by Dianne Blais
WILPF US Secretary

June 2022

Numerous committees in WILPF US are seeking members! In addition to the Issue Committees which any member can join at any time, there are numerous committees that would appreciate additional members and help. Being on a committee is informative, not just about the committee topic but also how WILPF operates. It is a great stepping stone to being on the WILPF US Board.

WILPF US has Standing and Ad Hoc Committees. The Standing Committees are headed by a board member. You can go to wilpfus.org/about/national-board to learn about the board chairs of these committees. The Ad Hoc Committees were formed for specific purposes and to meet arising needs. Ad Hoc Committees can be temporary, although most are ongoing with various periods of activity. 

Additionally, WILPF US is forming a mediation resource pool, could use help with its two United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Programs, and with WILPF Zoom calls.

The following Ad Hoc Committees have expressed a desire for new members:

Branch Support Committee: Support the growth and health of local branches by designing and supervising programs to assist and support.

Communications Committee: This committee seeks to improve and enhance WILPF US communications of all kinds.

• Clarify and disseminate information on our communications options – to and for branches, issue committees, at-large members, and the board and standing committees.
• Get the word out, including via e-communications, possible petitions (in conjunction with the Program Committee), the website, and other email distribution lists.
• Review, evaluate, and propose improvements for WILPF US materials, including how to make them more readily available electronically on our website; web posting info for branches to share such as leaflets, brochures, photos, graphics, banners, and ideas for campaigns.

Legislative Committee: Help coordinate legislative actions for branches and encourage branches to create local Legislative Committees to work together to amplify our voices. During this period, we have become used to meeting and working together online. Now we can meet and coordinate as a National Legislative Committee, choosing issues to focus on and unifying our contacts with legislators.

Mediation Resources: Do you have peace-keeping experience? We are looking for people with mediation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and other peace-making skills to be part of a resource pool for WILPF US.

Member Skills Development Committee (formerly called Leadership Training Committee): Help develop, prepare, publicize, and facilitate educational presentations on an ongoing basis.

Mini-Grants Committee: Assist branches and issue committees with projects and programs by considering and refining mini-grant proposals for appropriate projects, as well as awarding mini-grants and receiving follow up reports.

Social Media Committee: Join to study social media and prepare proposals for WILPF social media plans. Work with the Communications staff and issue committees on the following:

• Developing and providing specific social media topic trainings to WILPFers
• Consulting on ways to improve WILPF’s social media presence
• Reviewing and possibly refining a proposal for a WILPF social media plan

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) – WILPF Programs Committee: You can help support our CSW Programs through the Practicum, Local and Global Committees.

Additionally, some of the Standing Committees would like more membership involvement: 

• Development
• Membership Development
• Personnel
• Nominating

Please consider joining one of the committees listed above.

Contact WILPF US Secretary Dianne Blais at secretary@wilpfus.org for more information. Please also feel free to directly contact someone already on the committee or Committee Chair.

Don’t hesitate to volunteer!