By Dee Anne Finken, Communications Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington
A recent survey of Seattle King County League members has produced a bounty of insights, including some that might apply to other local Leagues.
Karen Lenart said the outcome—based on 74 responses from the 574 Seattle King County League members surveyed—gives leaders a close look at what makes the local League tick.
“Seattle King County League has an incredibly untapped wealth of members and we only skim the top in terms of what our members have to offer.” - Karen Lenart
The effort, conducted in December, was designed to get to know members better and to offer programming based on what experiences members sought when they joined.
“Seattle King County League has an incredibly untapped wealth of members and we only skim the top in terms of what our members have to offer,” she said.
The survey sought answers to four primary questions: Why a member joined; specific experiences a member sought in joining; what skills a member brought to the organization; and the member’s volunteer or career experience.
Most respondents cited their primary reason for joining as a chance to defend democracy and protect voting rights. That response won out over ensuring eligible voters are registered and informed about candidates and issues.
Members said they prefer attending meetings where discussion is a major feature. Less popular are meetings with experts who primarily lecture.
Most favored topics of discussion are about empowering voters and defending democracy. Hearing about action-oriented ideas followed in second place.
What skills do members bring?
About half have backgrounds or training in education, writing and event planning. Thirty percent have experience in government public service and volunteer coordination. Only a smattering are visual artists.
Lenart, a retired pediatric nurse practitioner and educator who performed some survey work in her career, joined the League in 2022. The following year, she read in a League newsletter about a proposed study on immigrants and joined the committee that has since produced “Welcoming Immigrants to Washington.”
Lenart is working with study co-chairs Susan F. Martin and Lydia Zepeda on national concurrence of the study’s resulting position. “It’s been interesting and informative,” Lenart said.
Lenart and the LWVSKC Board are planning how to survey new members and use the data to reach out and involve them in League activities. One addition would be to request recipients include their names to allow for better outreach and to make follow-up possible. “I think we need to be more directive, to do more personal outreach.”
Local League President Barb Tengtio added: “From volunteering on specific events, like voter outreach and/or advocacy; to leading/working on committees or in units; to supporting LWVSKC communications and operations to being a LWVSKC Board member, we have so many opportunities. Understanding the interests and skill sets of our members through a periodic survey is one way we aim to maximize member engagement.”
