1 of 17

Member�Orientation

2 of 17

Who Can� Join

Must be 16 or older.

The LWV is open to anyone regardless of gender, sex, race, ability, or party affiliation.

Younger than 16 – no voting rights.

Members can belong to only one league at a time.

2

3 of 17

League Structure – You Belong to All Three

  1. National – lwv.org
  2. State of Tennessee: lwvtn.org
  3. Williamson County: https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/williamson-county

Membership:

    • Individual Basic $75
    • Individual Minimum $20

Renewal Notices automatically sent out by LWV US

3

4 of 17

Meet Your Local �League

Officers:

  • President: Dorinda Smith
  • Vice-President: Nancy Garrett
  • Treasurer: Barbara Owens
  • Secretary: Staci Albenesius

Elected Board of Directors:

  • Kathy Armistead - Social Media (2024-2026)
  • Cynthia Mercante -Voter Education/ Community Outreach (2024- 2026)

Appointed Board of Directors:

  • Wanda Bruce Graham - Voter Education and Services (2024-2026)
  • Brenda Fogg - Membership (2025-2027)
  • Peg McCree - Communications, Vote 411(2024-2026)
  • June Bond - Senior Advisor (2024-2026)

4

5 of 17

Founded on February 14,1920, in Chicago, by

suffragists to help the 20 million new women voters.

5

History of the League

LWV of Tennessee founded the same year.

Launched Vote411.org in 2006.

LWV Education Fund was established in 1957.

Sponsored the Presidential debates in the 1980s.

125 Years

6 of 17

Who We Are – Mission Statement

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government; works to increase understanding of major public policy issues; and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

6

7 of 17

Principles

We believe in: 

  • representative government and the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the United States;
  • protecting every citizen in the right to vote;
  • grassroots empowerment, both within the League and in communities;
  • the balance among the three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial;
  • the value of diversity; and
  • respect for individuals.

7

8 of 17

Conduct

8

We will: 

  • act with trust, integrity and professionalism;

  • operate in an open and effective manner to meet the needs of those we serve, both members and the public;

  • take the initiative in seeking diversity in membership; and

  • acknowledge our heritage as we seek our path to the future.

9 of 17

LWV Issues and Advocacy

Issues and Policy Positions

  • Identified on a biannual basis by the National Convention Delegates and yearly by the State Delegates.
  • Further information is available on the Leagues’ websites.

Advocacy

  • Groups of League members meet to study and discuss topics.
  • The Tennessee State League sponsors an Advocacy Committee during each legislative session.
  • Our local League hosts and/or co-sponsors public forums and other events during each election cycle.

9

10 of 17

Voter Education

  • LWV Leagues host events and programs to educate voters about candidates running in federal, state and local races.
  • They disseminates educational materials about state and local elections. 

10

11 of 17

When We Meet

Monthly programs - held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Notification about the subject and location is emailed to the membership.

Social Events - held throughout the year. Information about these events is sent via email to all members.

The Annual Business Meeting and Social is held in June. The agenda is emailed to the membership.

11

12 of 17

�Opportunities for Additional �Education �

12

We host our own Website that provides updated information on upcoming events, Action Alerts, State and National League information, and our mission and vision for our organization. https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/williamson-county

Additionally, you will receive invitations to the LWV Nashville “Hot Topics” monthly programs,

League members also receive emails that provide a wide range of opportunities to join local, state, and even national seminars, programs, calls to action, and training sessions for specific LWV activities.

13 of 17

Helpful Information

  • Secretary of State’s Division of Elections: GoVoteTn

GoVoteTN is a portal for Tennesseans to access election information. The services and information provided are maintained by the Tennessee Secretary of State's Division of Elections.

  • Williamson County Election Commission

405 Downs Blvd., Franklin, TN 37064

(615) 790-5711

www.williamsonvotes.net

13

14 of 17

Voter Integrity

Tennessee has once again claimed the top spot in the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard — marking a historic fourth consecutive year as the nation’s leader in secure and trustworthy elections. No other state has achieved the distinction of being ranked #1 four years in a row since the scorecard’s inception.

14

15 of 17

Get Involved

  • Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky.
  • Attend monthly meetings and social events.
  • Serve on one of the League committees.
  • Become a poll observer or poll worker.
  • Attend Election Commission Meetings.
  • Attend candidate forums and other election related events sponsored by the league.

Reminder: The LWV is a nonpartisan organization. LWV speaks with one voice. When speaking in public, unless formally endorsed by the LWV, you represent only yourself.

15

16 of 17

LWV Committees

Committee

  • Events
  • Social Media
  • Communication and Vote411
  • Voter Education/Community Outreach
  • Membership

Contact

Nancy Garrett - nngarrett5@gmail.com

Kathy Armistead – kathy_armistead@yahoo.com

Peg McCree – peg.mccree@gmail.com

Cynthia Mercante – mercante.cyn@gmail.com

Brenda Fogg – brendamfogg@gmail.com

16

17 of 17

Want to Make a Difference�But Not Sure Where to Start�

Join the League of Women Voters of Williamson County and discover:

  • a nonpartisan, welcoming space to learn, get involved, and take action that strengthens our community and democracy;
  • Acquire tools and opportunities to help inform and engage voters;
  • Receive communications, action alerts, and invitations to essential election events and meetings;
  • Help us to focus on nurturing our next generation of voters.
  • Find ways to turn concern into positive action for every eligible voter.

https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/williamson-county

17