Caring for the World, for WILPF, for Ourselves

September 13, 2019

Darien Elyse De Lu
WILPF US President

 "Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world." -- Nelson Mandela

A short answer is a lot! Just look at the September eNews: Mobilize Against the US War Machine, Campaigning for a Nuclear-Free Future, Arrests at Livermore Lab, Moving into Social Media, Gaza, Climate Crisis, Korea, Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Suffrage. WILPFers take action, because we have a vision of a better world. And right now, there's a special opportunity to shape our vision and action to make a difference, by running for the national board. (But I'll get back to that....) As I headed off to one of many vigils, I felt good to be President of WILPF -- a national organization of savvy and concerned activists! Yet, in the face of mass murders and government-sponsored abuse of children and their families, of hurricane devastation and climate refugees turned away, I have to ask: What is WILPF's strength? What can we do?

Maybe you, like many other WILPFers, are a good potential board candidate because you're someone who can see "the big picture." Yet do you, do we, also see the small picture? When the day is balmy, with a warm and gentle breeze, do we allow ourselves to sit out in the morning air? Can we savor the pleasures of a walk with a friend or a break with a cup of tea?

Making the Connections

In the face of so many global horrors  --  and with so many of them taking place within our own country  --  do we still allow ourselves to feel? We WILPFers pride ourselves on "making the connections", but are we connected to ourselves?

We the members are WILPF's greatest strength.WILPF US is strong because of the people we are, politically and personally. Our political work of building a better world must include constructing sustainable lives for ourselves. I think we have to care for ourselves, in order to care about others. In making space in our lives for pleasure and enjoyment, we increase our capacity to share mutual support. Supporting each other in a circle of encouragement and determination. we strengthen WILPF, and we strengthen the peace and justice movement.

How can I jump from pleasure and enjoyment back to the board elections? I can, because I have met many of you, and I know that so many of us delight in making a difference. What a deep pleasure there is in taking action to help change the world, working together with other remarkable and committed individuals!

Weaving Our Work Together

This board election offers WILPFers a special opportunity -- to be one of the women (or people) combining their skills to guide WILPF through the next two and three years. That work, of the entire board team, supports our program and two very key board positions, the Program Chairs.

The vision of the WILPFers who run for and are elected as Program Chairs will help shape WILPF's Program Plan -- what an opportunity! The recently proposed "Program 2.0" would increase the importance of our Program Chairs and restructure our political work in key ways, to set WILPF US on a much more intentional and strategic path.

Under the 2.0 proposal, the two Program Chairs, working with the Program Committee, have the opportunity to set integrated and interconnected priorities, identifying broad themes for US program work. In multiple ways, members and branches will bring their voices to shaping these priorities and goals -- and gain the chance to be part of more coherent national program activities. Issue committees will develop activities and projects in alignment.

Program 2.0 Proposal and the Next Board -- Speak up, Step up, Now!

I invite all members to read about and offer suggestions for Program 2.0. I especially encourage those who might consider running for Program Chair to see how 2.0 can work.

It's not only the Program Chair positions that offer a chance to make a difference. Any one of the next board members may be among you readers -- board members who will weave together visions, skills, and actions to keep our promises alive, inspired by our foremothers' sacrifices and foresight.

I call on you all: show up and/or speak up! Support and encourage the strength that is WILPF US. If you can't run for the board, find other ways to help. Make the effort to seek out someone to nominate for the board; sometimes we women need the affirmation of others to consider running . I did! Also, you encourage board candidates when you offer your support in a the branch or at the local level. 

The nomination deadline is October 2, and the deadline to submit a complete application for candidacy is October 6. Find further details in the recent eAlert. 

I look forward to enjoying the next board -- with feeling, caring, and committed WILPFers!

Darien Elyse De Lu 
WILPF US President