LWV FAQ - League of Women Voters Greater Cleveland

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FAQs about the League of Women Voters

I joined the League! What is the best way to get involved?
There are many ways to get involved with the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. Join us in-person for activities, like registering voters at schools or at a Naturalization Ceremony. Or you can work from home advocating issues to elected officials, addressing action alerts, or attending one of our many virtual forums. Visit our Volunteer page for a list of available opportunities or email us at President@LWVGreaterCleveland.org.

Where can I find out when events are and what the League is working on?
There are multiple ways to keep up to date with League positions, events, and activities. One of the best ways is our monthly email newsletter. You can sign up here. Find upcoming events on our calendar. Follow us on social media: our Facebook Page, Members Only Facebook Group, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) Threads, Blue Sky and our Outreach Circle app. Accounts are regularly updated and a great way to see what we’re working on.

Who can become a member?
Membership in the League is open to all genders, US citizen or not, who subscribe to the purposes and policy of the LWVUS. Persons at least 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members; all others who join shall be associate members.

Why should I join?
Our members are the lifeblood of our work. Your membership gives us the influence needed to provide a voice for the people and be a force for change. When you join the LWV of Greater Cleveland you become a member of the Ohio League and the United States League. As a member you can attend all general meetings and events, join a committee or serve on the Board of Directors. You will receive The Voter (our newsletter) and action alerts that enable you to take action on critical policy issues. Member participation is key to League success. You may choose to affiliate with a Chapter in the Greater Cleveland area or become a Member at Large with no affiliation. . Whatever your interest, we have a place for you to contribute your time and talents.

Are there different membership levels?
There are only two membership levels: Primary and Lifetime. Those who have been LWV members for 50 years are awarded Lifetime membership and do not pay dues.

I want to join but am not sure I can afford dues at this time.
The recommended dues is $75, but you may choose an amount below that, to a minimum of $20. Higher dues payments help allow some members pay below the recommended amount but do not grant additional benefits.

How and where do I join LWV?
All member sign-ups are done centrally, which means you can join from any LWV website – national, state, or local League. If you sign up through the LWVUS or LWV Ohio websites, you will be asked to select a local League or choose to become a member-at-large. If you sign-up through the website of a local League, such as LWV Greater Cleveland, you will be automatically directed to the sign-up page for that local League.

Where do my dues go?
When you join LWV you become a member of all three levels – national, state, and local. That means if you join LWV of Greater Cleveland as your local League you are also joining LWV Ohio and LWVUS. Your dues support LWV at all three levels. Of whatever the member pays as dues, 33 percent goes to LWVUS, 47 percent goes to the state League (LWV Ohio) and 20 percent goes to the local League (LWV Greater Cleveland).

How is LWVGC funded?
We are funded by a combination of grants, sponsors, and most importantly, individual supporters. Membership dues account for only a small portion of our funding.

How can I make a tax-deductible donation for our local work?
Donations to the LWVGC Education Fund, a 501(c)(3), are tax-deductible, and go to work right in our community, mainly for non-partisan voter service. Checks should be payable to LWVGC Education Fund and mailed to P O Box 5310, Cleveland, OH 44101. You may also donate online.

How is leadership selected?
Every winter the LWVGC nominating committee looks for new talent for the Board. New Board members are elected for two-year terms and take office at the Annual Meeting in late May. The board may appoint additional directors, who serve until the next Annual Meeting. Each chapter has its own leadership team, which includes, at minimum, a Chapter Chair and a Voter Service Chair. Have questions? Email us at President@LWVGreaterCleveland.org.

How does the non-partisan policy impact LWVGC members?
Since its founding, the League of Women Voters has committed to neither support nor oppose any political party or candidate for public office. We do advocate for and against public policy, but only after we have studied the issue thoroughly and reached a consensus of our membership. When people think of the League, they think of a trustworthy, non-partisan organization whose voice is heard above the tumult of party politics.

The League is a political organization whose members are encouraged to be politically active. Members who are in leadership positions are bound by LWVGC's non-partisan policy. For other members, any partisan political activities they choose to engage in - attending a candidate rally, commenting on local policy, etc. - should be done outside of their League affiliation.

What is a DEI lens?
A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) lens is a way of examining a program, a process, a product, etc with regards to how it is perceived by a variety of communities, voices, and perspectives, and what, if any, barriers may exist that is preventing it from being equitable or inclusive of everyone. Learn more

What is Vote411.org?
Launched by the LWV Education Fund in 2006, Vote411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process:
• Vote by Mail (Absentee) ballot information
• Ballot measure information (where applicable)
• Early voting options (where applicable)
• Election dates
• Factual data on federal, state and local candidates
• General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
• State ID requirements
• Polling place locations
• Registration deadlines
• Voter qualifications
• Voter registration forms

Have a Question that Hasn’t Been Answered?
Email us at president@lwvgreatercleveland.org

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