The LWVWA Biennial Council will be Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 2 and we can't wait to gather 'in League!' If you haven't already, make sure you register.

This year, we have a wide selection of workshops scheduled, with eleven workshops folks can choose to attend. Below you will find the full list of the workshops with a brief description of each.

Elevator Speeches and Testifying for Local News and Democracy
Organizer: Dee Anne Finken (LWVWA)

This caucus is geared towards empowering delegates for the 2024 LWVUS Convention to support concurrence on the Local News and Democracy position. This workshop will be hands-on and interactive, providing the opportunity to practice writing and delivering "elevator speeches" and testimony for the LWVUS Convention. Attendees will walk away from this caucus prepared to be a confident delegate.

Immigration and Immigrant Policy
Organizer: Susan Martin (LWV San Juan County)

Immigration is one of the leading policy issues in the 2024 election. This workshop will provide an overview of immigration in WA State—including numbers of immigrants, as well as their geographic distribution, socioeconomic status, legal status, and more. The current LWVUS and LWVWA positions on immigration will also be discusses, as well as recent and proposed legislative actions on immigration reform at the state and national levels. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the LWVWA study "Immigration and Immigrant Integration in Washington."

What Does Serving on the LWVWA Board of Directors Involve and Require?
Organizer: Jean Alliman (LWV Spokane Area)

This workshop will provide attendees with an informal opportunity to ask questions about the responsibilities and expectations for those who serve on the LWVWA's Board of Directors. We aim to empower members who want to serve on the Board to apply themselves, or to nominate other members that could help the Board shape the LWVWA's future.

What are the Keys to Getting The State We're In: WA into Schools Across Washington?
Organizer: Karen Verrill (LWVWA), Bonnie Bless-Boenish and Jean Snider will also help lead the discussion.

Civic education should inspire students to be active, informed citizens. This is what our civics textbook does! The State We're In: Washington is a tremendous aid in creating a well-informed and voting public. The books are now available in both English and Spanish for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, however, getting those books into classrooms is often a struggle. This workshop will provide a lively discussion about how to help connect students to our valuable textbooks. Attendees will learn from teachers how to effectively approach schools, school districts, and libraries to increase the distribution of our book. Ideas for increasing the visibility of these books availability will also be discussed.

Treasurer Affinity Group: Transformational Journey
Organizer: Dee Kline Parkinson (LWV Mason County)

This workshop will continue to build on our work on the financial portion of the LWV Transformational Journey. It's suitable for Local League Treasurers, Presidents, Roster Managers, and Webmasters.

Got Any Plans for NVRD? Here’s What’s Happening…!
Organizer: Jeanne Crevier (LWV Snohomish County)

This workshop is geared toward demonstrating the possibilities of teaming up with Evergreen Goodwill and Common Power to reach traditionally marginalized communities and young voters—just in time for National Voter Registration Day (NVRD)! For four years, LWV Snohomish has partnered with Goodwill and Common Power for a multi-day voter registration and information event that culminates in a large registration push on NVRD. This year NVRD is on September 17 and events wills be held in 12 Goodwill stores throughout King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, and Kitsap Counties. We hope to take it statewide next year! Join us as we showcase this work, highlight the successes, and outline our plans for the 2024 NVRD voter registration event.

Collaborative Leadership Structures
Organizer: Susan Fiksdal (LWV Thurston County)

This workshop will focus on collaborative leadership structures as a response to the difficulties in finding members to serve in the role of local League President. LWV Thurston County was unable to find a member willing to serve as president, and instead formed a leadership team which is expected to be elected at their annual meeting. Attendees will discuss experiences, ideas, and advice related to collaborative leadership structures.

Indian Nations’ Federal Recognition Issues: Chinook Tribe
Organizer: Susan Fleming (LWV Clark County)

Treaties, laws and court actions have created a labyrinth of regulations for tribes to navigate, and which also compromise their independence and rights. This workshop will focus on how the Chinook Tribe has been impacted in WA and OR and how their situation can be improved.

Redistricting Reform Putting People First
Organizer: Alison McCaffree (LWVWA)

As a result of the Soto Palmer v. Hobbs lawsuit, new legislative maps have been drawn. It's impacts include a new district—intended to provide better representation for Latino voters—as well as moving nearly half a million people to different legislative districts and displacing 5 current legislators. The LWVWA believes the uncertainty caused by this lawsuit illustrates the need to change our state’s redistricting process, and workshop attendees will hear from the LWVWA Redistricting Reform Task Force about the new 2024 legislative map boundaries and how proposed reform efforts will reduce similar turmoil for voters. A People First Redistricting Commission would minimize partisan influences and emphasize a consensus around what’s best for all communities. Come find out how you can help make this new commission a reality.

Explore a Democracy Scorecard Project for Washington State
Organizer: Linnea Hirst (LWVWA)

Biannually, the LWV of Maine produces the "Maine Report Card," which assesses the effectiveness of the democratic processes in Maine. Their evaluations are based on publicly available data. This workshop will discuss bringing a similar project to the state of Washington. Attendees will discuss what measures of the democratic processes should be used in Washington. This discussion will include the relevance of the measures used by Maine, as well as the possibility of partnering with other non-profits who focus on the effectiveness of democratic institutions.

Civics Comes Alive!
Organizer: Barbara Tengtio (LWV Seattle/King County)

This workshop will focus on LWV Seattle/King County's "Civics and You!" project. "Civics and You!" is a civics education program developed by LWV Seattle/King County and Inglemoor High School's Social Studies Teacher, A. Baker. It consists of student-led forums and practice voting and was utilized during the fall of 2023. The teaching module is available on LWV Seattle/King County's website.