Santa Cruz WILPF Branch Activity

The activities of our branch members are diverse. Other groups focus on issues small and large. WILPFers make the connections that link peace and justice issues. We find ways to effect change by going to the root causes.

Here is the list of ways our branch works. Use the contact information provided to learn more or to join in. Be as active as you want, but do join!

Become a Member of WILPF. Our influence is increased with a larger membership even if that is the extent of your involvement. Just by becoming a member you increase our strength and join in supporting peace and justice seekers worldwide!

Various members are working on the following. Feel free to use the contact links provided to learn more. IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

Corporations vs. Democracy Committee

Part of US WILPF's national Corporations v. Democracy Issue Committee. Dedicated to understanding how corporations use their illegitimate constitutional "rights" and powers to define our law, politics, jurisprudence, work, technologies, food, communities... you name it! We do this by learning and helping others to learn how we got into this mess through the discovery and study of hidden histories. At the same time, we rethink WILPF activism in the context of our right to self governance and the meaning of real (radical) democracy, including the skills required to put it into practice. Contact Nancy Abbey for information.

Jane Addams Peace Camp
Annual summer day camp for child campers and teen counselors that teaches concepts of peace and harmonious relationships as well as having fun while doing it! Always looking for volunteer helpers and donations. Contact Gaby Litsky for information.

Membership/Outreach Committee
Oversees maintaining membership records, renewals, pledges, etc. Oversees the web site, telephone voicemail at 831-457-6797, mail box, phone tree, greeting people at meetings and more. Contact Sandy Silver if you have a membership or communications question. See also our monthly newsletter The Undaunted Dove. Meets as needed.

Middle East Cluster
Members who maintain an ongoing interest in news and politics related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Contact Joyce McLean for information.

Peace Education Committee
Creates activities that bring peace messages to wider audiences. They are creating a Teacher-Librarian Network. They distribute copies of each year's winners of the Jane Addams Children's Book Award to local community organizations. See also Peace Camp. Contact Sandy Silver. Meets as needed.

Planning Committee
Plans overall activity for branch. Meets monthly, September through June. See Calendar for monthly meeting times and places. Contact the Co-Chairs for information. Open to all members.

Program Committee
Plans monthly topics meetings for our members and the public from September through June. See Calendar for upcoming topics. Contact Cappy Israel to give topic ideas or to join in.

Raging Grannies Cluster
Topical satirical songs, performed by women in grannie flowered hats and aprons. Always looking for new singers. Sing to public at rallies, actions, meetings and by invitation at the City Council, on KUSP, at the Crepe Place, etc. Raging Granny Web Site. Contact Jan Harwood for information.

Save the Water Committee
Brings free water filtering device to public events to help people switch from single-serve plastic water bottles. Works on getting local community organizations to stop using bottled water. Works with local groups to support alternatives to desalination and monitors the desal pilot project and process. Works with Rep. Sam Farr to pass H.R. 3202, the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act to fund maintenance and upgrades of municipal public water systems. Contact Randa Solick for information.

The Undaunted Dove newsletter
Monthly (September through June) branch newsletter. Contributions of help with articles, publication, and mailing are welcomed. Contact Paul Johnson for information.

Other groups in which some of our members are actively involved:

WILPF/LIMPAL Pajaro Branch  (email: Barbara Hayes)

Alliance for Human Rights in Santa Cruz County  (email: Paul Johnson)

People Against Chemical Trespass (Ruth Valdez)

Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County (A WILPF representative since the 1980s.)

Cuba Study Group  (email: cubastudygroup@scshop.com)

NAACP of Santa Cruz  (email: naacpsc@yahoo.com)

Resource Center for NonViolence

Santa Cruz Cuba Caravans (email: Nancy Abbey)

Santa Cruz Peace Coalition

United Nations Association