Membership Resources

This page has a collection of resources to help LWV-Acton Area Members get the most out of their membership. Expand the Sections to learn more about our work and the ways to get involved, get acquainted with fellow members, and take full advantage of all that your Membership has to offer!

How Do I Know What's Happening?

Read Alyssa's LWV Weekly Update email that comes out every Sunday! You'll get:

Check out our website and follow us on social media

We publish town meeting dates, election information, candidate forums, etc. Share to your town's civics minded Facebook Groups and on your timeline!

Getting Involved

Just a little bit of time? Consider a 1 hour shift at a community table or other community event. Opportunities are always shared in the Weekly Update email.

A few hours to spare? Volunteer at a Candidate Forum or as an Advisor at a High School Civics event. Keep an eye on the Weekly update for opportunities!

Want to go a bit deeper? Check out our current Working groups. Time committments are flexible and it's a great way to get to know more members and really see the League in action. 

Attend 1st Tuesday! League members and friends meet the first Tuesday of every month, 10AM at Bagels Plus in Acton, for an hour of coffee and casual conversation. Discussions are unstructured but usually revolve around hot topics of the day. Drop in if you're thinking about joining the League or if you're a new member and woiuld like to start getting acquainted.

Join the Book Group! We have lively discussions about nonfiction books dealing with a wide range of topics. Book titles are suggested by the group members and then voted on. The book group meets monthly, and for the foreseeable future they will be conducted via Zoom. All are welcome whether you have read the book or not. For further information contact Book Group Chair Pam Lynn. 

LWV-AA Governance: Steering Committee and other roles 

The Steering Committee is the governing body of the Acton-Area League of Women Voters (Acton, Boxborough, Hudson, Littleton, Maynard and Stow). It is the administrative and policy making team for the League. It meets monthly and consists of an Executive Committee and Directors elected annually. The committee plans and directs the work necessary to carry out the program as adopted at the local Annual Meeting of LWV-AA and by the League of Women Voters National and State Conventions.  

Steering Committee meetings are open to all members; watch the Weekly Update for the agenda and email steering-lwv-actonarea@googlegroups.com for the Zoom link. 

Check out the Membership Directory for other roles in LWV-AA governance.


Who Do I Contact For...

LWVUS and LWVMA

LWVUS 

The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education, and advocacy. With active Leagues in all 50 states and more than 700 Leagues across the country, LWVUS engages in advocacy, education, litigation, and organizing to protect every American’s freedom to vote. LWVUS empowers voters and defends democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.

The League of Women Voters Education Fund, a 501(c3) works to register and provide voters with election information through our election resource VOTE411.org, candidate forums, and debates.  

LWVMA

With 45 local Leagues throughout the state and over 3,000 members, LVWMA has been at the forefront of efforts to empower and educate Massachusetts’ voters and effect change on a wide range of issues, including election laws, natural resources, women’s health, children’s issues, state budget and finances, public education, immigration reform,  racial justice, health equity, and more.

For advocacy at the state level, check out LWVMA's Legislative Envoy program.

LWV-AA Annual Planning Process: studies, programs, and more!

Program Planning: Local program planning is the process by which members determine where they would like to focus their energies during the coming League year.  Members are surveyed and discussions of potential programs for the coming year are held in the spring. A proposed Program Plan is presented to the membership for a vote at the Annual Meeting in June.  At the Fall meeting in September working groups are formed and work begins on the agreed upon program.  Aside from the business above, Annual and Fall meetings offer good food, interesting speakers, and plenty of time for socializing. If you're a new member it's a great way to get acquainted!

Positions and Studies: League of Women Voters take action on issues. Advocacy is based on stated positions on issues; those positions, at the national, state and local levels, are developed through a thorough study and consensus among members. League positions are the result of a thorough process of study, discussion, consensus and adoption. For a deep dive into League Advocacy and positions visit the Advocacy page.


Non-partisan policy

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization, supporting no candidates or political parties.  The League works to empower voters and defend democracy.  This blog post and the history of the League are helpful in explaining the non-partisan nature of the League and its stand on issues. 

The Acton Area League encourages all members to be informed about and engaged in government and political activities at the local, state and national level. Acton Area members who are not serving on the Steering Committee may work for candidates or political parties of their choice, and run for elective office. General members should not, however, presume to speak on behalf of the League, absent prior authorization from the Steering Committee.

The Acton Area non-partisan policy clarifies the restrictions on members serving on the Steering Committee and in specific roles. 

Membership Directory

The Membership Directory is only accessible by current members. Contact lwvactonareamembership@gmail.com for questions or issues.