Coffee with the League (Coffee) is a time to have breakfast while socializing and discussing a wide range of topics. We regularly have speakers from the community along with policy makers and league members. People attending Coffee bring issues, ideas, and concerns along with announcements of upcoming events.

During the state legislative session, we get regular updates including issues we support and how we can reach out to legislators. Those attending can send elected officials their opinions via postcard or communicate their thoughts through email or by calling from home. While we cannot speak for the League, we can express our opinions as individuals.

Breakfast is available for purchase. Although it is not necessary to buy breakfast every time you attend, buying breakfast helps make sure that we continue to be welcomed by River’s Edge Restaurant. River’s Edge does not charge us for the use of the room. Instead, we support them through having breakfast. They have a very good breakfast, and they give us a warm welcome every week. Visitors are always welcome to attend.

Darlene Hein is the current facilitator and welcomes suggestions of speakers, topics and ways to make Coffee a better meeting for all.  Paula Holroyde started Coffee more than 10 years ago and is still an active member. She started Coffee as a way for us to work together to defend democracy and live up to this motto: TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 
We hope you can join us for Coffee with the League soon. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Darlene at dwhein68@comcast.net.

Something to remember:  the League is non-partisan. We do not support or oppose political parties or candidates for public office. When acting in public as League representatives, members must practice nonpartisanship. When members serve in leadership roles at public meetings, they have the responsibility to ensure the nonpartisanship of the meeting and its environment. Coffee with the League is a membership meeting and therefore conversations need to remain nonpartisan while focusing on issues and positions rather than parties or political figures.

According to the US Census, over 53% of Thurston County renters are experiencing “housing instability,” which is defined as a household spending over 30% of its monthly income on rent. A disproportionate number of renters in our community are people of color, single women, single mothers, and people with disabilities. LWVTC is excited to announce that we will be joining with the NAACP of Thurston County, and Olympia for All to host “Housing Instability – A Solutions Forum,” which will focus on ways of reducing the problem in Thurston County.

Each year, the League of Women Voters of Thurston County gets together to establish its annual priorities and programs - helping us with directions for our League’s work. We review our local programs, and in alternate years, we make recommendations for national or state programs. In 2025, we can make recommendations for state programs. 

All members are encouraged to participate – we want to hear from you about the issues that are important locally or at the state level. 

Proposals developed at the program planning meeting will be submitted to the local or state League board. If the proposal is approved by the Thurston League Board, it will then be voted on by all members at the annual meeting. At the program planning meeting, we will brainstorm and discuss what we think are important issues and priorities for the League to address – through a DEI lens. A DEI lens is a way of examining the process as it is perceived by a variety of communities, voices and perspectives, and what, if any, barriers may exist that prevent it from being equitable or inclusive of everyone. A key part of applying a DEI lens is ensuring that all members feel informed and included in program planning.

If a proposal is approved by the state Board, it will be voted on at the state convention. 

For more information, contact Carol Goss, cgosslwv.tc@gmail.com. And watch for more details in the January Voter.

In 2021, the Washington Legislature passed SB 5044 to move the public K-12 system to be more equitable and inclusive. The legislation created new cultural competency, diversity, equity and inclusion (CCDEI) standards for teacher preparation program and in-service training for current teachers. Based on the law, elected school board members now attend "educational equity" training courses covering the same topics required for new teachers.

At the Forum on March 4, you will learn what is expected in schools from the state educational leaders implementing the training specified by SB 5044. Another panel will feature local student of color perspectives on the need for the legislatively required changes. This event is open to LWVTC members and the public. The planning committee will extend a special invitation to local school board members and district superintendents. 

The LWVTC anticipates a follow-up Forum in 2026 to hear local school leadership describe their work to change schools to be places of belonging for every student.

Want to join our Education Forum planning team? Contact Loretta Seppanen, Laurel.Lodge@comcast.net.

Though the League practices nonpartisanship, we recognize large numbers of League and community members are in shock, anger, disbelief, fear and for many, despair, while we struggle with the outcomes of the 2024 election.

 

Many Americans experienced the recent election as dehumanizing, with rhetoric reflecting racist, homophobic, misogynistic, anti-trans and anti-immigrant attitudes. And recent publicity indicates that with the incoming administration, there will be unjust laws and actions targeting women, communities of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and those most vulnerable, including people with disabilities.

As a League we will continue to find ways to engage fully and locally in meaningful work while we demonstrate our commitment to civility, strengthen relationships, build coalitions and continue to show up for our community. Thurston League members are expansive, critical and clear-thinking learners, and we challenge myths and ideals of a democracy where “All men are created equal.” We know neither “equal” nor equitable treatment have been applied to all – but we see the potential of a democracy where each of us can belong. 

Our country’s promise of democracy is kept alive by healing actions and inclusive changes enacted by us all. We invite you to unite with us in whatever capacity possible to create brave spaces for deeper and honest conversations, to stand up for democratic principles and efforts pertaining to historically marginalized populations and putting our values into action.

It is our choice to affirm courage, connection and compassion in our collective behaviors to rise above and beyond fear and hate. We must face problems, explore possibilities and create solutions. It is our work – please join us to do what we can together!

Until the system launches at the end of January, you will still renew via the “Join Us” tab at www.lwvthurston.org. If your membership lapses between now and the end of February, please consider renewing before Feb. 1. Why? Because as LWVUS takes on this role, the portion of dues our League receives will be $9.00 less per member.

For the 16 members whose membership will lapse in this period, the LWVTC will lose $144 if renewal occurs after February 1. While that amount may seem small, it affects our bottom line while we adjust to this system-wide change. And we fear even fewer dollars coming to us in the New Year.

 

What can you do? Encourage friends, colleagues and family to join the League between now and January 31 and/or …

We have free scholarships for full- and part-time students now. Student memberships will be discontinued Feb. 1. Students will join at a $20 minimum. 

 

Thanks to all who have renewed your memberships already!!

 

Under the new structure, suggested dues will be $75, the same as currently. While there are many unknowns, we are concerned that the “whatever you want to pay” option will hit local League budgets hard. After Feb. 1, members will receive an email to log-in to the portal, but you will not be asked to renew again until a year after your most recent renewal. You will be given the option to sign up to auto-renew annually. Once you have access to the portal, you will be able to update your own contact information.

Details of these changes have been published in previous newsletters. To read, click here. Questions? Contact Carol Goss, Membership Chair, at Membership@LWVthurston.org to schedule a Zoom overview of what these changes mean to you and LWVTC.

By Wendy Goodwin

 

October was Period Action Month, which focused on a collection of feminine hygiene products within Thurston County.  This call to action assisted community members with limited or no resources to acquire these products. This amazing event includes everyone taking action to end period poverty through service, education, or advocacy.  To learn more visit allianceforperiodsupplies.org/.    

Organizations such as National Organization for Women, Zonta, Soroptimists, League of Women Voters, Women’s Club of Olympia, Traditions Café Fair Trade, and donations from outreach booths at local events were instrumental in collecting, sorting, and distributing 6,905 total hygiene products of various needs.

These collected items were received by Central Integral Educativo Latino de Olympia (CIELO), Thurston County Food Bank, Quixote, Sergio’s, The Olympia Free Clinic, Wet Wipes and Dry Tykes, Safe Place, Quince Street Village, Plum Street Village, Family Education Support Services, and Children’s Youth Services. With outreach from these organizations, these donated items were received by those most sensitive to lack of female product needs.

This opportunity showcases how important it is to network within our organizations and create equal access to resources. This involves working together and inspiring those around us to see needs and to make a difference where there are needs.

 

Wendy Goodwin is a member of LWVTC and Soroptimist; a Food Bank volunteer; and The Olympia Free Clinic volunteer.

Annie Cubberly gave a brief welcome and stated that we were here to recognize Transgender Day of Remembrance.  This year, 350 transgender people were killed due to hatred, prejudice, and violence.  Behind those numbers are people whose lives we valued and who we, as a society, failed to protect.

 

The main event was a panel discussion with Water Resources staff from five local governments in northern Thurston County (three cities, LOTT, and the county). In the half-hour before the panel discussion, there were informal presentations on surface and ground water flows and on water conservation.

Panelists had been provided with a copy of the study report, the League’s recently revised water policy positions, and five open-ended questions related to the report.

Perhaps the most impactful comment came from Bryan Benjamin, Thurston County Natural Resources program manager. He said that the League’s report served as the primary literature source in the County’s 10-year update of water management in their Comprehensive Plan.

view concerning some of the most significant future issues facing our county. This is because the most severe water-related issues reside in the southern regions of Thurston County. Nevertheless, the forum was informative, and engaging, with relevant information on critical resources.

The Water Study working group is discussing where it wants to go from here. This question is timely in light of the League’s upcoming program planning process for the year ahead.

A climate scientist herself, and an advocate of the Blue New Deal to restore and protect ocean ecosystems, Johnson describes that vision in inviting terms: We live in a “green” and “familiar”/recognizable world. Daily life is “more humane.” “Corporations are beholden to the limits of nature.” Justice matters; everyone has access to basics including healthcare and public transportation. There are gardens and beavers and bees. Democracies flourish.

A vision both enticing and attainable can, according to climate policy expert Kelly Sims Gallagher, empower political will. And courageous policy work is needed right now. Transforming policies shouldn’t be an impossible dream; as science journalist Kendra Pierre-Louis points out, “Ninety-eight percent of counties in the United States have a majority of people who accept the science of climate change.”  

The possible certainly is worth moving toward. The interviews here identify areas for needed policy change and arenas for organizing and hands-on action. To help readers get going – here is a handy handy decision-making diagram. Now is the time!