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@gmail.com.