[glstn.regional.organizing guide] Provided by: GLSTN 122 West 26th Street, Suite 1100 New York, NY 10001 USA Tel: (212) 727-0135 Email: glstn@glstn.org Web: http://www.glstn.org/freedom/ HOW TO ORGANIZE A REGIONAL GLSTN CHAPTER (revised Fall 1995) Dear Friends of GLSTN, As GLSTN continues to expand its national network, we are establishing regional chapters across the country that will be self-governing but linked into a larger network that will help strengthen us all. The enclosed brief guide is intended to answer some questions and give some advice to those who are interested in organizing a chapter in their region. While not all-encompassing, this guide will give you a sense of the evolving structure and provide enough answers so you can "get going." We welcome your feedback. This is a collaborative effort, so your suggestions to the folks actually doing the organizing will be most helpful. We look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Kevin Jennings Executive Director GLSTN/National WHAT IS GLSTN? The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network is a national federation of grass-roots local groups working to address issues of homophobia and heterosexism in K-12 public, private, and parochial schools. WHAT IS GLSTN'S MISSION? GLSTN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students, and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities, and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities. GLSTN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any individual, regardless of sexual orientation or occupation, who is committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools. WHAT IS GLSTN'S HISTORY? GLSTN was founded by teachers in the Boston area in 1990, and was instrumental in the work that led to Massachusetts becoming the first state in the nation to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in its public schools, being honored for this work with a proclamation by Massachusetts Governor William Weld in 1993. In response to increasing national interest in GLSTN's work, the group decided to incorporate, hire staff, and begin to develop the first national network of local chapters working to end homophobia in our schools, in 1994. Since that time, more than twenty local chapters have been founded across the United States. By the end of the 1994-1995 school year, GLSTN's work had expanded to include helping to establish October as National Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual History Month, assisting local groups to introduce legislation to protect the rights of gay students in states including California and Connecticut, and sponsoring programming on the local level in more than 20 states. WHAT HAS GLSTN ACCOMPLISHED? GLSTN's work has been highly successful. GLSTN developed the "Gay-Straight Alliance" student support program, and helped established such groups in schools in more than a dozen states. GLSTN was instrumental in the fight that made Massachusetts the first state to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against public schools students in December, 1993. In 1994 GLSTN was chosen to develop the faculty training component of the Massachusetts Department of Education's "Safe Schools for Gay and Lesbian Youth" program, the first state-wide effort to provide comprehensive training to school staffs on the needs of gay and lesbian youth. GLSTN helped establish Gay and Lesbian History Month, persuading Massachusetts Governor William Weld and Connecticut Governor Lowell Weicker to issue proclamations on behalf of this inaugural event in October, 1994 and hosting the nation's largest conference on the subject as well. In local chapters across the nation, GLSTN members have won partner benefits for members, created more inclusive curriculum, delivered hundreds of trainings for school staffs, and carried out a myriad of activities to make our schools better places for all to work and learn. More than 20 local chapters have been founded across the country during the past twelve months. WHY FORM A REGIONAL CHAPTER OF GLSTN? 1) GLSTN IS NATIONAL. Often working in isolation, groups seeking to address homophobia in schools have sometimes duplicated each others' efforts and been deprived of important resources and information developed by activists in other parts of the country. By joining a national network, a regional GLSTN chapter can be sure to be aware of what work is going on in other regions, which can be a tremendous advantage in planning local strategy. Furthermore, the knowledge that your group is part of a national movement can be an important boost to the morale of members. As the old adage goes, "there's strength in numbers." 2) GLSTN IS UNIQUE. No other organization takes GLSTN's approach. Organizing across public/private/parochial lines, and seeking to bring gay and straight people together in coalition, GLSTN is attempting a new, more inclusive approach than that taken in the past. Rather than being divided, people seeking to fight school-based homophobia come together in GLSTN, thus strengthening all of us. 3) GLSTN HAS A TRACK RECORD OF GRASS-ROOTS SUCCESS. From its start in 1990, GLSTN has been focused on bringing about concrete changes in schools. GLSTN has always been committed to helping individual teachers and community organizers get the support and resources they need to make a difference in their schools, and that difference now shows in schools across the nation. 4) GLSTN CHAPTERS HAVE SUPPORT. GLSTN chapters have the advantage of being able to call upon GLSTN's national staff for support in becoming effective organizations. Each chapter receives a monthly update from the National staff, at least one annual site visit, access to publications and other resources developed by GLSTN, and ongoing technical assistance in seeking to achieve its goals. Having the support of paid staff gives GLSTN chapters a significant resource to call upon as they seek to build effective local groups. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A REGIONAL CHAPTER OF GLSTN? Each local chapter must: 1. ESTABLISH LEADERSHIP. Chapters need to develop their own boards and officers, with at least a chair (or co-chairs), a secretary, and a treasurer, who are responsible for local leadership. 2. ADOPT THE GLSTN MISSION STATEMENT AS THEIR OWN MISSION. 3. ADOPT THE GLSTN BY-LAWS AS THEIR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. Once accepted as an official chapter, local groups are granted coverage under GLSTN's 501(c)3 tax-exempt number and receive the benefits of affiliation outlined above. This includes a share of all dues paid by members from the region the chapter covers. EACH CHAPTER MUST ANNUALLY: 1. Submit a programming plan, outlining the chapter's goals for the next year and what programs/events it will organize to fulfill those goals. 2. Submit a development plan, which details the chapter's budget to fulfill the programming outlined in its plan and identifies ways of obtaining those funds. 3. Submit a financial report, wherein the chapter explains its expenditures. 4. Send a representative to GLSTN's Summer Training Institute, which ensures that all chapters are up-to-date on the GLSTN's policies and receive the training they need to be effective. WHAT DO REGIONAL CHAPTERS DO? Chapters determine the focus of their work within the scope of the GLSTN Mission. They then focus on major projects developed with the consultation and support of the GLSTN staff, which provides technical assistance to help these events be successful. Among the many successful events which chapters have undertaken: * organizing conferences, open to all community members regardless of sexual orientation, focused on creating change in schools; * sponsoring retreats for educators focused on creating change in schools; * sponsoring retreats for gay, lesbian, and bisexual educators only; * organizing programs for students for such events as Lesbian and Gay History Month and National Coming Out Day; * providing speakers and training for schools and conferences; * organizing social events for members; and * doing advocacy work in the local media. Some of these projects require substantial help from GLSTN/National, while others can be done easily on a local level. Our goal is for chapters to become increasingly self-sufficient as they develop the technical and financial resources they need to sustain projects locally. HOW DO WE GET STARTED? 1. GET IN TOUCH WITH GLSTN. Once you or a group of people in your community have decided they are interested in organizing, you should establish a relationship with the national GLSTN staff. This will allow you to consult with them and draw on their expertise from helping other regions organize. GLSTN may also have contacts in your region that would prove useful as you begin to build a network. Don't go it alone! 2. PLAN AN INITIAL ORGANIZING MEETING. Given that regional chapters are working to become self-sufficient, it is important to pull together a group of people who will show commitment to the group and "carry the ball" for the ongoing organizing. Establishing and publicizing your first meeting will be an essential step in that process. 3. DO OUTREACH. Once you have established a first meeting time and place, try to reach out to others who will want to attend. For example: existing regional gay and lesbian teacher groups; professional associations such as the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, or your local association of independent schools, all of which have newsletters in which you can publish announcements; local lesbian/gay media; other groups interested in progressive change in education, such as People for the American Way or the Rainbow Coalition; community groups which have a vested interest in GLSTN's work, such as P-FLAG or GLAAD; doing a mailing to GLSTN members in your region; and inviting your friends! Having a brief announcement which includes the purpose of GLSTN as well as specific details of the meeting (time, place, etc.) will be handy. One important thing to keep in mind is that GLSTN does not seek to replace or subvert existing groups--we want to work collaboratively with existing groups that address homophobia in schools. Making that clear from the beginning will generate goodwill rather than animosity. 4. APPOINT FACILITATORS FOR THE FIRST MEETING but keep the focus on the needs of the people present. GLSTN exists, after all, to bring people together to help them do the work they want to do. The primary goal of the first meeting should be to share information about GLSTN and get people focused on how they want to organize for work in their region. Be sure to bring GLSTN brochures, newsletters, conference flyers and perhaps some of the documents from THE GLSTN TOOLBOX to give participants a concrete sense of the nature of the organization. However, ultimately the participants will drive the agenda. 5. SET A REGULAR TIME AND PLACE FOR FUTURE MEETINGS. This allows participants to schedule your group into their already-overfilled calendars and become involved. NOW THAT WE'RE GOING, WHAT DO WE DO? 1) BEGIN TO BUILD YOUR MEMBERSHIP. As a grass-roots organization, GLSTN depends on the volunteer work of individuals, as well as their financial support, to survive and grow. As you develop more members, you can build toward larger projects. Ask initial attendees to do outreach, and compile a local mailing list of people interested in GLSTN from their networks. Make sure you have GLSTN brochures and take them with you to appropriate venues (educational conferences, your friend's potluck, the local gay and lesbian community center, and similar places) to encourage more people to join. Establish a P.O. Box and a phone number/voice mail so that you can list yourself in appropriate places. GLSTN can help with "start-up" funding for expenses such as these--just be sure to call us before spending, and save receipts so that afterward you can get reimbursed. Remember that the most important goal of every member should be to get more people involved so that the impact of our work spreads as far as possible. And that means involving not only both gay and straight teachers but also NON-TEACHERS. Everyone has a role to play. 2) ESTABLISH LEADERSHIP AND BEGIN DEVELOPING A BOARD. Each group needs to have a Board that will do bear responsibility for leading organizing. Chapters need to form Boards which take programming, development, and financial responsibility for the group. Board officers, including a Chair (or Co-Chairs), Treasurer, and Secretary, need to be elected as well. At first these bodies might be small and informal, but the Board is an important mechanism for tapping the enthusiasm and skills of people who care about your issue, so don't underestimate its importance. Having people make a formal commitment means they are more likely to become truly involved in the chapter's growth. Think about the types of skills you'll need to be successful, and reach out to others beyond the teaching profession to get them: lawyers, accountants, businesspeople, parents, organizers, media/public relations folks, all bring important skills that can be invaluable to your chapter's success. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT DIVERSITY HERE: BOARDS AND THEIR LEADERSHIP SHOULD INCLUDE BALANCE IN THE AREAS OF RACE, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND SCHOOL TYPE. 3) IDENTIFY MAJOR PROJECTS. Experience shows that groups that simply offer individuals the chance to meet, but are not focused on action, rarely prosper. It is vital early on to give focus to your group's work by determining projects you will want to work on. This can include some of those listed above or new ideas developed by your members. Use the "programming plan" in this document to focus the decision-making process. The key thing is this: DO SOMETHING. People are more enthusiastic and focused when they are working toward a concrete goal. 4) CALL THE GLSTN OFFICE TO CONSULT ABOUT YOUR PROJECTS. This is where "technical assistance" can be invaluable. Programming, some limited funding, and general ideas on how to pull off what you want to accomplish can all be supported by GLSTN, so that each chapter does not have to "reinvent the wheel." Take advantage of GLSTN's support by learning what has worked for other groups, and use that assistance in planning your events. We will help you determine what resources you need and how to get them so that you can have a successful event. 5) START BUILDING ALLIANCES. Many other groups should be informed of your work. These might include a local legal organization which can help support you if you should need such assistance, civil rights organizations such as the NAACP which are addressing related issues, community groups such as P-FLAG which share some of our concerns, and so forth. Designate Board members who will take responsibility for meeting with representatives from these groups to discuss how we might work together on common concerns. They will often have resources and ideas that can help you, and you can undoubtedly do the same for them. 6) DEVELOP A FUNDING BASE. Fundraising is a subject with which many educators are unfamiliar and to which many have extreme allergies. But its importance can be summed up in one sentence: Without money, we can't do anything. It helps to think of asking someone for money as doing a favor for them: you're providing an opportunity for them to support something they care about, instead of asking for a favor yourself. THERE ARE SIX MAJOR SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR GLSTN: 1. individual memberships; 2. revenue from programming events such as conferences; 3. major donors; 4. corporate and foundation grants; 5. telemarketing/direct mail solicitation; and 6. fundraising events. Local chapters receive a portion of all individual memberships from their region, but developing the other sources of income will increase your resources and move you along the path to self-sufficiency and greater programming. We can help you develop the strategies and skills to do this. GLSTN's technical assistance can help you identify major donors and corporate/foundation funding sources in your region and pursue them, and can also help you to organize successful fundraising events to benefit your work. GLSTN's goal is to help you develop your own funding sources so you can do the work you want to do: don't hesitate to call for help as you figure out how this works in your community. Obviously, some communities have more resources than others, and GLSTN will work to support those chapters in regions where resources are limited. As chapters develop their own sources of income, they can build their programming and take on more exciting projects. Thus, each chapter should work to maximize whatever funding is available to them, so they can move along toward the goal of self-sufficiency. WHAT IF WE ARE AN EXISTING GROUP THAT WISHES TO BECOME A GLSTN REGIONAL CHAPTER? The first and most important thing to do is to ensure, through a formal process, that all members of your group wish to do this. As stated above, IT IS THE GLSTN PHILOSOPHY TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH EXISTING GROUPS, NOT TO SUPPLANT THEM. WE DO NOT WISH TO "TAKE OVER" AN EXISTING GROUP WHOSE MEMBERS DO NOT WISH TO FORMALLY AFFILIATE WITH US. If your members DO wish to become a GLSTN chapter, follow the guidelines outlined in this document. Existing groups may wish to develop hyphenated names so that their affiliation with GLSTN is clear but their historic name is retained. HOW DOES GLSTN'S GOVERNANCE WORK? GLSTN is governed by a National Board of Directors who, like all such Boards, are legally responsible for the corporation, which means setting policy, paying staff, and similar duties. This Board is made up of three types of individuals: * representatives from the GLSTN chapters whose total membership represents 5% or more of the total GLSTN membership as of July 1 of each year; * at least two representatives from smaller chapters, chosen by the Board from a pool of chapters who wish to be considered, to insure a voice for those group. * at-large members elected by the Board. The National Board meets twice annually and determines GLSTN policies, budget, and other vital matters. Within the Board, an Executive Committee consisting of the Board officers and a small number of elected representatives meets monthly to oversee daily operations. Regional chapters are governed by their own Boards, which adhere to the by-laws and policy directives set out by the National Board and are autonomous as long as they meet the limited restrictions therein and do not violate the guidelines for 501(c)3 status outlined by the IRS (primarily meaning no direct involvement in political campaigns). Chapters who compromise GLSTN's mission or violate its by-laws may be de-certified by the National Board, thus losing their rights to use the GLSTN name or derive any income from the organization. Similarly, local groups can choose to disassociate themselves from GLSTN at any time, thus foregoing the privileges of membership and the use of the GLSTN name. Individuals are required to become dues-paying members of the national organization: regional chapters and the national office share membership dues so that local organizers will receive some of these funds to support their work, with the national office remitting local portions four times annually. No individual may become a member of a local chapter without also joining GLSTN/national. Please print and fill out the attached form. -------------------------------------------------------------------- APPLICATION FOR GLSTN CHAPTER AFFILIATION Name of Chapter: Region served: Zip Code range: Chapter Leadership: Name of Chair: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Fax and/or e-mail address (if available): NAME OF CO-CHAIR (IF APPLICABLE): Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Fax and/or e-mail address (if available): NAME OF TREASURER: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Fax and/or e-mail address (if available): NAME OF SECRETARY: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: Fax and/or e-mail address (if available): Please list other data on other board members (if available) on the reverse. DATE OF FIRST MEETING: NUMBER IN ATTENDANCE: DATE OF APPLICATION: MEANS BY WHICH GROUP HAS DECIDED TO BECOME A GLSTN CHAPTER: We, the undersigned, are applying to become an official chapter of GLSTN, and agree to adopt its mission statement and by-laws and to follow the policy directives set by its National Board. SIGNATURE OF CHAIR: Date: Print Name: SIGNATURE OF CO-CHAIR (IF APPLICABLE): Date: Print name: --------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL PROGRAMMING PLAN FOR GLSTN/CHAPTER:_____________________ 1. What are the chapter's goals in the coming year to implement the GLSTN mission statement in your community? 2. What activities will you undertake to achieve those goals? Please be specific. 3. How will you evaluate the effectiveness of these activities? 4. What other groups will you work with to implement the GLSTN mission in your community? -------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR GLSTN/CHAPTER:__________________ 1. WHAT IS YOUR ANTICIPATED BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR? Cash on hand: Anticipated Expenses: Anticipated Income: 2. PLEASE LIST SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES AND THEIR BUDGETS: 3. PLEASE ITEMIZE ANTICIPATED INCOME FOR THE FOLLOWING MAJOR FUNDING SOURCES: 1. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS 2. REVENUE FROM PROGRAMMING EVENTS 3. MAJOR DONORS 4. CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION GRANTS 5. TELEMARKETING/DIRECT MAIL SOLICITATION 6. FUNDRAISING EVENTS ***** ***** ***** This document is part of THE GLSTN TOOLBOX, an online resource of practical information and tools, for educators, students, parents and community organizers, to help fight homophobia in K-12 schools. Founded in 1990 as a regional volunteer organization in Boston, The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) today has over 20 chapters around the country and is the largest organization of teachers and community members dedicated to ensuring that all students are valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation. GLSTN's work includes community organizing, providing programming to schools, and developing materials that teachers can use to raise awareness among their colleagues and students. Membership is open to all who are committed to ending homophobia in schools, regardless of sexual orientation or occupation. The GLSTN TOOLBOX is available from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Teachers Network World Wide Web Site: http://www.glstn.org/freedom/ In the interest of sharing this information with others, you may copy and redistribute this document provided that all notices remain intact. You may not charge or make a profit from the redistribution of this material. If you have writing which you would like to contribute to The GLSTN TOOLBOX, please contact us by phone at (212) 727-0135 or by e-mail at glstn@glstn.org.