The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County is incorporated and organized under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 501(c)(4), as a charitable, educational, non-profit civic group. The Education Funds at the state (LWVWA) and national (LWVUS) levels are organized under the Internal Revenue code, Section 501(c)(3). (See Section 501 of U.S. Code.)
The League is a non-partisan civic group. This means that the League does not support or oppose candidates, factions, or political parties. However, this does not mean that the League is impartial—in fact, the League takes sides on issues. Moreover, this does not mean that League members, as individuals, must themselves remain non-partisan—in fact, members (with the significant exception of League officers) are urged to be active in party politics. Read a complete statement of the League's policy on nonpartisanship here.
Funding
Financing of League, a not-for-profit organization, is through contributions and member dues. Some money is raised through community and national fund drives which encourage public-spirited citizens to help support the work of League. Dues are collected at the local level. The local League then sends a per-member payment (PMP) to both the state and national levels.
Tax-deductible contributions earmarked for specific projects can be made to the Education Fund administered by the LWVWA. The Education Fund is currently used by LWVSC to pay for preparation of its voter service publications and educational materials.
By joining the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County, an individual automatically becomes a member of three organizations, namely, LWVSC, LWVWA, and LWVUS. League has a tiered organization, with different (non-overlapping) scopes of work being performed at the national, state, and local levels. For example, where the national League might initiate study of international trade issues, the county League might study issues affecting the county budget; and where the national League has developed positions on national health care, our local League has articulated positions on mental health care services here in Snohomish County.
League membership is open to women and men, youths and adults, citizens and non-citizens. Youths and non-citizens may not vote at the formal meetings, councils, and conferences held by LWVSC, LWVWA, and LWVUS; in all other ways, youths and non-citizens who join the League are full members.
LWVSC serves as the locus for all League activities in Snohomish County, including those activities that originated at the state or national level. Unit meetings, held once per month between September and May, are the time when members gather to study and debate League program (see League jargon page for a definition of "program"). For the convenience of its members, LWVSC holds unit meetings in three locations in Snohomish County—Arlington, Everett, and Edmonds—and at two times of day (the Edmonds unit meets in the morning, the other units hold meetings in the evening). |
|
