Administrative Forms

League Publicity

General Guidelines

The League is a non-partisan organization. What is posted under the League name must be supported by local, state or national League positions, or be educational and/or neutral. Please be prepared to support your request by demonstrating how your content meets these requirements.
LWV Bellingham/Whatcom Positions
LWV Washington Positions
LWV (US) Positions

Graphics Guidelines

Images are welcome and recommended, especially for social media posts. You are responsible for supplying images according to the following guidelines:

You can provide images YOU’VE taken (with the permission of the subjects) OR stock photos can be used from LWV's Flickr account, or elsewhere that doesn’t require payment or attribution.

For the website: Do not submit an image containing a lot of text. It can’t be read by a screen reader used by the visually or physically impaired.

We prefer photos of people of diverse backgrounds involved in League activities over landscapes. Photos of large group activities generally don't display well on the website or social media.

Social Media Guidelines

LWVBWC posts are for the general public, including members and non-members. Only request a post if your target audience includes non-members.

Social media platforms have a rapid turnover. Posts need to be eye-catching (i.e., include an image) and short. Facebook/ Instagram posts are around two sentences of content. Twitter posts are 280 characters or less.

Event Publicity

Calendar, eBlasts, Social Media, Voter, etc.

League leaders are asked to submit information for League and other relevant events using the form you can open from the link below.

The communications team may:

Add the event to the calendar;
Send an announcement to the audience you desire;
Publicize on social media, if the event is open to the public;
Require registration if the event is by Zoom. (Registration allows Zoom links to be available only to interested persons or to members if it is a member-only event.)

Before you start filling out the form, be sure to

Ensure that the event supports a League position. Neutral educational events must also be related to a League position, even if the specific content has not been approved by the League.
Decide on a title for the event.
Write up a description of the event. The description can be short or long, but if you wish the event to be publicized to the general public in social media, be sure to prepare a twitter-length summary (280 characters).
Know who the event is for--members? general public? This will determine how we will publicize it.
If the event is by Zoom, please schedule the event beforehand, so you can enter the Zoom link into the form. Zoom events will require registration in most cases. Please check the "Reserve Zoom" calendar (link below) to ensure the date/time is free and if so, reserve your date/time.

Click here to start form >

To view a preview copy of the form, click here.

Request for Publicity not Related to an Event

If you want something posted on the website, or an informational or League-sanctioned advocacy eBlast, please email webmaster@lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org

If you want a press release sent to local media, or if you want something publicized on social media, please email communications@lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org.

Example might be the release of the Directory of Elected Officials & Public Agencies

Reserve Zoom

LWVBWC has one Zoom account shared amongst the teams meeting by Zoom or for hybrid events. It's important to make sure that your meeting/event doesn't overlap another team's event. Reserving the League's Zoom account is in addition to completing the event publicity form, to post your event on the League's website calendar.

Click on the link below to reserve the Zoom account:

Zoom calendar >

Report on Public Meeting Observations

(Observer Corps Report)

Click the button below to report your observations at the public meeting you attended, virtually or in person.

Report >

Apply for Board Approval for League Activity

LWVBWC Board approval is required prior to organizing a new subgroup of LWVBWC.

LWVBWC groups must request board approval if the event or activity is new, unbudgeted, or within their budget and expected to cost more than $100.

Communications (except for discussion forums), programs or activities organized by LWVBWC or its sub-groups must conform to LWV’s nonpartisan policy and positions or a disclaimer must be added to public events or recordings.

Programs sponsored by LWVBWC or its subgroups but presented at non-League events require Board approval.

Use the link below to open the form. Keep in mind that the Board meets on the second Monday of each month.

Click here to apply >

To view a preview copy of the form, click here.

Apply for
Coalition, Alliance or Partnership

LWVBWC is a 501(c)(4) organization with a mission to engage and educate voters towards the goal of supporting democracy. Our coalition or partnership with another organization shall be approved by the Board of Directors in conjunction with the following recommended criteria:

Nonpartisan;
Consistent with the League's positions and mission;
Background and affiliation of the organization(s);
League participation, i.e. requirements of time, money and expertise;
Implementation: how will it work?

Click here to apply >

To view a preview copy of the form, click here.

Request Reimbursement for Authorized Expense

Please complete the form by clicking on the button below. Receipts must be attached, so please digitize your receipt(s)--scan it or take a photo--then store it on your computer or device, and click the upload button at the bottom of the form.

Request reimbursement >

Request Pre-Approval for Travel Reimbursement

The League recognizes the benefit of keeping members informed and connected to each other and various other Leagues by participating in state and national League meetings. To assist with participation and travel costs, LWVBWC will periodically make funds available to reimburse expenses. LWVBWC will attempt to make assistance available to the maximum number of members in the organization, and to give priority to activities that benefit the organization generally in ways that are consistent with our core mission. Prior approval is required for reimbursement of registration and travel expenses; if not, reimbursement is not guaranteed. (Board Policies approved 2-21-23)

Please apply using this form:

Click here to apply >

Accordion Widget

Additional information about travel reimbursement

Reimbursement Rates

Travel: Automobile expenses will be paid in the form of mileage at the curent rate per mile (allowed by the IRS) and the member will be expected to take a reasonably direct route to the activity. Train or plane travel will be at coach rates.
Lodging: Lodging expenses will be at the prevailing market rates appropriate to the activity and location. Members are encouraged to pair up and take a “double room” when possible.
Childcare: Childcare reimbursement will be set and approved per individual case by the Board of Directors. Prior approval is required.
Registration fees and meals that are part of the meeting are eligible for reimbursement.

Process

Annually, as part of preparing the budget for the upcoming term, the Board will consider events that members may attend and make an estimate for allowable funds based on anticipated attendance and need expectations. Example: State Convention happens bi-annually on odd-numbered years; National Convention happens bi-annually on even-numbered years.
Prior to registration and making travel commitments, any member interested in receiving travel assistance must complete and submit an application to the Board that indicates the member’s intent to attend an event, and what assistance the member is seeking, and if the member needs funds in advance in order to participate in the event. As appropriate the Board may set deadlines for submission of such an application and may create a form or format for applying.
Applicants will commit to sharing information they gained at the event with the organization. Information may be shared in a variety of ways, including making a presentation, writing an article for the Voter, or other action appropriate to the experience.
Prior to the event, the Board will notify all applicants of the Board’s decision and describe to the extent possible what the assistance level will be.
If projected expenses exceed budgeted amounts, the Board will decide by vote the number and amount of assistance that will be available. Additional assistance will be approved in advance by the Board. Additional assistance shall be intended to allow participation by members who would otherwise not be able to attend convention and council events without it.
Priority will be given to members involved in LWVBW leadership roles.