Overview of Research Plan for Assessing LWVWA Effectiveness

The League of Women Voters of Washington (LWVWA) prepared a strategic plan that was finalized in January, 2017 that laid out its goals for the next five years and the strategies to meet them. In late 2020, the State Board of the LWVWA began developing a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategic plan in meeting its three goals: increasing LWVWA impact on public policies and civic involvement; facilitating local League work; and strengthening organizational capacity. This plan, “Research Plan for Assessing LWVWA Effectiveness,” received Board approval in January 2021 and is to be implemented over the next 24-36 months.

The project has two parts: an internal evaluation based upon members’ views and an external evaluation based upon opinions of external stakeholders. Surveys and interviews will be used to collect the data for these assessments. The project is being conducted through close collaboration with faculty and staff from Washington State University and Gonzaga University.

This self-assessment will provide the basis for updating the strategic plan. It will provide insights into how effective this plan has been in meeting its goals, whether adjustments need to be made, and how its operations can be strengthened at both the state and local levels to be a more efficient and influential organization.