League of Women Voters Organization
August 9, 2020
By Margaret A. Leary
SUMMARY:
LWVAAA is an affiliate of LWVMI. Both have been recognized by the LWVUS. LWVAAA, as an affiliate of LWVMI, can look to the state organization for training, pass through grants and advice. LWVAAA is encouraged to participate actively in, and support, LWVMI’s initiatives and programs as all of us try to achieve the League's Mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.
The following information is based on conversations I had with Sue Smith (former President of LWVAAA, long time LWVMI Board Member, currently VP for Advocacy. I asked her to explain the organization of the national, state, and local League of Women Voters, the relationship of each to the others, the legal status of each, and the meaning in Michigan of local groups being labelled as “state unit” or “geographic” unit of [name of local league such as LWVAAA].
I. RELATIONSHIP OF NATIONAL TO STATE, in general, and specifically for LWVMI
There is no legal connection between the National League (LWVUS) and State Leagues. In order to use the name “League of Women Voters”, a state LWV must be “recognized” by the National. The standard for being recognized is in the National’s bylaws. https://www.lwv.org/league-management/bylaws/bylaws-and-certificate-incorporation It is a complicated process with many requirements. And recognition can be withdrawn if a State league does not continue to meet the “recognition” requirements.
This “recognition” enables LWVMI to send voting delegates to the National Convention, who choose the national Board of Directors and Officers and Nominating Committee. Also to participate in LWVUS activities and use its publications, logo, staff (of 22) expertise, etc.
National and State are deliberately not legally connected. This is partly to protect the national from entanglements or legal liabilities that state leagues might get into.
In sum: the relationship of LWVMI to LWVUS is much less direct than the relationship between LWVMI and LWVAAA, described below.
II. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A STATE LEAGUE AND A LOCAL LEAGUE
This varies from state to state because of variation in state laws. What follows is specific to Michigan.
LWVAAA is an “affiliate” of LWVMI, which is a registered Michigan Domestic Nonprofit Corporation. LWVMI pays an annual fee, to the State of Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, of $20, which covers the registration for the state League and all local [“affiliate”] Leagues in the state of Michigan. Having “affiliates” is specifically allowed and defined by the Michigan Domestic Non Profit Corporation law, Act 162 of 1982 as amended.http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(jarwtcfyravzebaylanow21z))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-162-of-1982.pdf
From the Bylaws of the LWVMI, as amended May 2019:
Article II: Purposes and Policy.
Section 1. Purposes.
The purpose of LWVMI are to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation in government and to act on selected governmental issues.
Section 2. Political Policy.
The League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate.
The LWVMI Board of Directors and Officers are elected every two years by local League delegates to the state League Convention.
LWVMI is the "umbrella" corporation for all the LWV's around the state. There are 3 different levels of units:
- those that have met all the state requirements for a League, including LWVAAA;
- those that are under the umbrella of a local League, like Brighton Howell which is a "geographic unit" of the LWVAAA; and
- those that have met most of the requirements but are still under state supervision, like Tecumseh/Lenawee, which is a "state unit."
The LWVAAA doesn't have to have its own Articles of Incorporation because LWVAAA, as an affiliate, uses and are bound by those of the LWVMI. LWVAAA doesn't need, for example, our own statement of purpose. The League of Women Voters has one purpose statement for all three levels of League: national, state and local. It is adopted by the LWVUS Board of Directors..
LWVAAA does have its own bylaws, and those need to be consistent with LWVMI and LWVUS (but don't have to be exactly the same, just not in conflict with or inconsistent with). LWVUS made several changes to their bylaws in June 2020. Local Leagues will be notified of any changes they need to make to their bylaws as a result.
Both LWVAAA and LWVMI are categorized by the IRS as 501(c) 4. Donations are not deductible under Federal tax law. LWVMI has a separate entity, the LWVMI Education Fund, which is a 501(c) 3, to which donations are deductible under Federal tax law. A few local Leagues in Michigan have set up their own Education Funds, but LWVAAA decided that was not worth the trouble.
LWVAAA has a fund within the National League Education Fund, which at this writing has about $60,000 in it. LWVAAA can use this fund by submitting a request for reimbursement to LWVUS, along with receipts to prove the expenses are eligible. Reimbursement can take a month or two.
The role of LWVMI is to encourage, support and recommend recognition of a local League to the LWVUS Board, when appropriate. If necessary, it may recommend withdrawal of that recognition to the LWVUS Board if a local League no longer meets the national standard as outlined in the LWVUS Bylaws.
LWVMI provides a variety of training opportunities, pass-through grants, the state Convention, printed Voter Guides and other forms of support to local Leagues. One form of support is monthly “Membership and Leadership Development” calls, which are used to provide local league leaders with information. Paula Manley at LWVMI is in charge of these at present.
LWV US supplies the Vote411.org platform.
Because of our affiliate relationship to LWVMI, LWVAAA can look to LWVMI for help.
For example: a member of the LWVMI Board of Directors is working on establishing a template to achieve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)I; the League Treasurer helps LWVAAA’s treasurer provide information to the IRS; someone there is helping LWVAAA with the proposed name change from “Ann Arbor Area” to “Washtenaw County.” For more information about LWVMI, call or email the LWVMI Office, 517-484-5383, office [at] lwvmi.org, or visit the website, https://lwvmi.org/index.html.
The bottom line:
LWVAAA is an affiliate of LWVMI. Both have been recognized by the LWVUS. LWVAAA, as an affiliate of LWVMI, can look to the state organization for training, pass through grants and advice. LWVAAA is encouraged to participate actively in, and support, LWVMI’s initiatives and programs as all of us try to achieve the League's Mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.
