WASHINGTON STATE VOTER

Summer 2001 Vol. 42 No 1 The League of Women Voters of Washington,

4710 University Avenue NE, #214, Seattle, WA 98105

Tel: 206-622-8961 (outside toll area 1-800-419-2596) FAX: 206-622-4908 email: lwvwa@lwvwa.org

Judy Hedden, President, Judy Golberg, Editor

The League of Women Voters of Washington met in Richland for its 2001 Convention from June 22-24. The purpose of convention is to adopt a program, adopt a budget, amend the bylaws, and elect officers and directors. We determine the direction for League for the next two years.

The highlight of convention is the development and adoption of program. Members lobby for their enthusiasms and concerns through caucuses and debate. We had many lively discussions. The board had recommended a two-year update of the Representative Government positions on Initiative and Referendum process and on Campaign Finance Reform. The delegates voted to split these two issues and the update on Initiatives and Referendum passed, the update on Campaign Finance Reform did not. The board also recommended a continuation of the selected portions (Instant Runoff, Choice Voting and Cumulative Voting) of the Election Methods study to enhance member understanding. That item passed. Concurrence with the LWV Seattle update of the state transportation position with stronger language was also passed. A not-recommended item for an update and educational campaign on the Washington State tax structure passed with overwhelming support. So we have three studies to work on in the next two years. I hope that you will volunteer to help with the study of your choice.

The bylaws amendment allowing student membership and per-member rates to conform to LWVUS was passed, as was the budget (two-year total of $244,622). New officers and directors were elected.

The host League, Benton-Franklin Counties, did a fabulous job organizing the convention around the opportunity to teach us about their area and their concerns. The extremely popular optional tour of the Hanford Reservation and the Hanford Reach was something we will surely remember. The contrast of the desert of the Reservation and the blue river surrounded by green and wildlife was amazing.

The Dorothy Roberts Award was presented to Jane Shafer for her many contributions to the League.

League of Women Voters of Washington Board of Directors Officers Judy Hedden, President, Snohomish County Jean Wells, 1st Vice President, Spokane Area Elizabeth Davis, 2nd Vice President, South Whidbey Island Betsy Greene, Secretary, Lake Washington East Myra Howrey, Treasurer, Kitsap County Directors Catherine Ahl, Kitsap County Lucy Copass, Seattle Joyce Dennison, Yakima County Wilma Dlouhy, Kittitas Valley Carol Goldenberg, Seattle Pat Matteson, Seattle Peggy Saari, Seattle Nominating Committee Alice Stolz, Chair, Spokane Area Eloise Andrus, Kitsap County Jo Morgan, Bellingham/Whatcom County Staff Claudia Downing, Administrative Director Sherry Appleton, Lobbyist Sylviann Frankus, Washington Voter Project Manager The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Any person of voting age, male or female, may become a League member. The Washington State VOTER is published quarterly by the League of Women Voters of Washington, 4710 University Way N.E., Suite #214, Seattle, WA 98105. Yearly subscription $10.00. Members of the League of Women Voters of Washington subscribe through their annual dues. Any citizen, 18 or older, may join the League of Women Voters. Call 206-622-8961 for a local League in your area. Send address changes to the League of Women Voters of Washington, 4710 University Way N.E., Suite #214, Seattle, WA 98105.			Calendar of Events August 23-24 - Local League PresidentÕs Retreat - Ellensburg September 14 - Board of DirectorÕs Meeting - Seattle June 2002 - LWVWA Council in Yakima June 2002 - LWVUS Convention in Miami Fall VOTER deadline - September 14, 2001 The State We're In is now online on our web page, http://www.lwvwa.org and click on the link to The State We're In Board Splinters for May and June 2001 Approved revised Consensus procedure. Approved proposed Bylaw revision regarding student member dues for consideration by Convention delegates Approved recommended Study proposals for consideration by convention delegates Approved $50 for the 1/3 for Choice Coalition Approved concurrence with Seattle LeagueÕs Transportation study for consideration by convention delegates Voted to join the regional coalition on climate change.
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PresidentÕs Column
					One of our greatest challenges to balance is breaking the cycle of lack of trust in government and yet continuing to live the legacy of great protestors. Government per se is not the problem and we must continue to work through government to find solutions. I truly feel that we are following in the footsteps of the suffragists and reformers. The reputation of the League began with suffrage and the actions of women and men who are working to empower people to shape better communities have built on that reputation. The League of Women Voters is a community-based organization that developed ways to think globally and act locally long before that phrase was coined. Thanks for the opportunity you have given me. And remember, we are not working towards perfection - we are working towards fairness and balance. Judy Hedden, President Ph: 206-622-8961, Fax: 206-622-4908 Home Ph. 360-668-3479 Email: jahedden@accessone.com
	TO FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS É
I am honored and excited to have been elected president of the League of Women Voters of Washington. The transition that I am going through has been made easier through the encouragement of past state League presidents, including Joan Thomas, Jocelyn Marchisio, Wanda Haas, Karen Verrill, Alice Stolz, and of course, Liz Pierini. I have learned so much from Liz and from working with her on the board and individually. Liz is an amazing combination of tough commitment to League and courageous defense of League positions and sensitivity to the needs of others and graciousness in all she does. In other words, she has a wonderful balance in her approach to life. ThatÕs one thing that I hope to borrow from her - balance. I believe that balance should be the hallmark of policy and action. Balance should be the result of the natural tension among the elements in our lives. We must balance the value of community and the rights of the individual. We must balance private gain and public good. We must be sure that both sides of the equation are represented in our discussions. I hope that in our studies we will consider these elements. If different election methods or initiative and referendum are used that provide greater individual value and greater feeling of inclusion, we must be sure that the end product is of equal value to our larger public and government. In the discussion of taxes, we must consider whatÕs in it for me but also whatÕs in it for my community.
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A. Definitions:

1. Consensus: Member agreement reached after study and discussion; ÒconsensusÓ reached by members through group discussion is not a simple majority, nor is it necessarily unanimity; rather, it is the overall sense of the group as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions.

a) Consensus is not a vote or a poll. However, a show of hands may be used to determine the sense of the group.

b) Only members who actually participate in the consensus process are included in the results."

2. Consensus Procedures:

a) All Leagues shall use the consensus form received from LWVWA.

b) Consensus reports from local League unit meetings shall be submitted to the local League Board. They shall not be sent directly to LWVWA or to the state study committee.

c) The reports from the unit meetings shall clearly indicate whether or not consensus was reached. If a question is left blank, say why: Òwe did not reach a consensusÓ, or, Òwe did not have time to deal with this questionÓ.

d) The local League Board shall compile and approve the consensus statement based upon its review of the consensus reports from the unit meetings.

e) The local League Board shall submit the consensus statement to LWVWA. All consensus reports from the units shall be submitted to LWVWA as attachments to the consensus statement approved by the local League Board.

f) The consensus form submitted to LWVWA shall have the name of the local League, date of the Board meeting, and number of local League members participating in the consensus meetings. If any other papers are submitted, they should be firmly attached to the consensus form.

g) The state study committee shall prepare a proposed statement of position based on the compilation of data from the local LeaguesÕ consensus to be submitted to the State Board for review, discussion and final approval. The state study committeeÕs data compilation sheets should be attached to the report to the State Board.

(Note: The Concurrence statement was not changed.)

EditorÕs Note: You may agree or disagree with the above policy or with Margaret ThatcherÕs opinion. However, LWVWAÕs Board of Directors did vote to change the Consensus procedure to clarify the process.

"Consensus: the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies in search of something in which no one believes, but to which no one objects; the process of avoiding the very issues that have to be solved, merely because you cannot get agreement on the way ahead. What great cause would have been fought and won under the banner 'I stand for consensus'?" -- Margaret Thatcher

This portion of the consensus was sent as an advisory letter to the LWVUS Trade Taskforce.

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) must not be given authority to supercede our national or state priorities, especially legally enacted environmental protections.
• Trade agreements must go beyond economics to include conservation, environmental protections, impact on climate change, sustainable forest management, endangered species and wildlife habitat protection. These considerations must be given worldwide to encourage ecologically safe practices for all native forests.
• An appeals process should be available and transparent.

Forest Practice Rules and Laws

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes:

• The public and stakeholders need to be informed with readable materials and good media coverage when rules and laws are being developed. Adequate notice of hearings, meetings and proposed actions must be given.
• Public review and comment at each phase of policy and regulation development should be required.
• Citizens and stakeholders must be represented on the decision-making bodies.

School Funding and Trust Lands

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes:

• trust lands should remain in public ownership.
• The last statement of the LWVWA Forest position should be amended to read: (in caps) Washington schools must be fully funded WITH LESS reliance on timber harvests.

Land Trades

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes:

• environmental values of the lands proposed for trade must be considered before economic values, trained appraisers, with public oversight, must be used and the right of appeal must be available to the public.

Roadless Area and Recreation

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes:

• the state should consider ecological protection the most important factor in deciding which activities to allow on state forest lands. Motorized activities should be restricted and in separate areas from non-motorized activities. Some areas on state lands should be roadless.

The League's study of Election Methods began in 1999. The study showed that a variety of election systems in use throughout the world could serve as alternatives to the Single Member Plurality system commonly used in the United States. Elections deal with both multi-member bodies and with single offices. More information and education is necessary in order to select the best system to elect members to multi-member government bodies (councils, house of representatives, etc.) A winner in a single office race should achieve a majority.

The criteria used to evaluate election methods were ranked, beginning with "representative-ness." This term was coined to provide shorthand for creating a body that reflects the demographic make-up of the people of Washington State and the protection of the right to representation for ethnic, racial, philosophic and other minorities. Consideration should also be given to how well election methods promote citizen participation, promote accountability, promote meaningful and accessible elections, encourage efficient decision-making and effective legislative performance, promote openness, promote responsiveness, provide incentives for inclusion, discourage negative campaigning, and ensure majority support for single winner offices.

In 2000, the United States Supreme Court ruled that California's blanket primary denied political parties' right to freedom of association. League members recognized that Washington's blanket primary would be affected by that ruling. They discussed whether changes to Washington's blanket primary should take the form of modifying it or eliminating it. Member preferences were evenly split between the two approaches. However, there was agreement on selected elements of a primary in the event that a primary is retained.

The League of Women Voters of Washington:

• supports state election laws allowing for more options for alternative election systems in governmental jurisdictions at both the state and local levels.
• believes that consideration should be given, when evaluating election systems, to how well they promote "representative-ness", citizen participation and accountability.
• in the event that the primary continues as a part of Washington's election system, (LWVWA) supports a primary that has the following elements: is an "open" system not requiring advance party registration, keeps voters' party preferences from becoming a matter of public record and encourages minor party participation.
• supports a presidential prmary only if the results play a decisive part in selecting party nominees.

Peg Williams, longtime League leader, was one of two winners of the Carrie Chapman Catt Award at the Seattle LWV Annual Meeting 2001, the other winner being Ann Bowden.

I was pleased to be invited to announce PegÕs award because I have enjoyed getting to know her in her role as State Off-Board Chair for Civil Rights/ Human Rights. In 1998 Peg was a State League representative to the ÒNO on Initiative 2000Ó campaign, and in early December of that year she was named an ÒOutstanding CitizenÓ by the Seattle Chapter of the United Nations Association for her work to make human/civil rights a reality for people everywhere.

Peg joined the Seattle League in 1975 when she learned about the active involvement of League in behalf of schools. Soon, she became chair of the Education Committee and served as the Seattle School Board Observer. She also was the Seattle LeagueÕs representative to the Seattle Public Schools Desegregation Committee.

Peg organized the Seattle Citizen Information Service (CIS) desk and works her shift every week. She also serves as co-chair for the Social Policy Committee. She has maintained her interest in diversity through outreach for League and has been active on the membership Committee for many years.

Congratulations, Peg! Our very best wishes to you always. Liz Pierini

Lois Garlick, LWV/Bellingham/Whatcom member and her husband George are the subjects of a ÒProfileÓ article in the Spring/Summer 2001 issue of Washington Wildlands, The Nature ConservancyÕs magazine.

The Garlicks worked with the late Hazel Wolf to found BellinghamÕs chapter of The National Audubon Society and have volunteered as land stewards for the ConservancyÕs Chuckanut Island Preserve for 22 years.

The Garlicks were recently honored as the first recipients of The Nature ConservancyÕs Steward of the Year award.

We were surprised and greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Linda Lee Martens on Saturday, June 2, 2001.

The Celebration of Life for Linda Lee was very upbeat. The word had gone out to wear purple, her favorite color, and that was the dominant color. There was an overflow crowd, as would be expected.

Her activities were incredible. All the while working full time and in the last few years caring for her husband who had health problems. She skydived to celebrate her 50th birthday! She was 54 in February.

Her obituary also told of growing up in the segregated South. Her mother liked to take Linda Lee and her sister traveling, but since restaurants and hotels weren't available for African Americans, they had to take their meals and stay with friends or relatives. She received a scholarship to Spellman, and started there at age 17, at the height of the civil rights movement.

I remember the comments of at least two people that she had encouraged to join the League. They both said they joined because Linda Lee said they needed to get involved.

Linda was a Past President of the Whidbey Island League and very active in many organizations in her community. She was a genuine leader, forward-looking, kind, and possessed great wisdom. She gave much to her community and will be greatly missed.

Speakers will be: Patti Goldman, managing attorney for the Northwest Office of Earth Legal Defense Fund and Barrie Austin, a League member from LWV Lake Washington East and a member of the International Relations Committee. Austin participated in the advisory committee for the Tokyo and Uruguay Rounds of GATT and NAFTA when he was Director of Public Affairs and Chief Engineer for the Boeing Company. The speakers will look at the changes in the world since League's Trade Position was adopted in 1973 and speak issues and concerns that need to be addressed in an updated League position for the 21st century. A panel of discussants and audience questions will amplify their presentations.

Delegates to LWVWA Convention 2001 approved the following:

BYLAWS

Article VII. Financial Administration

Section 3. Financial Support

c. The per member payment for a member who is a student shall be equal to one half the per member payment amount determined by the convention. A student is defined as a member enrolled either full or part time in an accredited institution.

This would be an update of our previous studies (1959, 1965, 1992, 2000).

The goal of the study is to develop a public education campaign. Much good material has already been written and simply needs to de updated to include recent changes. The bulk of the work would focus on preparing education materials for the public and designing a campaign to disseminate the information to the general public. A variety of methods and media would be used to allow local Leagues to tailor the campaign to fit their resources and their communities.

The focus of the update would include the following:

A review of recent initiative/referendum history

Studying requirements and regulations adopted by other states and looking into proposals that might work to improve the process in Washington

A re-visitation of selected subjects from the 1999-2001 Election Methods study, to include:

• Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) for single winner offices (produces a majority vote winner)
• Choice Voting (Single Transferable Voting) for representative bodies used to achieve proportional representation
• Cumulative Voting (achieve semi-proportional representation)

Positions in brief:

The League supports a balanced state transportation policy that defines the role of the state and supports increases in funding to provide adequate revenue and flexibility for a multi-modal system of transportation.

THE LEAGUEÕS POSITION ON TRANSPORTATION

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that:

• Transportation projects and programs should be prioritized to develop a balanced and seamless public transportation system. Population growth, topography, location of transportation facilities, community livability and character, jobs/housing balance, environmental impacts, social factors, energy consumption and political realities must be considered in the development of the system.
• Transportation is an important basic public planning tool, and should be consistent with regional and local long-range growth management plans and adopted local land use plans.
• Transportation is a state, regional and local responsibility that requires coordination, cooperation and communication to develop regional plans.
• There is a need to define the stateÕs role and to develop and adopt complementary regional plans and transportation improvement programs.
• Effective transportation financing will require that any earmarking of funds should be statutory instead of constitutional. In addition, the Constitution should be changed to allow the use of gas tax funds for balanced transportation. Funding for all modes of transportation should be adequate and predictable. Appropriations by the Legislature should follow cost/benefit budgetary review of alternative modes. The cost/benefit analysis should include transportation demand strategies as well as financial incentives and disincentive programs that reduce solo trips and encourage transit and other transportation options.
• Transportation systems dependent on public financing should be publicly controlled. Transportation should be considered a public service with capital, maintenance and operating costs subsidized consistent with the subsidization of the costs of other public services.
• Prior to revising highway corridors, cities and other jurisdictions that are adversely affected by the increased capacity must have the choice to plan and adequately finance integrated and sustainable transportation systems.
• A single state agency should be established to plan and coordinate the efficient and economical movement of people and goods, consistent with adopted regional and local growth management plans. The agency should be administered by a director appointed by the Governor and serving at his/her pleasure. An appointed Commission should determine policy with regional input from citizens and guidance from the legislature.
• Effective citizen participation requires comprehensive and consistent communication between the governmental sponsor and its constituents. There should be opportunities to comment from the initiation of the plan, consideration of alternatives, development of the project or program, and throughout implementation
• In the event that energy shortages force the imposition of a government administered allocation program, across the board cuts should be made in all areas of energy use. Following the initial cutback, highest priority should be given to life supporting industries that produce essential goods. The private vehicle should receive the lowest priority - Allocation Program (1976)
• State and regional plans and projects for managing congested major urban corridors should be integrated with local and regional growth management plans and coordinated with regional and local governments, employers, businesses, freight and public transportation agencies.
• State transportation policy should promote development in centers, manage and reduce single occupant vehicle use on highway facilities and shift solo trips to alternative modes.

RESOLUTION:

Whereas: An anti-bullying bill has been passed by the Washington state Senate during the 2001 legislative session, but has been blocked from passage in the House, and

Whereas: Many of our nation's recent school tragedies and shootings have been committed by children who were bullied, and

Whereas: Many young lives have been negatively impacted by the practice of physical, mental or verbal bullying.

Therefore, be it resolved that the League of Women Voters of Washington support a well-written anti-bullying bill designed to give authorities an effective means of handling the problem of the bullying of children in our schools.

June 24, 2001

Four years ago I became your president, and now in 2001, I am ready to leave a position of leadership and to hand the gavel to my successor.

But first I would like to review some of our accomplishments that are of particular significance, and mention qualities that have brought about these achievements.

Four years ago, in our voter education and voter service activities, we were realizing the opportunities the computer could bring us for online voter service projects. We are continuing our shift to online services that reach more voters more efficiently. But this has also added to our total costs for voter services.

Therefore we are building stronger relationships with funders. We are also experimenting with other online voter systems. We formed our own voter information website and called it Washington Voter, and joined with KING TV online services in providing election information during campaign seasons.

Note that I said, ÒexperimentingÓ. In our changing world we cannot always be certain, but we do need to feel comfortable enough about uncertainty to live with it, and to try new ways. We will not always succeed, but failure demonstrates that we are trying. If we never tried, we would never fail, nor would we accomplish much. Susan B. Anthony taught us that.

Other education activities include a project that originated with the Seattle League, and was expanded statewide - a voterÕs pamphlet for ballot issues in simplified language. It found a much wider readership with those just learning to read, it helped everyone to understand the increasingly complicated ballot issues confronting the voter. We hope to be able to continue this project, and give it even greater distribution. And this means a membership continuing to be willing to take on such projects.

This key to success is obvious: a membership wanting and willing to work on projects.

Another major accomplishment is the publishing of the fourth edition of the book The State WeÕre In: Washington. Written and produced by League members, it introduces middle and high school students to state government. A ÒTeachersÕ Curriculum GuideÓ accompanies the textbook. We continue to sell them, and I would like very much to clear out my garage.

As booksellers we are demonstrating another successful quality: persistence.

Also note I said the fourth edition. Much of what League accomplishes can happen only because of the vision and efforts of those who have come before us. We must continue to build on our foundations and past successes because we are also building for our future, for those to come after us.

We surprised ourselves and successfully completed three studies during the past two years that many of you, as delegates to the 1999 convention voted for: ÒWashingtonÕs Dynamic Forests, Part IIÓ, ÒAn Evaluation of Major Election MethodsÓ and ÒCounty FinancesÓ (developed in cooperation with the Institute for WashingtonÕs Future). You worked hard and accomplished what you set out to do. Congratulations.

Another key to our success: flexibility. Built into LeagueÕs process is the capacity for change. Do you remember that the Forest Study, Part I, was a not-recommended study at the 1997 convention? The delegates overturned the State BoardÕs decision and it was so successful we also voted for Part II in Õ99. The Election Methods Study was a not recommended study at the 1999 convention, but was made a recommended study by the delegates, and today is a successful, timely and appropriate document on which we will continue to build. Congratulations to you for having the courage and vision to change your minds, and also compliments to the State Board for assuring that your decisions would be carried out.

During the World Trade Organization meetings in Seattle, we held a well-attended community breakfast and heard a panel of speakers addressing divergent views on world trade. Also in conjunction with the WTO, a League-written report called ÒWorld Trade TreatiesÓ was mailed to community leaders and organizations, colleges, libraries and World Affairs Council members.

Over 350 people attended the one-day Trust Lands Conference in November 2000 that was co-sponsored and planned by the League in conjunction with the Evans School of Public Affairs, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance, and the Washington Environmental Council.

Another reason for success: joining ad hoc groups as we did for the Trusts Lands Conference and also belonging to permanent coalitions.

Turning now to advocacy and action, I want to congratulate the Lobby Team for its strong and persistent attend to LeagueÕs issues in the state legislature. If we can continue the good standing that we now enjoy in Olympia with the kinds of atmosphere existing there today, we will surely succeed in our future efforts.

The State League has also been busy supporting or opposing state initiatives, first seeking advice from you, the local Leagues. We have battled issues we judged harmful at the ballot box and in court. We are currently active in three court cases.

Another key to success in times of change is balance. I have spoken of activities in voter service and education and advocacy and action. Balance helps membership to grow and to sustain itself. Offering many different opportunities for participation in League is perhaps one reason why this stateÕs League has grown by nearly 400 members this last decade, an increase of over 22%.

Funding has become less of a worry for the League since an anonymous family donated $150,000 and then challenged us to a successful $100,000 match in 1997-98. Thanks to your generosity and the careful management by the endowment committee, it is now growing.

For two election cycles we have joined the Institute of Global Ethics for a project on campaign conduct for statement candidates. Last year we were successful in persuading finalists in eight state and congressional races to sign customized campaign pledges. This project is also a successful fee-for-service venture.

Another fee-for-service project was our hosting a CitizensÕ Jury in May 2001 to investigate the value of creating an ongoing CitizensÕ Initiative Review process in Washington. This project was generously funded by The Jefferson Center in Minnesota.

You have answered our member directed funding appeals generously; I hope you know that it is the members who give the majority of dollars to keep our Leagues healthy and active. Thank you all for caring.

A membership willing to contribute as they can to financial appeals is an extremely important ingredient to success.

Last, I want to tell you about one of my favorite experiences as president, the trip our League historian Sue Lean and I made to Seneca Falls, New York in October 2000 to receive the medal of honor for Emma Smith DevoeÕs induction into the National WomenÕs Hall of Fame. Emma was a suffragist who won the vote for women in Washington State in 1914. It was a truly glorious and emotion-filled occasion. I was especially touched by meeting the living nominees and learning of their heroism. I also was deeply affected when I walked along the gallery corridors in the Hall of Fame and read about women who gave of their lives and leadership in so many different arenas of American society.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as president. It has been a high point in my life. I know this organization will continue to flourish if we continue to possess and develop the qualities giving us our success:

• ability to accept reasonable risks
• members wanting and willing to participate in activities
• members able to contribute as they can to funding appeals
• persistence
• capacity to build on the past
• flexibility, a process in place so we are able to change our minds
• joining ad hoc groups and coalitions
• offering balance in activities.

Thank you for giving me the chance to work with you to help Òmake democracy workÓ.

Attending the State Convention last month was an immensely worthwhile experience. Both of us, mother and daughter, were delighted to be asked to attend on behalf of the Snohomish County League. Being that both of us were new to the League of Women Voters in the last year, we thought that this was a chance to see more of what makes the League such an effective organization, and to become more involved members.

We felt very fortunate to be able to attend the tour of the Hanford Reservation the day before the convention. Reading about it was not a match for actually seeing it first-hand. Our guide was well versed in its history, and was ready with thorough answers to our many, many questions. The relaxing boat ride down the pristine Reach of the Columbia River was an incredible contrast to the area that we had toured that morning. Both aspects gave the experience real balance and helped us see the area and its history in a new light.

The convention itself was extremely interesting and well organized. It was clear that the Benton-Franklin League had put a lot of effort into providing us with a varied and compelling agenda. The speakers and panels were incredibly diverse. We can think of no other forum where you would get to listen to the State Secretary of Transportation, Director of Agriculture, specialists in the Energy field, and other panelist too numerous to list, all in one weekend. We also attended a lobbing workshop on Saturday afternoon put on by the League portfolio chairs that gave us a much broader perspective on how to reach and influence our elected officials on important issues. We both agreed that we left these portions of the program with a stronger resolve in our positions, and a desire to get further involved. In addition to the panels and speakers, one of the other highlights of the convention was meeting the delegates from other parts of the state. We enjoyed hearing their past experiences, and talking about current issues and ideas.

Everything that we experienced in this weekend were the exact reasons that we decided to join the League of Women Voters; an opportunity to be involved, work with others on issues that concern us, and the chance to increase our knowledge of subjects that affect us every day. Thank you Snohomish County League for giving us this chance to participate in the 2001 State Convention

• LWV/Clallam County - for most new members and highest percentage of new members
• LWV/Bellingham/Whatcom County - for superior achievement in the area of membership growth
• LWV/King County South - 3rd highest in number of new members
• LWV/Clallam County - youngest new member attending convention
• LWV/Clark County - most innovative fundraising project - Bowl-a-Rama

Good Job! Well Done.

The most memorable impression I took away from the state convention was the heartbreaking speech by the woman who had owned a fruit orchard. Several generations of her family had been farmers in Eastern Washington, and she loved the work. She talked at some length about the many difficulties the small fruit farmers had in making ends meet and keeping their operations going. Problems with bad weather and pricing of the fruit so that they could make even a small profit were among her biggest worries. At the end of the speech she revealed with a breaking voice that she had just lost her farm because she could no longer make the payments on money borrowed from the bank. A large operation had just bought her farm, and she now worked for the big business. It certainly put a "human face" on the news articles about the problems of the small farmer.

If the energy in the room could have been harnessed there would be no worries about an energy crisis in Washington State! As a first time attendee at the League of Women Voters State Convention both the presenters and league members impressed me, with their dedication to the critical issues facing our State and Nation. From energy issues to transportation and taxes all of the issues were discussed at length before any action was taken. Being part of the delegate body was an opportunity to recharge my LWV batteries and take valuable information back to my League. Convention proved to be a positive learning experience that I intend to repeat in two years.

• Canvas local Leagues about adopting the regional positions from the 1980 Columbia River Task Force as a state position. If there are no objections then the board should recommend adopting those positions at the 2003 convention. See Program in Action 1999-2001. Substitute LWVWA for Columbia River Basin as necessary.
• In all considerations of anti-discrimination and social justice policy include the terms, Òsexual orientationÓ and gender identityÓ, SOGI, as the customary terminology.
• Explore with local Leagues of WA the possibility of a LWVUS study to examine the current positions on international relations, representative government, environmental protection and human tights to serve as a foundation for an elected international constitutional convention to establish by international plebiscite a world federation. Mark June 24, 2001 another Seneca Falls as the first step.
• Eastern Washington should be remembered in implementing transportation positions.
• Continue work on study consensus policy, giving greater clarification to how board intends to weigh the various inputs: raw dataÕ, local League boardsÕ interpretation of that data and recommendations of the study committee in order to ensure that expectations regarding the process are based on a clear understanding of how the board will the handle the consensus process.
• Examine agenda. Suggest ways to prevent rush of activity at end of convention.
• Get a Grip on Global Warning paper passed out, action urged
• Urged to adopt LWVUS diversity policy and put it in every VOTER and other publications
• See to it voter registration deadline dates are well advertised

A friend challenged me the other day with a simple question: With all the work we do in the League at the local, state, national, and international levels, is there any proof that our efforts make a difference?

My first response was to cluck over how difficult it would be to know for sure, given the complexity of our society. How could we track down a single strand in the knotty social fabric, from ultimate cause to efficient cause to eventual effect? That would be like having your own personal angel come down and replay alternate histories a la ItÕs a Wonderful Life.

ÒYouÕre dodging the question,Ó he said. Indeed, I was.

Simply put, the answer is no - thereÕs probably no proof that in any ÒsuccessfulÓ League initiative, our efforts were necessary (much less sufficient!) to bring about the desired change. Take campaign finance reform: how much of McCain-FeingoldÕs recent progress can be attributable to the League? Can we prove that it wouldnÕt have passed without us?

My friend points out that big business marketers trace such complex phenomena all the time - itÕs the basis of the multibillion dollar advertising industry. If they can do it, why canÕt we? The only answer I can muster is that social reform isnÕt a multibillion dollar industry: if we spent our time, energy, and money tracing our social impact, weÕd no longer be able to have an impact!

Still, thatÕs not a good answer. So IÕd like to hear from the rest of you: is there research out there tracing the impact of the League (or similar NGOs) in a methodologically rigorous manner? IÕll share any responses I receive in next monthÕs Voter!

For now, lacking any rigorous knowledge, IÕll console myself with some common sense:

• Social reform does happen somehow. Slavery and apartheid ended. Dictators in many countries have given way to representative government, however fragile. In the U.S., one can trace a movement toward increasing enfranchisement of the American people. That movement spawned the League!
• No social vectors are totally straight; there is always backlash and backsliding. For instance, we have evidence of some wide-scale disfranchisement of poor and minority voters in the 2000 election. But backsliding does not prove a lack of overall progress.
• Reform takes effort to overcome ignorance, apathy, and powerful opposing interests. The bigger the reform, the broader the effort.
• People are more effective when they organize. ThatÕs why we joined the League!
• When youÕve had an impact, you can sense it. ThatÕs why we stay in the League!
• The surest way not to make a difference is to decide that you canÕt!

ThereÕs only one way to find out whether you can make a difference: try it! Get more involved in your League, whether through holding office, participating in a study, or talking to friends about League membership. Our mission - to strengthen and participate in democratic processes - is needed more than ever, and 80 years of experience must be worth something!

Most of us working intently on the trade update find that the more we learn the more complex the issues seem. (Just the sort of situation Leaguer's can get their teeth into with great enthusiasm).

The articles and questions in the National VOTERs of Dec/Jan. March/April and June/July will aid you in thinking through the issues before the concurrence statement arrives in the Dec/Jan 2002 VOTER. Your responses will help the National Task Force prepare a statement that elicit concurrence from our national membership on the Trade Update. If you haven't responded please go back to your VOTERs and take time to read the articles and share you views with the Task Force. Send to LWVUS Trade Update Task Force at 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036 or Fax to (202) 429-0854.

The LWVWA International Relations Committee continues its work in preparing for concurrence meeting twice a month to work out recommendations to the Task Force. All members statewide are encouraged to send their ideas to Barbara Guptill by August 15 to be included in this effort. E-mail bguptill@aol.com or mail to 210 NE 82nd, Seattle, Washington 98115.

Some local Leagues in Washington have held meetings on the Trade Update. This is a good topic to involve other groups and interests in your community. Breakfast meetings with the Chamber of Commerce, luncheon meetings with local business or environmental groups, evening forums with church groups and what ever groups you can bring together - even some who may not know they have an interest in U.S. trade policy are potential partners for League's outreach efforts.

Governor Locke has signed the Children's Pesticide Right-to-Know Bill, SSB 5533, into law, providing parents with crucial information about pesticide use in schools. The Act requires that school districts post notices warning students and staff whenever pesticides are used in and around schools, and provide advance notification to parents who request it. School districts will also prepare an annual report clearly summarizing pesticide use information.

The Washington Toxics Coalition called the Act an excellent first step in protecting children from pesticides. This legislation gives parents critical information about which pesticides are used and in what quantities, through annual reports prepared by the school districts.

Currently, no posting is required when pesticides are applied inside school buildings, and signs posted for outdoor spraying state only that the area has been "treated." Signs will now clearly state that pesticides have been used.

Note: LWVWA supported this legislation

The new state budget signed by Washington Governor Gary Locke includes $800,000 to fund the Department of Ecology's plan for phasing-out releases of persistent pollutants like mercury and dioxin. A coalition of public health, environmental, and community groups praised the budget allocation.

"This money is a great step forward," said Gregg Small, Executive Director of the Washington Toxics Coalition. "Now Ecology needs to move quickly to stop these highly hazardous chemicals from harming our health and environment."

Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics, or PBTs, are a class of chemicals that are highly toxic, persist for long periods in the environment, and build-up in the food chain. PBTs have been linked to a wide variety of health impacts, including cancer and reproductive and developmental problems. Some PBTs have been linked as major contributors to the decline of Orcas whales. Major sources of PBTs include pulp and paper mills, incinerators, wood treatment facilities, and non-point sources such as mercury thermometers and automobiles

In December 2000, the Department of Ecology issued their precedent-setting plan for phasing out the use of PBTs. Washington is the first state in the nation to have a comprehensive plan to phase-out PBTs.

Funding of the PBT program was a major battle in the legislature this year. Industry opponents, including the Association of Washington Businesses, the Washington Pulp and Paper Association, and Washington Friends of Farms and Forests, lobbied vigorously against funding.

Gregg Small, Washington Toxics Coalition, 206-632-1545 x13, gsmall@watoxics.org

Marianne Scott, a 14 year Foreign Service Officer, has been detailed to the LWVUS for one year beginning July1, 2001. Both in Embassies abroad and in Washington D.C. Marianne has worked extensively on trade and environmental issues and done a lot of work aimed at building civil societies. Her specialty is "public diplomacy" - fostering mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries by promoting personal, professional and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Marianne is very interested in learning how grass roots organizations work.

League's request for the assignment of Marianne Scott is fully funded by the Global Issues Program of the State Department. Her e-mail address is: mscott@lwv.org

The overall themes of the 2001 Council of the LWVUS were money, membership, and focus. President Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins and board members stressed the need to work today to ensure the future existence of the League. Much of the effort of the national League will be on election administration reform and they ask that all levels of League make it their priority.

As the representatives from 43 out of 50 states in attendance at LWVUS Council gave their thirty-second roll call responses, campaign finance and election administration reforms were the predominate themes. Social problems of health care, foster and childcare, a living wage, affordable housing, drugs and criminal justice were the most mentioned items of interest and studies. The topography of many states has contributed to a decline in membership in local leagues and has intensified the use of electronic communication. To facilitate voter education, several states are now printing their voterÕs guides in Spanish; Oregon also prints in Russian. New York and Massachusetts sponsor essay contests for high school students, an idea enthusiastically received.

The opening plenary revolved around the dire financial condition of LWVUS. The LWVUS is primarily supported by per member payments and by direct mail solicitation. The LWVEF is primarily supported by foundation and other grants. The expense of running the national office is approximately $500,000 per month. LWVUS is running a deficit of almost $3 million per year at this point. One of the primary reasons given for dropping the member-approved drug policy study is that there is no funding and that we cannot afford the staff and board time. On the other hand, the primary reasons given for adding the current emphasis on election administration reform are that foundations are eager to fund this topic, that it represents our core competency, and that it will attract visibility and membership. During the Dialogue with the Board session, many Leagues expressed a desire for increased lobbying on additional issues (energy and reproductive choice were both mentioned several times). Again, the reason given for not doing more on more issues is money.

The PresidentÕs address developed the message that The Time is Now to use the interrelationship among the levels of League to reaffirm a unified leadership, to have a clear focus and market that message, and to reform election administration across the country.

The closing plenary included reports on advocacy (vote on Shays-Meehan is expected on July 9) and the Education Fund (current projects are Election Administration Reform, DNet, Global Democracy, and Judicial Independence. The proposed program amendment to drop the drug-policy study was passed by the delegates.

Another look at consensus .

Consensus does not mean:

• A unanimous vote
• Everyone getting everything they want
• Everyone finally coming around to the ÒrightÓ opinion
• Consensus does mean:
• Everyone understands the decision and can explain why it is best
• Everyone can live with the decision.

Are you passionate about citizen participation and voting? You could be the person that we seek?

Can you make up agendas? Can you listen to committee members report and organize the results? Can you call or email local League voter service chairs and ask if we are providing what they need?

We have many ideas and a good committee. The chair would arrange quarterly meetings and coordinate the work that is being done by the committee members.

This year the main focus is on the initiatives and on continuing partnerships with schools.

Consider joining the LWVWA Leadership Team!

Contact: Judy Hedden, President at LWVWA office, (206) 622-8961 or email at: lwvwa@lwvwa.org