Think of “The Power of Us,” this year’s biennial Council, as an Innovation Lab, a place to learn, share and shape the future of the League. 

It is all that, plus the election of half of our new leadership.

To encourage newer members to attend council, registration rates in person for those who joined in the last year are reduced from $135 to $60. Virtual registration for all is $30. 

Saturday’s night keynote speaker will be the Honorable G. Helen Whitener of the Washington State Supreme Court.

Widely recognized by the legal community for her commitment to justice and equity, Whitener was recognized in 2021 as Public Official of the Year by The Evergreen State College’s Master of Public Administration Program and also was recognized as Judge of the Year by The Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association. 

Meanwhile, Sunday morning at the event at the South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey, Washington, six board members, each who will serve two-year terms, will be elected.  Four of the candidates have been League members for seven to 15 years, while the other two are newer, with two or fewer years of League involvement.

With their election, the board will feature members from 10 of the 19 local Leagues in the state. “They represent a nice mix of members from urban and rural communities and provide valued diversity,” said Cindy Piennett, chair of the 2025-27 Nominating Committee. 

Serving with Piennett on the nominating committee are Tricia Grantham from Pullman and Beth Pellicciotti from Spokane, along with current board members Angela Gyurko of Jefferson County and Robbie Soltz from Kittitas County. 

“The nominating committee worked diligently over the past year to secure a strong slate,” Piennett said. 

“All have amazing experiences and great attitudes and approaches to collaboration and working with people who are not necessarily all like themselves,” she said. The candidates bring ideas for shaping the League's future and supporting local Leagues, she added.  

One is a former adviser to the U.S. president and Congress, another worked for Microsoft in leadership development and another had a career with the U.S. Department of Justice in the areas of civil rights and voting. One earned a master’s degree in taxation and some have served as project managers and trainers. Among the new members are former local League presidents, treasurers and secretaries.  

The nominating committee’s work won’t end with council. Each year, half of state League’s directors are elected. 

“We’ll start again right after council,” Piennett said. The task is to nominate seven new board of directors members and three new nominating committee members at the biennial convention, which will be held next year in Spokane. 

Between now and then, Piennett said the committee will encourage members to think of themselves as possessing the skills and experience the League needs. “We want our members to recognize they can have a seat at the table to help set strategy, to shape the future, to advocate for policy, to design programs and to steer the organization.” 

Candidate applications will be accepted in January, with interviews taking place between then and March and a new slate announced 40 days before the convention. Click here for more information.