League of Women Voters elects not to disband or join northern neighbor
Barbara S. Miller/Observer-Reporter
Joyce Blackburn, second from right, discusses the fate of the League of Women Voters of Washington County Thursday in the conference room at the Transitional Paths to Independent Living headquarters in Washington.
Barbara S. Miller/Observer-Reporter
Ken Hanawalt questions whether compiling pre-election League of Women Voters guides should be part of the organization’s mission.
Thursday’s 56th annual meeting of Washington County’s League of Women Voters could have been its last.
After an hourlong discussion, members chose a three-pronged path: to pursue a political but nonpartisan mission, invite speakers to present programs and strive to increase its dwindling ranks.
Still undecided is whether to produce a voters guide for the Nov. 6 general election, convene candidate forums or hold a luncheon at which attendees could pose questions to legislators.
These three activities had been a staple of the local league, but the last voters guide was published in 2017; one of two magisterial district judge candidates declined to participate in an October forum; and no legislative luncheon took place.
No one present Thursday evening favored throwing in the towel and simply disbanding. Pros and cons of becoming a unit of the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, however, generated a lengthy discussion on an agenda prepared by Margaret Jennings, president.
The Pittsburgh League also includes southern Butler County. According to its website, it has a staffed office in downtown Pittsburgh.
Treasurer Ken Hanawalt pronounced the local league “financially sound,” with a few thousand dollars available, so joining the Pittsburgh organization presented a stumbling block.
The Washington County league would have to surrender its funds to the Pittsburgh league, and spending by a Washington County unit would require the permission of the parent organization.
The pluses of joining the much larger Pittsburgh group included connecting with a larger pool of members, participating in studies the Allegheny County organization conducts and providing “a shot in the arm,” as Heather Burtch put it.
Member Bracken Burns called joining the Pittsburgh league admitting defeat and being “treated as the ugly stepchild from the country.”
But several who spoke acknowledged continuing the league’s efforts in Washington County will require willing participants to replace those who have died, moved away or, for various reasons, been tied up with other pursuits and crises.
“Has there been a membership campaign?” asked league member Phyllis Waller. Donna Riggle volunteered to work on one.
The organization’s roster lists about three dozen members, about half of whom attended Thursday.
Susan Hanawalt said the league would “have to hold interesting meetings to attract new members.” Her husband, Ken, advocated for retaining the legislative luncheon because it gives constituents a chance to rub shoulders with their representatives.
He questioned if holding candidate forums has become obsolete.
“The country is so torn apart, we just can’t bring two different parties together because it will be a food fight,” he said.
Burns suggested surveying members to learn what program topics would interest them.
Despite its name, the League of Women Voters accepts any interested members, regardless of gender.
Burns became program chairman, with Ken Hanawalt serving as a member of the committee, and the group filled leadership vacancies, including selecting Waller as vice president.
The group’s next meeting will be a reorganization for board members at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 28, in the conference room of Transitional Paths to Independent Living, 69 E. Beau St., Washington.