Reconnect!  Restore!  Renew! 

(We need this!) 

The League of Women Voters is Defending Democracy! And we have plans. Plans for what, you might ask. For the next LWV of Washington Council, which will be held in Everett, Washington, June 10–12, so put these dates on your calendar. The LWVWA Board coordinates statewide councils and conventions on alternating years.  

This June, every League has the opportunity to share plans and activities with other members across the state as well as reconnect, restore, and renew itself. We have 20 Leagues and Units-at-Large across Washington state and every one of them has a plan. First, many of the Leagues have “loaned” a member to serve at the state level at different times. These local league representatives are responsible for assisting all local Leagues across the state.  

At the council, members can learn about the League itself, not just the things the League does but how we do it. Your League may have a great way of doing something—you can share that with others and get some ideas from different Leagues. We'll also elect some new state Board members so we can have staggered Board terms. Like the convention, we’ll need 30 delegates from local Leagues for that election. The council has a structure, but isn’t run by Robert’s Rules of Order—it’s more like "friend time."  

On alternate years, the state convention is the business meeting where delegates decide the two-year state budget and what programs and studies the state will take on; elect some officers, directors, and the nominating committee; and change the bylaws, if necessary. Both meetings are opportunities for the grassroots—who are actually the raindrops from clouds—to give direction to the League. At this year's council, we will review what we’ve learned implementing our 2017 strategic plan and decide strategies for the next few years. 

How to get leadership in local Leagues, what services the state League could provide to make your life easier—these are some of the things we’ll discuss at the council. We'll have a showcase of local Leagues and a silent auction of goodies from Leagues across the state. There’s talk of a show of recycled fashions (bring your own).   

The 2022 council is being hosted by the Skagit and Snohomish County Leagues (thank you) and if you haven’t been to these counties, you’ll enjoy learning about this part of the state and taking a stroll with others (you don’t have to meet in a room).  

The registration fee will be around $150 (higher than we’d like but less than the full cost of the facility) and will just cover meals, technology, and room rental. We’re also looking into childcare options. Remember, it is the local League’s responsibility to pay or help pay for council expenses so that every member who wants to attend should be able to (of course you can pay for it all, but local Leagues typically do some fundraising to support their members who attend).  Many Leagues double and quadruple people in a room, so that’s an option to explore. Politics does make strange bedfellows. 

Our work has never been more important. This year’s LWVWA Council will provide an opportunity for members to connect about the exciting things they are doing all over the state. There will be much more information to come. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, contact Linda Benson.