Soulforce in Oklahoma

[Britt.]

I was looking at the Tulsa Oklahoman for Human Rights site, & found a broken link to "Soulforce in Oklahoma," w/ 918 area code phone number (Tulsa, or nearby).

Anyone know anything about that, like if there is something here, or was? The list on this site doen't have anything in OK.

[Zerbie]

No idea, have you tried calling the number?

I have found old contact info for Soulforce in my area, sent some emails that never received a response. Finally found someone who was involved a few years ago who told me the group was temporarily disbanded but might re-connect soon.

Maybe something like that is going on in your area also?

Here's a question for the mods: Corey, Jamie, what IS the status with regard to local SF chapters? How active are they? I assume that depends upon the location and the commitment of those involved.
If there was a local chapter here I'd be sooo involved, but apparently it's dead. Can something be done to revive it????

[Britt.]

I'll probably try to call them tomorrow, since I wouldn't expect anyone to be around (if the number is still valid) right now, w/ it being Sunday, Pride weekend, etc. No address or email listed, but I'm curious.

[Vanessa White]

Britt: I wonder if this is related to the new endeavor that is beginning in Oklahoma, although I don't know if it is Tulsa or not. One of the riders from Equality Ride had mentioned on another thread about the opening of the Soulforce Equality House in Oklahoma, in order to train activists. Maybe that is what the phone number is in relation to.

Zerbie: I know that Mia and I are going to try to get a local chapter going in PA., once my current life circumstance quiets down a bit. My understanding from Mia is that there is some restructuring going on regarding local chapters, not sure if that just means new ones or all existing ones as well, but that they were going to be run/organized differently. So, they would be working on the fine details of that over the next few months before any new chapters begin.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Here's a question for the mods: Corey, Jamie, what IS the status with regard to local SF chapters? How active are they? I assume that depends upon the location and the commitment of those involved.

Soulforce in Oklahoma was probably the flagship with regards to our local groups from 1999-2004. Now, that title probably either belongs to Soulforce in New York City or Soulforce Denver. Soulforce in Oklahoma once did weekly vigils outside an anti-gay Baptist church for nearly six months. The group was led by Karen Weldin and her partner. Karen was on staff with national Soulforce from 1999-2005. Local groups were really a passion of hers and, unfortunately, they have not received the attention they need since her departure. We've had staff discussions this year on how we can revitalize the Soulforce local group program, but other projects have taken the resources.

However, don't let this dissuade anyone. Several of our local groups are very strong at the moment and we want to figure out a way to jump-start the others and also expand into new areas. We talked about having different status levels for local groups instead of just active and inactive. Something like:

• Active with semimonthly meetings
• Active with monthly meetings
• Active with an email list
• Information distributor (regularly promoting national Soulforce in the local area: pride picnics, local GLBT newsletter, etc.)
• Inactive

As interest increased or decreased, the local group would move up or down on the status list.

What became a point of discussion was what did it mean to be active. Someone suggested that to be considered active a Soulforce local group needed to be doing more than just meeting and engaging in study. That is what Soulforce Lexington (my local group) does mostly at the moment due to a majority of my energy now going to national Soulforce and the lack of a co-leader. We did lots of stuff a few years ago, though, including speaking engagements, vigils outside anti-gay churches, attending anti-gay churches as openly GLBT, letter writing, and handing out literature on MLK Jr. Day.

What we really need to develop and have available is an all-new local group start-up kit.

[Zerbie]

Jamie,

You'll announce it here when big news happens regarding local chapters, right? Of course?

I am sitting on my butt much of the time wishing I was able to contribute something constructive to our community. I've tried getting involved in some things that are going on locally, and felt shuffled aside. There don't seem to be many opportunities for involvement. Let me know if you need peeps in Arizona.

[MamimiFista]

Soulforce in Oklahoma is now the Soulforce Oklahoma Equality House. We are working on a website currently but if you'd like to contact us you may do so at kate@equalityride.com or pamela@equalityride.com

<3 Kate

[MamimiFista]

Also, e-mail me at kate@equalityride.com to get a Soulforce in Oklahoma newsletter and updates on any local actions or activities. Our first fundraiser is the 16th at 7pm at the IAO Gallery at 811 N Broadway in Oklahoma City. Paula Sophia will be telling her transgender transformation story and doing some spoken-word and all $ made that night will go to Soulforce Oklahoma. It's only $10 each to get in! ^_^

[Britt.]

Well, I called the number today, but got the impression it was residential (someone answered w/ a not so with it "hello?"), & said I probably got the wrong number.

MamimiFista, I'll email you pretty soon so I can get the newsletters. I take it this is based in OKC?