

Responsible	Who is responsible for doing the work?
Accountable	Who is the final decision maker?
Consulted	Who are the experts we should ask?
Informed	Who needs to be in the loop?

Many people are afraid of responsibility and accountability, not because they don't want to commit to the work, but because it can feel like they're put on a high wire with a spotlight and no net, and told to go for it. This should not be the case. Responsibility and accountability are opportunities to shine. There should be a team around the person to support them, as defined by RACI, so they shouldn't feel like they are on their own.

As we double up and double down, and bring in new members and new leaders, I hope that you double up on welcoming them to League.

by Amanda Clark, LWVWA Nominating Committee

The League-co-sponsored senatorial and secretary of state debates haven’t been held as I write this, and I’m really looking forward to them. The League-sponsored debates are always among the best—the questions are nonbiased and fair and deal with important issues, not "gotchas."

League candidate forums and debates are at the forefront of our mission to empower voters and defend democracy. The Board member whose portfolio is Voter Services will spearhead these debates, but with lots of help from local Leagues, committee members, and in some cases, like these upcoming debates, local newspapers and other nonpartisan organizations.

The Voter Services portfolio is just one of the many portfolios a Board member could have. The Civics Education portfolio may involve promoting our textbook, The State We’re In, to schools around the state, or possibly help local Leagues develop plans to work with area high schools to register students. Last month Mary Coltrane, Program Chair, discussed the importance of studies in developing League positions,  one part of the League's Program of Work.

The specifics of a particular portfolio may change, depending on the needs of the Board and the League, and it’s possible that a board member can develop a new portfolio.

In last month's In League, Shelley Jones, chair of the Nominating Committee, encouraged League members to apply for the Board, whatever their experience and interests. There will be a portfolio that suits you, whether it’s secretary or fundraising or communications or voter services or even something that you think the Board needs that you can supply. And serving on the Board can give you the opportunity to exercise your talent while helping the League toward its goals.

Don’t be shy. You do have something to offer. You can find more information about the Board and an application in the Members section of the State League website or by going directly to https://www.lwvwa.org/Nominating-Committee.

by Beth Pellicciotti, LWVWA Civics Education Director

The LWVWA Education Fund provides grants for civics education. League members have developed partnerships with a local public broadcasting station and a school district to produce a Civics Bowl (Spokane), reached out to future voters through a Boys & Girls Club (Clallam), and more.

Myra Howrey, the LWVWA C3 Treasurer, oversees the grant application process and answers League members' questions about the grant guidelines or the application form. Here is an interview with her on grant guidelines, potential funding, and transforming good ideas into grant applications.

How do I get started with the grant application? 

Read over the civic education grant guidelines on page 21 of the LWVWA Education Fund Handbook.

Many different kinds of projects meet the guidelines. For example, your League may want to provide voter education to an underserved or underrepresented community. Perhaps you want to open up your monthly meetings on various topics to reach more of the public and need technical equipment to offer these meetings in a hybrid fashion. You may want to expand your partnership with a local library system to provide them with LWVWA's civics textbooks (The State We’re In: Washington—both elementary school and middle/high school editions).

Who in my local League should be notified about this application?

You will see that grants of up to $2000 are awarded to projects. The best way to start is to read the Civic Education Grant Request Form and check with your Board treasurer and president about the application.  Your local League may have its own Education Fund, and if this is substantial and not earmarked for other projects, you may want to apply to use this local League money.  Your treasurer should be able to guide you.

What if I have questions about the application form?

Contact me, Myra Howrey, at edfundtreasurer@lwvwa.org and I will answer any questions you have about the form or the application process. You do not have to show matching Education Funds for this grant, but some Leagues do. Try to keep the budget simple and the project description straightforward.

What are the requirements if I receive the grant money?

The Final Civic Education Report is simple to complete. It is helpful to read this beforehand to make sure that you collect data and other material that you might want to share with other Leagues after the project completion.

Ed. Note: While it's not a requirement, we love hearing about local Leagues' projects. Please email us so that we can help you get the word out via our newsletters and social media!

by Mary Coltrane, LWVWA 1st Vice President, Program Chair

Midterm elections are almost here, and across the state, local Leagues been busy, holding numerous debates and forums, in addition to other voter services work. As soon as we turn the page on another election, the LWVWA Lobby Team will begin its work advocating for legislation that will carry out the League's vision by leveraging our positions.

How does League Program—with a capital P—fit into all this activity? In January of every odd-numbered year, in anticipation of the state Convention, local Leagues add state-wide topics to their annual program review. This is where the first pass for state studies happens and is one more way that we live our grassroots principles.

In support of this effort, LWVWA has formed a Program Planning Workgroup. Are you interested in working with us? I hope so. If you are, please let me know. I’d be glad to chat with you about the charge and the timeframe so you can consider if this is of interest to you.

The current plan for meeting times is the first and third Monday of the month, at 10:00 AM by Zoom. The first deadline is November 30th; materials must go to local Leagues so they can ask their members for input on LWVWA's 2023-2025 Program. Please consider joining us!

by Susan Fleming, LWVWA Advocacy Portfolio Director

Get ready for the 2023 Legislative Session and mark your calendar for these important dates! More details regarding times and locations coming soon—check back here or at lwvwa.org/events.

December 10, 2022 | Action Workshop

Learn how to effectively take action at the Legislature and in your community!

January 7, 2023 | Speak Up School

Learn how to give effective testimony and get some practice in!

February 6-10, 2023 | Democracy Lobby Week

Meet virtually with your legislators!

by Susan Fleming, LWVWA Advocacy Portfolio Director

Add these dates to your calendar today! You won't want to miss our Action Workshop, and new this year, Speak Up School. More details regarding times and locations coming soon—check back here or at lwvwa.org/events.

December 10, 2022 | Action Workshop

Learn how to effectively take action at the Legislature and in your community!

January 7, 2023 | Speak Up School

Learn how to give effective testimony and get some practice in!

by Amanda Clark, LWVWA Nominating Committee

Washington is a beautiful state. It has everything, from the sea to mountains to deserts to rivers to…Well, you get the idea. And in many of these locations there’s a local League, from Bellingham-Whatcom, to Spokane, to Yakima, and more.

There are many excellent reasons to join the League of Women Voters of Washington board: to use your skills to further the League’s mission, to be a force for democracy, to work with other strong, talented people. But there’s also what I call a “hidden” reason: you will be able to visit various local Leagues and see the sights of our state.

Pre-pandemic, the board held meetings in Yakima, Olympia, and Seattle. Often the meetings would alternate between Seattle and another place, then back to Seattle. During the pandemic, of course, meetings were held online. We all know Zoom meetings can work just fine, but it’s often better to meet in person.

When the LWVWA board convened this fall, travel to local Leagues resumed, meeting in Spokane in September and Olympia in October. Often the local League hosts a social event the evening before the meeting, giving both board members and local League members a chance to get to know one other. The board can learn about the local League’s projects, and help share great ideas across the state, or help find additional resources. The board can get a sense of local concerns, and the local members can suggest areas where additional state support is useful. And you might make new friends based on your other passions—the League is full of knitters, kickboxers, master gardeners, and more.

The LWVWA Nominating Committee is currently seeking applicants for the 2023-2025 Board. In the For Members section of the LWVWA website, you can find a link to the Nominating Committee and from there, you’ll be able to fill out an application, see the job description of a board member, watch a video about joining the board, and see the answers to frequently asked questions. In addition, contact information for all Nominating Committee members is listed, and we’re all happy to answer your questions.

LWVWA board members now serve staggered two-year terms, so there is continuity from term to term, enabling the new members to learn from experienced board members. We hope you’ll consider applying if you would like to expand your commitment to the League—and see our beautiful state.

by Lunell Haught, LWVWA President

Our 2022 fundraising campaign is kicking into high gear with a theme of “Double Up/Double Down.” I invite you to join us by watching the video at the end of this article on how to double up and double down on your commitment to the League—as a supporter, as a member, and as a defender of democracy.

This theme of “Double Up/Double Down” didn’t originate in isolation. It was developed in connection with another idea, that of “powering up.” While each has an individual meaning, together, this is a call to action. We are asking you to get ready to invest your time, your money, and your power, in your community, your League, and your country because to make democracy work, power is essential.

Power comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It can be subtle, like introducing someone to an important official, bringing someone to a group coffee, or supporting someone who has less status within an organization. Other forms of power are much more obvious.

All forms of power are worth considering as you develop your personal and organizational strategy. The list below gives you some ideas of the power you have.

• Legitimate Power: The formal power arising from a position such as president, coordinator, host, or sponsor.
• Procedural Power: The control over procedures by which decisions are made. This might include ground rules, Robert's Rules of Order, working agreements, or rules of debate.
• Mirror or Referent Power: Being connected with powerful people can also make you powerful because you are associated with influencers or leaders and people assume you are part of that group.
• Intrapersonal Power: The power emanating from the ability to build/facilitate linkage among individuals in a team context. It can provide status and recognition as an important influence.
• Connecting Power: Power arising from the ability to network people and their issues and ideas.
• Economic Power: Having (or having access to) financial resources.
• Political Power: The ability to advance issues in a way that advance the topic at hand or a policy. It includes not only the issue, but the individual(s) advancing the issue.
• Reward Power: The power to grant or deny resources.
• Raw Personal Power: Usually associated with your appearance and demeanor. Note that different groups recognize and value different types of personal power. That’s why we have different messengers for different groups and people.
• Expert Power: Power arising from mastery of a subject area or information about a particular matter. The League is recognized as having expertise on a variety of public issues because we engage in careful and methodical research before taking a position.
• Symbolic Power: The power to give special status to a person or group through the use of symbols, logos, and or materials. An example would be to sign onto a letter of request or statement.
• Referent Power: Power arising from others willingly deferring/referring their power to you.
• Wild Card Power: Luck? Who knows, sometimes you just have it!

There are also forms of power that you must be aware of, even if you wouldn’t use them. Power is a tool that everyone can use, and tools can also be weapons. It is on all of us to make sure that when we use power, we are using forms that build up, rather than tear down.

• Stealth Power: The ability to use lies or tricks to attain one’s way and avoid social consequence.
• Coercive Power: The power to force others to do something they typically would not do.
• Brute Force Power: The power to intimidate and/or assault physically, intellectually, or psychologically.

The next time you think about what kind of impact you can make and what kind of power you have consider these options, and then use your power to double up, and double down on your commitment to the League.