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WILPF has existed for over 100 years, but do we have the capacity, skills and diversity of leadership to sustain the organization beyond 2050?
Across the country WILPF is experiencing shrinking branches or branches going inactive. At this time, we are not growing in numbers of members and not adding many new branches.
Many members would like to have younger people and people of color active in their branches. But what is the barrier? How can those who care about bringing in more members and building leadership go about it?
There is a remedy for this. But don’t expect quick fixes and easy answers. However, when your branch learns to practice effective Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), your branch can attract BIPOC members and younger women.
During this year's Congress your committed branch representatives will have the opportunity to begin a process and plans to help your branch develop and practice skills that will reduce incidents of unintentional bias and other practices/attitudes that discourage or prevent BIPOC and younger people from joining. This is deep and often difficult work that can result in amazing benefits at many levels for individuals and the organization.
Do you believe that your branch has no issues and that, as an individual, you have no hidden biases? If so, check out this 3 minute video. in these special Congress sessions we’ll address this kind of conditioned social messaging and other barriers to perceiving racism and other biases that negatively affect intentions and goals.
During the upcoming Triennial Congress, I will offer two special breakout room sessions to train trainers in fundamental DEI principles and help those who attend create work plans for their branches. Consider this for your branch!
What requirements are there to be part of this branches’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Skills TOT?
This training is intended as a Training of Trainers (TOT) – a starting point for branches. So those branches that will participate in this special TOT will be asked and expected to follow through in the following ways:
1) Have at least two branch members attend each session,
2) Commit to conducting regular DEI sessions with their branch based on the
work plan created during the training. They will also be expected to
3) Reach out and recruit new WILPF members:
- at least two BIPOC and
- at least two women under 40 within a year.
Overview on Basic Principles to Build Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Skills
Here are the titles of the two sessions and an overview of what will be covered in each.
Part I: Initial Principles, Definitions, and Training Process
Part II: Creating Accountability, Accountability/Support, and Creating a Work Plan.
Space is limited, and those committing first will have priority. If you and at least one other member of your branch is interested please contact me by Monday, April 29, at geo4realdem [at] gmail.com.
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