MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM UPDATE

Welcome to the League of Women Voters!

Effective February 3, 2025, LWV US has adopted a new membership system known as ChapterSpot on behalf of all Leagues nationwide. It effectively assumes management of member information, lists by function and interest (e.g. Steering Committee, Voter Registration, Social Media Management, etc), ability to direct targeted emails (e.g. Newsletter, membership renewal, ‘Let’s Get Together’ invites, etc), and distribution of your dues between LWV US, LWV Pennsylvania, and LWV PA Capital Region. This allows local Leagues to focus on the important work of ensuring an educated, engaged, voting public.

As with all new systems, there ARE some changes. The highlights are below but an FAQ document is also attached.

  • Every member will need to be uniquely identified by an email address.

  • All new and renewing members will maintain their own membership data, including interest areas, via this link: https://portal.lwv.org/ When all Leagues have standardized on this portal, it will allow any person anywhere to join any League from any League website!

  • LWV has elected to standardize on two member types:

    • General (most of us)

    • Lifetime (those who have been members for 50+ years)

DUES CHANGES

Transition Period for approximately the next two years.

  • The recommended annual 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.

  • 20% of dues will go to the local League, 47% will go to the state League, and 33% will go to LWVUS. (This is considerably more favorable to local Leagues than in the past!)

  • On the portal page after you choose your dues rate, and you’ve confirmed your local League designation, (LWV PA Capital Region), there will be an option to make a contribution 100% directed to us. Unlike dues, it will not be distributed between US, PA, and our local League.

  • The preferred payment method is ACH (Automated Clearing House), which is an electronic payment method (essentially like a debit card) 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. The League is standardizing on the Stripe payment platform.

    • It will also still be possible to pay by check as needed. However, minimizing this alternative also reduces the risk of checks being lost in delivery.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to send an inquiry to president@lwvpacapreg.org.