Where do member dues to the state and national Leagues go?

Advocacy  /  Education  /  Communications  /  Member Services  /  Convention & Council

Member dues support the local, state and national Leagues. If you don’t have a local League, your dues are split between LWVWI and LWVUS.  The member dues that you pay support a variety of activities on both the state and national levels:

Advocacy
LWVWI lobbies the Governor and the Wisconsin legislature and LWVUS lobbies Congress and the executive branch on League positions. You can stay informed and up to date on LWVWI and LWVUS priority issues via the state and national newsletters, websites and email lists. (To join the state Action Alert list, email with ‘Action Alert’ in the subject line; to join the national Action list, click here; to join other national lists (members only) click here.)

Education

The League is recognized for making information about complex issues accessible to all citizens. The League is recognized as a trusted organizer and trainer of community leaders and activists. At both the state and national levels, we work to educate and motivate voters; to preserve and implement fair and accessible government policy and procedure; and to encourage civic engagement. LWVWI provides pass-through grants, educational materials and assistance with locally initiated projects.

Public Communications
Visibility, reputation and credibility are intangibles of League. We issue press releases, letters to the editor and statements on our priority issues and events to educate and encourage a positive public response to League activity.

League Communications
From LWVWI

• Forward—the quarterly member newsletter. Contact the state League office to be added to the mailing list or sign up for the electronic newsletter at www.lwvwi.org
• League Leader Updates—weekly updates of news, events and League activity.  Contact the state office to be added to the list.
• Action Alerts—emailed throughout the legislative session, these alerts let you know when your phone call, email or letter can have an impact on Wisconsin legislation or policy. Contact the state office to be added to the list.
• Member website—The For Members section of our website has leader resources, current events and projects, and updates on current League activities. If you are a member and are having trouble signing in, contact the state office for a username and password.

From LWVUS

• National Voter—Triannual magazine with legislative updates, local and state League highlights, and current project and issue reports.
• LeaguE-Voice—monthly electronic newsletter
• President’s Update—weekly email update for League leaders
• Members website—From this site, League members can directly lobby their local, state and national elected officials, and sign on to national email lists.

Member Services

LWVWI and LWVUS staff are available to provide assistance and expertise. Both the state and national websites have significant resources on League administration, and provide voter service materials, products, and membership recruitment tools. The state League holds an annual League Leadership Symposium for leaders to meet and discuss best practices and practical experiences from their local Leagues. LWVWI will also co-facilitate regional League Leader training events. These are opportunities to recruit new members and increase League visibility in Wisconsin. Additional materials and projects may be developed at the state level upon member request. Let us know if you have any ideas!

Convention and Council
LWVWI and LWVUS currently hold Convention and Council on alternate years. On both the state and national levels, Convention is a full gathering of local delegates, where studies are adopted, bylaws altered, officers elected and budgets approved. Council is a smaller gathering of local League representatives, which provides a mid-term review of Convention policy and League activity. All events include educational speakers, leader training and time for Leaguers to meet, network and socialize.