[WCUSP] Response Requested from WCUSP/WILPF

Sat Nov 25 09:58:01 CST 2006

I think Yvonne and c.j. are talking about two different things.  

If I understand what Yvonne is saying, it is necessary for a local WILPF branch to contribute when working with another local organization and cooperating on a joint venture.  I know that branches contribute to put ads in fundraising booklets or contribute funds when working together with other groups in coalition.  There is a mutual support system, and other groups are also asked to contribute to WILPF's activities.  I think local WILPF groups need to cooperate in that way.

On the other hand, I understand that c.j. is saying that our WCUSP list serve shouldn't be used to raise funds for other organiztions, no matter how worthy they might be.  There is no end to what we can be asked for, and many of us get those requests personally.  I agree with limiting our list serve to information to be shared.  Perhaps links can be provided so people can follow up for more info, but not to request funds.

Libby Frank

=====================
From: yvonne simmons <roweenayvonne at yahoo.com>
Date: 2006/11/25 Sat AM 08:07:55 CST
To: "C.J. Minster" <cjminster at gmail.com>, Marlene Santoyo <marlsan at cavtel.net>
Cc: wcusp <wcusp at wilpf.org>
Subject: Re: [WCUSP] Response Requested from WCUSP/WILPF

Dear C.J., I respect our commitment to WILPF too but
please realize that supporting other peace
organizations and working with them at times does not
take away from WILPF and sometimes enhances it. When
an organization, for example, Physicians for Social
Responsibility initiates an ad we support that effort
in Portland WILPF as we often work together on issues
and placing an ad in Portland WILPF is something we
don't initiate.  Maybe I am not sure what you mean as
before the computer and e-mail lists I remember it
would be a discussion by phone, letters or at meetings
I feel that is difficult to draw the line and  some
people want to support direct action. Our WIB vigils
every week have WILPF information on the flyers and in
our newsletter as we wouldn't have as much exposure on
the street because our WILPF weekly vigils need to
address all the other important issues. Also working
with other groups bring in members that is how Pat
introduced our new Washington County  branch to WILPF.
I wish the e-mail didn't feel so machine like. In
Solidarity Yvonne. --- "C.J. Minster"
<cjminster at gmail.com> wrote:

> Marlene,
> 
> Thank you for responding. As Mary Day can confirm on
> Monday when she 
> returns to the office, it has been the standard
> protocol for all WILPF 
> listservs to not use them to raise money for other
> organizations.
> 
> Quite frankly, we cannot afford to do this. No other
> organization allows 
> members to use their member lists to request money
> for other orgs - you 
> wont get an email from a  NOW mailing list asking
> for money to buy an ad 
> page that has absolutely nothing to do with NOW.
> 
> People have plenty of other ways to reach out to
> their activist friends 
> to ask for money, and I do not think it is
> unreasonable to use WILPF 
> space to promote WILPF, period.
> 
> You are right that over the past two decades, we
> have downsized. 
> However, in at least the last three years, we have
> not had a change in 
> the number of permanent staff members. Do you think
> WILPF does not have 
> enough staff to carry out its mission? Personally, I
> think we WILPF 
> members have not made a concerted effort to make
> WILPF our primary 
> activist home and to figure out a way to do all of
> our activist work 
> through WILPF. Once we have more people who are
> willing to "brand" all 
> of their activism WILPF, then we will have the
> momentum to attract more 
> members, more money, and ultimately be financially
> healthy enough to 
> expand our paid staff. In the meantime, we must
> protect WILPF space for 
> WILPF.
> 
> The WCUSP listserv is meant to enhance a national
> campaign of WILPF. I 
> do not think it makes us a more vital part of the
> movement for peace in 
> the Middle East to divert our donor funds away from
> our own work in 
> challenging US policy towards another group's effort
> to inform / 
> persuade the public through a newspaper
> advertisement.
> 
> Again, feel free to send individual friends emails
> about other 
> organizations' request for funds. All we ask is that
> people not use 
> official WILPF listservs for that purpose. This
> protocol is not a 
> judgment on the merits of an individual solicitation
> or on whether or 
> not WILPF members should also contribute financially
> to other 
> organizations. And this is not a decision that needs
> to be made "by all 
> of WCUSP." This listserv is a resource of the
> national office of WILPF 
> and the Executive Director has made it clear that it
> should not be used 
> to solicit funds for other organizations. I believe
> this was the 
> protocol on WILPF's topica list (the forerunner to
> the current 
> constellation of WILPF US listservs), so it
> shouldn't come as a surprise 
> to anyone.
> 
> in sisterhood,
> C.J.
> 
> ------------
> C.J. Minster
> Program Chair, US Section
> Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
> http://wilpf.blogspot.com
> 
> ~current affairs blog~
> http://www.socialupheaval.com
> 
> ~cultural affairs blog~
> http://www.angelheadedhipster.com
> 
> Marlene Santoyo wrote:
> > I wonder & am asking if CJ's announcement to not
> send requests for $ was
> > one agreed on by all of WCUSP.
> > CJ said, " We cannot afford to carry out all of
> the brilliant activism
> > that we dream up, and we
> > cannot use our resource to fund other group's
> activism."
> >
> > I do recall CJ sending this message before & I
> think that there may be
> > wilpf members (including myself)
> > who choose to hear about other actions & requests
> for cash & even have a
> > limit as to how much she
> > chooses to give to wilpf, needy & worthwhile as
> wilpf may be.
> >
> >  It is quite apparent to me that the ever constant
> & important need of
> > raising funds & how & who does
> >  it could/should be addressed.
> >
> > When I was on the national board I raised this
> issue & am doing so once
> > again.
> > Mary Day & I attended a fund raising workshop.
> WILPF has downsized staff
> > & program
> > yet the problem persists (as it does for other
> organizations).
> >
> > Could there be a wake-up call so that WILPF will
> continue to be a
> > recognized leader & vital contributing
> > proactive part of the movement for peace with
> justice & not be concerned
> > that another worthy cause receive funds?
> >
> > Many thanks,
> > marlena
> > ----------
> >
> > From: wcusp-bounces at wilpf.org
> [mailto:wcusp-bounces at wilpf.org]On Behalf
> > Of C.J. Minster
> > Sent: 2006 November 22 Wednesday 2:45 AM
> > To: wcusp
> > Subject: Re: [WCUSP] Last chance to sign "AIPAC
> does NOT speak for US"
> > ad.
> >
> >
> > We as individuals might want to support the work
> of other organizations.
> > We might want to donate to their efforts that we
> think further the
> > causes of peace and justice.
> >
> > Please do not use a WILPF listserv to pass on a
> monetary request from
> > another organization. The Women's International
> League for Peace and
> > Freedom is a membership-based, grassroots
> organization. We cannot afford
> > to carry out all of the brilliant activism that we
> dream up, and we
> > cannot use our resource to fund other group's
> activism.
> >
> > I thank you all for your understanding and
> adherence.
> >
> > If you would like to donate money to increase the
> effectiveness of our
> > grassroots, feminist challenge to US policy in the
> Middle East, please
> > click here:
> http://www.wilpf.org/get-involved/donate.htm and
> write
> > "WCUSP" in the memo line.
> >
> > In sisterhood,
> > C.J.
> >
> > ------------
> > C.J. Minster
> > Program Chair, US Section
> > Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
> > http://wilpf.blogspot.com
> >
> > ~current affairs blog~
> > http://www.socialupheaval.com
> >
> > ~cultural affairs blog~
> > http://www.angelheadedhipster.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wcusp mailing list
> > Wcusp at wilpf.org
> > http://wilpf.org/mailman/listinfo/wcusp_wilpf.org
> > To post a message to all the list members, send
> email to
> > Wcusp at wilpf.org.
> > To unsubscribe send a message to
> Wcusp-leave at wilpf.org
> 
=== message truncated ===

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