Frequently, WIPA members ask about activities which they might organize in order to help promote the principles and goals of Women for International Peace and Arbitration.  The primary objective of WIPA is that of educating the public about the grassroots process of achieving world peace by focusing on the important role which women have in bringing this process to fruition.  One of the most effective ways to inform others about WIPA is simply through telling our friends about the organization and its goals.  The WIPA brochure, which can be obtained by writing to the International board, contains pertinent information about the objectives of the organization.  So does the web site.  Members can also purchase the Keys to Peace Series from the Board (25 cents each), find individuals or organizations who are interested in examining and discussing the content of each of the pamphlets in the series, two are about raising peaceful children and one is on the process of mediation as a powerful tool toward resolving conflicts.  The Board also has a Sitting Room Seminar on Mediation.  The purpose of the Sitting Room Seminar is to invite interested friends into one's home and offer a seminar on the subject of mediation.  The booklet provided by WIPA offers a practical guide to the organization and content of the seminar which anyone interested can facilitate.
     Beyond the above activities, WIPA members can also take the message and goals of WIPA to other like-minded organizations and involve them in the educational process toward the understanding of world peace.  Large meetings can be organized on any of the principles of WIPA.  Such meetings could involve experts speaking on topics related to the role of women as peace makers or the approaches needed to eliminate the barriers to peace.  Panels are also effective in offering various perspectives on the many aspects of the peace process.  The goals of WIPA include 1) the promotion of the education of women regarding their role in bringing peace to the world, 2) equality of women and men, 3) arbitration and mediation as tools for conflict resolution, 4) communication through international language, and 5) elimination of all forms of prejudice.  These are just some ideas about activities which individual WIPA members can consider organizing in their own community.
     Since WIPA has a process for forming chapters in local communities, it may be helpful for our members to examine the guidelines which have been developed for WIPA Chapters.

     A WIPA CHAPTER is formed whenever five individual members of WIPA request and receive application forms for chapter formation from the WIPA International Board in Glendale, California.
     After the Board has organized a chapter, a letter of recognition will be sent to the chapter.  At that time, the chapter may begin functioning.  The following are the guidelines which are provided for chapters as they begin planning for events and activities in their local communities.

1.  The original five individuals forming the chapter become the chapter's Board of Directors.  They may wish to add two additional individuals, but this is not mandatory.  It is the responsibility of the chapter Board to carry out the goals of WIPA as outlined in II of the Bylaws (copies may be obtained by writing to the International Board of Directors).

2.  The local Chapter elects its officers as outlined in Article V of the Bylaws of WIPA.  (Bylaws can be obtained by writing to the International Board of Directors.)

3.  The local Chapter keeps minutes of all its meetings and forwards them to the international Board.  Minutes should be submitted within two weeks after the meeting date.

4.  The Chapter will complete a "Semi-Annual Chapter Financial Report Form" provided by the International Board and mail it to the Secretary.  There will be two financial reports completed for the International Board; one by 31 December and the other by 30 June of each year, along with an updated local membership list.

5.  The chapter should keep an updated list of all members in its area.  This list should be used in informing the chapter members of activities and events planned by the Board.  The membership list should include the name, address, telephone number, and enrollment date of each member.

6.  Each chapter should send short, written news of sponsored events to the International Board for inclusion in the quarterly newsletter, The Peace Maker.

7.  All membership dues will be sent to the International Board.

8.  Each chapter can raise money through fund-raising events.  Such funds will be used for chapter activities and events.

9.  In order to further the purpose and goals of WIPA, each chapter should actively recruit new members, both women and men, from diverse backgrounds and all strata of society.