ChapterSpot Updates
Here's an update on the LWV's transition to the new membership model, ChapterSpot. Please note: There is no action you need to take at this time--we provide this notice to help prepare you for emailed communications you will receive from LWVUS/ChapterSpot beginning in February 2025 and a new membership renewal/join process from that point moving forward.
ChapterSpot, the new League membership platform, will provide a centralized portal where any person can join the League or renew their membership, regardless of which League they are joining. This will improve the member experience by making the joining process consistent across Leagues and will allow new members to join their local League from LWVUS. This change is intended to make membership accessible to those who currently find dues to be a barrier to joining. There will still be the option to renew by check for members who don't use the internet.
Membership Fees Structure:
In the new system, dues are set as follows:
- ‘Pay what you can’: Any individual may join the League for one year by paying any amount equal to or greater than $20.
- The suggested amount will be $75.
- Member Types:
- There is no longer a Household membership type - only Individual (Primary) Member.
- There is no longer a Student Member type. Like any other member, they must pay at least $20, unless the local League subsidizes them out of their local League budget.
- Persons who have been members for 50 years are Life Members and will continue to have their member dues waived.
- Auto-Renew: Members will be encouraged to register their financial information to sign up for automatic renewal.
New Membership Model - How it Will Affect Our League
In 2025, LWVUS will implement significant changes to League membership and dues structure. LWV is switching to a new member portal for all Leagues across the country. There is no action that our members need to take right now, but we want to provide you with an overview of what these changes mean for you. The new member portal will launch January/February 2025, using the ChapterSpot platform.
- Individual (Primary) Membership: Most of our members will not need to renew their memberships for many months after the January/February 2025 cutover date. Every current member of the LWVSC who has an email address in our system will receive an email in January 2025 directing you to sign in and verify and/or update your data in the LWV US National database (ChapterSpot), even though your membership may not yet up for renewal. Watch for this email.
- Change to Household and Student Membership: Although renewals will not happen all at once, the change of member status will happen in January 2025 to all Household and Student membership levels. With the new ChapterSpot system, Household and Student membership types will be discontinued and these membership levels will not be recognized. The new system will automatically change these membership levels into individual (primary) members. Note: the minimum membership fee will be $20.00.
Then, when your Household or Student memberships next expire, you will receive an email renewal notice. Currently, household renewal emails are sent to the individual (primary) member, which includes the household member.
When the Individual (Primary) member in your household receives their renewal notice, the individual member will have the option to renew on behalf of another member in your household as well. If you choose to renew for your household member, the current Household member may not need to respond to their renewal notice. But they should be aware that the notices are coming and that they have the option to renew on their own. - Members who usually renew by check: Starting in February 2025, renewal dues checks must be made out to LWVUS but sent to our local League address (P.O. Box E, Modesto CA 95352). LWVSC will forward your check to LWVUS for processing.
