Why WWFOR is Important

by Brenda Collier

There are many peace and justice organizations, that address only a single issue,  but WWFOR recognizes how all environment, justice and peace issues are interconnected.  Many organizations give lip service to nonviolence, but for FOR nonviolence is the key to solving the problems facing our communities and the world.  That is why WWFOR is important to me.

There are many different levels of FOR membership throughout the region – from the Olympia chapter with a myriad of activities, to places where there are just one or two people. It is important to have this link for all FOR people in the region. It is good to meet and share ideas with people from all over Western Washington at events like the Spring Assembly, Fall Retreat and the Seabeck conference. A regional organization is more visible to the community. We can have more influence on events and demonstrations as a regional organization. That is why a regional WWFOR is important to me.

Over the 20 years that I have been treasurer, we have had periodic financial crisis, gone in to panic mode, done special fund raising, and – thanks to generous members – managed to continue.  We are in this mode again.  Maybe it is business as usual for a small non-profit, but it is not sustainable in the long run.  Our active membership is growing older, and it is harder and harder to find people to fill leadership roles. We need more active, younger members.  That is why a sustainable WWFOR is important to me.

Over 60% of our expenses go to staff so if we cannot find a way to be more sustainable that is where cuts will have to be made.  It would be difficult to find volunteers to reliably do the functions necessary to run the office, and keep on with all the other things we do.  I do not see how we could continue without some paid help and I fear that once we reduce staff we would have more difficulty raising money, find ourselves on a downward spiral and shortly after WWFOR would cease to exist. That is why WWFOR staff is important to me.

In the next few months can you help us explore ways to make WWFOR more sustainable?  In addition to addressing the financial problem, we need people and ideas.  Otherwise, at Area Committee meeting in August, we will make significant reductions in staff.