Be a League Volunteer
What’s my role in LWVDC? Where do I fit in? How can I make a difference?
Volunteers power the League! The impact of our organization in Dane County is directly related to the generosity of our members, who share their time and their passion empowering voters and defending democracy. From leadership roles to one-time events, there is a place for you.
Your member interest survey is a great way to alert League’s leaders so they can inform you about opportunities that might engage you. Click here to update your member interest survey, and keep it aligned with your life as it is today.
Use these links to learn how to get involved with different teams.
Voter Service
Quick links for volunteers.
Just getting started?
Learn more about our work below.
Voter Service
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Voter Outreach
We educate the community about voting, elections, candidates, and issues.-tabling at community events
-assisting DMV clients with using their MyVote kiosks
-working with high schools, UW–Madison, and Madison College to prepare students to vote -
Community Resources
Volunteers act as liaisons to
- county libraries
- senior living communities
- senior centers
- municipal clerks
- apartment complexes
- unhoused people -
Candidate Information
We educate voters by providing candidate information through-Vote411.org
-Candidates’ Answers
-Know Your Candidates video interviews
-moderating candidate forums
Program
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Education and Action on Issues
For 2024-2025, our topics for education and advocacy are:
November election issues
—Proposed state constitutional amendment
—Possible MMSD referendum
—Possible Madison property tax referendum
National Voter Compact
Responsible gun laws
How does policy address market failures?
Issues with 2025 WI Supreme Court raceIf you are interested in learning more or want to help to plan and put on an issue forum, contact us.
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Book Discussion
Join members to discuss books relevant to areas of our program study. Copies of books for current and past discussions may be available in the League office. Reserve a copy by contacting our operations manager, Kerry Helmer.
Interested in joining a planned book discussion, or have questions? Have a suggested title for a future discussion? Maybe you would like to lead a discussion. Contact the organizers at books@lwvdanecounty.org.
To see our shelf of books discussed in the past, and for news of upcoming discussions, click below to Learn More.
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Discussion Units
Many League members meet in one of three units to discuss the topic of each forum, using the resource/study materials provided by the program planners to guide the conversation. The discussion concludes with recommendations for further study or action. Find a unit meeting convenient for you and participate!
Please email a discussion unit leader for more information, to let them know you plan to attend, and to receive Zoom link for virtual meetings. Consult the League calendar for specifics about each meeting. Unit meetings are on hiatus and will resume in February.
List of Unit Meeting times, locations, and leader contact information
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Highway Cleanup
Each spring and fall since 1991, a crew of League members cleans up a stretch of the highway beginning just beyond Pleasant View Road through the Department of Transportation’s “Adopt-a-Highway” program. Our long-term commitment to this project is part of our environmental program.
If you would like to help with this effort in the future, email coordinator Doug Johnson (djohnson44@ameritech.net). If you are a member, go to the Member Interest Sheet link at the bottom of your weekly Enews email and click on the “Adopt-a-Highway” option under "Ways to Help."
Advocacy
In collaboration with Program, advocates respond to action alerts on timely issues and events important to Dane County and Wisconsin. Advocates identify and use many strategies for action (e.g., identify issues for action, letter-writing, attendance at events, and phone banking).
Member Service
The main mission of the Member Service team is to help members connect with each other and with the League's work.
There are ways to support the team that can involve attending the team's (short) monthly meeting–or not!
Want to learn more? Click below to contact Member Service chair Barb Feeney.
Finance & Investment
The Finance Steering Committee oversees the finances of the organization to ensure the proper recording of revenues and disbursements and that the proper controls are in place; reviews financial reports; and ensures that tax and other government reports are filed on a timely basis. The Committee also oversees insurance matters.
The Investment Committee oversees insurance matters and monitors the performance of the Memorial Trust Fund.
These committee members are appointed by the Board per LWVDC Bylaws. If you have expertise in these areas and are interested in volunteering, please contact us.
Communications
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Profile Leader
Profiles of our volunteers have become a popular feature of our “monthly” Bulletin newsletter, and we want to keep it going! Team leaders provide suggestions for volunteers to profile and the Profile Leader makes the contact. Our volunteers have been very willing—no arm twisting involved! It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about our organization and the people who keep it going strong.
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Zoom Team
The LWVDC is seeking 1-2 tech-savvy volunteers to join the existing team in supporting virtual and hybrid events, such as Forums and Membership Meetings. Responsibilities include liaising with the Program Team, setting up Zoom webinars, and ensuring smooth operation during events. Familiarity with Zoom's core functions and a willingness to learn and problem-solve are essential for this role.
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Resource Materials Writers
Resource materials are produced for each forum and made available to anyone who attended or wants to learn more. Resource materials provide background on the issue addressed in the forum, as well as links to articles or studies covering the issue in depth and to organizations working on the issue. Resource Materials include questions to promote discussion in Discussion Unit groups. The ideal length is around four pages.
League-Wide Help
Our Operations Manager, Kerry Helmer, can often use help with projects in and out of the office. These include:
Special mailings
Office reorganizations
Making our ever-popular buttons for tabling events
Preparing decorations for events
Photographing events
Covering phones during staff absences.
