For Issue Committee Chairs, please click here to refer to the individual Issue Committee web pages.
NEWS
Post date: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 15:04
Jeneve Brooks, Strategic Support and Initiatives Coordinator
Jeneve Brooks brings more than twenty years of varied strategic outreach, special events, program planning, public education, advocacy, and development experience to WILPF US, having worked with a host of non-profit organizations since 2000. Jeneve holds a PhD in Sociology from Fordham University and a Masters in Social Research from Hunter College. She was a tenured professor who also wrote and served as the Principal Investigator for numerous grants during her time in academia. However, her heart for activism and service beckoned her to leave academia and apply her talents to organizations more directly committed to peace and justice. She has a long history of activism from anti-Apartheid, reproductive rights, and US out of Central America efforts in college to working on peace issues more directly after Sept. 11th. A life-long musician, Jeneve wrote her doctoral dissertation on the presence of anti-war music in the public sphere from the Vietnam War era to the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. She has collected a database of 4000 anti-war songs. Jeneve has published her research in various journals including some race relations work that was profiled in Peace and Conflict Studies. She is currently renovating an old home in Dothan, AL (called AL Seed) to be used as a community gathering space to feature independent and documentary films as well as music. wilpfus.jenevebrooks@gmail.com
Michael Ippolito, National Communications Coordinator
Michael is a high school math (and sometimes science) teacher in greater Boston's metro area at the Fredrick Douglass Academy. Michael is a national speaker on the ecological crisis along with the corporate influence on law and government. As an activist and organizer, Michael has led or supported many aspects of the greater People’s Movement-at-Large for over fifteen years and serves as a movement strategist. From presentations, radio interviews, touring with Neil Young as a spokesperson against corporate power, national coordinator supporting the People's Climate March in New York City, member of interOccupy serving the People's Movement-at-Large, or teaching in rural South Africa and much more, there are many roles and ways in which Michael has lent his energy to helping create a people-centered sustainable world. Michael's work is made possible with the support of his life-partner & WILPF member Julie who over the last ten years has been and continues to be a cornerstone in Michael's life. A favorite quote of Michael's: "Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war"- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. michael@teamgood.org, 781-589-5860
Wendy McDowell, Editor, Peace & Freedom
Wendy McDowell has more than 25 years of experience as a communications professional in higher education and nonprofit settings. She has served as editor in chief for Harvard Divinity Bulletin since 2008, and under her leadership the Bulletin has twice won “Magazine of the Year” honors from the Religion Newswriters Association. She was the staff writer and media relations officer for Harvard Divinity School from 2000-2008. Before 2000, she worked for five years as a media relations assistant with the National Council of Churches in New York City. She holds two graduate degrees, a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) from Union Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in English from Harvard Extension School, where she won the Dean’s Prize for Outstanding ALM Thesis. Working for WILPF allows Wendy to return to her activist roots. She was the coordinator of her undergraduate college’s student peace organization (Hamilton Organization for Peace on Earth), and was also active in student movements to end apartheid in South Africa. She lives with her family in Cambridge, MA. wendymcdowell12@gmail.com, 617-416-1222.
Glenn Ruga, IT and Web Communications Specialist
Glenn Ruga is an award-winning graphic designer and communications professional with more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofit, education, and corporate clients including International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Physicians for Human Rights, Institute for Health Policy, and dozens of others. Glenn is founder and director of the Social Documentary Network, which has featured 1800 online exhibitions by 1300 photographers from all corners of the globe. He was a founding member and president of the Massachusetts-based international development and advocacy organization, the Center for Balkan Development (1994-2008). He has an MA from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst (1981) in social thought and political economy and an MFA from Syracuse University (1990) in graphic and advertising design.
Chris Wilbeck, Administrator
Chris comes to WILPF with a master’s degree in marketing research from Iowa State University and more than 20 years of management experience spanning consumer, business and non-profit sectors. After working as a research professional in Chicago for many years, Chris and her husband moved back to their home state of Iowa where they bought a 10-acre farmstead in Greene County, the same county where her Irish ancestors settled. They had a son, built a small campground in their pasture for bike and water trail tourists, and were living the dream. But, that dream was soon halted by the threat of hog confinements invading the Iowa countryside. Always one to stand up for what is right, Chris rose as an activist, organizing neighbors and others seeking protection for their water and quality of life. Now living in Des Moines, Chris works as a consultant to advance the work of non-profits whose missions and values support her own. info@wilpfus.org.
Post date: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 14:58
WILPF Mini-Grants Program
The Mini-Grant Program is broad, with our purpose being to support and nurture the work being done by WILPF US members, especially through our national issues Committees and Branches, as well as to help fund new initiatives and emergent issues in a timely manner. The program began over a decade ago and is being updated as of September 2024.
We fund projects that serve WILPF’s mission and vision by building our program. We favor projects that can be shared and replicated and that will have a national impact. The tiered levels of funding, ranging from $250-2,500 in 2024, are designed for flexibility and a diversity of needs, and may fund small one-time projects, seed larger efforts to help procure outside funding, and strengthen and expand the ongoing work of US Section members at all levels, from the local to United Nations level.
2024 Renewal of the Mini-Grant Program
In 2024 there will be one funding cycle, as the program has been on hiatus since about fall 2023.
For this first year’s revival of the program, the opening date for application submissions is September 15. The deadline for application submissions is October 15, 2024 by 11:00 p.m. in each applicant’s time zone.
Publicity and Responses: Additional announcements about our Mini-Grant Program will be disseminated through the WILPF US branches listserve, the Program Committee, and in timely eNews articles and/or eAlerts.
Within four weeks of the application deadline, decisions will be announced by the Mini-Grant Committee to each applicant.
The Mini-Grant Committee: The committee members are Dr. Jean Kennedy, Margaret and Garth Pecoraro, and "Cricket" Doyle.
Additional Program Information
Prior Grants: If you are seeking to report on a prior grant, please look for the appropriate link(s) below. If you have questions about a currently active or outstanding grant, contact programsupport@wilpfus.org.
2024 Update of Mini-Grant Policies and Guidelines:
- Due to limited funds, we do not fund international travel. We do give funds for domestic travel as part of a program-related project.
- We are a volunteer organization and as such, we expect that the labor involved in each proposed project to be performed by our volunteer members (and possibly others).
- When contracted services are part of the project, the provider should be a like-minded organization or business that treats its members and/or workers and the environment in ways we value, including union, fair-trade and green.
- Contracted work must be put out for bid, and the person/business contracted with may not be an author of this grant application, nor a WILPF member.
- The applicant or applicant’s branch, issues committee or family members may not profit from this grant, the purpose of which should be to enhance our programs, outreach to community and/or new members, to expand and enhance our active program-based efforts supporting peace and our mission and vision, our principles and policies.
- We do not accept application requests for funds for consumable goods, with the exception of limited funds for "coffee-and-baked-goods" types of light refreshments.
- We do not fund formal meals or catering activities.
- We expect applicants to exercise due diligence in finding event venues for little low or no cost, or to pay for such cost(s) themselves out of locally-held or raised funds of the branch or issues committee.
Applications: All applications are to be submitted by email to the address information on the application form – namely programsupport@wilpfus.org. Individual decisions will be transmitted by email to the email address submitted by each applicant.
Note, the previously posted expense reimbursement policy has been updated. To learn more, please view Policies and Guidelines above and review the document, Proposal Factors and Funding Restrictions and the application form.
The application form can be found below. Applications must be typed and submitted as attachments to the emailed applications. Submit to: programsupport@wilpfus.org.
Note: The Mini-Grant Program forms do not apply to a particular year’s funding cycle. Please simply use the most current form.
Final Report: Grantees will provide a written report assessing the projects undertaken and accounting for the use of funds. To avoid disqualification for future Mini-Grants, the final report must be submitted by each successful applicant within 45 days of completion of the project; sent via email to the Mini-Grant Committee at programsupport@wilpfus.org.
The reporting forms can be found below.
If you have questions or need help with the application or the reporting, send an email to the committee at programsupport@wilpfus.org and give your contact info. A committee member will respond as soon as possible.
Support, Advice, and Potential Project Adjustments: Mini-Grant Committee members are available to provide support to grantees in their applications, including recommendations for potential project adjustments. Such assistance can continue during the project’s duration, as well as to help evaluate the progress and outcomes of the projects receiving award.
Eligibility: All WILPF US issues committees and branches in good standing may apply for Mini-Grants.
For info on issue committees see Our Work. For a definition of "branch", go here.
If an individual member has an idea for a project and wishes to check to see if it could be eligible for consideration for funding through the Mini-Grant Program, that member should contact the Mini-Grant Committee to discuss the idea and potential/possible of participation in applying for a Mini-Grant through the Program.
As of September 2024 the Mini-Grant program policies and guidelines have been updated from the prior 2019 policies and guidelines. See Mini-Grant Policies and Guidelines above and Proposal Factors and Funding Restrictions.
Mini-Grant Program Going Forward: For 2025, it is anticipated that the former application and granting cycles will be renewed, namely three granting cycles, with deadlines of February 15, June 1 and October 1. Emergency grants may also be available.
Forms
Mini-Grant Application Form: Word | PDF
Ready to report on your Mini-Grant experience?
Narrative Reporting Form: Word | PDF
Financial Reporting Form: Excel | PDF
For all inquiries, contact: the committee at programsupport@wilpfus.org
We are WILPF!
The international organization of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), headquartered in Geneva was founded in April 1915, as was our WILPF US Section, and embodies the mission of advocating fundamental changes in economic and social relations to minimize the conflicts that erupt into war. For more than a century, WILPF members worldwide have worked to end war and to confront and challenge oppression in all its forms. WILPF addresses a broad range of issues and engages in study and education, direct action, and advocacy at the local, national, and international levels, including, since 1948, through our Special Consultative Status with the United Nations. Our WILPF US Section.
Post date: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 14:51
- Memo on Detente in Europe to Incoming DC Administration. December 10, 2024
- Statement in Support for Student Actions, May 23, 2022
- WILPF calls for Choice, as in Cuba: Jt. Statement. May 26, 2022
- Statement regarding Russia, Ukraine, USA and NATO. March 1, 2022
- Opposition to Any Military Draft Legislation, With or Without Women, November 11, 2021
- President’s Statement Commending the Work of Cori Bush on Housing, Homelessness, and the Eviction Moratorium, August 12, 2021
- Statement on May 2021 War in Israel and Palestine, May 21, 2021
- Statement on Chauvin Conviction, April 21, 2021
- Now is the Time: Liberty with Responsibility, January 6, 2020
- We Are One World: Call for Peace! October 1, 2020
- Statement on Black Lives Matter and the Pandemic, June 15, 2020
- Statement on Iran and the Middle East, January 23, 2020
- Proclamation for the Fourth Annual Global Women's March, January 18, 2020
- Statement regarding decision to move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, December 12, 2017
- Statement on North Korea, August 23, 2017
- Statement on Charlottesville, August 21, 2017
- Statement on Syria, April 21, 2017
- Statement on the Shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile
- Humanitarian Call to Action and Acceptance, November 18, 2015
- Statement Calling on US Government to Apply Pressure to End Middle East Crisis, November 5, 2015
- Statement on Kunduz Bombing, October 15, 2015
- Statement on the Iran Nuclear Deal, August 4, 2015
- Statement on the Decision of the Supreme Court Regarding Marriage Equality, June 2015
- Statement on Church Massacre in Charleston, South Carolina, June 2015
- Statement on Military Aid to Ukraine, February 2015
- Statement on United States – Cuba Relations, December 2014
- We Are All Ayotzinapa; "Enough, I'm Tired." December 2014
- Statement on Ferguson Grand Jury Outcome, November 2014
- Resolution: Don't Bank on Bomb, August 2014
- Resolution on Congress Materials, August 2014
- Resolution on Gaza, August 2014
- Resolution on Global South, August 2014
- Resolution on Internet as Global Commons, August 2014
- Resolution on JAPA, August 2014
- Resolution on Monsanto and Roundup, August 2014
- Resolution on Outcome of Regional Americas Conference, August 2014
- Resolution on SOA Watch, August 2014
- Resolution on Uranium Mines, August 2014
- Resolution on Water—Global, August 2014
- Resolution on Water—Local, August 2014
- Resolution of Weapons of Mass Destruction, August 2014
- Resolution to launch campaign on Human Right to Health and Safe Food passed at Congress in August 2014
- WILPF-US Statement on Joining the International Coalition, World Beyond War, July 2014
- WILPF-US Statement on US Military Aid to Israel, July 2014
- WILPF-US Statement on Iraq and Syria, June 2014
- Palestinian Unity Government Statement
- Statement on Syria by the WILPF-US Middle East committee
- WILPF U.S. Statement on Gaza
- WILPF's Statement on Iran
- WILPF International's Statement on Celebrating International Women's Day
- Statement by the NGO Abolition Caucus of the NPT Review Conference 2010
Post date: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 14:49
We deeply appreciate your support of the United States Section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
To give, please click here or click on the "Donate" box at the top right of this page.
- View WILPF's financial statements: Annual audits and 990 filings
- View the Ethics Policy for WILPF Fundraising
- WILPF's fiscal sponsorship relationship with Peace Development Fund FAQs
Post date: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 14:16
Vision Statement
WILPF envisions a transformed world at peace, where there is racial, social, and economic justice for all people everywhere—a world in which:
- The needs of all people are met in a fair and equitable manner
- All people equally participate in making the decisions that affect them
- The interconnected web of life is acknowledged and celebrated in diverse ways and communities
- Human societies are designed and organized for sustainable existence
Mission Statement
WILPF members create the peaceful transformation they wish to see in the world by making connections that:
- Provide continuity with the past so that knowledge of historical events and patterns informs current activities for change
- Create analysis and action that reflect and reinforce each other
- Link and challenge root causes of oppression, especially racism, sexism, heterosexism, militarism, economic disparity, and political disempowerment
- Build and strengthen relationships and movements for justice, peace, and radical democracy
Governance Structure
WILPF US is a non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, with its primary business office in Des Moines, IA, and branches across the United States. It has a board of directors elected by WILPF members and offers a variety of volunteer leadership opportunities to its members.
It is internally governed by the WILPF International Constitution and By-laws, the U.S. Section (of International WILPF) Bylaws. It reports annually to the Internal Revenue Service on IRS form 990.
To better understand the structure of WILPF US and how individual members can connect to those wider structures, please see this July 2023 eNews article.
Important links
WILPF US Structure Chart (see article linked above for explanation)
WILPF U.S. Section Bylaws
Financial Reports
Post date: Sat, 08/11/2012 - 08:19
Award-winning author Cecile Pineda of Berkeley, California, recently released a new book, Devil's Tango: How I Learned the Fukushima Step by Step, published by WingsPress of San Antonio, Texas. Her previous books have earned prestigious prizes.
WILPF (through DISARM-End Wars Issue Committee) is helping fund a book tour by WILPFers Cecile Pineda and Hattie Nestel to 11 communities near highly controversial nuclear reactors in Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. WILPF believes all four should be shut down.
Devil's Tango chronicles the recent meltdowns of nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture Japan. The book demonstrates that the catastrophe has exposed the world and its people to disastrous amounts of lethal nuclear radiation and that those in authority have worked to deceive the public with regard to the extent of danger.
"Devil's Tango" is essential reading," said Hattie Nestel of Athol, Massachusetts, tour organizer and longtime antinuclear activist whose current emphasis is on shutting down the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, Vermont, along with all nuclear power plants. Nestel says that no further nuclear power plants should be built anywhere in the world.
Remaining dates in the tour which began August 5 and included Hiroshima and Nagasaki days:
Thursday, August 9
- 1 p.m., Harwich, MA, Community Center, 100 Oak Street: talk and book signing
- 5:30 p.m., West Falmouth, MA, West Falmouth Friends Meeting House, 572 West Falmouth Highway, Route 28, north of Brick Kiln Road: potluck followed by a talk and book signing
Friday, August 10
- Noon, Taunton, MA, 3 Summer Street, Taunton: talk and book signing after lunch.
- 6 p.m., Newton, MA, Joan Ecklein's house, 14 Sterling Street: talk and book signing after a potluck.
Saturday, August 11
- 8 p.m., Grafton, NY, Hiroshima Day Celebration, Grafton Peace Pagoda, 87 Crandall Road
Sunday, August 12
- Noon, Albany, NY, Albany Friends Meeting, 727 Madison Avenue: book talk with refreshments
