Overview of the Membership and Leadership Development Program

Right now. . . there are BIG challenges facing our democracy! Political dialogue has become highly polarized and partisan, and laws are being passed across the country threatening to deny voters the right to vote.

Voters crave authentic solutions and want nonpartisan, factual information from a trustworthy source.

THE LEAGUE IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER!

NOW is the time to leverage our League voice and promote our focused, quality work.

And, as we capitalize on this critical year in a unified way, the voters win and so does the League.

Imagine If . . .

  • YOUR League was growing in membership and funding
  • YOUR League had its own coach for support, ideas, and guidance
  • YOU and YOUR League leaders had training and mentoring before leading
  • OUR League’s voice was as strong and powerful as our reputation in all communities across the United States!

That is the long term vision of the Membership and Leadership Development (MLD) Program. 

The MLD Program, which is sponsored and funded by the LWVUS Fund for Local League Growth, is currently working in 41 states and the District of Columbia. LWVUS' goal is to have the MLD program active in all 50 states by the end of 2013.

The MLD Program is founded on the principles of utilizing and growing the partnership among the levels of League (local, state, and national) to grow and revitalize our organization from the grassroots up. As part of the program, local Leagues employ best practices intentionally focused on strengthening and growing the League and the League's impact, with the help of state and national coaches for support. Local Leagues, state Leagues, and coaches are all trained in tried-and-true techniques proven to recruit new members and engage and retain current members.

Currently, over 150 state coaches are working with 28 national coaches (also known as the Ruth S. Shur Fellows) to provide guidance, mentoring, and support to local Leagues across the country.

Through the MLD program, the League is becoming more effective and more powerful in communities throughout the nation. The MLD program is funded by the Fund for Local League Growth.

Give to the fund and help grow the League in your community.

For more information about the MLD program and how to participate, please contact Shauneen Grout at SGrout@lwv.org.