Local League Packet for Decline of Local News Consensus

Dear Local Leagues and UAL Presidents and Program Chairs, 

Your state Board is pleased to deliver this packet of information for your League to use in  developing your consensus statement for the Decline of Local News study. The deadline to submit your consensus state to the state League is March 20, 2023.  

On this page you will find a link to the study along with news articles and tools and links to assist in this process. The response form is being provided in both a JotForm and Word doc format.  

The tools are helpful information for this effort. They include: 

• A graphic showing the path from idea to position for the study; 

• Guidance for getting to consensus; 

• A job description for discussion leaders and recorders.  

There are four news articles, all reprinted with permission of the publisher. There are two articles from the Daily Herald out of Everett, one from the Seattle Times, and another from The Columbian out of Vancouver, WA. Other mentions of this important study have also occurred in the media. 

Also included in the packet, as posted here, are articles from the Evergreen Voter and In League that add background information related to getting to consensus. 

Finally, there is a registration link to an All-Member Briefing the committee is holding via Zoom on January 21 at 10:00 a.m. The presentation will be posted after it occurs.  

The committee has been holding briefings for local Leagues around the state, and would be glad to host one for your League. The January 21 briefing is being offered to ensure all League members have the opportunity to learn highlights of the study.  

Please know that the study committee would be glad to serve as a resource person for your consensus discussion. Please contact Study Co-Chairs Dee Anne Finken (dfinken@comcast.net) or Delores Irwin (dirwin@kittitasleague.org) to arrange for this.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Program Chair Mary Coltrane (mary.coltrane@lwvwa.org). 

Thank you for your League’s interest in this timely and important topic. The state Board looks forward to getting your consensus statement! 

Best – 
Lunell Haught, President 
Mary Coltrane, Program Chair 
Beth Pellicciotti 
Dee Ann Kline 
Liz Bander