As you know, we ask for your dues every year. What you may not know is
that the dues you pay support the LWVUS, the LWVWV and local leagues where
they exist. This is known as the per-member-payment (PMP) and makes up a
large part of our state and local budgets.
The LWV is making a change. Starting in 2025, LWVUS will collect dues
directly from members and give a portion back to the state and local
leagues. Instead of responding to our local requests for dues, you will be
asked to log into a new “Membership Platform” or “LWV Portal” for payment
of dues. This will begin in February 2025.
You will receive an email starting the week of February 3, 2025 requesting
that you set up your account in the Portal by confirming your existing
profile is correct and responding to a member survey. It is especially
important for you to register in the Portal. If your dues are not due at
this time (LWVWV members-at-large dues renew as of June 1, 2025 and local
leagues have their own dues schedules), those are the only steps you need
to take at this time.
Historically, you have paid your dues by checks sent to the respective
treasurer or with PayPal where that is available. Dues amounts vary based
on your membership. When the Portal goes live, the LWVUS is suggesting
dues of $75 per member (no household rate), but members have the option to
pay more or less than that amount, down to a minimum of $20. You can also
register additional household members but they each must have their own
unique email in the Portal. The national league will collect, then
distribute the dues, 20% to local leagues, 47% to state leagues, and 33% to
the national League. Dues are now strongly encouraged to be paid via
credit card or other online method and will renew on a rolling schedule one
year from your last dues payment.
Many of you make annual contributions in addition to your dues payment. If
you would like 100% of that contribution to go directly to your state or
local league, you should not include it with your dues payment in the
Portal. Contributions submitted through the Portal will be divided up in
the same distributions as your dues. Expect receipt
of additional information from state and local leagues on direct
contributions.
There will continue to be options to receive or opt out of periodic emails
from LWV US about current league activities. You will still receive your
membership renewal notices 30 and 60 days prior to expiration if you opt
out of other emails.
This change affects not just dues, but overall management as well. Local
and state leagues will no longer have to administer the dues process or pay
a large PMP to the LWVUS and LWVWV. One real benefit to this change is
that state and local leagues will be transferring the administrative burden
to LWVUS. But it will be a learning process for all of us.
We are sure you will have questions about this new payment arrangement. We
are also learning and will update you as the new system progresses. If you
have any questions about the Portal, please contact your local league or
LWV WV Treasurer at Teresa.m.koon(a)gmail.com.