The League of Women Voters

95th Anniversary Toolkit As the League of Women Voters observes its 95th Anniversary and looks forward to its 100th, we proudly celebrate our rich history and embrace our bright future. These momentous anniversaries present a unique window of opportunity for the League to share our stories of achievement and our vision for the future.

During this celebratory period, we will speak with many old friends, some who want to actively engage with us, potential members, donors, members of the press and even those who know very little about the League. This is a chance for us to dramatically expand people’s knowledge, understanding and excitement about the League. Now is a wonderful time for us to let people know about the huge impact that the League has every day, in each of our communities and around the country.

As we all know, the more we work together, the greater our results. The more we coordinate throughout the organization, the more we can achieve. The same information coming from different sources across the League will help to break through the clutter and reach the people we most want to connect with during this exciting time.

To help us speak as one strong League, we have developed messaging that highlights our historical success and provides a platform for us to talk about our work today and into the future. The messaging is specifically designed to give us a common starting point for our communications. It is our hope that every League can benefit from this and will use it as a starting point to shape the way we talk about the League.

We are sharing this messaging with you today, and would like for all League members to draw from this language as you communicate about League history, our current work and future plans.

To help Leagues around the country get the most value from this messaging, we have included some tips and resources for using and customizing the messages provided here. We encourage you to adapt these messages for use in your ongoing work, to add in your own unique stories of success and accomplishment and to tailor and customize as needed for different opportunities and when sharing with different groups of people and audiences.

All League members share pride and passion for the League of Women Voters and our work. We look forward to continuing this year’s celebration, building momentum to increase our visibility and impact over the next few years and preparing for bold new opportunities with our 100th!

2League of Women Voters Message Platform The following message platform is designed to allow the League of Women Voters to consistently communicate about the value and relevance of League in the context of the 95th Anniversary. The messaging is presented in three categories, past, present and future.

You may note that some words and phrases are decidedly absent from the language presented here. We know that the term “suffrage” means a lot to League members but many people don’t really know what it means. “Volunteer- activist” also has some specific meaning internally, but that meaning doesn’t necessarily translate the way we might want to refer to? all groups of people. The language presented here intentionally excludes some of the “insider” language that we are used to. We do ask that you review the language and use it as a starting point, only incorporating some of our default language when/where necessary for specific groups (members, funders, etc.).

This language can be used in any order and all message points do not need to be used with every communication. Messages can and should be tailored as needed to best connect with the audience that the League is trying to connect with in a particular communication.

The important consideration is that during this anniversary year and leading up to the 100th anniversary, communications from the local, state and national levels should all draw as much as possible from the language provided here. Specific examples of League successes, programs, work, etc. should be rotated and customized as appropriate for use by different local and state Leagues and with different audiences.

Should you have any questions about the messaging or using it in your work, please contact Kelly Ceballos.

3League of Women Voters “ Celebrating the Past, Embracing the Future”

PAST: Making Democracy Work® requires determination. In 1920, the activists who fought to secure the right to vote for women founded the League of Women Voters to help new voters engage with their government. For 95 years the League has worked to empower voters to improve their communities, states and nation. The League proudly celebrates 95 years of strengthening our democracy.

 National level examples should be easily recognized and viewed as important by broad audience segments.

o National Voter Registration Act

o National Voter Registration Day

o Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act

o Presidential Debates

o United Nations

o Social Security Act

o Clean Air Act

 Local level examples . 1950’s on - protecting clean water by organizing communities along water sheds. . 1970’s on - Working with county government to establish county zoning and transportation plans . 1990’s on – changing the school start times to later for Middle School and High School classes so students can learn better and be more effective

o In recent years local Leagues in nearly 40 communities worked on high school and community college voter registration programs and voter education programs. In 2014 this added approximately 10,000 new voters to our elections. For Example:

o LWV of the Kalamazoo Area (MI) worked with all students grades 11 and 12 at the two Kalamazoo Public High Schools to educate them about the voting

4League of Women Voters process including reasons to vote, how to register, how to become informed voters and how to cast a ballot.

o LWV of Collier County (FL): The “Know Your County Government Teen Citizenship Program” offers eleventh and twelfth grade high school students the opportunity to learn the history of the County, the purpose and functions of county government, how it operates and career opportunities that may exist. Attendees visit all major county government agencies and elected officials over four evenings and two days.

o Nassau County ILO (NY): worked to assure transparency and citizen involvement in Nassau County’s redistricting process. Working together with groups such as Latino Justice, La Fuente, and the Long Island Civic Engagement Table, they engaged underserved communities in the redistricting process.

PRESENT: Today, the League of Women Voters maintains its commitment to Making Democracy Work ®. As a powerful national network that includes 800 state and local chapters across 50 states, the League of Women Voters empowers people every day to tackle the most important issues facing our communities and to improve local, state and federal government.

 Helps people vote. The League empowers millions of voters through education, registration and get-out-the-vote activities in every election. From hosting candidate and issue forums, to registration drives, to delivering trusted and timely elections information on VOTE411.org, the League is at the forefront of helping voters cast a vote and make sure that vote is counted.

CURRENT EXAMPLES o Since 2006, VOTE411.org has helped millions of people get the information they need to vote. o National Voter Registration Day: Nearly 400 Leagues registered voters on this important day in 2014 and the League has been part of the national working group leading this celebration since 2012.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES o Presidential and VP debates o National Voter Registration Act of 1993

 Protects voters. Democracy works when elections are free, fair and accessible. The League of Women Voters fights year-round to protect and

5League of Women Voters expand voting rights so that every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast a vote and have it be counted.

CURRENT EXAMPLES o Fighting against voter discrimination such as voter photo ID laws o Advocating for common-sense election reforms, online voter registration, expanded early voting and fairly resourced polling places.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES  National Voter Registration Act of 1993

 Works to reform the role of money in politics. The League is committed to realizing meaningful campaign finance reform that limits the influence of money in politics and protects our democracy.

CURRENT EXAMPLES o Working with the FEC to improve campaign finance laws o Working to strengthen disclosure requirements for campaign contributions and increase transparency of money in politics

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES  Supreme Court briefs on Citizens United and other cases  Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

 Strives to improve public policy.

Protecting the environment. The League has worked for decades to preserve our nation’s natural resources and protect our public health. The League believes that averting the damaging effects of climate change requires action from both individuals and governments at the local, state, national and international levels.

CURRENT EXAMPLES o Preventing the Keystone XL pipeline o EPA Carbon rules- the League’s work in collecting over 48,000 comments on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES o Clean Air Act o Clean Water Act

6League of Women Voters Promoting quality and accessible health care. All Americans should have access to a basic level of health care. The League of Women Voters is dedicated to ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for all.

CURRENT AND HISTORICAL EXAMPLE o Work to pass and protect the Affordable Care Act of 2010

FUTURE: The League of Women Voters is fighting to keep the power of our democracy in the hands of the people. Through our unwavering commitment to Making Democracy Work®, the League is building on our legacy, empowering people across the country to make their voices heard in the political process, protecting our planet for future generations, keeping secret money out of our elections and ensuring that our elections are free, fair and accessible for all voters. Want to help make this happen? Join us in the fight.

Specific examples for this section will be based on the strategic organizational priorities that League sets out in coming years.  To keep elections fair, free and accessible we are -  To register, educate and mobilize voters, we are –  To ensure a sustainable planet we are -  To realize decent health care we are –

7League of Women Voters Using the Messages As noted earlier, the messaging here is intended to serve as a foundation for the League of Women Voters to develop communications materials. The goal is to ensure consistent communications from any and all parts of the League.

While consistency is important, it is just as important to customize this messaging for specific uses. As members and staff from local, state or the national League incorporate this messaging into your work, please be thoughtful about how best to tailor it for each opportunity.

CUSTOMIZING: Three things will be important to ensuring that the messaging resonates with different people, in different places and across different opportunities:

1) Tailoring the language. As previously noted, this messaging intentionally avoids words and phrases that may resonate differently across audience segments. Specific words like “suffrage” and “volunteer activist” may be important to integrate into some communications materials but are unlikely to resonate broadly across all audience segments. As such, they have been intentionally left out of this messaging document.

2) Customizing examples. A local League might highlight a local success story, where a press release from LWVUS may emphasize national level policy impact. The key is for all those who will be using the messaging to have a common starting point that allows for customization as needed.

3) Every communication should include a specific ask. Examples of an ask are almost limitless but may include: a. Contact us to learn more about Making Democracy Work® b. Visit our Facebook page/ Follow us on Twitter c. Attend an event d. Lend your support to the League and the next century of civic service

8League of Women Voters Examples of the Messaging in Use Some of you with a keen eye may have recognized the messaging from some recent communications out of LWVUS. For a quick look at how the messaging language provided here has been used and customized, check out the following links:

 http://lwv.org/blog/looking-back-moving-forward-former-lwvus-presidents- reflect-95-years-making-democracy-work

 http://lwv.org/blog/carrie-chapman-catt%E2%80%99s-utopia-league- women-voters

 http://lwv.org/tags/lwvat95

To illustrate how you can integrate the anniversary messaging into your own work, we have created some sample materials for your review. On the following pages, we took actual documents used in previous years by state and local Leagues and updated them to incorporate the current messaging.

Finally, check out some of the boilerplate language in communications materials:

The League of Women Voters is celebrating 95 years of Making Democracy Work® at every level of government. In 1920, the League was founded as an outgrowth of the movement that secured women the right to vote to help new voters engage with their government. Today, the League empowers all voters to improve their local, state and national government. Learn more bout the League of Women Voters and join our celebration!

9League of Women Voters MESSAGING IN USE: SAMPLE - WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY

August 26th is Women's Equality Day Important Information for Voters as we honor the anniversary of the 19th Amendment

Austin, Texas – This August we celebrate the 95th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the constitution granting women the right to vote. This year also marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters.

In 1920, the activists who fought to secure the right to vote for women founded the League of Women Voters to help new voters engage with their government. For 95 years since, the League of Women Voters has worked to empower voters to improve their communities, states and nation. “Here in Texas, we proudly celebrate these anniversaries through our ongoing commitment to engage and empower all voters to participate in elections this year," said Texas League of Women Voters president Elaine M. Wiant. League members in Texas are making sure voters have the election information they need. From hosting candidate and issue forums, to registration drives, to delivering trusted and timely elections information on VOTE411.org, the League is helping people to cast a vote and make sure that vote is counted. This year, the League of Women Voters of Texas has been working to educate Texans about voter registration guidelines. Of particular importance to women who might have changed their name is that the name on their photo ID must 'substantially' match the name on the list of registered voters. There are several methods to change the name on the list of registered voters prior to the deadline. Voters can go to the League of Women Voters website (http://www.lwvtexas.org/) for specific instructions on how they can ensure that the names match. Additional information about voting in Texas can be obtained at: www.Vote411.org. "As we pause to mark the anniversary of Women’s Equality Day, we encourage people to take a few minutes to check on your registration status, as well as to start learning about the candidates and issues that will be on your ballot," said Wiant. *CONTINUED*

The League of Women Voters is fighting to keep the power of our democracy in the hands of the people. Through our 95 year commitment to Making Democracy Work®, the League is empowering people across the country to make their voices heard. "Every election, whether local, state or federal, is our chance to have our say

10League of Women Voters on the issues that matter most to us. The people we elect have enormous power over the laws and policies that shape our lives, so we all need to weigh in. The decades-long fight for women's equality at the ballot box is an important part of American history and our nation's journey toward elections that are free, fair and accessible to all eligible voters," added Ms. Wiant. For more information about the League of Women Voters of Texas, please visit: www.lwvtexas.org.

11League of Women Voters MESSAGING IN USE: SAMPLE – VOTER REGISTRATION

White Plains' League Of Women Voters Hosts Events For Voter Registration

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The League of Women Voters is hosting voter registration events at the White Plains Library, City Center Mall and the Renaissance Fountain Plaza. They will help people register to vote and to update their voter registration if they have moved or changed their names.

In 1920, the activists who fought to secure the right to vote for women founded the League of Women Voters to help new voters engage with their government. For 95 years the League has worked to empower voters to improve their communities, states and nation. Democracy works when elections are free, fair and accessible, the League of Women Voters fights year-round to protect and expand voting rights so that every eligible voter will have the opportunity to cast a vote and have it be counted.

“Voter registration is the front door to voting and participating in U.S. elections,” said Janice Abbott, League of Women Voters of White Plains president. “Research shows that the majority of eligible voters who register, turn out to vote. And with so much at stake this year in White Plains/ New York State, we want to help as many people as possible get registered to vote in time for Election Day.”

This year, the League of Women Voters is fighting to keep the power of our democracy in the hands of the people and holding several voter registrations drives before the voter registration deadline. The League of Women Voters will host registration drives in the places where it is easiest to reach neighbors who are most likely not already registered or need to update their registration. To help voters cast a vote and ensure that vote is counted, residents can also get timely elections information on VOTE411.org,

“The League of Women Voters is committed to Making Democracy Work® by empowering people every day to tackle the most important issues facing our communities and to improve local, state and federal government. All of us are equal on Election Day, but only if we register and show up to vote—and encourage our friends and family to do the same." Abbott said.

For more information about the League of Women Voters, visit www.lwvwp.org.

12League of Women Voters Tips for Using the Messaging

Now that you have seen examples of the messaging in use, how can you put the messaging to work in your current and ongoing communications? Below please find some suggestions and tips that may spark an idea or two!

 Update your current work - The idea behind the messages is NOT to add work, but to enhance what you are already doing! Take a quick assessment of your ongoing communications channels:

o Facebook o Website o Membership one-pager o Template language in press releases

What opportunities exist for you to update some of the language you are using today to reinforce the language that the League is using going forward?

Don’t forget talking points for meetings, public events and upcoming candidate forums! Remember best practices for effective talking points:

o Keep it brief. o What does your audience value? What is important to them? Write these down and prioritize them. o Avoid jargon. o Show Your Passion! o Get to the Action Point. Remember to ask them to join or get involved.

 Contribute to the public conversation – There are a host of opportunities throughout the year where the League voice will be in the public eye. Consider the specific opportunities that you are planning to take advantage of and look at how you may integrate messaging. Some examples:

 Ongoing work around the 95th anniversary  Women’s Equality Day – August 26th  Election season: Debates, Voter Registration/Education Work  Women’s History Month

At the end of the toolkit we’ve included a customizable checklist. Add in the unique communications channels and opportunities that your League has planned for this year and use this tool to make sure you have included anniversary messaging wherever you can!

13League of Women Voters Resources

For more information and tips about using the messaging provided here in social media, writing web content or working with the press, please explore the following LWV resources:

COLLECTION OF COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES: http://forum.lwv.org/category/member-resources/manage-your- league/online-communication-website-social-media

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 95th: http://forum.lwv.org/member-resources/article/lwvus-95th-anniversary- sample-social-media

SAMPLE YEAR ROUND VISIBILITY RESOURCES: http://forum.lwv.org/sites/default/files/12-yearroundvisibilityoverview.pdf

Conclusion

Thank you for helping make the League more visible and sharing with your community all the pride and passion for the League of Women Voters and our work. We look forward to continuing this year’s celebration, building momentum to increase our visibility and impact over the next few years and preparing for bold new opportunities with our 100th!

If you would like to share an idea or an example of how you have used or built on the messages, please send an e-mail to: [email protected]

14League of Women Voters Our Communications Checklist: 2015/2016

Events:  Women’s Equality Day (August 26th)  Voter Registration events  Voter Education  Election Day  Candidate Debates  Sunshine Week 2016  Earth Day (April 22nd)  Member Recruitment Events  Anniversary Celebrations  Council  Member Meetings  Women’s History Month (March)  Anniversary of the VRA (Aug. 6th)______ ______ ______

Print materials:  League Brochure  Press Releases (Boilerplate)  Membership Materials  Fundraising Materials  ______ ______ ______

Electronic materials:  Email Signatures  Website  Facebook Page  Blog Posts  Twitter Hashtag  President’s Letters  Email Newsletter  Vote411.org  ______ ______ ______

15League of Women Voters