League of Women Voters of Washington

Internal and External Communications

This page will be regularly updated with both timely communication resources and new communication guidance resources, toolkits, and templates as we continue to expand resources available to the local Leagues throughout Washington.

Resources for Current LWVWA Campaigns
When applicable, the LWVWA will post toolkits and other resources for ongoing campaigns:

Protect Vulnerable Kids [Toolkit coming soon!]
Initiative 638 [Toolkit coming soon!]
Four Questions: WA Supreme Court Candidate Video Interviews promotion toolkit

Newsletter Resources
Below are a collection of newsletter resources available to local Leagues:

News you can use—stories for local League newsletters [coming soon!]
The LWVWA Newsletter Archive

Communications Resources
Thinking through how we communicate with our members and with the larger community within which we work requires a lot of planning, technology, and time. Below are some resources we have developed or collected to help with this.

Style Guides
In general, the League follows Associated Press (AP) Style, which is widely used and recognized by the press and public alike. AP style provides fundamental guidelines for spelling, language, punctuation and language usage. In order to maintain consistency and accuracy, all written materials produced by the League should follow the LWV Style Guide.

League of Women Voters Style Guide (the national guide)

League of Women Voters of Washington Style Guide (state guide)

AP Stylebook (Official AP Stylebook)

Canva Resources & Tutorials
Below are a collection of resources to help local League’s utilize Canva for their internal and external communications.

LWVWA Canva Tutorial Playlist.
Each video includes timestamps in the descriptions which allow viewers to easily watch just the portions they need. (View the entire YouTube playlist):

Other Canva resources:

Using LWVUS Canva Templates
LWVWA Canva Quick Reference Guide [coming soon!]

Social Media Toolkits, Resources, and Guidance

LWVUS Social Media Guide—Includes platform guidance and best practices.
LWVUS Nonpartisanship on Social Media Guide
LWVWA Social Media Toolkit—a “one-stop-shop” with platform basics, League brand standards, as well as content and other guidance.

From League Management site

LWVUS Talking Points

LWVUS Templates and Graphics

LWVUS Suggested Messaging Calendar

LWVWA Suggested Messaging Calendar [coming soon!]

LWVWA Social Media Templetes
Must be a member of the LWVWA Canva Team to access (Your League doesn't have access yet? Email info@lwvwa.org). We'll update this section as we create more templates and toolkits—make sure to check back!

VIDEO TUTORIAL: LWVWA Brand Kit Explained
Election Templates [coming soon!]
Post-Election Templates [coming soon!]
Candidate Forum Templates

Additional Resources

League of Women Voters Brand Standards (with logo files)
Social Media Toolkit by LWV of Massachusetts
AP Topical Guide (links to AP Stylebook)—This AP Stylebook Online Topical Guide provides definitions, background and guidance for covering topical events. It is compiled from Associated Press coverage, AP experts, official sources and the AP Stylebook. During elections it provides a topical guide.

LWVUS Photo and Image Use Guidelines

League of Women Voters Image Guidelines
How to Make Sure Your Images Are Safe, Legal, and Free LWVUS—”A Note on Image Use”
This document provides detailed guidance on the legal issues around image use. “When including images in League materials, always review the image’s permissions closely before& incorporating it. Using photos and graphics in League materials—including social media posts and newsletters—without the appropriate permissions can expose the League to legal action or hefty fines.”
Video/Photo Release Templates
This page provides the following templates:

LWV Release Form
Notice of Filming and Photography

Royalty-Free (and Cost-Free!) Images

Unsplash—a searchable collection of photos that are royalty-free and do not require attribution:
“All photos published on Unsplash can be used for free. You can use them for commercial and noncommercial purposes. You do not need to ask permission from or provide credit to the photographer or Unsplash, although it is appreciated when possible.”
LWVUS Flickr Account—A photo gallery of LWV event images and historical photos. They have a professional photographer take pictures, so these images look way better than the ones I take with my phone at our events. If you have professional-grade League event photos, you can help them grow this resource by sharing them with communications@lwv.org.
King County Elections Flickr Account—Photos that are free to use, with albums called “PrePaid Postage,” “Voter Registration,” “Ballot Drop Boxes,” and more! They ask for attribution: “You are welcome to use King County Elections pictures on Flickr. All we ask is that you provide credit. If you are interested in using the King County Elections logo, please contact us.”