• Keynote Speech: The Honorable G. Helen Whitener, Washington State Supreme Court
• Workshop: Protecting the Rights of Immigrants
• Workshop: Update of 1980 Treaty Rights Study
• Workshop: Asked and Answered: How LWVWA Will Use New Resources to Support Local Leagues and Build Our Collective Capacity
• Workshop: Participating in the Lobby Team Theater
• Workshop: Demystifying MELD
• Workshop: Hands on Canva

Below are the registration fees:

* Due to lack of staff, we are primarily focused on offering Council as an in-person event. We will do our best to create a virtual experience for those who are unable to attend in person, but it will not be a comparable interactive experience. We will offer a voting process for virtual delegates and will stream the plenary and workshop sessions via Zoom, but we will not necessarily have the ability to include virtual participants in Q&A sessions. It will be up to individual caucus organizers to figure out how to make their sessions available to virtual attendees.

The in-person registration fee will cover lunch, happy hour, and buffet dinner on Saturday, as well as snacks on Saturday and Sunday. Coffee, tea, and water will also be provided. We suggest that attendees bring their own coffee cups.

Delegates and observers will use the same registration process. Local Leagues will submit their list of approved delegates to Amy no later than May 19.

FRIDAY

4 p.m. | Walking Tour of Capitol Grounds

6 p.m. | No-Host Dinner at Local Restaurant/Dine-Arounds

7 p.m. | Caucuses/Meet the Board and Board Candidates | Individual hotel rooms and Holiday Inn Express Lobby

SATURDAY

8:00am | Registration

8:00am | Exhibits

8:30am | Presidents Breakfast | Holiday Inn Express Meeting Room

10:00am-10:20am | Welcome and Opening Remarks: Karen Crowley | Main Room/Zoom

10:20am-10:50am | Plenary I (Business Meeting) | Main Room/Zoom

11am-11:50am | Facilitated Discussion with Coalition Partners | Main Room/Zoom

12:00pm-12:45pm | Lunch

1pm-1:45pm | Power Mapping Exercise with Lobby Team / Issue Chairs | Main Room/Zoom

2:00pm-3:20pm | Workshops

3:30pm-4:50pm | Workshops

5:00pm-5:40pm | Happy Hour, Time for Candidate Forum if needed for Board election | Main Room/Zoom if needed

5:45pm-6:30pm | Dinner

6:30pm-7:30pm | Keynote Speech: The Honorable G. Helen Whitener, Washington State Supreme Court | Main Room/Zoom

7:30pm-9:00pm | Caucuses

SUNDAY

8:00am | Exhibits

9:00am-9:30am | Plenary II (Business Meeting) | Main Room/Zoom

9:45am-11:45am | Braver Angels/Nonpartisanship Best Practices | Main Room/Zoom

There are two hotels within an easy 6-minute walk from the Council venue:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey

We have a block of 15 rooms with 2 queen beds each reserved for a group price of $151 (plus 11.7% tax and a $2.00 nightly flat occupancy tax) for Friday and Saturday nights. This price includes a hot buffet breakfast. If more than two people share a room, the hotel may add an additional fee. This block will be available until they are gone or May 15, whichever comes first. If there is a lot of demand, we may be able to get more rooms at this rate, so book early!

Check-in time is 3pm; check-out time is 11am. If you arrive before check-in, the hotel can store your luggage for you. You may also leave your luggage in the Display Table room at the Council venue, but LWVWA will not be able to guarantee its security.

Instructions:

1. Click Booking Link.
2. Once the link is clicked and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites webpage is open, click “SEE WHAT’S AVAILABLE” in the top right corner.
3. Enter the dates you wish to stay.
4. Select number of room and guests.
5. Leave “Rate Preference” as is and select “Search”.
6. Complete booking as usual.

League of Women Voters Booking Link

Candlewood Suites Olympia/Lacey

We have not reserved a block of rooms at the Candlewood Suites, but if you prefer to prepare your own meals, this may be a better choice for you since their rooms feature fully furnished in-room kitchens.

Homestays

There are a limited number of homestays available. Priority will be given to those with financial need. Contact Vallee Needham for more information.

• Nominating Committee Report
• Proposed Standing Rules
• Delegate Report
• Workbook

We invite local Leagues, committees, and other groups to set up (and staff) display tables for attendees to learn more about their work. (Potential display table ideas include sharing a program that you are proud of, recruiting for a project, or selling items from your League.) Table setup begins Saturday at 8am, and breakdown must be completed by 2pm on Sunday. Use this form to submit an application for your own display table. Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2026.

Request a Display Table

Session 1 | 2pm – 3:20pm

Participating in the Lobby Team Theater | Main Room
Make a difference lobbying with the League. Want to turn your values into real policy change? This interactive workshop shows how the League of Women Voters advances its priorities—and how you can take part. You’ll get a quick overview of legislative work, learn about an Action Alert and what to do with it, and explore ways to step into roles like advocate or issue chair. We’ll look at how local Leagues strengthen our impact. Through brief activities and small-group discussions, you’ll leave with a clear next step for getting involved. Facilitators: Ann Murphy, Marty Gibbins, Alison McCaffree, Karen Tvedt, Karen Peacey, Katie Johnson, Phyllis Farrell, and Karen Wieckert

Hands on Canva | Room 159
Ready to build your design skills? This interactive session offers a guided, hands-on introduction to Canva, the easy-to-use tool for creating eye-catching graphics, social media posts, and outreach materials. Bring your own device and follow along as a lead instructor walks through a step-by-step exercise. Coaches will be stationed throughout the room to provide one-on-one support, answer questions, and help you troubleshoot in real time. Whether you’re brand new to Canva or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll leave with practical experience—and something you’ve created yourself. Facilitators: Carolyn Stewart and Joanne Lisosky

Progress on Update of 1980 Indian Treaty Rights Study | Room 183
Adopted at the 2025 Convention of the League of Women Voters, this study update is underway with participants from across the state. In this session, we’ll share our progress, highlight key challenges and achievements, and offer a closer look at the work in development. Most importantly, we want your questions and input as we shape the next phase of this important effort. Join us to learn more. Facilitators: Janet Hedgepath, Eleanor Walters, Suzi Hokonson, Susan Fleming

Making an Impact: Report on the State of Democracy in Washington | Room 189
"The State of Democracy: Washington" is an educational project approved at 2025 Convention. The project examines different aspects of democratic functions in the state, such as voter participation, election methods, the media, and the judiciary. Results of this research will be presented, followed by a brainstorming discussion about how to tailor its release to varied audiences to have maximum impact. Facilitators: Julie Anne Kempf, Lunell Haught, Beth Pellicciotti, and Jean Snider.

Session 2 | 3:30pm – 4:50pm

Asked and Answered: How LWVWA will use new resources to support Local Leagues and build our collective capacity | Main Room
At our 2025 State Convention, local Leagues asked how the state League will use the increase in dues allocation from LWVUS to build capacity and support local Leagues. That question led to our own transformation journey. LWVWA Board President Karen Crowley, joined by members of the Strategic Priorities Committee, will share what we learned from our survey of Local Leagues—and how that learning has informed a bold tactical plan to move the organization forward.

Demystifying MELD | Room 159
What is MELD—and how can it strengthen your League? This session explores LWVWA’s Membership Engagement & Leadership Development (MELD) Network and the role it plays in building vibrant, sustainable local Leagues. You’ll explore practical strategies for welcoming and engaging members, hear what’s working in Leagues across the state, and reflect on key aspects of leadership—including the often-overlooked power of the “first follower.” Leave with fresh ideas to grow participation and leadership in your League. Facilitators: Nancy Halvorson, Ann Murphy, Lunell Haught, Ellie Hutton, and Jeanne Crevier.

Protecting the Rights of Immigrants | Room 183
How can the League of Women Voters strengthen its work to protect immigrant rights—locally and nationally? This interactive workshop explores three key areas: the push for national concurrence on immigrant rights, the current landscape for immigrants and refugees in Washington, and meaningful ways members can take action. We’ll discuss practical next steps, including forming an immigrant rights affinity group, expanding the lobby team’s work on state legislation, and tracking local policies that impact immigrant communities. Come ready to learn, share ideas, and find your role in advancing this critical work. Facilitators: Susan Martin, Shelley Kneip, Janet Lenart, and Lydia Zepeda.

Stories That Move Democracy: A Replicable Civic Storytelling Model to inspire Local Action | Room 189
Engaging with local government is at the heart of democracy—and stories are a powerful way to make that engagement visible. This workshop introduces a replicable storytelling model developed by the LWV of Mason County in partnership with the Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s Rural Civic Engagement Program. Learn how to collect and share civic stories that highlight community strengths and inspire action. Through examples, a Quick Launch Guide, and Q&A, you’ll leave ready to start your own program and expand your League’s impact. Facilitators: The LWVMC Civic Storytelling Project Team: Patti Bradley, Lynda Links, Peggy Morell.

Friday Caucuses

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Hear All About Us! | Location: Hotel Lobby
Calling all communicators—webmasters, designers, graphic artists, writers, reporters, photographers, organizers, social media practitioners, editors and all! It's time to form a Communications Affinity group that ultimately will lead us to a Communications work committee. This is a place where we can learn from one another, teach one another and share ideas. The goal is to boost operations for local Leagues and the state League so we can better share with one another and the public. After all, the last thing we want is a failure to communicate! Organizer: Dee Anne Finken (LWVWA)

Join the Democracy Advocacy Team | Location: Hotel Lobby
Want to protect our democracy in Washington State? Come learn how. Members of the Democracy Advocacy Team will be on hand to describe LWVWA work to influence democracy policy in Washington state. Whether you have a passion for protecting our elections, campaign finance reform, improving the initiative process or increasing transparency and account-ability in our government, there is something for you to dig into and make a difference. Organizer: Alison McCaffree (LWVWA)

Meet the LWVWA Board | Location: Hotel Lobby
Curious about what the state board does? Join current board members for an informal conversation about their roles, responsibilities, and experiences leading LWVWA. Participants will learn how the board works, hear about different portfolio responsibilities, and have the opportunity to ask questions about how the state board operates. 

Saturday Caucuses

Leadership Models | Location: Main Meeting Room
League leaders will share the leadership models their organizations use, including what’s working, what challenges they’ve faced, and how their structures are set up. This interactive caucus will feature casual conversation, back-and-forth discussion, and plenty of time for questions and shared learning. Organizer: Nancy Halvorson (Clark County)

People First Redistricting | Location: Room 183
Join the Redistricting Reform Task Force to learn about People First Redistricting proposals designed to create a more transparent, accountable, and representative redistricting process in Washington. This interactive caucus will explore proposed reforms, including changes to the state commission structure and accountability measures that prioritize people over party and strengthen citizen engagement. We have done the studies. We have the positions. Now is a time for action. Organizer: Alison McCaffree (LWVWA)

State DEI Program | Location: Room 159
We will describe the newly adopted Program, then everyone will be able to contribute how their local leagues have or will continue to participate. Organizer: Robbie Soltz (Kittitas County)

The Importance of Concurrence with the Colorado Position on Religious Freedom | Location: Hallway Location #2
This caucus will explore the importance of concurring with the Colorado League’s position on Religious Freedom and why many see it as essential to protecting democracy and long-established civil rights. Participants will discuss how this issue is being understood across the state, share perspectives on how to move forward, and explore concurrence as a tool for League action and advocacy. Organizer: Ursula Volwiler (Kitsap County)

Want to Be On the State Board? | Location: Hallway Location #3
Come for an informal chat with the Nominating Committee for the LWVWA state board. Ask your questions, learn what positions are available, hear what its like to be on the board. Also look for our Nominating Committee table at the Saturday Happy Hour. Talk to us then, talk to us during the caucus time Saturday night, or flag one of us down for private conversations. Organizer: Cindy Piennett (Seattle-King County)

League Democracy Report—Making an Impact | Location: Room 189
If you were unable to attend the Saturday Workshop on the Democracy report or if you want to continue that discussion, this caucus is for you. This will be an informal discussion about how to release the report to varied audiences and get recommendations for next steps. Organizer: Jean Snider (Snohomish County)

Submit a Caucus