Weave a Real Peace is a non-profit organization whose mission is:

1. To facilitate self-empowerment and betterment of women and communities in need through textile arts
2. To foster dialogue and support within the organization
3. To serve as a clearing house for information, resources, and technical assistance within the international textile community
4. To provide cross-cultural education and support within the textile community
5. To provide guidance in the realities of appropriate assistance
6. To promote appreciation of textiles which reflect a community's culture or tradition
7. To enrich the lives of individuals in the global textile community through cross-cultural exchange

Now well into our fourth year, the history of Weave A Real Peace really must be seen as history; it's no longer just yesterday, though it still feels like that to some of us.

In March, 1992, a comment led to a middle-of-the-night idea for a "mini conference" of weavers who were also doing international development work. A letter asking for such a meeting resulted in a July gathering of eight people who happened to be at Convergence '92 in Washington, DC. At that meeting there was a strong "demand" for not just a conference but an ongoing organization. As it turned out, those who pushed the hardest for the organization have never joined us, but their urging served its purpose. In August that year, high in the Colorado Rockies, seven women gathered (three had been in Washington) and drew up our mission statement and goals, along with a general plan for the upcoming year.

Since that time we have had at least one major gathering each year, the originally conceived mini-conferences. Attendance has grown to two dozen, and membership as a whole is now well over 100. We are a bona fide non-profit corporation, receive mail from much of the world almost daily, and have helped members on treks to at least three continents. We send out a great newsletter four times a year with information, requests for help, technical assistance, materials, and design expertise along with news of projects in the US and in developing countries, book reviews, and letters.

Not only high touch, we are also on the verge of having our own Internet presence. Each year we reconfirm that information exchange is our primary purpose, and each year we build a new plan for the best ways to accomplish that. If you are reading this, it's likely you are interested too. Please join us. Deborah Chandler, Founding Member and Governing Board

A glance at last year's WARP Membership Directory shows an impressive level of talent and involvement among our 132 members in 11 countries.

9 have written or are in the process of writing books.

20 are actively involved in teaching fiber arts; many have advanced degrees in art or fiber arts.

19 have gone to developing countries to help indigenous people or have been actively involved with organizations dedicated to this goal.

6 have strong foreign language abilities.

Annual Dues

• $15 (regular)
• $7 (simple living)
• $25 (group/supporting)
• $100 (patron/donor)

Groups may join for any amount at or above the $25 level. All Members receive an annual Membership Directory with information on members' interests and activities, and a quarterly Newsletter with news, useful information, questions of interest, letters, projects reports, etc. Dues are used primarily to cover our printing and mailing expenses. Donations may be earmarked for general funds, special education projects, or endowment fund. To join WARP, or to receive additional information contact Linda Temple 1230 NE 70th Oklahoma City, OK 73111 405-478-4936