About Us

The Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ) was founded in 1991 as a coalition of activist groups and citizens of conscience within Wisconsin.

 

Mission Statement

WNPJ facilitates activities, cooperation and communication among Wisconsin organizations and individuals working toward the creation of a sustainable world, free from violence and injustice.

 

Origins

On February 23, 1991, more than 350 people representing over 60 communities throughout the state responded to a call from Representative Frank Boyle and crowded into the Assembly Chambers of the State Capitol to gather strength from one another in their frustration and concern about the Gulf War. On that day, the ground war began.

Out of that gathering arose the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice. Since that time, the Network has grown to include over 170 peace, human rights, religious, labor, and environmental organizations throughout the state.

Co-founder and Wisconsin State Representative Frank Boyle of Superior said in February, 1991:

"The country's ethical compass has snapped. We're careening through violent military adventures abroad, converting this country into a two-class state of rich and poor, vastly increasing the inequalities in education, health care and employment, all of which feeds a social disintegration creating hopelessness, violence and crime. Instead of awareness and feeling, we're given platitudes and thought control. This country is in deep trouble. Knowledgeable and courageous people joining together can demand a new course and stop this disintegration. That's the definition of patriotism!"

Bonnie Block, Nan Cheney and Judy Miner have compiled a history of WNPJ. Please let us know if there is something important missing from this listing. Send an email to The WNPJ Office

 

Membership

The Membership of WNPJ is of two categories: individual members and member organizations. For details, please see our "Join us!" page.

 

Now in 2008, WNPJ membership consists of over 170 member organizations and over 450 individual members. A Board representing a broad range of interests, experience, and localities meets about four times per year. The Steering Committee, composed of the organizational representatives, meets annually in the Spring to set directions for the organization which are ratified by members at the Annual Assembly. The Network has three part-time staff persons. Several "staff" volunteers, in addition to other volunteers, help with special projects.

 

WNPJ is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization. Contributions to WNPJ are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

 

We work for these things in common:

  • alternatives to militarism
  • economic justice
  • grassroots democracy
  • global community
  • respect for diversity
  • sustainable agriculture/development
  • a safe, clean environment
  • lifestyles of active nonviolence
  • human rights for all

 

Bylaws

WNPJ's Bylaws were last revised at the Assembly on October 3, 2009.  Click here to see the WNPJ By-laws.

 

Projects

1) Conferences/meetings to explore peace and justice issues as well as the "common ground" upon which members might coordinate their activist activities. There is an annual spring Steering Committee for WNPJ organizational representatives and a fall Assembly for all WNPJ members and friends.

 

2) Publication of a weekly e-bulletin, with a listing of statewide WNPJ events, by region. WNPJ also publishes a bi-monthly Newsletter or Bulletin which highlights activities and groups from around the state and which includes a calendar of events and numerous networking and action suggestions.

 

3) Publication of an annual on-line directory of member organizations. The directory contains a page for each organization, describing its purpose, projects, publications, etc.  For a current listing of member organizations, see our Member Organizations page.

 

Peace Plan and Work Groups

4) Development of a statewide Peace Planto turn creative study and thought into positive action by linking work already being done by WNPJ member organizations. Work Groups also contribute to the work of the organization, creating on-line brochures on corporate accountability topics and peacemaking (page 1 and page 2) and packets of information for educational use.

Examples of active WNPJ Work Groups in 2010 are Immigration Rights, Prison Justice, Anti-war, and Anti-racism.

 

5) Presentation of the annual Peacemakers of the Year Award at the Fall Annual Assembly. You can get applications from the WNPJ office or on-line. The deadline is July 31 each year.

 

Board members

6) Nurturing the Network by linking people; 1) the 2010 Board of Directors of WNPJ is made up of representatives from across the state; The proposed nominees for the 2011 Board will be presented to the membership for approval at the Fall Assembly, Oct. 2nd, 2010 Prairie du Sac. 2) WNPJ now provides another statewide resource through the Speakers Bureau, with a listing of WNPJ members or members of WNPJ member groups who are prepared for give presentations to any gatherings across the state, on justice and peace subjects.