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 105th 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.
