2014 WILPF National and Regional Congresses

Dear Branch Leaders:

It is not too early to begin thinking about hosting the 2014 WILPF National Congress.

The national board began discussing possibilities for our next National Congress at its November 2012 meeting. Our conversation was informed by the results of both the on-line and paper surveys conducted earlier in the year and by the many emails we solicited from members commenting on this topic.

What the board envisions is several simultaneous regional meetings occurring in the spring, followed by an in person congress of 2-3 days sometime in the summer. We’d like to integrate the use of technology to connect the regional meetings and to connect all WILPFers to those gathering face-to-face in the summer. We think the coordination goals are achievable, but on-the-ground organizing will require the active involvement and leadership of many. Hopefully including you!

The target attendance for this congress could be 75-100 individuals, including a majority from the local area (who may choose to commute) based on the new opportunities for involvement presented by the regional meetings and in recognition that some members will be saving up their money to attend the 100^th anniversary and international congress at The Hague in April 2015.

Although we still lack a National Congress Committee Chair, several board members have stepped up to form an interim Congress committee and they are available to help branches think through the possibilities for 2014.

Please discuss this matter at your upcoming branch meetings. Here are some questions that might help in guiding the conversation:

• What are our strengths as a branch? How might these strengths contribute to the 2014 WILPF regional and national congresses?
• How could our branch benefit from hosting and/or collaborating with other branches in hosting a WILPF regional or national congress?
• Reflecting on the process by which your branch coordinated a past event, do you think your branch would be good at planning and hosting a regional or national WILPF congress?  
• What are some nearby sites you might propose as possible locations for a WILPF congress?
• What kind of technology infrastructure and support do these sites have?
• What are the forms of transportation available for people to reach each proposed site?
• Is the site fully accessible and ADA compliant?
• What access does the branch have to free or low-cost services such as: childcare, administrative duties, printing, xeroxing, audio/visual equipment, publicity, videotaping, etc.? 

We can only move forward with this plan if a branch, or group of branches, steps forward to host the national in-person congress in time. The board must have a firm proposal that includes a realistic draft income and expense budget no later than November 1.

If you’d like further information or assistance in making your plans, please contact:

Rita Jankowska-Bradley (justpeace4all@yahoo.com)

Ellen Schwartz (ellen@nicetechnology.com)

Marie-Louise Jackson-Miller (marieljm1961@yahoo.com)

Joan Bazar (joanbazar@sbcglobal.net)

Robin Lloyd (robinlloyd8@gmail.com)

Or post a question on this discussion board.

Thank you!