From Branches to Board and Back!

From left, Sacramento Branch members Robin Durston, Ellen Schwartz (former board member), and Darien De Lu (current board member) hold the banner at a local march.

by Darien De Lu
President, WILPF US

September 2023

As a WILPF US member, you are an “at-large” or a branch member in our unique multi-issue, women’s perspective, member-driven, and both activist and studious organization. If you’re an at-large member (or if you’re not sure!) please keep reading for a clearer understanding of how you relate to the rest of WILPF. And if you’re a branch member, congratulations! In my view, you’re a part of one of the most important structures in WILPF US. Our branches are where members take action locally on the campaigns and study activities crafted by the national issue committees. How can you help your branch engage in one or more of those? Activism now, as the issue-focus for the national elections is being shaped, is crucial!

I’ll elaborate on aspects of at-large and branch work in a moment. Yet first I want to be sure that all WILPF members understand that you are welcome to attend the national board meetings. (Of course, the board is another important WILPF structure!) Board meetings are usually every other month, as described on our website’s board page. However, the specific dates of the September and November board meetings have been slightly changed from the usual timing: the board will meet on Saturday, September 30, and Saturday, November 18.

If you’re a WILPF US member, you can get the Zoom registration link and agenda for any board meeting. Send your request (preferably several days in advance) to Secretary@wilpfus.org. For more details on times, board member contact information, and board minutes, please see that board webpage.

Run for the Board or Join a National Committee

The board makes both administrative and political policy decisions for WILPF US, generally guided by the recommendations of our committees (standing, ad hoc, and issue). You, the WILPF membership, elect a portion of the board members each year and volunteer as members of the national committees.

Also, you can run for the board. Realistically, branch members may have some advantage in serving as board members. Because they tend to have more organizational experience in WILPF, they can better understand how WILPF functions – and how their fellow branch members (and, perhaps, other WILPFers) look at the issues and activism. Of course, if you’re an at-large member – that is, you have no branch in your vicinity in which you can engage – you may well be involved in some other local activist peace and/or justice group, which could give you similar organizational and strategy experience. And in this pivotal time for activism, you can connect such local groups to WILPF’s analyses, action ideas, and other resources.

Board service offers rich relationships, valuable experiences, and wider perspectives. Also, of course, WILPF depends on member volunteers for its board. Thoughtful board members with diverse backgrounds make the decisions about how WILPF operates and what future directions we take.  Perhaps you should be considering running for one of the varied board positions?

When former board members – whether branch or at-large members – return to their communities, they bring a new level of understanding and awareness to their local work. At its best, this virtuous cycle – between branch/local community and board work – leads to WILPF activists with a new understanding of the national – and international – importance of WILPF as a unique organization.

Sometimes it happens that a branch is reluctant to “give up” a local member to serve on the board. That’s overlooking that a former board member often brings distinctive energy to a branch, plus a heightened appreciation for the importance of recruiting more WILPF members. In turn, the branch involvement of those new members often provides them with valuable “board training” through experience with both group process and WILPF’s political positions. Thus the branch to board to branch to board virtuous cycle continues!

At-large members – and all members! – can get similar leadership and other WILPF experience by volunteering with one of our national committees. That experience is valuable for your activist work whether or not you aspire to board membership! To find out about committee opportunities, contact the chair/co-chairs of issue committees (listed under each issue committee on our website, starting here), or the various board members who chair standing committees (listed on the board webpage), or me (President@wilpfUS.org).

Finally, the annual board election application deadline is coming up in October. Show someone that you recognize and appreciate their skilled work by nominating them for a board position. Or be bold and affirm your own qualifications! Find out more about the board openings and expectations by contacting board member George Friday, who is the acting chair of the Nominating Committee: programchair-frieday@wilpfus.org.