Organizing for Soulforce on a Local Level

[Montanna]

So it sounds like that it would be ok to get a few friends together and set up a booth at the Pride event and have Soulforce material on display. I even thought about having a laptop there to show some of the videos here online. It would be like a place for discussion and information. It would be great to have some pictures and blogs from the Equality Riders displayed. We could have a sign up sheet to form a local group that supports Soulforces objectives and activities. There is one hurtle. The group organizing the Pride Event in September has just become part of the National group. I don't think I can get free booth space unless I can find a nonprofit who will sponsor us. On the other hand I might be able to persuade them to just let us do it for free. Montanna

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by Montanna

So it sounds like that it would be ok to get a few friends together and set up a booth at the Pride event and have Soulforce material on display. I even thought about having a laptop there to show some of the videos here online. It would be like a place for discussion and information. It would be great to have some pictures and blogs from the Equality Riders displayed. We could have a sign up sheet to form a local group that supports Soulforces objectives and activities. There is one hurtle. The group organizing the Pride Event in September has just become part of the National group. I don't think I can get free booth space unless I can find a nonprofit who will sponsor us. On the other hand I might be able to persuade them to just let us do it for free. Montanna

Our San Francisco group was very small and very poor and the costs for a booth were extremely high. So we found folks to partner with, like a gay friendly church, or Dignity, or other groups such as that.

It is always a good idea, in my book to promote Soulforce. kara

[Montanna]

I've had some more thoughts on supporting and spreading the ideas here on Soulfource. I'm still working on hooking up with another group to have a booth at Pride. There is a Marriage Equality group here. I'm thinking in terms of how to create a place where these topics can be discussed. I've had booths at fairs around here for topics like Child Abuse. People will come up and talk to you about very personal stuff that they won't even bring up anywhere else. They are greateful for the opportunity to connect and learn.

Any ideas about creating the space?

Montanna

[kara speltz]

Hey folks, here's a suggestion. Soulforce is co-sponsoring a conference in Irvine, CA. the end of June. Why not make up copies of the flyer for the conference and drop them off at various friendly locations and possibily distribute them during your local gay pride celebrations.

To download the flyers go to:

http://www.beyondexgay.com/conference/fliers

This will be a good way to build support for Soulforce in your own area. And the conference should be awesome.

kara

[revtj]

Soulforce Atlanta tends to operate like a "sleeper cell," at least that's what I tell people. We don't have monthly meetings any more because everyone was too busy to come and because we often just end up socializing...

BUT if we call an action we get results. The Ex-gay convention protest we had was amazing. Many leaders (PFLAG, TWO, Soulforce) worked together like a well-oiled machine!!!!

I am proposing to the several parish ministers who are members of Soulforce Atlanta that they start smaller chapters in their congregations which could meet Sunday mornings or other times. I would like to be able to nurture all of the diverse constituents, but we are spread out through the Metro region.

House parties and a movie are a great idea. We've also done some non-violent training at local universities through their offices of LGBT Concerns in the past.

I don't know if we're ready to have a budget or organize with a president & treasurer, etc. But we had a fundraiser for the Equality Riders and raised quite a bit. Everyone wanted to be a part of that.

I guess I sort of like to let the group determine it's own direction by investing time & $$ in actions & opportunities that pop up from time to time.

[kara speltz]

I like the idea of a sleeper cell that's ready to respond when needed. I also think the idea of small groups based in a close area is a good idea too. Part of the problem we've had from the beginning in the San Francisco area has been we were spread out all over.

Two of us from the former Bay Area Soulforce group will be leading a three session workshop on nonviolence at our parish this Fall. Who knows where that might lead?

kara

[BrianB]

I'm planning on wearing my Soulforce t-shirt for Pride in Dayton. Then I'll talk to people from Pflag, Dignity, UCC and MCC to see what kind of interest people have. It's a great opportunity!

[mjules]

Originally Posted by kara speltz

We are planning a fund raiser here in the East Bay for Soulforce in July when Mel will be here teaching a course at PSR. I surely wish I had a magic wand to get folks off their butts

Wait, wait! Sorry to butt in like this, but... Mel's going to be in Frisco in July? What dates, please? A friend of mine has invited me to stay with her in Sacramento for my birthday week (July 12-17) and we were planning on going to San Fran while I was there. It would be wonderful if the dates coincided at all...

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by mjules

Wait, wait! Sorry to butt in like this, but... Mel's going to be in Frisco in July? What dates, please? A friend of mine has invited me to stay with her in Sacramento for my birthday week (July 12-17) and we were planning on going to San Fran while I was there. It would be wonderful if the dates coincided at all...

Mel will be teaching a class at Pacific School of Relgion, on his latest book, "Religion Gone Bad." The class is for one week July 9-13th. Unfortunately, I was unable to mobilize enough folks to put together a successful fund raiser, so the plans have been scrapped. There is still room in his class, for people in the Bay Area to sign up, for his class.

kara

[Zerbie]

Antony - THANK YOU so much!!

(In light of being lied to by a congressional staffer who was unable to point to any such language in the bill, I really appreciate you bringing attention to this.)

Anything an individual can do to help??

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Antony - THANK YOU so much!!

(In light of being lied to by a congressional staffer who was unable to point to any such language in the bill, I really appreciate you bringing attention to this.)

Anything an individual can do to help??

Individuals can post the same challenge in their blogs or journals. The more sites asking that these organizations post the bill in full on their websites, the more the lies will be silenced.

They actually have the audacity to provide "edited interpretations" to their constituencies.

[glbt_equality]

I have also been working on a local level in an "unofficial" capacity - which has resulted in the development of a website specifically for East Texans (an area known to have some relatively extreme needs regarding GLBT & HIV/AIDS prejudices).

You can check my progress & tell me how we're doing on www.tridd.com.

The pont of my posting here is as an update, and to thank everyone in the Soulforce forums for your ongoing support, which has been tremendous.

Even though Kara has said Soulforce is re-evaluating their training materials, I have found the existing set to be excellent, and have printed and shared them with a small cadre of close friends here in Tyler.

I was asked to speak for the East Texas regional PFLAG group a couple of weeks ago, and developed my own PowerPoint presentation for that meeting, which I've also made available for download on the tridd website. If you have MS PowerPoint, you can download the show at http://www.tridd.com/docs/answers/activism.pps - or you can visit http://www.tridd.com/index_files/inf...nt_library.htm for other options.

The purpose for creating this presentation was twofold -- to provide a simple introduction to nonviolent activism for those who are new to the idea... and to re-envigorate the more experienced activists who may have grown frustrated and less active. It represents a distillation of much of the information I've received from you here at Soulforce and my own life experiences. I have also included speaker's notes for those who might want to use the presentation for their own audiences. As a footnote, you will find a special thanks to Soulforce on the last slide.

Finally, I want to thank Zerbie... for many things... not the least of which is her "signature," -- a quote from Rumi that I find myself quoting often in daily conversations.

Best wishes to all -Peace & love, Troy

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by antonyh

I find it decidedly odd that an organization committed to non-violence has not said a single public word addressing the far right opposition to the Hate Crimes Bill, the most important civil rights legislation this decade. Nudge nudge nudge. Where is Soulforce in the conversation?

No small group, like no individual, can do everything at once. I am sure the staff are overwhelmed between debriefing from the E Ride, to the ex-gay survivors' conference coming up in the next 2 weeks, to planning & organizing another nationwide action in the fall.

I personally would love to see more public interest and outcry about the deliberate lies that are being told about the legislation currently pending. I don't have a blog or website that I can use to notify people. Would like to help get the word out, and think I have done about all that I can, individually, at this point.

Perhaps those with the inclination can organize local rallies in support of the legislation, and include a few public speakers at their rallies to educate about what the bill does and does NOT contain. Anyone out there with organizing know-how?

Troy - your new site looks quite good. Bravo to you for having so much wonderful initiative to share your caring and love with your whole community that way. I'm glad you enjoy the poem - - it really speaks to me too, which is why I set it up as a signature. Every time I read it, it is like a reminder of so much that is important. So much power in our associations - -don't waste our energy on things that dont' produce any good. Love is such a powerful force; it can heal so much.

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by antonyh

I find it decidedly odd that an organization committed to non-violence has not said a single public word addressing the far right opposition to the Hate Crimes Bill, the most important civil rights legislation this decade. Nudge nudge nudge. Where is Soulforce in the conversation?

Dear Anthony: Zerbie's right. We have to set our priorities. Do you have any idea what the size of our staff is? Not including our youth group its 6-8 people, I say it that way because not a single soul is paid what would be considered a full time staff salary.

Organizations such as HRC have hundreds of people and budgets that stagger the mind.

And as Zerbie pointed out we have a conference coming up next weekend, as well as a number of other projects that follow on its heals.

One other thing I'd like to point out. Soulforce's goal is to get people actively involved in social change. Thus, if this is something you're passionate about then we encourage you to get out there and make sure others know about the importance of this bill.

kara

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by kara speltz

Dear Anthony: Zerbie's right. We have to set our priorities. Do you have any idea what the size of our staff is? Not including our youth group its 6-8 people, I say it that way because not a single soul is paid what would be considered a full time staff salary.

Organizations such as HRC have hundreds of people and budgets that stagger the mind.

And as Zerbie pointed out we have a conference coming up next weekend, as well as a number of other projects that follow on its heals.

One other thing I'd like to point out. Soulforce's goal is to get people actively involved in social change. Thus, if this is something you're passionate about then we encourage you to get out there and make sure others know about the importance of this bill.

kara

Antony's doing a lot on this issue. And I've done what I feel I can. Still, the word seems to be quite slow getting out there. Our voice seems to be drowned out by deafening chaos and misconception surrounding the legislation.

I do wonder though, along the lines of Antony's point, if perhaps SF can simply issue an official position statement? Maybe to the media? Might that help the cause? Or just get lost in the shuffle? I don't know.

We know that staff is small and working for their hearts, not their pocketbooks. Remember that you have quite a volunteer base to call upon, if we can ever help in some way. Let us know whenever there is something we can do. Or when you're looking to expand your staff. You've got a terrific base of dedicated, articulate, intelligent people on this forum.

Thanks Kara.

[glbt_equality]

Originally Posted by antonyh

America needs to hear from Soulforce about the Hate Crimes Bill. I can't personally think of a more important voice at this exact moment in time than this organization. If you need assistance, let us know. We all helped with the letter to the Archbishop. Start a thread and all the talented forum members will have a have a statement crafted before the end of the weekend.

We have strayed a little off-topic for this thread, but since I also feel strongly about the Hate Crimes Act, I'll chip in.

Though it wasn't intended for congress, Several of our mambers did chip in to draft a response letter to an East Texas TV station regarding this bill a couple of months ago. You might find some useful verbiage there: see: "Local CBS Affiliate Angry about Hate Crime Bill" - http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2901

We should all also watch the HRC video & sign their petition at: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campa...35bibrvd57k88?

Finally, the most effective way to contact Senate members, aside from a personal conversation, is by means of letter -- and PFLAG has made this a simple task. You can find their "Hate Crimes Act Letter Wizard" here: http://capwiz.com/pflag/issues/alert...19701&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

Best wishes, Troy

[SEGrether]

What are some of the things the Equality Riders do on college campuses? I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on being involved in the gay-straight alliance there. From what I can tell, most of the LGBT students are pretty "christian-phobic" so it may be hard to even get them interested in the topic (sadly...) Any ideas?

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by SEGrether

What are some of the things the Equality Riders do on college campuses? I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on being involved in the gay-straight alliance there. From what I can tell, most of the LGBT students are pretty "christian-phobic" so it may be hard to even get them interested in the topic (sadly...) Any ideas?

check out the blogs from the riders on the two busses, that will give you some idea. kara

[revtj]

In conversation with Jeff Lutes I understand that a new person has been hired (or is being hired?) by Soulforce national to work on local group organizing.

Jeff suggested that local congregations offer classes & training in nonviolence and/as an introduction to Soulforce.

As I have thought and prayed about it, I see that multiple chapters of Soulforce in a Metro area is probably not the most effective way to manage a local group. So, I am glad we are still one in Atlanta!

This fall we hope to sponsor some courses, Sunday School classes, DVD screenings w/popcorn etc., and training in non-violence in the Metro Atlanta area.

Any thoughts on extending this idea would be appreciated!?

revtj

[antonio]

To Kara--Hi, I'm in BC (but a US citizen from US). I am RC but go to church at Rainbow Community in Vancouver's West end. I know nothing about organzing or about respect for "turfs," so excuse my pol-inco but --does Soul Force ever combine or integrate efforts with a church? Seems like it would enhance the pol-strrength of both and of course, bring different people together. I like the church and it is active and does good stuff but there doesn't seem to be any pol-involvement.

Also, I am RC and want to remain RC but I'm aching to protest their indictiment of GLBTQs. I came across this which really lays out the grim opiinion: Gays and lesbians should therefore learn to think of themselves as damaged in their very being. If they want to be good Catholics, they must learn to look upon themselves as wounded personalities, intrinsically disordered, ontically sick, merely tolerated in church and society, and forever excluded from the sharing their life with a person they love.
Wow! Is that a bottom line or what? We have to protest more and more often and do it dressed in formal clothes (dark suits and ties and serious dresses for women --so we look sharp, together and of good values. We, the Brown Barets, did it in Cal and we changed things on an issue. What Soulforce did with SoulBus was cool -gave the right message. I loved it. I hope it was successful
so sorry for being so wordy--any protests planned, I need to find at least one other person to stand with me agains the RC HoPho position.
love you guys
antonio