12/16/2024

CWPA and WPA-GO Reestablish Organizational Connection

The leadership of CWPA and WPA-GO are happy to announce that the two organizations have formally agreed to reestablish connections, supported by affirmative votes by both leadership teams. The three-year separation was spurred by WPA-GO’s withdrawal from CWPA following the public boycott of the organization in 2021. In the intervening years, the two organizations have been in regular contact and have been drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that articulates the formal relationship between the organizations. As of December 6, 2024, the MOU has been approved by both leadership teams.

We are first and foremost glad to acknowledge the necessary collaboration and mentoring that needs to happen between the two organizations, as well as the maintenance of a pipeline from newer and rising scholars into the field of writing program work. Highlights of what we have established include:

• Mutual recognition that the CWPA is WPA-GO’s “sponsor organization”;
• Establishment of voting rights on the CWPA Executive Board for one WPA-GO representative on behalf of graduate student interests;
• CWPA financial support for the WPA-GO in the form of an annual budget.

The MOU is a 5-year agreement, which may be renewed or revised through a mutual process in 2029. We believe this connection is vital for the health of both organizations and are happy to create a pathway for WPA-related professionalization, leadership opportunities, and support for incoming members of the field.

Kelly Blewett, CWPA President
Taylor Dickson, WPA-GO Vice Chair
Roland Dumavor, WPA-GO Chair
Al Harahap, CWPA/WPA-GO Liaison
Erin Lehman, CWPA Vice President
Jagadish Paudel, WPA-GO Past Chair