The LWV of Kitsap members are interested in many issues. These are some of the current topics and committees.
Community Education Program Planning
We believe voters should make informed decisions. To that end, we sponsor education events around topics that affect our community. Our Community Education Program Planning Committee facilitates the detailed planning of these public forums. Read more on the Community Education Program Planning page.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is chaired by Susan Griggs.
The DEI Committee is focused on facilitating informed and active participation of individuals from diverse communities in civic affairs. The Committee:
- Sponsors community education programs about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in Kitsap County.
- Engages with organizations and individuals in minority and/or underrepresented communities to promote greater awareness of their issues.
- Advocates for equitable treatment of marginalized groups in government and social services.
- Supports redistricting processes and enforceable standards that promote fair and effective representation at all levels of government with maximum public participation. Committee members arranged community education programs and hosted the “Speak Up School,” which continue to provide online training explaining the redistricting process, and writing providing effective testimony.
- Strives for LWVK membership that mirrors our community.
Read more on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page.
Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education Committee is chaired by Rosalind Renouard.
Our vision is that parents and other caregivers in Kitsap County provide the best care possible, based on research supporting children’s development during the very critical time period of birth to three years and that children’s parents have
access to appropriate materials, services and support programs. Read more (including their first report) on the Early Childhood Education Committee page.
Health Care
The Health Care Committee is co-chaired by Jessica Guidry and Leni Skarin.
The Health Care Committee stays informed on key health and health care
trends and concerns in our county, Washington State, and the US.
Members keep up to date on League positions on health care issues and
organize educational events on health care topics. In the next few months,
the Committee will start working with the Planning Committee on
conducting a Spring 2022 general meeting on the lack of comprehensive
reproductive health and end of life services in Kitsap County. Some
members will participate in the state Public Hospital District project
approved at the state convention.
Housing
The Housing Committee is co-chaired by Connie Syapin and Rochelle Karlsen.
The Housing Committee’s mission is to advocate for those individuals in
our community who are without shelter or at risk of becoming homeless.
The committee organizes public education events aimed at reaching out
to the community at large to promote an understanding of the causes and
effects of homelessness. Committee members assist legislators and other
government officials/nonprofits in securing emergency shelters and
supportive housing.
Know Your County
Become an informed citizen! Learn about the structure and function of government in Kitsap County using a report developed by the LWV of Kitsap, with help from county officials and their staff. See the document and get more info on the Know Your County page.
Observer Corps
The Observer Corps Committee is chaired by Carol Larsen.
The goal of the Observer Corps is to keep track of what happens in the various committees and commissions in Kitsap County. The Observer Corps reports back to the LWV of Kitsap, which uses the information to identify opportunities for engagement with the county on behalf of the residents of Kitsap County.
The League believes that the presence of Observers helps keep government entities attentive to their jobs, with the proper respect for doing the public’s business, and promotes transparency and accountability.
Read more on the Observer Corps page.
Voter ServiceS
The Voter Services Committee is co-chaired by Colette Crosby and Alicia Vause.
The goal of the Voter Services Committee is to encourage eligible Kitsap
County residents to register and vote in local, state and national elections.
The Committee members achieve objectives through a variety of means:
- Voter registration programs targeting both youth and adults.
- Informing eligible voters of upcoming elections.
- Providing links and literature when voters have questions such as election security or voter eligibility.
The Committee works with the Kitsap County Auditor to ensure that our information is both timely and accurate.
Read more on the Voting & Democracy page.
Water Resources
The Water Resources Committee is chaired by Betsy Cooper. The committee focuses on exploring and understanding the sources and infrastructure that provides drinking water and the systems and infrastructure that provides treatment of wastewater and management of stormwater for Kitsap residents. We are interested in learning more about the systems, utilities and agencies that either perform these functions or oversee and protect the quality of our surface and groundwater resources. Read more on the Water Resources page.