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What We Do
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We Inform Our Members...
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Monthly Voter newsletters
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Discussion groups (unit meetings)
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Public information meetings (general meetings)
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Online publications and email correspondence
We Educate the Public...
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Lead candidate forums, prepare ballot issue materials, and promote voter registration
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Find new audience niches for promoting issues (a local example is KSER radio)
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Publish They Represent You!, a directory of public officials serving the people of Snohomish County
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Prepare in-depth studies on topics chosen and researched by members of local, state, and national League
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Hold public information meetings on current issues at which we distribute our studies and ballot issue materials
We Study...The League arrives at positions on issues through research, study, and a process of member agreement:
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Research—As soon as a new issue is chosen (usually voted on by delegates at state or national conventions), members go after the facts. They draw on a variety of pro and con materials, develop their own resources, conduct surveys, turn to experts and public officials for information, and directly observe facilities and institutions.
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Study—The study material is produced and mailed to each member, who then may take part in other League discussions (typically in unit meetings and board meetings). Each member then has the opportunity to express an opinion and take part in the consensus.
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Consensus—Results of the League discussions are compiled. Consensus, or the substantial agreement, of the group then becomes the basis of the League's formal position. League can decide what action is possible and appropriate to take on the issue.
We Advocate...
Our action takes various forms. It could be aimed at providing information to our members, the public, or our elected officials. It could be aimed at building public opinion, or at supporting or opposing state legislation. Forms of League action include:
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Working on citizen task forces and advisory committees—The League's studied perspectives on issues tend to build relationships of trust over time. In this way, we try to influence issues on which our League, or the state or national League, has taken a position.
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Lobbying local and state officials—Testifying at public hearings, submitting formal comments to government officials and agencies, and in other ways expressing our support for (or opposition to) proposed programs and projects is an important part of being a citizen activist.
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Working in the community—The League board co-sponsors, endorses, publicizes, or contributes materials for other organizations' workshops, tours, and classes. League positions are not necessarily in agreement with these organizations on all issues, but we often share some of the same objectives and priorities.
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Hosting informational public meetings and panel discussions—We invite the media to League-moderated public meetings on topics that are a current focus for us. We distribute relevant League publications and educational materials to people attending the meetings, and listen to attendees' comments on the issues.
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