US WILPF

In 2007, during the National Board's assessment of the state of our organization and our political campaign structure, we were inspired by the very successful use of grants by several Branches and Issue Committees, and developed this Grant Program as our new model for supporting our political work.

It is designed to be flexible and fund the essential work being done by our many Issue Committees, Branches and members. We encourage collaboration between our Issue Committees and Branches, and outcome- oriented planning, so that we may more powerfully effect policy change at the local, national and international levels.

Submitted by organic on 17 July 2008 - 10:14am.

Join a WILPF Committee

At WILPF's National Congress, several new committees were formed to help our organization realize the congress theme of Moving Forward. Recruitment for these committees has now commenced. Members with interest in the following areas are invited to contact the committee conveners for more information or to sign up.

Site Committee: A time-limited national committee estabished to research the future location of our National office and make a recommendation to the National Board. Members who are interested in joining this committee may call Pat O'Brien (Chair) at 617-576-0649 or email patob777(at)verizon.net.

Grant Allocation Committee: Our rollout of our new mini grant program (which replaces the previous campaign structure) has begun. We need members to help screen the proposals received through the initiative and make decisions about the allocation of funds allocated to this program. Members who are interested in joining this committee may call Tura Campenella Cook (Program Co-Chair) at 512-796-9702 or email programsupport(at)wilpf.org.

Grantee Oversight and Evaluation Committee: Even before any grants are committed, the Grant Program Evaluation Committee will work to establish benchmarks and criteria indicative of success. This will allow the committee to work with grantee branches and issue committees in a supportive fashion. Members interested in joining this committee may call Carol Urner (Program Co-Chair) at 503-320-9108 or email programsupport(at)wilpf.org.

Personnel Committee: Changes to the by-laws instituted in November 2007 established the personnel committee as a new organ of the National Board. This committee's mandate includes ensuring that all personnel policies are implemented, particularly in the areas of staff evaluations and career development, and for making recommendations regarding personnel issues, including revisions of the personnel policies, as needed to either the Finance or Steering Committees." This committee, chaired by Denise Hall, has openings for three WILPF members. Interested members should contact Denise at 970-346-7754 or email yaaasentewa (at) gmail.com.

Past Presidents Recommend Selling WILPF Building in Philadelphia

Updated: 5/10/08

Below you will find the actual letter written by the Past Presidents. To view in pdf format the entire body of material submitted concerning the sale of the Race Street building, please click on the two links immediately below.

Past Presidents Letter and Supporting Material: pdf format

Submitted by organic on 1 May 2008 - 9:09pm.

WILPF Issue Committee Definition

WILPF Issue Committee [drafted 2008]

Click here for a pdf version of the Definition

1. A national WILPF issue committee works on specific issues of concern to our members and consistent with international priorities. Issue committees should:

Have a minimum of 5 members, with geographic diversity
Set measurable, outcome- oriented goals
Develop its own projects to achieve the issue committee goals
Welcome any WILPF member who wishes to participate.
Encourage Branches with an interest in the committee's issue to have a representative on the committee. This will facilitate sharing of resources as well as cooperation and coordination among Branches.

2. An issue committee in good standing:

Submitted by organic on 17 July 2008 - 9:28am.

Statement to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, February 7, 2008.

Statement to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding U.S. Compliance with CRC OPAC
Feb. 7, 2008
OHCHR, Geneva

Statement made by Tzili Mor to the CRC on behalf of WILPF

Click here to view this statement as a pdf document.

Update: 2008-02-22

Thank you for this opportunity to give voice to the experiences and concerns of members of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in the U.S. and their allies in 30 US-based national and local grass roots organizations who are similarly engaged in peace education and advocacy on behalf of the human rights of children.

In its report to this committee, the U.S. Government fails to define what constitutes "recruitment", and even suggests that recruitment is limited to the act of a person signing the enlistment contract. The report ignores the concerted, targeted actions taken by military recruiters, including unchecked aggressive advertising, extravagant gift giving, and false promises of benefits and harassment of pre teens and teenagers that had to take place in order to achieve this result. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Defense spent 1.5 billion dollars on military recruitment, with half of this sum used for advertising alone. Military recruitment is a process that starts long before the contract is actually signed.

Submitted by organic on 22 February 2008 - 2:10pm.

The terror and profiteering in Burma must end – the time for decisive action is now!

WILPF Statement on the situation in Burma

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom sends greetings, solidarity and support to citizens of Burma, who courageously and non-violently stand up for peace and freedom in their country.

A reign of terror has prevailed in Burma since 1962, the population being brutally repressed by a military dictatorship; women have suffered in terrible and specific ways.

The international community has tolerated this military junta far too long. Its silence has protected a culpable economic exploitation by actors who must be made to cease their profiteering and deal-making with the regime, currently headed by General Than Shwe. The current culture of impunity must come to an end, and those who have committed grave violations of international humanitarian law must be justly prosecuted.

Submitted by kate zaidan on 25 September 2007 - 9:59am.

WILPF REJECTS NEW SPYING AND WIRETAPPING LAW

a revision of the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)

September 17, 2007 Constitution Day

On July 17, 2007, the U.S.Senate, in a showdown over national security measures, voted to give President Bush expanded authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists without court warrants.The House earlier rejected a Democratic version of the bill by a vote of 218-207.

President Bush signed the latest version on August 5.WILPF strongly opposes this further intrusion on our democratic rights to privacy and urges our members, legislators and concerned citizens to work against its implementation and a further erosion of people's rights that will move us closer to dictatorship and away from democratic process.

Submitted by wilpf on 13 September 2007 - 1:52pm.

WILPF Staff & Consultants

Laura Roskos, Executive Director Pro-Tem
executivedir@wilpf.org

Miranda Spencer, Peace and Freedom editor
peacefreedom@wilpf.org

Updated: 2008-02-20

WILPF National Board

Updated: 2008-07-15

Recent Emails from the National Board to the Membership
(click on the links below to open
pdf versions)

December 9, 2007
December 17, 2007
January 7, 2008
January 17, 2008
February 29, 2008
March 17 & 24, 2008 (sent twice)
April 23, 2008
May 9, 2008
June 18, 2008

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Statement on Immigration

December 1st, 2006 lea la declaracion aqui en español

The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF-US) recognizes that the United States is a nation of immigrants from around the world whose many contributions have enriched our lives and communities from the nation's beginning.

WILPF members march for immigrants workers' rights in April 2006

WILPF's first president, Jane Addams, founded and directed Hull House in Chicago for newly arrived immigrants "to provide a center for a higher civic and social life." An immigrant's successful integration will always depend on the wisdom and receptivity of policy-makers and the willingness of communities to promote diversity and assist the transition of newcomers. Such efforts should be guided by a commitment to equal protection, along with equal access to healthcare, employment, education and legal assistance for all residents.

Submitted by wilpf on 19 December 2006 - 7:37pm.