2019-2020 Annual Report

written and presented by League President, Cindy Schotts

League of Women Voters of Mason County spent this year “Looking Back and Moving Forward.”  We welcomed many new members who energized our work.  We shared the message of the Centennial of the League and Women Suffrage.  We added new committees and activities as we continued the focus on action.

 VOTER EMPOWERMENT

• “They Represent You” brochures for 2020 were edited and printed.
• Young voters:  2 Mason County High Schools: 98 students participated; 75 new registrations; 2 LWV members volunteered. Contacts were made to all the districts to offer assistance with voter registration and pre-registration.
• A new focus is registration and education at elementary school parent events:  9 parents registered.
• 10 events across the county: 15 LWVMC volunteers; 11 new or updated registrations; more than 100 voter materials, TRY brochure and membership information distributed.
• National Voter Registration Day:  49 new or updated registrations; more than 100 voter education materials distributed; 14 volunteers at 5 locations across the county; the Shelton-Mason Journal published a letter to the editor about voter registration and the importance of voting.
• 167 voters participated in the “Apple Poll” to prioritize local concerns and issues.  Results were published in the Journal and reported to the Mason County Commission.
• 2 LWVMC members reached out to Starbuck customers at “Ballots and Baristas” events in Belfair and Shelton.
• Candidates for Shelton City Council and Shelton School Board participated in a candidate forum.  We are collaborating with other Local Leagues to sponsor video forums for Congressional candidates in the primary election.
• Members attended training at the Auditor’s office for voter registration and assisting with same-day registration.
• The Voter Services Committee has provided voter education information for the new webpage.

   

  ADVOCACY

• Members met at “Post Card Parties” to write postcards and emails to Members of Congress and Members of the Legislature to advocate for issues on national and state Action Alerts.
• 10 members attended the LWVWA Action Workshop in Olympia.
• 13 members attended the 2020 Democracy Lobby Day in Olympia and visited our 35th District legislators.
• Our lobby team members challenged members to use the weekly Legislative Newsletter to follow current legislative action, and to participate through emailing their opinions to our representatives.
• Members were encouraged to attend Mason County Commission meetings, and to access MasonWeb TV to watch recorded meetings.
• Speakers at Membership Meeting/Public Forum: Katie Crabtree, Outreach Coordinator for Rep. Kilmer explained the “For the People Act”; Rep. Kilmer spoke on Covid-19 legislation.

 CLIMATE CHANGE

• A Climate Change Committee was organized with 20 members and created a mission statement and action steps.
• The committee reviewed LWVWA and LWVUS positions and guidelines related to climate change.
• Members attended the LWVWA Action Workshop focused on Climate Change.
• The Climate Change Committee met with representatives of PUD3, Mason County Transit, Mason Public Health, and Green Diamond Resources to learn about the effects of climate change on the Mason County economy and environment.
• Speakers at Membership Meetings/public forums:  Rep. Beth Doglio, of Climate Solutions, “Cost of Climate Change.”; Donna Albert, “Climate Reality Project”; Erica Marbet and Candace Penn, “Squaxin Tribal Climate Change Projects”
• Research was initiated regarding “CO2 Fee and Dividend” legislation proposal in collaboration with LWVWA lobby team members and local advocates.
• The Shelton Mason Journal published a letter to the editor from our Climate Change Chair to promote public awareness of the effects of climate change in Mason County.

   

  CENTENNIAL

• A Centennial Committee was formed with 10 members to plan our Centennial events and projects.
• Membership meetings began 30 minutes earlier for Centennial activities, pink tea, quizzes, and suffragist biographies.
• The Mason County Commission presented LWVWA with a Centennial Proclamation.
• Letters to the Editor were published in the Journal about Women’s Equality Day and the League Centennial; articles and photos in the Journal highlighted the February 14th Centennial Celebration.
• LWV of Mason County received $1000 from the LWVUS for registering our event.
• 70 members and community members attended our Centennial Celebration on the League Birthday, February 14, 2020.  Irene Davis, a founder of our League, was honored.
• The Mason County Historical Preservation Commission awarded the LWVMC for our project to honor “Women Leaders of Mason County.”  A travelling display, Power Point presentation, and booklet will be produced.  The Mason County Historical Museum, Daughters of the Pioneers, and tribal leaders are working with us on the project.  We hope to complete the display and present it later this year.

   

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

• League members worked with community partners to propose “Home Rule Charter” for consideration by the Mason County Commission.
• The Program Committee organized a MasonWebTV videotape of a presentation about Home Rule Charter as our March Membership Meeting.  Follow-up information was presented by Karen Herr and Tom Davis for our May Membership meeting on Zoom.
• The Shelton Mason Journal published articles on Home Rule Charter.

 MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

• We added 15 members this year for a record total of 53 members!  We welcomed new members with packets and 2 orientation sessions.
• Board members and other experienced members provided mentor support to new members.
• We used personal invitations to guests to our meetings.
• New membership brochures were produced.
• Local radio and newspapers published meeting announcements.
• Our newsletter, “The Voter”, was published 3 times.

 LEAGUE BUSINESS AND CONNECTING WITH LWVWA

• The Executive Board edited our Non-Partisan Policy which was approved by the membership.
• A new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy was adopted.
• A LWVWA technology grant provided funds for a sound system, projector, and screen which will be used for our centennial project presentations and at League events.
• A new webpage was developed.
• Our Board Members and all members are learning to use Zoom for committee meetings, board meetings, and membership meetings!!
• Members attended virtual workshops and presentations at the 2020 LWVWA Council.