‘ONE WILPF’ all member call

By Marybeth Gardam, Development Chair

The first “ONE WILPF” call was held Thursday, June 23. Every current member was invited to participate: 68 WILPF members preregistered for the call, and about 40 of those members called in. The second “ONE WILPF” call is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, at 6 pm pacific, 8 pm central, 9 pm eastern. Add it to your calendars now! Preregistration is required to participate in the call, which you may do by clicking on the conference preregistration link.

Details on how to preregister and how to use the technology are available here in an easy-to-follow set of instructions.

The new, powerful conferencing platform, the Maestro Conferencing System, combines telephone conferencing and a “social webinar” component on your computer, for optimum communication and results. WILPF is using the system through the generosity of InterOCCUPY. Members can choose to connect simply via their telephone, or they can opt to have a fuller experience by also using their computer screen.

For a long time, members have been asking WILPF US to provide opportunities for branches to connect with one another and with at-large members to explore common challenges, learn from each other, share resources, and inspire each other with actions and events that are successful.

In March 2016, the Board of WILPF US approved the “ONE WILPF” all member call to be held no later than the end of June. The goals of that first call, held on June 23, 2016, were:

• To address the requests for opportunities for branches and members to communicate effectively across regions, enable shared information, shared resources, solidarity event planning, and shaping of collective strategy.
• To reduce the feeling of isolation some members feel without nearby sister branches.
• To focus on action planning and creating impact for peace and justice organizing, and program planning that strengthens branches, engages members, and makes a difference.

We planned to stay positive, results-oriented, and focused on forward-thinking strategies to help grow WILPF, with no complaining or whining. And that’s just what we did!

During the June 23 call, attendees learned how to use the various tools of the conference system (which we will review on the July 13 call). Using a poll of the attendees, members were able to choose the way the meeting evolved, within a given set of parameters. We chose:

• The date of the next call, July 13, 2016.
• The format of the next call. Overwhelmingly, members wanted to focus on several topics using break-out rooms, instead of staying in one meeting room on one topic.
• Agenda items for the next call. By raising their hands and rating their interest on several topics (originally suggested by members during the 2015 Branch Survey), attendees chose the following five topics for discussion in break-out rooms on the July 13 call (with number of supporters in favor of each):

1. Recruiting strategies (9)
2. Sharing resources, materials, and strategies between branches (5)
3. Creating regional meetings (3)
4. Enhancing membership with training (2)
5. Creating one or two solidarity events each year (11)

Depending on the number of callers, the July 13 call may focus only on the top three choices, or if there are more attendees, we may separate into all five of the break-out rooms. First preference will be given to those topics with the highest numbers of interested members on the June 23 call.

Here’s what June 23 call participants had to say about the call experience and the rich follow-up notes:

“Big thanks! I opened [the call notes] and was amazed about how thorough and rich this attachment is!! I am not tech hip and also am tech resistant. However, you are bringing us the best opportunity to connect as ONE WILPF! I want to fully support the passion, time, energy, and vision that you have put into play! So let us all simply play! and learn and be very amazed as we go. More than Big Thanks! Gratitude!” —Pat Schroeder, Santa Cruz CA Branch

“Thanks for putting these wonderful notes together. They will be very helpful for reporting to our branch. I approached this call with doubts and totally expecting that I would not last (usually head for bed by 10pm); but it was great: well organized, interesting, and technically well-functioning as far as I noticed. So I stayed with it until the end of the formal call.” —Edith Bell, Pittsburgh PA Branch

“Thanks for your enticing invitation. I’m glad that I attended the meeting. I learned a lot; was inspired to do more; and enjoyed the breakout with the other WILPFers. I’m eager to invite our new membership chair and publicity chair to get involved. I’ll probably need more help with the computer part; but the telephone conference aspect was very helpful. Thanks for your positive work for our special organization.” —Lauretta Freeman, Essex Co NJ Branch