Volunteer With Us!
In a democracy, agreement is not essential…but participation is.
Our volunteers aren’t all academics or professional organizers. We don’t all think alike or support the same political party. However, when we combine our brains, energy, talents, and time, we create a powerful force that supports the mission of our grassroots organization. The LWVSPA relies on volunteers from all walks of life, with all levels of time to give and all skills and passions to follow.
In short, we need you.
Getting involved is as easy as 1…2…3..! Our goal is to make you feel welcome and help you find volunteer opportunities for you to make a difference. Keep reading to discover how you can get involved in the League and Make Democracy Work in your community.
Step One: Learn About Volunteer Opportunities at Membership Meetings
The best way to learn all about the LWVSPA is to attend a General Membership Meeting or New Member Orientation. We hold these meetings five to six times per year, every other month.
While we recommend these meetings as a good stepping-stone into the League, they aren’t essential to start volunteering. It’s not uncommon for people to join the League, start attending committee meetings, and then attend a new member orientation when one comes around.
During these meetings, we typically review the needs of each committee and look for volunteers who are interested in helping. It’s a great way to get an overview of what’s going on in St. Pete and talk to committee heads about what you’re interested in.
Even if you have been a member for several months or years, you can still attend these meetings to refresh your knowledge of the League of Women Voters and learn what other groups are doing.
Here are a few links to prepare for the next General Membership Meeting or New Member Orientation.
- Learn about the next General Membership Meeting
- Check for an upcoming New Member Orientation
- Review the League of Women Voters Member Handbook
- Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@lwvspa.org with any general questions about volunteer opportunities
Step Two: Find Committee Meetings for the Issues You Care About
There’s so much going on in the LWVSPA that it’s impossible for one person to get involved in everything we do. Instead, we recommend choosing one or two issues that you are passionate about and attending those committee meetings.
Our committee meetings are open to everyone and are the easiest way to get involved with the League of Women Voters.
Our committee team leads are busy working in the community and oftentimes supporting themselves with full-time jobs. Committee meetings create intimate settings to connect and discuss your skills and volunteer goals.
Committee meetings tend to be smaller than our general membership meetings. During the meeting, the committee lead will review any upcoming events, work that needs to be done, and news relevant to the action group. During this time, you can sign up for volunteer tasks or bring up opportunities that could help the committee achieve its goals.
Each committee has varying needs that change throughout the year. Sometimes they need people to attend events and talk to members of the community. Other times they need volunteers to do research and work from home or the local library. Every skill set is valued and every time commitment is respected.
Get to know our various committees and action groups to see which ones you’re interested in joining.
Step Three: Hone Your Skills and Do What You Love!
We will never ask you to do something you’re not comfortable with and will take steps along the way to guide you through the advocacy and community involvement process. As you take advantage of volunteer opportunities with the League and find committees that you like working with, we will help grow your skills and teach you to Make Democracy Work!
In the meantime, check out some of these resources to build your knowledge and make you an informed citizen in your community:
- Check the Facts – use these tools in the era of fake news.
- Contact Elected Officials – find out who to call to share your thoughts.
- How to Lobby – learn the basics of talking to your elected officials.
- How to Write a Letter to the Editor – break through the noise and make your message heard.
Our goal is to support our volunteers and make you feel welcome in this organization. Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the League of Women Voters St. Petersburg Area.
We can’t wait to see all that you have to offer!
