Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you are a winner in God's eyes but to be the winner of any of the several WCTU contest, you have to enter.

WCTU has various contests for different ages. See www.wctu.org for current contests and rules. Entries are accepted at the state/local level and then those winners are sent to the national level.

There are various groups within the WCTU based on age.

White Ribbon Recruit

A mother can publicly declare her dedication to keep her baby drug free by  particaping in a White Ribbon Ceremony with her child (between birth and six year of age.) The mother signs a pledge and makes the following promise, I promise to teach my child the principles of total abstinence and purity. A white ribbon is tied intoa bow and attached to the child's wrist. The child is then a White Ribbon Recruit.

Loyal Temperance Legion (LTL)

The LTL is the children's organization of the WCTU. Children, ages 6 to 12 are eligible for membership by signing the pledge and paying annual dues to the local or state LTL.  

LTL Membership Pledge: That I may give my best service to home and country, I promise, God helping me, Not to buy, drink, sell, or give Alcoholic liquors while I live. From other drugs and tobacco I'll abstain, And never take God's name in vain.

Motto: Fun while we learn

This would be a great addition to home schooling activities. Some LTL meet monthly, while other LTLs meet several times during the summer. The program may be incorporated into children's church, camp, or other church activity. Suggested programs and other helps are available from Signal Press.

Youth Temperance Council (YTC)

The YTC is especially for teens. Teens are eligible for membership by signing the pledge and paying annual dues to the local or state YTC.

YTC Membership Pledge: I promise, by the help of God, never to use alcoholic beverages, other narcotics, or tobacco, and to encourage everyone else to do the same, fulfilling the command, "keep thyself pure."

This is another great program for home schoolers. It is recommended that a monthly meeting be held. The program may be incorporated into a church youth program. Some states hold a summer camp.

YTC Motto: A good time with a purpose

It is imperative that factual drug education be taught and that fun times are provided to demonstrate the value of being drug-free. Teens who live in localities where there are not local councils may be state members by signing the pledge and paying dues to the state YTC.

Membership dues are required annually. The dues to join the WCTU of MD are currently $10 per year.

You must sign a membership pledge which states: "I hereby solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain from all distilled, fermented, and malt liquors, including wine, beer, and hard cider, and to employ all proper means to discourage the use of and traffic in the same."

YES! Men, over the age of 21, (in youth groups boys and teens are regular members), can and do join the WCTU as Honorary Members. We really do appreciate each and every Honorary Member of the WCTU. Men join by signing the WCTU Pledge and paying annual dues. Honorary members do not have voting privileges.

Yes! In the WCTU we call these Departments. Although the number of departments changes from time to time, currently the WCTU is comprised of six departments, which are:

Christian Outreach - encourages each member to be Christlike in her daily walk and to pursue a deepening of her spiritual growth.

Education - provides opportunities for every student to know the truth about alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Education department conducts contests (for more information please visit www.wctu.org )

Home Protection - works to strengthen family values by developing a firm, lifetime commitment to total abstinence, purity, and truth and to encourage family members to participate in the WCTU program.

Legislation/Citizenship - encourages citizens to be in touch with legislators and policy makers about current issues. WCTU worked to get women the right to vote and we continue to believe it is the duty of every Christian to participate in the political process. (Our work is limited in this area by IRS regulations as we enjoy a tax exempt status)

Public Relations - serves as WCTU ambassadors to the community with facts concerning alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and other issues affecting the family. Also informs the community of activities.

Social Service - reaches out to the community in Christian love through varied projects and activities.

Mailing Address: National WCTU Headquarters, 1730 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-4585

Tel: (847) 864-1396

Fax: (847) 864-9497

National WCTU has it owns Publishing House - Signal Press.

To obtain a catalog or to place an order please visit:  www.wctu.org , e-mail: sigpress1@earthlink.net , or call 1 (800) 755-1321.

Signal Press is open Monday 9:00 am - Friday 5:00 pm CST

Yes! A bow of white ribbon that symbolizing purity. The symbol was adopted at the 1877 national convention. That is why members became known as "white ribboners." The white ribbon pin is worn over the heart.

I pledge allegiance to the Temperance flag, emblem of total abstinence, self-control, pure thoughts, clean habits; the white flag that surrenders to nothing but purity and truth, and to none but God, whose temples we are.

Note: The Temperance flag is completely white. It was adopted at the 1948 national convention.

Red Letter Days are days set aside for special events/activities/highlight issues/promote projects, etc. The name Red Letter Days is used because Holidays, Sundays and other Special days were in red ink on calendars. Some of the more common WCTU Red Letter Days are:

Christian Family Week - first week in May.

Frances E. Willard Day - remembers her Heavenly Birthday (date of death) February 17th (1898).

Great American Smoke Out - 3rd Thursday in November.

Jennie Casseday Day - June 9th. Miss Casseday was an invalid from Louisville, Kentucky, who initiated many programs to spread sunshine. She is most known for organizing activities that brought flowers to the sick.

Noontide Hour of Prayer - observed daily by WCTUers who pray for God's work around the world.

Truth Without Interruption Day (www.twid.org) - in April is a day to share the truth in love; that homosexual behavior is unnatural, unhealthy, immoral & just plain NOT SAFE, without being interrupted. Homosexual behavior can change. TWID occurs the same day as the pro-homosexual Day of Silence Project (www.dayofsilence.org)

Youth Temperance Education Week (YTE Week) - 4th full week in April. The first day of YTE Week is Temperance Sunday. Churches are encouraged to participate. Church bulletin inserts, activity sheets, posters for churches, as well as, schools are available from Signal Press.