WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Membership in LWV Greenwich includes membership in both LWV CT and LWV US.  Effective Monday, February 3^rd, LWV US is implementing a new system for managing memberships, including renewals for existing members. LWV US expects the new membership system to benefit most of its local and state leagues, particularly the smaller ones, and to expand and diversify its membership.

LWV Greenwich asks that you consider how you prefer to be part of our community.  You can be a member, a donor, or simply be on our mailing list.  The chart below should illustrate the benefits and obligations of membership and donation.  There are also some Frequently Asked Questions.  If you have additional questions, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why this change?
  LWV US expects the new membership system to reduce administrative work for local league volunteers. The pay-what-you-can model is expected to create a larger and more diverse membership nationwide.
  
  
• Why is LWV Greenwich participating?
  We have not been given a choice.  A framework was voted on years ago at an LWV US convention and this is their best attempt to implement that.
  
  
• Why this platform?  (It is called ChapterSpot.)
  LWV US selected it because it integrates with SalesForce, their existing financial management tool.
  
  
• What happened to student memberships?
  LWV US abolished the free student membership in favor of the pay-what-you-can model for all.  As it is not possible to be a donor without donating, LWV Greenwich will continue to enlist student participation without requiring payment but those students will be neither donors nor members.
  
  
• What happened to household memberships?
  LWV US is requiring each individual to have their own membership, and a unique e-mail address.  They have included a method to link individual records into a household affiliation.  
  
  
• Can I sign up multiple members at once?
  Yes, but all must be at the same level.  So if you currently pay $100 for a household membership with 4 people in your household, you could create 4 individual memberships of $25 each to preserve your status quo.
  

• Can I be both a member and donor?
  YES.  Members must join or renew on the LWV US platform.  Donors may donate to LWV Greenwich on the LWV Greenwich website or after joining or renewing on the LWV US platform.  Donors may donate to LWV US on the LWV US website.
  
  
• Can I still write a check to join or to donate?
  Yes, but this is discouraged.  Credit card payments online are more secure than checks sent through the mail.  To join or renew LWV US is encouraging members to pay by ACH when not using a credit card; this is an electronic transfer which debits your account.  LWV Greenwich will treat all checks we receive as donations.  Please use the online systems.
  
  
• Can I unsubscribe from e-mail?
  Yes, but you must unsubscribe from each entity individually: LWV US, LWV CT, and LWV Greenwich.  Unsubscribing will not necessarily affect messages pertaining to your membership status.  Donors who unsubscribe from LWV Greenwich will not receive information about our activities, including volunteering opportunities and invitations to the Annual Dinner.  If you only wish to be contacted by LWV Greenwich you probably want to be a donor not a member.
  
  
• Does LWV Greenwich publicly acknowledge donations?
  Yes, but only with donor permission.
  
  
• Should I become (or remain) an LWV member?
  That depends on your priorities.  If your interest is at the local level, please be an LWV Greenwich donor, or at least ensure you are on our mailing list.  You are encouraged to volunteer.  However, donors are not voting members. Become a member if you want to participate in LWV decision-making, and/or if your interests are at the national or state level.
  
  
• If I am a member now and want to be a donor, what do I do?
  When your membership term is up, do not renew.  Instead make a donation to LWV Greenwich.  Ignore the messages from LWV US.
  
  
• I am a member and it's not time to renew; why does LWV US want me to sign on now?
  As part of the conversion to the new system, LWV US would like you to activate your login there and complete their demographic questionnaire.   You may ignore this, or follow the instructions provided.

For assistance using the new LWV US system please refer to this

 LWV US Join/Renew
Instructional Video

Or contact

membership@lwv.org