What's Being Proposed by WILPF for International Board Membership?
Why Does This Matter?
What Is the US Response?
What's Being Proposed by International WILPF?
International WILPF is proposing a drastic change in structure and governance to be voted on at the Ghana Congress. The International Board has traditionally included elected/appointed Board Representatives from each Section... at present, 33 sections worldwide.
WILPF International apparently finds this makes the board too inefficient and 'too big'. Their proposed solution is to divide the globe into six very large REGIONS and each region will be represented by only ONE Regional Representative and ONE alternate (liaison) Regional Representative.
Why Does This Proposed Change Matter?
For example, "THE AMERICAS" would now be our designated region. This would mean that the US Section we would no longer have our own voice at the International Board.
Rather, being a member of this Region of "THE AMERICAS" would require regular meetings between Canada, the US, Mexico, Central and South America. Indeed, a huge and very diverse region socially, economically, politically and culturally, which would have just one voice at the table at International WILPF. The one liaison is voted on per Section and would act as a conduit between Section and International Board Regional Representative, but she would not have any voting rights. [However, there is also a proposal now that THE AMERICAS consist of two REGIONS: LIMPAL/US Canada. The number of votes are unclear at the moment.]
The logistical challenges of this reorganization by regions are many: first, in regard to electing the regional representative. How do we really know nominees to positions well enough to feel confident nominating and then electing one as a Regional Representative. Second, the cost of face-to-face meetings, the time involved to plan and hold organizing calls, complete with language translators, would need International logistical and financial help. Without International's help to facilitate and fund this kind of collaboration, this sort of planning robs time and resources from our already stretched Section and makes it even less possible for the poorer Sections in our Region to have meaningful representation.
While this reorganization proposal provides the opportunity for those sections in regions to create their own cross-sectional strategies and work more collaboratively and effectively on issues that affect all us in each region, is there another way for International to facilitate and support this kind of collaboration and cooperation?
What is Our Section's Response?
WILPF International is viewing this governance shift as a
fait accompli. The truth is that many in the Sections are opposed to this restructuring including the US Section of WILPF
(see dissent document). But there is momentum on the International Board to push this through, creating what we fear will be a less democratic system with less opportunity for Sections to shape International policy.
You can help us discern how we should respond once again
by attending this call and giving your input through questions and comments.
We want to hear your thoughts, and we welcome conflicting viewpoints!
In Preparation for the Call:
Go to
www.mywilpf.org on the WILPF International website (a login is required to access this). Please view these two recorded video webinars that include information about the changes being proposed.
- Constitution & By-laws Video
- WILPF International Programme For 2018-2011 Video
The following two documents will also be useful while preparing for the Call.
Please join us to discuss together and discern our options.
Click on the following link to preregister:
Call instructions
You can call in with only your phone, or using both your phone and your computer for a fuller communication experience.
All voices will be muted during the general part of the call and open during
Break Out Rooms.
PRESS 5 on your PHONE keypad if you have any technical problems.
PRESS 1 on your PHONE keypad during Q&A to raise your hand and get on the stack, or to vote in real time polls.
