WWAC is an all-volunteer, nonpartisan, non-profit, educational organization, serving Southeastern Vermont, Southwestern New Hampshire and Northwestern Massachusetts since 1961. We currently have 125 active  members and an active Board of Directors. 

WWAC is part of a system of Councils affiliated with the World Affairs Council of America, located in Washington, D.C.  The system includes 90 separate councils in cities and towns across the country with a collective membership of over 550,000. 

WWAC’s mission is to foster better understanding of important world issues, stimulate constructive discussion of world affairs, and promote responsible citizen participation in the foreign policy of the United States.

WWAC offers a variety of activities to engage local communities on world affairs issues including:

• Sponsoring and co-sponsoring lectures and video series
• Promoting and organizing discussion groups
• Organizing Academic World Quest and similar activities
• Disseminating educational materials
• Arranging offers of hospitality for foreign visitors
• Assisting groups and individuals to develop programs concerned with international relations.

WWAC is has strong collaborative relationships with the Brooks Memorial Library, the School for International Training/World Learning, and Marlboro College. Major funding comes from member and donors, with additional corporate sponsorship of specific events.

SUMMARY REPORT TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WINDHAM WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
FROM THE CHAIR, MARGO NEALE
JUNE 26, 2009

The mission of the Windham World Affairs Council is to provide information about world affairs and to promote a discussion of world affairs in as many venues as possible in Southeast Vermont and Southwest New Hampshire. The success of the Council should be measured against this mission.
Core Program of Lectures -- each of the eight programs was preceded by a coffee which those in attendance seemed to enjoy.  On average, lectures were attended by 60 people. Thanks to Ralph Dell, our Program Chair for 2008-2009.
Gaggle of Geese -- the subjects of these conversations ranged widely from deforestation in Viet Nam to fixing the electoral system in the United States. Gaggles are typically attended by about 20 people and are open to the membership. Thanks to Mark Schlefer for organizing Gaggles for the whole year.
Academic World Quest -- five high school teams participated including , for the first time, Twin Valley High School. The winning team , Fall Mountain Regional High School, traveled to Washington, D.C. for the national competition.  Thanks to Entergy Vermont Yankee, the Hubbard Foundation of Walpole, and the Walpole Savings Bank for their sponsorship.
Turkish Cultural Foundation Project -- this project culminated with presentations by the teachers who had traveled to Turkey in the summer.  Venues for the presentations included one of our own meetings, the Boys and Girls Club, Brattleboro Rotary Club, and Sunrise Rotary as well presentations in the three local high schools represented by the teachers. Approximately 250 people saw the presentations and had an opportunity to talk with the teachers. Thanks to Jane Olmstead from Leland and Gray High School who carried the largest responsibility for the presentations.
Closer Look -- only one of these programs was produced this year due to the illness of the "Lead looker".  It was very successful, however, and we expect to produce more such programs as possibilities and needs arise.   Thanks to Peter Seares, Tom Redden, Tom Zopf, and Javed Chaudhri for their impromptu contributions to the discussion.
Organizational Improvements --
            a. Financial Situation -- has been improved thanks to several economies on our part, a surplus in awards from the Turkish Cultural Foundation, and the generosity of Entergy Vermont Yankee, the Hubbard Foundation of Walpole, and the Walpole Savings Bank. Thanks to Tony Drapelik and Allen Vander Muelen for tracking all of this.
            b. Membership -- from a list of approximately 200 people which was expensive and often ineffective to use, we have developed a list of 125 bona fide members whom we are able to reach by mail and e-mail to publicize our meetings. Thanks to Chuck Fish and Cindy Wilcox for their work on maintaining and using an accurate list.
            c. Public Relations --  have been expanded and systematized to include the Reformer calendar,  box ads in the Reformer, i Brattleboro announcements, the BCTV calendar and programs,  our website,  as well as post cards and e-mails directed to our members.  Thanks to Jerry Carbone, Chuck Fish, Cindy Wilcox, and Chris Brown for their consistency in this effort.
            d. Website Development -- has been improved to make it more interesting and to keep it more current.  Please note:   Huge thanks to Patty Blomgren who has applied 40 to 50 hours of her effort and skills to make this happen.  Thanks also to Jerry Carbone and Adam Silver for their technical monitoring and advice.