The LWVWA biennial convention will happen June 5 through June 8. The plenary session will begin on Friday, June 6.

What happens at Convention? A lot! The Convention Planning Committee will be getting the word out on workshops, local League caucuses, speakers, tours, hotel registrations and more. These are all the fun things that surround the important work we do at convention. The work happens in Plenary Session.

The League at every level is a grassroots organization. This plays out at the National Convention, state convention and local League annual meetings. June 2025 is when members, as delegates of their League, have their say on these important areas of the League. Delegates come to Convention informed but not instructed. Delegates have the duty of informing themselves not only on the particulars of all the proposals, but likewise on how they will affect League governance.

Plenary Session is where delegates adopt Program of Work and a budget. Program of work includes the studies, updates and civic education projects that are the underpinning of state League positions and its Advocacy/Action agenda. The budget is the decision-making tool that supports state League work and guides allocation of resources.  

Plenary Session is where delegates elect the officers and directors. These are the people who accept the fiduciary responsibility and duty of care to manage the state League for the next two years. They will lead the state League at a critical time in our democracy. Delegates will also elect a chair and two members of the 2025-27 nominating committee. This essential committee is charged with finding and vetting the leadership slate that they will present to the 2026 Council and the 2027 Convention.

If this sounds intriguing to you, please check with your local League leadership and let them know you would like to be a delegate representing your League on these questions. There's important work to do, and a lot of fun as well. Please join us!

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.

Ahh—the times we are in. Now, more than ever, it is important to connect with one another for support, as well as sharing and developing creative ideas for defending and strengthening our democracy. The LWVWA provides many opportunities for us to come together with our shared priorities, and there is a place for everyone!

For further information, reach out to Nancy Halvorson.

Below is a list of ways that folks can get involved for democracy at the state level:

MELD Pods meet:

• The second Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm.
• The Third Wednesday of the month at 4:30 pm.
• The fourth Monday of the month at 5:15 pm.
  

Get involved with a committee:

• The LWVWA Civics Education Committee meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm. Contact Beth Pellicciotti to get involved.
  

• The Voter Services Committee is comprised of leaders in the local League's Voter Services. They meet monthly on the second Wednesday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Reach out to Mary Schick or Cam Kerst to attend or learn more.

• The Redistricting Reform Campaign Task Force meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 2:00 pm. Contact Alison McCaffree to get involved.
  
  The LWVWA is leading a multi-year, statewide campaign to reimagine and reform the Washington State redistricting process. In keeping with League positions and the current Protect Democracy campaign, the LWVWA will plan and execute a campaign to reform the structure and procedures of the Washington State Redistricting Commission through a state constitutional amendment and statutory changes before the 2031 redistricting cycle.
  

• The Local News and Democracy Advocacy and Education Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3:00 p. Email Dee Anne Finken to get involved.
  
  Members of the committee, which also goes by the shortened title the Local News Team, are developing a media literacy and news education training project. That effort will start with a pilot training offered to all delegates attending the state convention in Clark County June 5-8. We are looking to equip League members with the tools they can use to help themselves and others decipher what they read and hear in the news is true and what isn't.

Get involved with an affinity group:

• NEW: Reproductive Rights held their first meeting on March 13. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Necia Quast. The LWV of the San Juans is working on creating an Affinity Group for Reproductive Rights to discuss what we might to as we head to the State Convention and eventually the national Convention to get updated League Positions on Reproductive Rights.
  
  
• Treasurer's Affinity Group meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. Contact Dee Ann Kline Pattison to get involved.
  
  
• Environment Affinity Group sends out a newsletter early each month. See the current issue of the newsletter, "Our Climate Radar," on Google Docs. Send content for future editions to the editor, Anita Rose, and contact Marty Gibbins to be put on the mailing list.
  
  
• Health of Democracy in Washington State Affinity Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm. Contact Jean Snider to get involved.
  
  How healthy is Washington State's democracy? A potential biannual scorecard on our state's democratic processes is in progress. Evaluation factors include voter participation, voting rights, election, money in politics, media access, broadband availability, and more.
  

*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.

In response to the increasing threats to US democracy, the LWVWA will hold a virtual town hall for members to hear from LWVUS staff on the League's approach to defend democracy in this challenging time.

Members will have an opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns and their expectations for what we do next.

Keep up with the LWVUS fight to defend democracy with their blog posts and press releases. Follow along with opportunities to strengthen democracy in Washington and our communities with the LWVWA.

Registration is required for this event. Sign up below.

Register here

The League of Women Voters of Washington will begin its biennial Convention on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The Plenary will convene on Friday, June 6, and end on Sunday, June 8, at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA.

The business of Convention will set the stage for the 2025-2027 biennium and will include adoption of Program of Work, election of officers and board of directors, approval of budget, and approval of bylaw amendments. There will be a variety of workshops addressing key issues and tips and ideas from other Leagues for League work.

Additional Convention details will be added as they become available. The final business for Convention will be posted by April 25, 2025, in compliance with the LWVWA bylaws. 

Plan now to attend—each local League may send their President and additional delegates as determined by your membership count that was finalized with LWVUS on Jan. 31, 2025. Anyone may attend as an observer. 

Delegates are chosen by members of their local Leagues.  Local League Representation is calculated in compliance with LWVWA bylaws: Section 9.4:

Representation. Each local League and MAL unit shall be entitled to voting representation in the convention as follows: one delegate for its first through 15th voting members and one delegate for every 25 additional voting members or major fraction thereof. 

Convention is a great opportunity for new and long-term members to learn more about the League, meet members from across the state, and be energized to meet the times. All are welcome—delegates and observers alike!

Book Your Hotel Room Now!

Reservations at the Heathman Lodge may be made by calling 360-254-3100. Please tell the reservation agent that you will be part of the League of Women Voters of Washington Group and request the Group rate when you call.

There are single and double occupancy rooms available for $169/night (plus the following fees: the current Vancouver City Occupancy Tax of 10.7%, a $2.00 per room, per night County Assessment, and an amenity fee of $16.30 per night for an estimated total of $205.38/night.

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.

The League Mind MELD
Happy Birthday League of Women Voters—105 years on February 13, 2025!

Think about it, we have been in the fight to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy for 105 years. At times, it seems like our work has just begun. A successful organization such as ours depends on our volunteers who are willing to get in the game and keep going. One of the ways we support each other is through the MELD program.

This program began as MLD (Membership and Leadership Development)—a partnership among the three levels of League. It is a framework of best practices, training, and coaching that helps local and state Leagues be more strategic and focused in efforts to recruit new members, engage current members, and develop new leaders. MLD began in 2006 and was a national program for a number of years. When LWVUS stopped using it, the Washington State League opted to continue and added the “E” for Engagement. We have a number of members to thank, including Ann Murphy, one of the MLD coaches and a current MELD Facilitator, and Katherine Murphy, who played a key role in developing the MELD program into what it is today.

We encourage all Leagues to have a representative in one of our Pods—they meet once a month and are great resources for information sharing—up, down, and sideways. A good example is this past year as we prepared for the dues transformation. Guest speakers, resources and information sharing often went to the Pods first, and those members then reported back to their Leagues. The Pods have a focused topic each month, as well as time for sharing what is going on in their local League, or how they could use assistance.

As we celebrate our 105^th birthday, we keep in mind all those dedicated—past and present—to keeping democracy alive.

Guiding our work, as we continue to Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy, we can look towards the League's "Oath to Democracy" and why—after 105 years of serving ALL voters (regardless of gender identity)—we will remain the League of WOMEN Voters.

March's Question: What workshops would you like to see at the 2025 LWVWA Convention in June?

Please share your responses—or any questions—with Nancy Halvorson, Membership Portfolio Director.

*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.

It is time to begin the work of planning the LWVWA's Program of Work for the next biennium!

In the League of Women Voters, the "program" is the educational and advocacy platform adopted biennially to advance the League's mission of "Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy." The biennial planning for the Program of Work is the grassroots process for identifying the work needed to achieve this mission. The LWVWA's Program—like all League action, advocacy, and education—is grounded in our positions and principles. That's why our work, especially our advocacy work, requires member understanding and agreement. Learn more about this process on our website. 

During the next few months, members of Washington's local Leagues will have opportunities to participate in the consensus process for the current studies and plan the Program of Work that will be adopted at the LWVWA Convention in June 2025. Members will be notified of the recommended Program at least 40 days prior to Convention.

Please note: Local League proposals for the LWVWA Program must be submitted no later than March 6.

Please contact Shelley Kneip with any questions or for more information.

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.

The League Mind MELD

In the coming months, MELD pods will be exploring how to work with other groups. As we navigate our changing political landscape, it is clear that coalitions and partnerships are more important than ever. It is crucial that we who fight for democracy must join together with a strong, united message.

A lot of Leagues and League members already have experience in developing these coalitions and partnerships. What are some of the things we can learn from them?

A great place to start is with an assessment of your own League members. While we remember to ask the "usual questions" (demographic information) when getting to know our members, we often forget to find out who they know! What organizations are our members a part of? Which elected officials do they have relationships with? What groups do they support? These could be a civic organization, political or church groups, neighborhood associations, or even just social networkers.

Collaborative work outside of the League begins with a personal relationship, and those can often start with League members participating in someone else's organization or event. We need to become known to others—and invite, invite, invite! We can build community by reaching out and asking others for help and for their expertise. We can praise and acknowledge others out there doing work similar to ours. The coalitions and partnerships will follow.

Reminder: Be sure to sign up for the Canva/social media workshop! The workshop will be held on January 22, 2025, at 4 PM via Zoom. Attendees will learn tips and tools for your personal and League use. There will be templates and League branding for presentations and social media posts, as well as LWVWA resources and more!

February's Question: Please let us know how a successful partnership you've had with another group began!

Please share your responses—or any questions—with Nancy Halvorson, Membership Portfolio Director.

*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.

We hope you have enjoyed and learned from the "In Their Own Words" essays series we've shared this year. Our advocacy is made stronger when we listen to and amplify the voices of those who are directly impacted.  As explained in the Nothing About Us Without Us Act, enacted this year, people with direct lived experience are experts in their own lives and are in the best position to find solutions to the issues they face.

We close this essay series with an essay from incarcerated writer David Jackson, written especially for this newsletter. The essay is a call to action—a call to recognize the humanity of us all and to work TOGETHER to change our society for the better.

"Society's Pen Pal" by David Jackson

I want to change the world, but will you allow me to? Do you see the value I posses, or am I just an amalgamation of years of fear mongering and political selling points? Can you see past my background check to my future's forecast—or am nothing more than the title of felon, bestowed upon me by an unforgiving penal system? Am I just in my belief that no person is defined by solely their best or worst moment?

Humans by design are dynamic, defined by a collection of the life they lived, people they loved, and communities they affected. To which most cases begin to heal the wounds of prior bad acts. Understand this is in no way a justification, or even a pacification, of the criminal element. Rather a sonnet to the restorative nature of mercy. If I may submit for your consideration, having been given your forgiveness, I could effect change on a massive scale if only society would believe in who I am, and not who I was a decade ago.

Healing is a process in which we all most don active roles. No one person can sit idly by while a community is overcoming collective traumas. People must, by the laws of nature, react to change. We must allow that change to emphasize compassion and redemption, over subjugation and otherism.

You are uniquely positioned in this moment to take an active role in the healing of not only those with lived experience, but the community at large. Allow me to stand as proof that liberation can be found in the halls of prisons across this nation. Freedom abounds in the confines of prison cells, because that is where healing is birthed. It is in that healing that we, who are soon to return to your communities, ask you to believe in. Better yet, we ask that you cultivate it. Believe that I, and others like me, have value and that my value isn't fleeting, but is sincere.

Once you believe in my value, we—together—can see change in communities across our region. When you not only believe in my purpose, but support it, then I can influence change with unparalleled efficacy. It all begins with a decision. A decision to believe that what was meant to disqualify me is, in fact, the very qualification that makes me best suited to usher in hope to hopeless communities. Will you be the one to make the decision to believe?

Say you did make the decision to believe. You picked up this very newsletter seeking answers on how best to support someone with lived experience. The answers, while simplistic, remain mired in complexity that often scare even the most devout of invested persons. This complicated process finds itself nearly insurmountable to the uncommitted. Your reading of these words has propelled you through the first step. My challenge to you is that you continue to take another.

Explore the biases that remain latent within your subconscious, challenge the trauma-filled responses that blind you to the humanity of all regardless of condition. I challenge you to assume positive intent, trust that my state-sanctioned conviction has defined my heart's convictions to bring forth restorative healing to communities everywhere. Continue to step through the fear and doubt sown by years of legal system propaganda, systematic dehumanizing of justice-impacted persons, and commercialized sensationalism sold through media across this globe. When you reach the precipice of this journey, you will be met with a choice. A choice to continue blind to the wonders of those forgotten en masse by the justice system—or to become a vested advocate, not just for those who are healing, but for those who remain broken.

When your choice has been made, and you begin to question where your voice can be most loudly heard, the answer is simple. In the quietest room. Seek spaces in which nobody looks like you, shares your experiences, or speaks with your vernacular. Identify an ally in restoration and move diligently in companionship with them to move healing further. Use the authority you have been afforded by way of nature to break the traumatic cycles that meticulously ensnare us all.

I want to change the world, but will you let me? Better yet, will you help me?

It is with fervent sincerity I request you seek someone with lived experience, and invest in their dreams. Invest in the freedom they foster within themselves. Invest with your time, attention, compassion, empathy, ideas, guidance, criticism, love, and trust.

Although this process seems daunting, the ramifications of achieving it are indefinable. I will change this world, but WE will change history.

In service,

David Jackson

If you are interested in learning about the peer counseling, trauma, or reentry work I am currently engaged in, and would like to get involved, please contact me via the Securus platform, or through standard mail at:

David Jackson

387627 MCC - TRU

PO Box 888

Monroe, WA 98272

David Jackson is a relentless visionary purposed with the creation of opportunity for all who feel they are disqualified from society. David has worked in community for years to minimize the divide between society and those with lived experience. His passion for curing the trauma of justice-impacted persons has enabled him to create the first Peer Resource Center within the Washington penal system. This transformative peer counseling space will become operation in early 2025.  

By Dee Anne Finken, LWVWA Lobby Team and Board Member

Nancy Sapiro, the LWVWA's contract lobbyist, says one of her greatest strengths isn't one people typically associate with those of a professional lobbyist.

"People think lobbying is a lot of schmoozing," Shapiro said as she took a break from preparing for Washington's legislative session, which begins January 13, 2025.

"I do a lot of listening," she said. "And I think that is really important."

That means no gregarious welcomes or back-slapping when Sapiro greets a lawmaker. Rather, Sapiro enters a legislator's office with the goal of finding understanding, and that, she said, comes from listening and finding common ground.

"That's the sweet spot, that's when people are willing to engage."

Sapiro is the sole proprietor and owner of Northwest Justice Consulting and has represented clients in Olympia since 2012. She specializes in healthcare—including reproductive health and end-of-life-care—civil rights, economic and social justice, civic engagement, and promoting policies that support working families.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Sapiro previously worked for League Voice, which was formerly the Northwest Women's Law Center. There, Sapiro was engaged in impact litigation and legislative work.

But, intrigued by lobbying—and the chance to turn meaningful policies into law—Sapiro changed focus, opening Northwest Justice Consulting 12 years ago.

Nine years ago, she began working with the League, which she calls an honor. "The longevity and history of the organization is so impressive. It's been at the forefront of civic engagement forever."

Over the years, her League work has changed, she said, mostly because of the League's growing sophistication in lobbying and legislation. "Lobby Team members know the processes and key players and provide testimony. They have greater expertise. They know their stuff and so I help now mostly by sharing political context and strategizing with team members."

Sapiro said she's seen the Legislature change over the years, too. For one, younger people are getting elected. "Many now have young families," she said.

Quick not to characterize that development as good or bad, Sapiro also sees a different perspective among legislators about what being elected means. "It's 'I've been elected, and the people of my district want me to do things and want to see change now.' There is a hunger for things to happen quickly."

Sapiro, a member of LWV Seattle/King County, said, in reality, she's been advocating for many years.

The proof is in the story she's told her daughters about growing up in the Midwest and during the bitterly cold winters in grade school, when she and her female classmates had to wear dresses to school.

When the girls went outside for recess, she said they could slip on pants underneath their dresses, but they had to remove the pants when they came back inside.

"Then it dawned on me, 'why do we have to wear dresses?'"

Sapiro promptly organized her classmates and together they marched to the principal's office to protest.

"We convinced the principal and we all began to wear pants."

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.

The League Mind MELD

This month, the MELD focus is on "L&D" (leadership and development). Effective leadership is critical, but not everyone is comfortable with words like Leader or Leadership. This can be a potential block—because words matter! Perhaps working with different terminology can help. Instead, think in terms like, Mentor, Guide, Helper, Facilitator, Responsible Party, Conductor, or Influencer.

Some folks are very good in these roles. What do you notice about those individuals in these roles? What draws you to them and encourages you to be part of what they are doing? We all know a good guide when we encounter one—to learn from them, we just need to break down what it is we're picking up on.

Leadership can be approached in different ways—you can facilitate singly or in partnership with others. Leagues in Washington are using a number of different leadership styles/models to ensure League activities operate smoothly. While there is no one right way to lead, there are some key points to being an effective leader:

• Listening is # 1: Listening is most important. What are the needs and concerns of the group? What are the most important tasks to be worked on? Good leaders listen to what their teams have to say in these matters.

• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate: A good leader will recognize the work of their team and make it clear they care. It is also important to share what is going on in the organization—and share regularly!

• Ask and Delegate: Asking others for help shows them that you appreciate them and believe in their skills and talents. Plus, when others step up to help in ANY way, they are likely to take ownership and responsibility for the success of the activity or event.

• Participate: This one is for all of us! As Lunell Haught is known to say: "It is important for us to rise above our capacity. The League is not a sit-down dinner and you get to be served. This is a potluck where we all bring something to the table."

There have been requests to have a workshop/panel/exercises on leadership and development at the LWVWA Convention in June 2025. Other requests include a League/member 101 model for local Leagues to adapt to their particular League. We welcome your suggestions! Please share them.

Reminder: Be sure to sign up for the Canva/social media workshop! The workshop will be held on January 22, 2025 at 4 PM via Zoom. Attendees will learn tips and tools for your personal and League use. There will be templates and League branding for presentations and social media posts, as well as LWVWA resources and more!

The Month's Questions

Last month, we asked "what are you grateful for?" The responses from Katherine Murphy were well said and reflect the vast majority of those we received:

• "I am thankful to live in the state of Washington because we currently have more freedom here than in other states, and because we are more climate conscious."
  
  
• "I am thankful for the hundreds of thousands of people who GOTV!"
  
  
• "I am thankful for League friends."

January's Question: How do YOU identify an effective facilitator?

Please share your responses—or any questions—with Nancy Halvorson, Membership Portfolio Director

*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.