Join us on Nov 21, 2024 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM for a webinar about how to use YOUR power at the county government level—maybe even to help guide county policy around forest management!

Register Here

We invite League viewers and the public to consider advocating for change in their counties. As an example, we will talk about challenges and opportunities to better manage public forest lands to protect mature forests while helping trust land beneficiaries and rural communities. We will describe efforts in two counties to protect mature forests with the help of the county governments. See below for the details of this event.

The Presenters

Vanessa La Valle (LWV Thurston), Kate Lunceford (LWVWA Forest Issue Chair), and Brel Froebe (Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Forestry).

The Agenda

7:00 PM—Welcome/Introductions: We invite League viewers and the public to consider advocating for change in their counties. As an example, we will talk about challenges and opportunities to better manage public forest lands to protect mature forests while helping trust land beneficiaries and rural communities. We will describe efforts in two counties to protect mature forests with the help of the county governments.

7:05 PM—Vanessa La Valle will describe the work in Thurston County with the county commission. La Valle helped develop A New Vision for Capitol State Forest. County Commissioners used the report as part of a plan to co-manage forests in their county with the Department of Natural Resources.

7:25 PM—Kate Lunceford will describe the work in League of Women Voters of Snohomish County to educate the county council and ask it to participate in forest management with the DNR. LWVSC’s work has been guided by data provided by the Center for Responsible Forestry and Legacy Forest Defense Coalition on where structurally complex forests exist and how they might be protected. What is the first step in gaining alliance with the council?

7:30 PM—Brel Froebe will talk about how CRF has supported efforts of LWVSC to gain some alliance with the county council to better manage forests in their county. What is a mature forest? What is at stake if they are logged (habitat, water and air quality, carbon content)? How has the election changed the strategy for protecting mature forests? How can revenue to junior taxing districts be replaced? What role does the county council/commission have?

7:50 PM —Q&A and contact information

8:00 PM—adjourn

Did you know that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has had long-term observers from their organization coming to observe US elections for 22 years? In fact, these observers have been coming to Washington and Oregon every two years for these two decades. 

 The OSCE is a collaborative organization of 57 countries from Europe, North America, and Central Asia—including the United States. Their Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the wing of the organization that conducts election observations.  

In May of 2024, the ODIHR released a comprehensive “Needs Assessment Mission Report” for the US general election on November 5. The Mission Report provides a comprehensive background of the political factors at play in the election, as well as the legal and electoral framework in which the election occurs. Their report also includes an explanation of why they were observing US elections this year, what conclusions they reached, and the recommendations they have stemming from those conclusions. The ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report can be viewed here.  

In Thurston County, at a ballot party at the Olympia Public Library, two League members had the opportunity to interact and discuss elections with two of the ODIHR observers. Below is an account of their experience.

By Susan Fiksdal, LWV Thurston 

At a ballot party on October 23, Annie Cubberly and I (LWV Thurston County) met two international elections observers! We were able to discuss a number of fascinating topics—ranging from Washington’s elections to the League’s work in WA and across the US.  

The two observers had a lot of questions, including asking if we (in our capacity with the League) had received any threats or harassment about the elections. Thankfully, we were able to explain that we had not, though we had an instance where a bot had requested voter registration services and several instances where requests may have been “testing” our nonpartisan stance.  

One question I found quite odd was when they asked if we knew of any “ballot harvesting” taking place in Washington. I was surprised by the phrase. Annie and I explained that it is so easy to submit a ballot we doubted anyone would let someone they didn’t know and trust submit their ballot for them.  

Washington elections were not the only topic discussed though. The two observers were interested in the League’s “Be a Voter” campaign, and we gave them copies of our “They Represent You” (directory of elected officials) as well as some League swag, including stickers and bookmarks. 

Also in attendance at the ballot party was the local chair of the Republican Party. The League’s excellent reputation nationwide was discussed with him, and it was noted how serious candidates must accept invitations to candidate debates and forums. He did, however, express the premise that League questions are often viewed as partisan.  

The long-term observers Annie and I spoke with are just two of 64 observers from the OSCE who were in the US to observe ballot processing and talk to election officials, political parties, and civic groups. 

The library provided pizza to party goers and showed League candidate forums for voters.

By Nancy Halvorson, LWVWA Membership Portfolio Director

In Star Trek, a “mind meld” is a kind of telepathic touch that enables the rapid sharing of knowledge and experience. Unfortunately for (at least most of) us, we are neither telepathic nor within touching distance of each other, so we have created a MELD Network* to provide a mechanism to better share tools, methods, practices, and accomplishments across the state with each other.

The “League Mind MELD” column is a way to share even more information to all our members across the state. This column will run each month and will include the responses we receive to the questions posed at the end of the previous month’s column.

Dip Your Toe Into Canva and Social Media

Join us on January 22 at 4:00 PM for our social media general overview, "Dip your Toe into Canva & Social Media!" Register here.

We will be providing tips, tricks, and tools to help you work with templates, logos, and branding on Canva. Bring your questions and your concerns. Jen Winkler (LWV Snohomish County) and Joanne Lisosky (LWV Seattle/King County) will show us how easy and fun it can be to increase the impact your League has in your community! We'll look at how to use League resources, such as templates, to create your own "What is the League of Women Voters?" posts and personalize it for your own League. There is also the possibility of a more in-depth training as well.

Post Election Breathers and Thankfulness

Whew! The 2024 Election has come and gone—and while we may not know the outcome of all the election races at this point—it's time to take a breather! We have all worked so hard these past 15 months, from more tabling and GOTV, to recruiting more volunteers and fielding more requests, to more speaking engagements, more meetings, and more advocacy. It seems like it is always more, more, more! But we did it—YOU did it. So, pat yourself on the back.

Also, a special thank you to Bev Herbst (LWV Skagit County) and Ellie Hutton (LWV Clark County) who spoke to all the MELD pods during October on the new League dues process to be launched in early 2025.

The League Mind MELD

LWVUS webinars for League leadership positions are taking place in November and December. Make sure you are registered for one of these important webinars! Register here.

November MELD pods will do a bit of reflection on this past election season and then focus on the ins and outs of Program Planning and preparation for consensus on two statewide League studies.

Lately, we've been reflecting on what members have learned by attending MELD sessions. We've heard about:

• LWV Klicitat/Skamania's work partnering with a local Tribe to encourage voter registration;
• LWV Skagit County hosting a guest speaker and video presentation on LGBTQIA+ issues;
• The Spokane League worked this year to translate ballots into different languages, hosted their annual Civics Bowl (which included a partnership with their local public access TV);
• The introduction of LWV Seattle/King County's civics education curriculum being introdued in local schools;
• LWV Kitsap's unique take on GOTV on the roadways, using "Burma Shave" type signage to get the message out;
• An in-depth reporting from LWV Benton/Franklin Counties on how they've covered multiple districts and their other forum successes.

But that's just SOME of the many, many things local Leagues around the state have been doing. We want to hear more from local Leagues and invite you to join us at MELD sessions to share the successes of your League!

Last month we asked what LWVUS webinars you attended. The most frequent answer was the "Framing the Future Office Hours." This makes as it's a space to learn a bit more each month about the big changes with due collections in January 2025.

December's Questions:

November is a time dominated by Thanksgiving (at least once the election is over), so naturally, we're asking: What are you thankful for?

Please send your asnwers to Nancy Halvorson.

*In the context of the League, MELD actually has zero connection to Star Trek; it is an acronym for Membership, Engagement, Leadership, and Development. MELD pods meet each month to serve as platforms for sharing successes, addressing challenges, and exchanging ideas among local Leagues. Are you interested in learning more about MELD? Talk to your Local League Leadership about becoming involved in MELD.

You are Invited!

Join the Nominating Committee at this Meet and Greet to ask questions, learn about, and discuss team leadership opportunities for the LWVWA Board of Directors. If you have ever considered joining the LWVWA leadership team, this is for you!

Choose at least one of the following dates and times that will work best for you:

• Saturday, November 13 at 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 4 at 6:00 PM
  

Before attending, we encourage folks to learn more about the board and the nominating process.

These gatherings will be held via Zoom. Please contact Jean Alliman to get the Zoom link—and include which session(s) you would like to attend.

We look forward to seeing you on one or more of these dates!

Please feel free to reach out to the Nominating Committee members with questions or for more information on the board and nominating process:

• Jean Alliman (LWV Spokane Area), Chair, jean.alliman@lwvwa.org
• Linda Benson (LWV Clallam County), benson@lwvwa.org
• Julie Sarkissian (LWV Seattle/King County), jsarkissian@lwvwa.org
• Dee Anne Finken (LWV Clark County), dfinken@lwvwa.org
• Shelley Kneip (LWV Thurston County), skneip@lwvwa.org

By Dee Anne Finken, LWVWA Lobby Team member

With a quick smile, Lobby Team member Cindy Madigan will readily tell you that Washingtonians, in many ways, have it good when it comes to voting. 

"We are very fortunate," said Madigan, LWVWA Issue Chair for Elections and Money in Politics. "We have a very good system for voter access."

After all, Washington has mail-in voting; the Future Vote program—which allows 16 and 17-year-olds to be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18—and automatic voter registration (AVR), which, as of July 2024, automatically registers an eligible voter who obtains an Enhanced Driver's License or WA State ID. This improves on existing AVR through a back-end process with information flowing securely from the Department of Licensing to the Secretary of State elections database. The new process saves time at the front counter and ensures eligible voters are registered and the election database is updated with current addresses.

However, all of this doesn't mean that improvements and other efforts aren't needed. And that is what keeps Madigan and her Lobby Team colleagues busy. "It's all about ensuring secure and equitable access to the ballot," said Madigan.

For example, every year someone wants to end mail-in voting, Madigan said. "We need to guard against any setback or road blocks."

When is the busiest times for this work? When the legislature is in session.

As an issue chair, Madigan's to-do list grows busier during the months the WA Legislature is in session—105 days in odd numbered years and 60 days in even numbered years. "You have to be on your toes as there are a variety of tasks, from writing and delivering testimony to researching proposed legislation and learning about how the legislature works."

Most recently, Madigan advocated for legislation that enable Washington residents without drivers' licenses to register online to vote using the last four digits of their Social Security number. That's important for would-be voters who don't have a driver's license.

In addition to research and advocacy, Madigan said her role is to inform fellow League members and leaders, like-minded coalition members, and the public about voting issues. Mostly, that's done through the LWVWA's weekly Legislative Action Newsletter and action alerts.

"It's about understanding the League's positions and using them when applicable to advance the passage or blockage of laws."

Positions supporting election laws and protecting voting rights have been in place since the 1960s. The LWVWA adopted campaign finance positions in 1985 and the 2014-2016 LWVUS program on Key Structures of Democracy focused attention at every level on Money in Politics, including an updated study.

Madigan grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Washington in 1987. She joined the League in 2017 and is a retired fiscal director for the Northwest Regional Council, a local government health and social services agency. A background Madigan says actually fits well for tracking the influence of money in elections.

Other League accomplishment and efforts Madigan has pursued include chairing a local Voting Rights Issue group; collaborating to present local educational programs and candidate and issue forums; and co-chairing the development of a statewide toolkit on election methods.

When she's not volunteering for the League in some capacity, Madigan likes to walk, practice yoga, prepare nutritious foods, and read. Her favorite subjects? "All kinds of things."

For information about joining the Lobby Team, contact Cynthia Stewart, LWVWA Advocacy Chair.

By Dee Anne Finken, LWVWA Nominating Committee member

Applications are now being accepted for members interested in becoming directors and officers on the LWVWA Board for 2025-27. In the happy chance you are elected, you will carry a portfolio.

What, you may ask, does it mean to carry a portfolio?

In the financial world, a portfolio is a collection one's investments or assets. In many ways, that also describes a portfolio carried by a LWVWA director or officer.

For a portfolio is where a board member invests—in this case, time and energy—and often reaps great returns or rewards. 

At present, the LWVWA board has the following portfolios for directors to carry: Civics Education; Development; Program; Action or Lobby Team; Local News; Internal Communications; Membership Empowerment and Leadership Development; and Candidate Debates and Forums.

Officers are president, first and second vice-presidents, c3 and c4 treasurers, and secretary.

Four former state board members, all of whom also served as state presidents, recently shared some perspectives about portfolios and board service:

"Portfolio might seem like such an antiquated term," said Ann Murphy, whose League membership spans 45 years. "But it's really just what you're responsible for."

Murphy, who is from the Spokane Area League, initially joined the LWVWA board as an Education Fund director and then became the C3 treasurer. In 2015, she switched hats and was elected president, serving two terms.

League members looking to join the board don't need to have a concrete idea in mind for the portfolio, said Murphy. "You're not necessarily being asked to come on the board to do X, Y, or Z. Your skills and interests will determine it."

Judy Golberg, who also joined the League 45 years ago, said—ideally—candidates are enthusiastic about what they will take on. "Do you have professional skills in the area? Are you passionate about developing membership or leadership, for instance?"

Interest in working with others is important, too, said Golberg. "What we want are people who want to be a part of a team. People learn from one another and each person brings his or her own personal experience and a background from their own local League."

Over the years, Golberg has carried a variety of portfolios and served as LWVWA president from 2003-2005. She is a member in Benton/Franklin counties.

Linnea Hirst, from the Seattle King County League, said she assumed the Program portfolio on the LWVWA board because no other member had chosen it. It was a natural fit because Hirst had been involved with studies beginning with her first year in the League in 1965. "I just enjoy digging in and learning stuff and working with people who are bright," she added.

Hirst served as LWVWA president from 2009-2011 and then as co-president with Kim Abel from 2011-2013.

Abel, from Kitsap County, joined the League in 1997, attracted by its practice of considering a variety of important issues—and for looking at those issues from a range of perspectives. "I was very entranced."

To begin, Abel was active in her local League until 2003, when she was elected Mayor of Port Orchard. Elected office prompted her to step back from the League, but four years later, when she was no longer seeking elected office, one of the first phone calls she received was a request to return to League work.

Shortly after, she became LWVWA Vice-President, serving for two years and carrying the Advocacy portfolio. After that, she was co-president for two years and then president for another two.

Abel said it's helpful to note that the pace of duties for a board member often varies, depending on one's portfolio.

Carrying the Advocacy portfolio, for instance, means more demands when the Legislature is in session. Carrying the Development portfolio might mean more work during specific fundraising efforts. "Portfolios have their ups and downs," Abel added.

Directors have carried a variety of portfolios over the years. Murphy's mother, Margaret Fellows Portman, also a longtime League member, held the environmental equality portfolio.

Murphy, Golberg, Abel, and Hirst acknowledged the task of being an officer or director can be time-consuming, particularly for those carrying heavier portfolios, such as Action, Program, or President.

"The time commitment is real," said Hirst. "And you need to be ready to do a good job. But you'll find other people to work with you."

All four agreed that despite the time and energy investment, the rewards are plentiful.

'The joy for me was the feeling of being up on things and understanding what was going on," said Murphy. "I felt like I knew the pieces of the ballot issues and it was always an opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge of issues that are before the public."

The opportunity to meet other interesting people is also a big payoff.

"And not just League people," said Murphy, who, while LWVWA president, was at a luncheon where Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor was speaking. "She was walking around the room, answering questions and she stopped behind me. her hands ended up on my shoulders and she gave me a shoulder rub."

Golberg, too, spoke of the opportunity to meet other interesting people, noting her work on the top-two primary election process had her working alongside three former governors.

When Murphy stepped up to serve, she said she recalled her mother's advice to her and her sister, Jane. "She always said to us: 'Go make a difference. And to make a difference you have to jump in and commit.'"

Trade your gas-powered car for an electric vehicle—or at least a hybrid. Turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. Shop local and with sustainability in mind. And move away from animal-sourced food to a more plant-based diet.

Most of us are aware of these steps to help address climate change, but LWVWA Lobby Team member Kate Lunceford wants people to be more aware of another important effort, one particularly pertinent in the Evergreen State.

"There is a growing understanding of the value of forests and their immense impact on greenhouse gas sequestration and storage," said Lunceford, the LWVWA Issue Chair for Forests. "But it's not been a significant part of the conversation."

Forests—especially mature (also known as legacy) and old-growth-forests—are a vitally rich and important tool in the critical work to address climate change. Washington is fortunate in having forests from southwest Washington to the Candidate border, and from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and beyond.

"There is no natural resource better at limiting carbon emissions than forests," according to the 2023 "Protection of Mature Forests on Public Lands in Washington State" resolution that members approved at the LWVWA Convention in Pasco.

All forests help to address climate change, but, as Lunceford explained, "not all forests are created equal." The mature and old-growth forests pack the biggest punch.

Scientists have learned that preserving carbon-dense, structurally complex mature forests—with their ability to pull vast amounts of carbon from the atmosphere—offer one of the "most straight-forward, cost-effective ways to protect existing carbon stores," Lunceford explained. 

"Even just the small amount of legacy forest land we have is doing more more to help with mitigation, just standing there," she said. "We don't have to do anything, but just let them stand"

And while replacement forests are helpful, Lunceford said, they don't start sequestering carbon for 10 or 20 years. "Meanwhile, the mature and old-growth forests keep collecting and storing carbon for decades or centuries."

Mature and old-growth forests also clean the air, protect watersheds, keep streams cool, provide habitat for wildlife and small organisms and even have a direct impact on the survival of Southern Orca whales, she said.

The 2023 resolution is Lunceford's playbook as Issue Chair. It calls on state officials to ensure the protection and conservation of all remaining mature and old-growth forests on public lands in the state.

Specifically, it seeks the permanent conservation of approximately 77,000 acres of unique older forests on public lands, which is less than 5 percent of the forest lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

That's critical because the DNR plans to harvest 6,500 acres of mature forests in the near future, according to the resolution.

The resolution also sounds an urgent call to educate policy makers and the public about the benefits of mature forests, the harm in logging them, and the alternatives that are available.

None of this is to say the League position opposes logging. "It's a balancing act. It's complex. It's about balancing the needs of people and our resources," said Lunceford.

"Rural communities are home to people who have been part of the timber industry for 150 years. The decisions we make need to take into account how they live and how they want to live their lives."

Lunceford's passion for forest protection stems from her younger years. She fondly recalls camping and hiking trips with her parents and two older brothers. She was 10 years old when she got her own Social Security card and membership in the Sierra Club.

In time, she graduated to the Mountaineers, an esteemed mountaineering club, where she learned to navigate off trail, deal with snow and avalance risk, and become what she called a "monster" hiker. She backpacked in the Cascades, the Sierra Nevada's Dusy Basin and Emigrant Wilderness, to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and through Italy's Dolomites.

Lunceford joined the League in 2013, drawn by the organization's credibility, its mission of voter services, and its commitment to addressing climate change.

Previously an advocate on the Lobby Team, Lunceford stepped up last year to the position of Forests Issue Chair, which empowers her to speak publicly and lobby on issues about which the League has taken positions.

Vote411 is now available for the general election. You will not receive your ballot for another week, but you can help us enormously if you visit Vote411 as soon as possible. Put in your address and check your candidates, noting who has responded to our questions and, more significantly, who has not.

We are asking you to contact those who have not responded and try to persuade them to do so. Make them aware that it is important to you to know where they stand on the issues, and that you need answers before you make your choices.

We have sent reminders, but we know that in some cases, messages go astray or are overlooked. We also know that candidates are likely to pay more attention to a message if they are aware that it is from a potential voter.

If you can spare the time, it would also be useful to thank candidates who have responded, to let them know that voters value Vote411, and appreciate their participation.

You should be able to find contact information for most candidates on the internet. One source is the secretary of state’s office (sos.wa.gov).  Look under "Current Election Information" for "Candidates Who Filed" and select your county.

Thank you! Vote411’s effectiveness as a tool depends on how many candidates participate.

By Cindy Madigan, Multi-Member Districts Education Project

Some of you may remember our May 2023 state convention in Pasco where we received member approval for this education project. We have been working hard on this project ever since.

Our group of Kit Muehlman and Cindy Madigan from Whatcom County, Chris Mason from Mason County, Cindy Black from Snohomish County, and Kirsten Rooks from King County have spent many months working on a slide presentation and webpage. We asked two professors from Western Washington University and two League members to read and review the slide presentation.

On November 9 we will launch our education program with a presentation on Zoom. 

About the Presentation

Join us on Saturday November 9 at 10am for a zoom presentation with Q&A.

The system used for electing our representatives is seldom questioned in the United States. Recently, in the face of voter apathy and increased expressions of antipathy towards government, have some Americans begun to consider that there may be a relationship between the method used to select their representatives and peoples’ numerous complaints about the government it produces. This presentation will outline what multi-member districts are, where and how they are used, as well as how they could improve representation.

The presentation will be recorded and soon we will have a webpage with resources and FAQ’s.

Register Now

Schedule a Presentation for Your Local League

We will be delighted to accept your invitation to present at local league meetings in 2025 as we continue to update our webpage and FAQ with your questions and with news from Portland, OR and other jurisdictions who are using multi-member districts to elect legislative bodies.

Please reach out to Cindy Madigan or Kit Muehlman with questions at mmd@lwvwa.org.

By Nancy Halvorson, LWVWA Membership Portfolio Director

In Star Trek, a “mind meld” is a kind of telepathic touch that enables the rapid sharing of knowledge and experience. Unfortunately for (at least most of) us, we are neither telepathic nor within touching distance of each other, so we have created a MELD Network* to provide a mechanism to better share tools, methods, practices, and accomplishments across the state with each other.

The “League Mind MELD” column is a way to share even more information to all our members across the state. This column will run each month and will include the responses we receive to the questions posed at the end of the previous month’s column.

Thank you to those that volunteered to provide social media and Canva training to our members. That training is scheduled for January 22 at 4pm. Registration is now open!

This past month, MELD pods discussed the history of MELD, the purpose of MELD, how MELD has made a difference with individual members and local Leagues, and the future of MELD.

MELD participants work together to brainstorm ideas and find solutions. Here are some highlights of how MELD has assisted members: vetted issues related to candidate forums and empty chair situations; pointed out State League resources (i.e., liability coverage for events); where to go for legal help, if needed; how to start an Observer Corps; best practices for tabling and GOTV; connecting with younger voters; advocacy, education and voter services; models of DEI practices; leadership models; and the sense of belonging not only to the local League, but also having a place in the state League.

October pods will be getting a brief overview of the approaching new dues process—part of the LWVUS Transformation Roadmap. We’ll also do a bit of analyzing about what worked this election season, what didn’t work, get some feedback on forums, and prepare for the concurrence exercise with two statewide studies.

November's Questions:

Do you attend LWVUS webinars? If so, which ones? AND, if not, why not? Please reply to Nancy Halvorson with your responses.

*In the context of the League, MELD actually has zero connection to Star Trek; it is an acronym for Membership, Engagement, Leadership, and Development. MELD pods meet each month to serve as platforms for sharing successes, addressing challenges, and exchanging ideas among local Leagues. Are you interested in learning more about MELD? Talk to your Local League Leadership about becoming involved in MELD.