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New Membership System FAQs

In 2025, the League of Women Voters is introducing a new membership structure and launching a centralized membership system, LWV Membership. All League members will join and renew through our website using the join/renew button which will link to LWV Membership system. You will also be able to use a separate LWV Member Portal button on our website to keep your member contact information current.

Why is the League adopting these changes?
• By adopting a new dues structure, the League hopes to increase and diversify overall membership, which will increase our ability to fulﬁll our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy.
• Restructuring the dues model will increase the funding at the state and local levels where it is needed.
• A centralized membership platform will make the joining and renewal processes consistent across Leagues and allow new members to find and join their local League through the LWVUS website.

When does the new membership structure take effect?
The week of February 3, 2025.

What do I need to do to prepare for the change?
You don’t have to take any action right now, but in the coming weeks, you’ll receive an email from the new membership system asking you to log in to the portal for the first time. You won’t be asked to renew or pay dues at that time unless it is time for you to renew. You’ll log in, confirm your member contact information, and answer a few demographic questions designed to help the League broadly understand who we are as an organization.

Will my dues change?
Currently, an Individual membership in LWVMC is fixed at $65. Beginning in February 2025, the League will adopt a “pay-what-you-want” dues model. The recommended dues rate will be $75, but you can pay any amount over the minimum dues rate of $20.

We encourage you to pay at least the current dues rate of $65 to help LWVMC maintain its current budget.

How much of my dues will go to LWVMC?
Your LWVMC membership automatically makes you a member of the League of Women Voters of North Carolina (LWVNC) and the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS). Under the new membership structure, LWVMC will receive 20% of the dues amount, LWVNC will receive 47%, and LWVUS will receive 33%.

Will I still be able to donate to LWVMC when I renew?
Yes. When a member joins or renews, they will have the opportunity to add a separate donation. LWVMC will receive 100% of that donation. Or you can choose to donate directly on our website at lwvmc.org.

What payment methods will I be able to use?
• US Bank Account: This is an electronic money transfer made between financial institutions across a network called the (ACH) Automated Clearing House. This will be the preferred method of payment because it has the lowest fees, thus maximizing the amount of money going toward League work.
• Credit card/Debit Card
• Check

So, I can still pay by check?
Yes.

If you do not have access to a Credit card/Debit card or US Bank Account and need to pay by paper check. A form will be available to download off our join page on our website. You will need to complete the form and make out a check to LWVUS for your membership amount. Mail the form and the check to LWVMC, PO Box 421, West End, NC 27376. Once received, your information will be manually entered in to the LWV membership system and your check mailed to LWV.

Your renewal process, will take longer due to our dependence on mail delivery and the time required to complete the paperwork needed to send the check to LWVUS deposit lockbox.

You might be accustomed to including a donation to LWVMC with your due’s payment. Beginning in February, if you want your donation to be used locally, you’ll need to write a separate check for your donation, made out to LWVMC.

Will there still be Household memberships?
No. You’ll be able to sign up a second person when you join or renew, but each of you will be designated as Individual members. The recommended dues rate for two people will be $150 (the individual recommended rate times two) and the minimum rate will be $40 (the minimum rate times two), but you can choose any amount over $40, including LWMC’s current household rate of $92.50.

Will there still be Student memberships?
No. The “pay-what-you-want” model is intended to make League membership affordable for more people, including students. LWVMC is exploring options to subsidize student memberships.

Will there still be Life memberships?
Yes. Those who have been members for 50 years or more will still be exempt from dues.

When will I renew my membership?
You’ll renew a year after your last renewal, just as you do now. For example, if you joined or renewed your membership on October 12, 2024, your next renewal date will be October 12, 2025.
You can check your renewal date on your Member Profile on the LWVMC website (lwvmc.org).

How will I know it’s time to renew?
You’ll receive an email reminder from membership@lwv.org 60 days before your expiration date, with a second reminder 30 days before your expiration date.

Will there be an option to have my membership renew automatically?
Yes! If you check the box for auto-renew, each year your membership will automatically renew at the same rate. You will still receive a reminder email notifying you that the renewal is coming up, but you won’t need to do anything.

Should I still renew my membership before the new structure takes effect?
Yes, you should still renew as usual. If your membership expires in February 2025, you’re encouraged to renew through the LWVMC website before the end of January. While it’s entirely up to you, we encourage members with renewal dates in January or February 2025 to renew now. While we expect a smooth transition to LWV membership system, renewing now means that by the time your next renewal rolls around, any early unexpected issues will have been worked out.

What if I don’t have my own email address?
Your email address is your username for LWV membership system, so it’s important that you have one, even if you’re only an occasional internet user. This is the way you’ll receive renewal reminders and your login code for the LWV membership system. Because your email is your username, you won’t be able to share an email with another LWVMC member. If you currently share an email, we recommend setting up a second email address that can forward messages to the one you primarily use. LWVUS has a step-by-step guide for how to do this.

Will I be able to sign up to receive fewer emails?
Yes. You can unsubscribe from some types of messages, such as fundraising emails or newsletters. You won’t be able to unsubscribe from some types of messages, such as those about your membership.

Will I be able to list a second address if I live in different places at different times of the year?
Yes, you’ll be able to do that in LWV Membership portal.

1/28/2025

New Membership System FAQs

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