Montgomery County Women’s Democratic Club (WDC) Gift Memberships
WDC annual membership is $55 per year, and NextGen youth members are not subject to paying dues.
We are committed to keeping membership accessible. If dues present a financial barrier, WDC may provide a discreet gift membership for the year. Gift memberships are available for members or prospective members facing special circumstances, including financial hardship, student or early-career limitations, personal or family challenges, or other situations where assistance would make participation possible.
To request a gift membership, please contact the Membership Chair, Enid Light at
enid530@aol.com. No detailed financial documentation is required.
Members who can give more may also choose to
sponsor a member by adding an optional contribution of
$55, or another amount when joining or renewing.
Dues Gift Policy
Purpose
WDC is committed to keeping membership accessible while maintaining the resources needed to support year-round advocacy, events, civic education, and NextGen programming.
The annual membership rate is $55 per year. (NextGen youth members are not subject to paying dues.) In special circumstances, MOCO WDC may extend a gift membership to an individual who wishes to participate but for whom dues would present a financial barrier.
Policy
WDC may offer gift memberships on a case-by-case basis to individuals with special circumstances, including but not limited to financial hardship, students or young professionals with limited resources, community members facing temporary personal or family challenges, or individuals whose participation would advance MOCO WDC’s mission and community engagement.
Gift memberships are intended to preserve access, dignity, and inclusion. They are not publicly identified, and recipients are treated as full members for the membership year.
Eligibility
A gift membership may be considered for:
- A prospective or renewing member who requests assistance.
- A person recommended by a Board member, committee chair, or member in good standing.
- A NextGen participant or community member whose involvement would strengthen MOCO WDC’s mission, outreach, or civic engagement. No detailed financial documentation is required. A simple request or recommendation is sufficient.
Approval Procedure
- Requests or recommendations may be submitted privately to the Membership Chair, President, Treasurer, or another Board-designated officer.
- The request will be reviewed by a small, designated group, recommended: President, Membership Chair, and Treasurer.
- The Treasurer will record the membership as paid through the gift membership fund or designated donation source.
- The Membership Chair will ensure the recipient is added or renewed as a member for the applicable membership year.
Confidentiality
Gift membership requests and recipients will be handled discreetly. Only the officers or Board members necessary to process the membership should know the identity of the recipient. Gift members shall not be publicly identified as gift membership recipients.
Funding
Gift memberships may be funded through:
- Voluntary member donations.
- A “Sponsor a Member” option on the membership page.
- Board-designated funds.
- Event proceeds or other approved fundraising.
Members may be invited to contribute an additional amount when renewing, for example: “Add $55, or another amount to help sponsor a member.”
Duration
A gift membership covers one membership year. Recipients may request renewal in future years if circumstances continue.
Suggested Annual Review
The Board or Membership Committee should review the number of gift memberships annually to assess demand, funding, and impact, while preserving confidentiality.
