WHERE DOES THE LWVUS/EF BUDGET GO
(PMP covers 23% of these costs)
Overview
LWVUS has 2 main functions that reinforce each other in important ways. They are performed by the national Board, relevant committees and task forces, and staff:
- To represent the League in its entirety to the federal government, national media, national donors and foundations, and the public at large;
- To assist and otherwise support state and local Leagues on both internal infrastructure issues and external programs and outreach;
- And, to support both these core functions with prudent management and financial oversight, and adequate information technology.
National Activities and Representational Functions
Advocacy before US Congress and Executive Branch
- Lobby directly on legislative priorities (climate change, health care, money in politics, etc.)
- Support DC area members of Lobby Corps
- Engage over 100,000 members of electronic Grassroots Lobby Corps through Action Alerts and other means
- Work in 13 coalitions
Outreach to media and general public to obtain visibility for League efforts and views
- Issued over 150 press releases and letters to the editor in this biennium
- Approximately 100 media interviews given
- Ran paid TV and radio ads in selected states on health care reform
- Ongoing updates to League website – www.lwv.org
- Created LWVUS Facebook page, that now has over 6,000 “likes”
- LeaguE-Voice distributed monthly to 75,000 people
- E-engagement mailings on timely issues approximately 3 times a month
Educational Projects and Products
- VOTE411
- Hold conferences on national topics
Fundraising – using reach and economies of scale of national office
- 45% of LWVUS/EF revenue raised through direct marketing – mail, telephone, and electronic
- 18 separate foundation grants were obtained in this biennium, and these cover portions of LWVUS/EF salaries, rent and overhead
Direct Support and Assistance to Leagues
Membership / Field Support Department
- Problem solving responses to over 30,000 emails and calls per year from members and leaders on all topics
- Administer, free of charge, over 300 state and local League Education Funds
- Conduct webinars to train leaders on League processes and growth techniques
- Increased support for membership recruitment and leadership development – through the Membership Recruitment Initiative and the Ruth S. Shur Fellows coaching system
Communications Department
- Weekly Leaders Updates to over 4,000 League leaders. Subscription is open to all members.
- Administer 15 electronic “discussion lists” for interested members
- Create monthly press templates for use by Leagues
- Produce such publications as Impact on Issues and Convention Workbook
- Creation of “tribute videos” for the 90th anniversary year
Education Fund Projects
- Pass-through grants to over 100 Leagues in such areas as state-level election reform, a fair judiciary, climate change, hosting of international visitors, etc.
- Dedicated assistance to participating Leagues in 16 states on ways to be effective advocates and communicators at the state and local levels
- Provision of particular software packages to participating Leagues
Advocacy Department
- Assistance to Leagues in effectively contacting federal officials on national priority issues
- Assistance to Leagues on effective advocacy at the state and local levels
All Departments
- Support for productive national League meetings – like Convention and Council
Summary
With each level of League focused on its own sphere of influence – but working collaboratively for the common good – the League of Women Voters demonstrates its unique power to combine this broad range of skills and resources to “Make Democracy Work” for all Americans! LWVUS plays an important part – and so do all of you!