Membership Resources

To learn about our work, how to get involved, where to meet fellow members, and find out what membership has to offer, expand the sections below.

What's Happening?

Read Alyssa's LWV Weekly Update email that comes out every Sunday to 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!

How do I Get 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. 

How do I Join or Renew my Membership?

Join/Renew Process

As of February 3, 2025, most members will join and renew through a centralized online form used for all Leagues around the country, although it will still be possible to join offline. For details, see the Join/Renew page.

What will the dues rate be? 

Dues will be pay-what-you-can. The recommended dues rate will be $75, but you can pay any amount more than that, or any amount less than that to a minimum of $20. 

How much of my dues will go to my local League? 

20% of dues will go to the Acton Area League, 47% will go to the state League, and 33% will go to LWVUS. 

Can I make a contribution that goes exclusively to my local League?

 Yes. On the page after you choose your dues rate, there will be an option to make a contribution directly to your local League. 100% of that donation will go to your League. 

What payment methods can I use? 

The preferred payment method is ACH, which is an electronic payment method that just requires typing in the numbers at the bottom of a check. This is preferred because it has the lowest fees and maximizes the amount of money going toward League work. The secondary option is to pay online by credit/debit card. It will also still be possible to pay by check as needed. 

Can I still pay by check? 

Yes. This is not the preferred method because this requires more time and effort from the League treasurer, but it is still possible. If you need to pay by check, the check should be made out to LWVUS and given to your League’s treasurer. 

Are my dues tax-deductible? 

Any portion of dues going to a 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible. If your local and/or state League dues are going to a 501(c)(3), that will be identified in your confirmation email, which can be used as a tax receipt. 

Will there still be household memberships? 

No. You can still sign up for yourself and someone else, but it’s not designated as a household membership anymore. The recommended dues rate will be $150 (the individual recommended rate times two) and the minimum rate will be $40 (the minimum rate times two), but as with individuals, you can choose any amount, including the current household rate at your League. 

Will there still be lifetime memberships? 

Yes, those who have been members for 50 or more years will still be exempt from dues. 

Will there still be student memberships? 

No. The pay-what-you-can model is intended to extend the understanding of possible financial need to all members, including students. Some Leagues may choose to subsidize members to pay below the $20 minimum. 

When will I renew? 

You will renew a year after your last renewal (e.g. if you renew in October, you will renew again the following October). This is in contrast to some Leagues that currently have everyone renew at the same time each year. 

How will I know it’s time to renew? 

You will receive an email reminder when your expiration date is approaching.

 Is there an easier way? 

Yes! If you check the box for auto-renew, each year your membership will automatically renew for the same rate you previously chose. You will still receive a reminder email notifying you that the renewal is coming up, but you won’t need to do anything. 

Can I sign up to get fewer emails? 

Yes. You can unsubscribe from some types of messages, such as fundraising emails or optional newsletters. As a member of the organization, some messages, such as those about your membership, are not optional. 

What if I don’t use the internet? 

You will not be required to access the portal. You can continue to write checks for your dues payments and your League’s roster manager can continue to input your information to the roster as needed. 

Can I put in a second address if I live in different places at different times of the year? 

Yes, you will be able to do that in the portal. 

For any questions or problems accessing the new system, please email lwvactonareamembership@gmail.com. 

How do I Update my Information?

Members can update their personal information or profile (name, address, phone, email, etc.) online through a Member Portal. Members can renew their membership through this portal also. For details, see the Join/Renew page.

Who Governs the Acton Area LWV? 

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?

What are the National and State LWV Chapters?

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.

What is the Planning Process for Programs and Studies?

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.


What is the 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. 

Where is the Membership Directory?

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