November eNews Announcements

From Darien De Lu
President

November 2024

WILPF Peace Seekers and Peace Supporters Wanted!

Do you want to help WILPF practice the peace-seeking principles we advocate? WILPF is looking for two types of volunteers for our new Peace Seekers Procedure for dispute resolution.

Even if you have little or no special background, you can volunteer to be a supporter. We’re looking for folks to help get the program off the ground by assisting with the creation of the basic administrative and dispute forms needed to proceed. We’re flexible—you can help with small, discrete tasks!

Or perhaps you have special peace-building skills? Are you trained, experienced, or knowledgeable in mediation, arbitration, nonviolent conflict resolution, or other aspects of dispute resolution?

If you’re interested in either type of assistance, please contact me, Darien De Lu, at President@wilpfus.org. Both types of volunteers are highly appreciated—and we especially want to hear from potential Peace Seekers applicants before the November 23 Board meeting, if possible!

Apply Now – WILPF International Advisory Board Member Alternate for the U.S. Section

Are you considering expanding your perspective to a wider realm? This fairly short-term Alternate position is a great opportunity for someone looking to become more involved with national and international leadership. As the Alternate, you would be invited to attend the WILPF International Advisory Board meetings twice a year, as well as the WILPF US Board meetings.

The virtual Advisory Board meetings address topics of general concern to WILPF International sections. (Because the meetings are international, they are often scheduled at awkward times for those in the U.S.) The terms for the Advisory Board Member and Alternate end about one to three months after the 2025 WILPF International Congress next summer. Incumbents may reapply for the next term; the full terms are approximately three years.

Applicants must have been WILPF US members for 24 out of the last 30 months and must also be current members. Please request your application—or additional information—from the Nominating Committee Chair, Ellen Schwartz, at nominatingchair@wilpfus.org and the full committee at nominatingcommittee@wilpfus.org. The deadline for submitting the application and a letter of introduction is Tuesday, November 19, at 11 p.m. local time.

No Jane Addams Branch “Events” this Month and in December!

The monthly third-Wednesday open gatherings, to which all WILPF members are welcome, are taking a break! The Jane Addams events will resume on January 15, with timely speakers from Korea Peace Now.

In February, we’ll hear from one of the leaders of the new Chicago Branch. Carron Little is an artist and the director of the Chicago Women's History Center. She has an intriguing art project that highlights the issue of unpaid labor in this country, especially among caregivers (primarily women). How much labor do you provide each year that is unpaid? This could include anything from helping at church, caregiving for grandkids, gardening for friends, caring for an elder (including your spouse!), or even cleaning the house!

To raise community awareness about the amount of unpaid labor our economy depends on, Carron writes each attendee at her art shows a printed “check”—covered in her own art—for their unpaid labor. Be sure to save February 20 for that Jane Addams Branch event!