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, Twitter 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?
• Primary/Individual Membership ~Covers one individual-Dues: $60/year mail-in or $65 online
• Household Membership~Covers two members of the same household-Dues: $90/year mail-in or $95 online
• Student Membership~Open to all students; those 16 years and older are voting members-Dues: $5/year

I want to Join but Cannot Afford the Full Membership Fee at This Time. Are There Alternatives?
Yes, the LWV of Greater Cleveland does not want the cost of dues to be a barrier to membership. The League welcomes members regardless of their ability to pay. On our Membership Signup page there is an option to Pay What You Can. With this “Alternate Amount” option, you can create the rate that works best for you and still receive the full benefits of membership in the LWVGC.

Where Do My Dues Go?
When you join the LWV of Greater Cleveland you are also joining the Ohio League and LWVUS. Your dues cover your membership not only at the local level, but at the State and National level. Of the individual membership dues, $32 goes to LWVUS, $25 goes to LWV Ohio and $3 stays with 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. 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?
Each chapter has its own leadership team.
• Contact your Chapter Chair and offer to join a committee or
• Contact a LWVGC leadership director and express your interest
• Respond to our survey of member interests

LWVGC also has a leadership team. Every winter the LWVGC nominating committee looks for new talent for the Board. Our new Board takes office at the Annual Meeting in late May. Terms are two years for Offices and most Directors, one year for certain positions (typically Assistant Director positions). 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, however, 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. The most important consideration to be aware of is when you are being perceived as an individual, and when you are being looked at as a League member. At League meetings or events, speaking about a League position, or representing the League publicly, members should abide by the League’s non-partisan policy. Any partisan political activities members choose to engage in - attending a candidate rally, commenting on local policy, etc. - should be done outside of their League affiliation. Certain members who have high public visibility as officers or leaders in the League are restricted from any partisan activity.

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 a Community Voter Hub?
Community Voter Hubs consist of posters which we place in storefronts all around the Cleveland area. The poster includes QR codes that store patrons or passersby are able to scan with their phones for online links to look up information about vote by mail ballots or to register to vote online. With these hubs we can reach more people and track how many times the codes are scanned.

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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