Member Rights & Responsibilities Policy

Table of Contents

• LWV Member Rights and Responsibilities Policy
• LWVUS Guidelines for Policy Compliance and Resolution
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Resources

LWV Member Rights and Responsibilities Policy

Approved by the LWVUS Board of Directors April 29, 2023

I. Introduction

The purpose of the Member Rights and Responsibilities policy is to ensure that all active members of the League of Women Voters (LWV)¹, including Board members, members of state and local Leagues, members-at-large (MALs), and Inter-League Organizations (ILOs), are committed to maintaining the mission and integrity of LWV. The grassroots influence of LWV is strengthened by a unified understanding of the responsibilities of being a League member as well as what members can expect from LWV. The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and its Governance Committee will review these policies from time to time and revise as needed.

II. Member Rights

Individuals who join the League of Women Voters as voting members become part of a highly trusted, 100+ year-old organization comprised of a large grassroots network of activists, with Leagues in 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. LWV is committed to providing opportunities for members to amplify their individual political power by participating in local, state, and national League actions. Additionally, League voting members in good standing²:

1. Are automatically members of their local and state Leagues and LWVUS.

2. Can join any local League they choose. However, an individual may be a voting member of only one local League and its related state League.  

3. May participate in LWV-sponsored events and activities, including access to members-only opportunities.

4. Can participate in their local League’s annual meetings and their state and national LWV conventions according to the bylaws of their local and state Leagues and LWVUS.

5. Elect their local, state, and national leaders according to the respective local and state Leagues’ bylaws and the LWVUS Bylaws.

6. Are eligible to run for LWVUS leadership positions and leadership positions in their local and state League according to the respective bylaws.  

7. Are entitled to full participation in LWV without barriers as stated in the local, state, or national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies.

III. Member Responsibilities

To promote the success of LWV and help ensure a safe environment for collaboration, all members must:

1. Abide by the applicable rules of LWVUS and their state and local Leagues as set out in each League’s bylaws and official policies.

2. Abide by the applicable nonpartisan policies when acting on behalf of LWV. LWV members are free to participate in partisan politics on their own, including campaigns and being a candidate themselves, but they must not identify themselves as a LWV member or use any League’s nonpublic resources when doing so. Members in LWV leadership positions should further consult their local, state, and national LWV nonpartisan policies.

3. Abide by the applicable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

4. Engage in behavior that promotes respectful discourse and refrain from physically or verbally abusive behaviors toward any LWV member, employee of any League, or members of the public when participating in LWV activities, including undertaking any duties they may have as leaders of a League, promoting LWV policy positions, or identifying themselves as LWV members. This includes online activity. LWV is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all, particularly for members of historically marginalized groups.

5. Commit LWV to action only when authorized to do so by their state or local League or LWVUS.

6. Not act in opposition to a League position or policy when authorized to act on behalf of LWV or when identifying themselves as LWV members. Members are not required to agree with all LWV positions and may choose to not participate in activities that promote positions they oppose.

7. Not make statements on behalf of LWV or purport to represent LWV through any public medium, including online media, unless specifically authorized to do so by their state or local League or LWVUS.

8. Comply with all LWVUS brand standards to protect its trademarks.

IV. Compliance and Resolution Process

The LWVUS Guidelines for Policy Compliance and Resolution provides information on how to report or resolve a violation of the Members’ Rights and Responsibilities Policy.

V. Guidance

Contact LWVUS at [email protected] for questions or further guidance regarding these policies.

¹ The terms League of Women Voters, the League, and LWV refer to all levels of the organization unless noted otherwise.

² A League member is considered in good standing if an individual has complied with membership dues requirements and the individual is in compliance with LWV member responsibilities as set forth in this document.

LWVUS Guidelines for Policy Compliance and Resolution

1. Introduction

League members dedicate their time, energy, and so much more to the League’s mission. They are passionate and devoted to the success of the organization. Even with dedicated members and a clear mission, problems can still arise that require the League’s attention. Educating members and League leaders about policies and expectations is often the best way to avoid and resolve problems. Addressing complaints and policy missteps can also be invaluable opportunities for training members, improving policies, and revising processes. This document is intended to provide guidance for League members, League leaders, and staff as they work to resolve complaints or issues of noncompliance with a LWV policy.

2. Where to Direct a Complaint or Concern

Most complaints and problems can be resolved informally with a civil and constructive conversation between the involved parties. If that is not successful or is not an appropriate option, the following provides a general guide for identifying to whom a complaint or concern should most likely be directed.

3. General Guidelines for Resolving Potential Policy Violations

The following provides LWVUS, state Leagues, and local Leagues guidance for addressing and resolving instances of potential noncompliance with a League policy. Facts and circumstances will vary among different complaints. The guidelines should be adapted equitably and appropriately to the specific circumstances.

• All Leagues should use a complaint resolution process that:
  • Is fair and impartial.
  • Takes all complaints seriously.
  • Investigates the facts.
  • Treats all involved with respect.
  • Allows for all involved to have their perspectives heard and considered.
  • Minimizes conflicts of interest.
  • Appropriately respects the privacy of those involved.
  • Resolves the issue in a timely manner.
  • Clearly communicates the process and decisions to those involved.
  • Documents the process and resolution.
• Avoid prematurely dismissing a concern or complaint without first sufficiently investigating it.
• Apply a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens to the process and the resolution. Find more information on applying a DEI Lens on the League Management Site. Consider the following questions when applying a DEI lens:
  • Who is involved in the process?
  • Who will be impacted?
  • What are the intended and unintended outcomes?
  • Does this align with our vision for an equitable and inclusive organization?
  • What changes could be made to make this more equitable?
• In designing resolutions, it is important to understand and address the root cause of the problem and not just the League policy that was not followed. Such an approach could result in a remediation plan that includes education, training, mentoring, etc.
• Assume good intentions. Unless the facts of a situation clearly suggest otherwise, assume that a League or member did not intentionally decide to ignore LWV policies. This can help avoid unnecessarily escalating tensions.
• Make every effort to fully investigate and resolve the issue in a timely manner. The appropriate timeframe for resolving a complaint may depend on the urgency of the situation. If necessary, immediate interim measures may be taken while a complaint is fully investigated, e.g., suspending authority to act on behalf of the League, restricting access to League resources, etc.
• Respect the privacy of those involved in any complaint or resolution process. Unless otherwise decided, avoid sharing information beyond those involved in the process. Ask those involved to respect one another’s privacy.
• Document the process and the resolution. Minimum documentation could include the member’s name, complaint date, brief description of issue, and status of complaint.
• If a specific decision, agreement, or recommendation is made, it is good practice to document it in writing and provide a copy to those involved.
• Upon completion of the process, explore possible recommendations for minimizing the likelihood that similar problems recur and for improving the resolution process in the future.
• Ask for help when needed. The state League and/or LWVUS can provide support. Local leagues should first reach out to their state League. State Leagues should reach out to LWVUS for support.

4. When LWVUS May Intervene or Become Involved

LWVUS supports local and state League decisions that are consistent with League policies and generally apply these guidelines. LWVUS does not have the capacity to handle every complaint or concern. However, LWVUS has a legal responsibility to ensure that its policies are followed. Occasionally, it may need to assist with, intervene in, or revisit a complaint.

Guidance and Support

LWVUS recognizes that League leaders may feel inadequately resourced to address some situations. Reach out to LWVUS for guidance or support by emailing [email protected]. Local Leagues are encouraged to first seek support and advice from their state Leagues.

Revisiting a Complaint

When LWVUS considers revisiting a complaint handled by a local or state League, LWVUS may weigh these and other relevant factors:

• Does the matter involve a LWVUS policy?
• Was the local or state League’s resolution process fair and impartial?
• Are there diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) implications that were not adequately addressed?
• Are there risks to the organization that were not sufficiently considered?

When revisiting a complaint handled by a local League, LWVUS will coordinate with the state League if there is no conflict of interest.

Rescinding Membership

Only LWVUS can rescind a person’s membership. The state and local League must coordinate with LWVUS in the rare instances in which revocation of membership is recommended.

Withdrawing Recognition of a League

Only as a very last resort will LWVUS withdraw recognition from a League that cannot or refuses to comply with its organizational obligations. The process for withdrawing recognition from a League is described in the LWVUS Bylaws (see Article VI).

5. Complaints Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Given the sensitive, and often complex, nature of complaints that involve potential violations of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy, Leagues are encouraged to reach out to their state League or LWVUS for guidance or support in resolving issues that have implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion. LWVUS can be contacted at [email protected]. For more guidance on the LWVUS DEI Policy, please refer to “Understanding LWVUS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy.”

Member Rights & Responsibilities Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the League’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy? What do I do if I believe my local, state, or national League is in violation of the DEI policy?

The LWVUS DEI policy states: “LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.”

For processing DEI complaints, please refer to the guidance above.

2. Can the local, state, or national League rescind my membership if I violate League policies? Who makes that decision?

In the unlikely and unfortunate event that a League member is found to be out of compliance with League requirements and bylaws, LWVUS will make every effort to ensure that the member is heard and treated fairly. Rescinding membership is the sole discretion of LWVUS. This action is a last resort, and the action isn’t taken lightly or quickly.

3. If I am a member of the League, does that mean I can never participate in partisan activities? Are all League leaders prohibited from engaging in partisan activities, even if I’m just chairing a committee at my local League?

We understand that League members are likely to be politically active individuals (in fact, we encourage political participation), but nonpartisanship toward candidates and political parties is critical to the effectiveness of the League's unique voter service/citizen information work. It also provides a strong foundation for the work done in support of issues. Action on legislation and ballot proposals is more effective when the public and the legislators believe that the League's conclusions are based on merit rather than politics. While each state and local League has its own nonpartisan policies, the bottom line is that the League and its representatives do not support specific candidates or political affiliations. This means that League leaders, as defined by state and local nonpartisan policies, may not express partisanship in any forum, including in interviews, social media, speeches, or meetings. League members are free to participate in partisan politics on their own, including campaigns and being a candidate themselves, but they must not identify themselves as a League member or use any League nonpublic resources when doing so. League members should consult their own state and local League policies to determine how to govern their own political activities.

4. Can a person be a member of more than one League?

No. In explaining this, we often use the comparison to voting – in the same way that none of us can be registered to vote in more than one state, we can’t be a member of multiple local Leagues, both because we as individuals would be overrepresented at the state/national level, and also because that would overstate our total membership as an organization.

Of course, this isn’t intended to curtail a member’s engagement with any League. A member who lives near more than one League is highly encouraged to engage with the Leagues in both places and is of course welcome to make a contribution to the additional League in lieu of dues. The only restriction is on being a voting member of the second League, and therefore also serving on that League’s board. It is up to the member to choose which League they will be a member of and which League they will participate with in a less official capacity.

5. Who is authorized to make statements or officially represent the League at the local, state, and national levels? Can I make statements on my own and simply say that I am a member of the League? For example, can I submit a letter to the editor for my local newspaper and indicate that I am a League member even if I’m not officially speaking on behalf of the League?

Being a League member carries weight and responsibility. That is why it is critical to ensure that League affiliation is not used for personal or political gain. League members may not make statements on behalf of LWV or purport to represent LWV through any public medium, including online media, unless specifically authorized to do so by their state or local League or LWVUS.

6. Who do I contact if I believe that the local, state, or national League is not in compliance with a League policy?

The most important principle in dealing with concerns about policy violations is transparency. Therefore, LWVUS advises members and Leagues to start with their local or state organizations before bringing concerns to the national League office. Members who feel their League or a member has violated a policy should clearly communicate their concerns to the local or state League. Local Leagues can elevate concerns to their state leaders, and state leaders can bring their concerns to LWVUS, and when necessary, the national board.

Resources

Recordings

• Feb. 28, 2024: Member Rights and Responsibilities Webinar (Passcode: $!65cMD0) | Slides
• March 5, 2024: Transformation: Are You Ready to Move the League Forward? (Passcode: L3Q%n$2k) | Slides