In August, VFP held our 31st annual convention in Berkeley, CA. This year, over 380 people attended the convention, of which 45 were Post 9/11 veterans. The convention was cross-generational with veterans from WWII to the current era of wars and active duty personnel. We also had veterans from our international chapters in the UK, Okinawa, and Tijuana, Mexico.
Throughout the week, we heard from many speakers: veterans, activists, scholars, and military families about the state of these times and the need for our work. The convention included 4 major plenaries, 25 workshops, 3 mini plenaries, a banquet dinner and social gatherings. Veterans For Peace was also the recipient of the 2016 Peace Prize, from the US Peace Memorial Foundation. Check out some of photos from the convention. More photos and video will be available soon!
Each year, the annual convention brings together members and activists from around the world and creates space connecting and learning, We know that these face-to-face meetings are important as we move forward and grow VFP membership internationally.
As we all know, events like this take a great deal of planning. We want to lift up the efforts of Chapter #69, the local VFP chapter in San Francisco, CA and thank them for their time and energy in planning the convention this year. The 2017 convention will be hosted by VFP Chapter #26 in Chicago, IL with a theme of “Education Not Militarization” [dates to be announced soon.] We hope to see you at our 32nd convention!
Conventions, of course, also cost money. We want to thank all of our donors, current members, and lifetime members. We couldn’t have done this without you! If you haven’t recently given to VFP, please consider making a one time donation of $10, $20, $50 or more. Give this month and your gift will be doubled, thanks to a generous matching donation from VFP Chapter #56 in Humboldt County, CA.