What Sustainability Means

by Marcia Mullins

“To sustain:  to keep in existence; to supply with necessities; to support the spirits, vitality, to encourage”   We can think of sustainability in financial terms –  the financial “necessities.”  (See Brenda Collier’s articles.) We can increase our financial base or we can increase the level of financial support from our current base, or we can cut our staff, shifting the focus from organizing to coordinating, or we can lay off staff completely, shifting to chapter-based activities coordinated by the Area Committee.  But finances are only ONE of the ways in which we supply WWFOR with “necessities.”  Perhaps, more importantly, is the question of who in our membership is willing and/or able to contribute time and energy to “sustainability”?  Who will invite friends to join us?  Who will turn out for public hearings about the Bring Our Billions Home Campaign?   Who will make calls or write letters in support of actions which our organizers initiate?   

Where and how do we find more active supporters/organizers –those who go beyond suggesting an action which the staff  “should” undertake?    (See Glen Anderson’s article.)  

These are the questions that must be addressed as we move forward toward a more vibrant (sustainable) WWFOR or toward the time when we must say that our beloved WWFOR is now part of history.   Please join the conversation.  We need your spirit, your vitality, your encouragement to sustain us.