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Thank you for your interest in starting a Marriage Equality USA Chapter in your community! Marriage Equality USA Chapters are the heart of our organization and the heart of the Marriage Movement.

This document will give an overview of the chapter organizing process from your initial
gathering of concerned individuals to full accreditation as an official chapter. Please feel free to contact Marriage Equality USA, the national organization, at any time with questions you might have.

Contact chapterteam@marriageequality.org

Marriage Equality USA's Mission Statement

Marriage Equality USA's mission is to secure the freedom and the right of same sex couples to enter into legally recognized civil marriage, having all the Federal and state benefits and responsibilities which that entails. We welcome as members any and all individuals, gay and non-gay, who share this philosophy.

About Marriage Equality USA

Marriage Equality USA's work focuses on three main areas:

Education: Speaking engagements, forums, and outreach functions provide our greatest opportunity to educate people on same-sex marriage. Our educational material gives us the opportunity to explain ALL the issues. Using our Marriage Declaration as a vital tool, we meet with organizations and individuals, explaining why marriage matters. Through these meetings, we build coalitions with other gay and non-gay organizations which increases the number of individuals who believe in equality through marriage. We also provide training classes

Media Campaigns: Greater awareness lessens the fear many people have around same-sex marriage. That is why Marriage Equality USA actively sponsors and engages in letter-writing to publications, large media events and press conferences, statewide rallies, speak-outs, and other high-profile activities. We believe exposure through film, tv commericals, and print ads are extremely effective. By putting same-sex marriage in the news, we can ensure visibility of the issue.

Partnerships: Organizing and building coalitions and alliances with social and civil groups, churches and individuals (gay and non-gay) are key to getting our message out. Co-sponsoring events, discussion groups and outreach to the business community are just some of the ways to get the greater community involved with marriage equality.

What Makes Us Different

Certainly there are other good organizations that work on marriage equality for same-sex couples and that do very important work. But why choose to be a part of Marriage Equality? What makes us different? We can offer several reasons.

1. Our grass-roots organization was founded by activists who "do" rather than talk. Marriage Equality USA continually invests in its members and volunteers - it's where our most successful and innovative ideas have come.
   
   
2. We welcome all points of views and visions for projects and events. Marriage Equality USA listens to new ways of thinking. We understand that our movement will only succeed with the energy and passion of a multitude of people. We are pros when it comes to team work.
   
   
3. Marriage Equality USA has some of the most savvy marketing and educational material in the country. Well researched and reader-friendly, we understand that there are a variety of audiences that can benefit from our educational and media programs.
   
   
4. Our approach has something for everyone! Whether you enjoy communications, speaking to groups and individuals on why marriage matters, research work, writing, event planning, graphic arts?everyone has an opportunity to be a part of the organization and enjoy their role.

History

Marriage Equality began as an idea with a handful of activists believing that same-sex couples should have the freedom and the right to civil marriage, and angry that the federal government wanted to pass a law barring gay people from this right. Marriage Equality New York was officially founded and formed February 12, 1998, on National Freedom To Marry Day, by Jes?br󮮠Marriage Equality USA was founded by Connie Ress, Jes?br󮠡nd James Loney in the late autumn of 2000. The organization?s sole purpose and focus is to end discrimination in civil marriage so that same-sex couples can enjoy the same legal and societal status as opposite-sex couples.

Marriage Equality USA was incorporated as a non-profit in 2001 and is currently waiting for its 501 (c)(3) status from the IRS. The organization is committed to ending discrimination in civil marriage through education and media advocacy.

Marriage Equality USA understands how critical it is for a greater number of voices to be heard, and sometimes works in tandem with other state and national organizations. With greater numbers of people working together towards ending discrimination in civil marriage, Marriage Equality hopes to accomplish in the foreseeable future what truly is the inevitable ? legalized marriages for same-sex couples.

Polls today tell us that close to 40 percent of the U.S. public approves of the basic human right for gay people to marry. With the help of committed individuals and organizations, we are confident that that percentage will continue to grow. Only then can we shape the kind of social climate that will embolden our courts to make fair decisions in winning the freedom to marry.

Join us. There is a great deal of work to be done.

What do Marriage Equality Chapters Do?
Chapters determine the focus of their work within the scope of Marriage Equality USA?s Mission. They then focus on major educational efforts, events and projects developed with the consultation and support of Marriage Equality?s national staff, which can provide assistance to help make these events successful. Here are some examples of what we do:

1. Conduct talks on the issue of same-sex marriage to religious, gay, and non-gay organizations.
2. Hold forums and panel discussions, educating the general public on same-sex marriage.
3. Leaflet/distribute educational informational literature on same-sex marriage.
4. Present social organizations, religious organizations and elected politicians (as well as the general public) with a letter and petition asking them to educate themselves and others about the issue of same sex marriage and to promote reinterpretation of existing marriage statutes so as to include same sex couples.
5. Hold fundraising events for the organization.
6. Conduct outreach at various events to discuss same-sex marriage, i.e., wedding expos, Gay Pride Day, Community street fairs , etc.
7. Write letters to the editor and to public officials on why marriage matters.
8. Hold public demonstrations to bring greater awareness on why same-sex couples and the gay community is discriminated against (e.g. Valentine's Day, Tax Day, Marriage Equality Marches, National Coming Out Day).

Many of these projects can be done easily on a local level. As the chapters become increasingly self-sufficient, they will develop the technical and financial resources needed to sustain all local projects.

The Very First Step
Beginning an organization can feel overwhelming, even though it is a cause in which you truly believe. The most important and most basic step is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I ready to pursue this challenge?
• Do I have the commitment and the ability to work towards the goal of equality?
• Does marriage really matter enough that I would spend time and energy to it?
• Will I be able to create change in the hearts and minds of people in my state?
• Do I have some friends and colleagues who can help you?

Hopefully you have answered "yes" to these questions. We believe these questions must be asked because the road ahead can be sometimes uncertain; sometimes frustrating. But what lies at the very end of that road is equality - and that makes every step of the journey worthwhile!

All right. You are definitely committed to devoting everything you have to offer. Let's get started!

How to Become a Marriage Equality Chapter

Step 1. Get In Touch With Marriage Equality
Once you or a group of people in your community have decided they are interested in
organizing, contact us and request an application to become a chapter. We can help you with out expertise from helping other states organize. Marriage Equality USA may also have contacts in your area that would prove useful as you begin to build a network. Don't go it alone!

Contact chapterteam@marriageequality.org. We can help!

Step 2. Submit a Letter/Email Outlining your Interest.
The letter/email outlining your interest is a tool for both you and Marriage Equality USA. For your group it is an opportunity to outline the timeline for becoming a chapter and 'make official' your intentions to do so. For Marriage Equality USA, it is an opportunity for us to send you the application to become a Marriage Equality USA chapter. A letter of intent formally states your interest in forming a chapter and requests the application materials. Once your letter has been received, an application will be sent to you.

Step 3. Submit Your Application
Submit your application to Marriage Equality USA 4043 Piedmont Ave #334 Oakland, CA 94611 or fax it to 510-380-5200. After reviewing the application for all of the required materials, you will be contacted to inform you of the status of your application. Provided that the application is complete and the action plan is in agreement with Marriage Equality's mission and charter guidelines, your chapter will be accepted. Occasionally we may have questions about your application and ask you to re-submit or clarify certain parts of it. Please feel free to call the National Office at 510-496-2700 for any questions you might have.

How do we Get Started?
Some Beginning Organizing Tips

A. Decide Your First Action
How will people hear about your group? What will be the first gathering in which
other like-minded people will be able to participate? In New York, for instance,
Marriage Equality held a town hall meeting in which 200 people gathered to learn
more about the issue and support the idea. The California chapter asked for marriage licenses in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Couples tried to
receive licenses, only to be turned away. This proved successful as the event
received a lot of media attention and in 2004 the issuing of marriage licenses by Mayor Gavin Newsom. You know your state and city. What do you think
would get people out and involved?

Examples:

• Town Hall Meeting to educate
• Fundraisers-House parties, variety shows
• Screenings of films on same-sex marriage
• Educational Forums with Guest Speaker
• Asking for marriage licenses on Valentine's Day

B. People - Your Most Vital Resource
Depending on how many people want to become a part of your organization even before it has been formed (otherwise, organizing can be a lonely job), you must try to bring more people into the fold who are committed to fighting for the right to civil marriage. This sometimes can be difficult, especially if you live in a rural area. Are people ready to commit even for a few hours a month if it is not convenient? Where will we meet and how many people can run an organization? If you are not sure where to look, contact your local PFLAG, ACLU, progressive faith organizations or, if there is one relatively close to you, the Gay and Lesbian Center. Often times, other organizations know people who are interested in this same issue.

C. Decide Where To Meet
Again, having a Gay and Lesbian Center in the city of your choice is always a good
beginning. Normally, centers will rent (or give) space to you for your needs. If not,
contact a Metropolitan Community Church, UU, UCC, or any other friendly place. Or,
PFLAG could help you with a meeting space. Any place in which your group can meet comfortably is where you can lay the foundation for the organization Some chapters choose to meet in a back room of a cafe or restaurant in the early evening. It is also possible to do meetings via tele-conference calls in rural areas, chapters that cover a wide space, or those where traffic is a major barrier to meeting in person.

D. Getting Your Name and Message Out
Since people are your most vital resource, choosing the city is extremely important. Of course, you should choose the city which you are closest, even if another city has a larger gay community. Hopefully, the city you do choose will have its own hub of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. In time, other cities within your state may want to become a part of the organization. Unless you have contacts, friends, relatives, etc. in other places, just focus on what is doable.

Advertising on the cheap. Here are some suggestions:

• Spread your message with MEUSA heart stickers, MEUSA brochures, and fliers. You can create a specialized flyer announcing your local events and meetings on your computer and distribute at wherever GLBT people congregate. Bars, clubs, restaurants, train stations,coffee shops and bookstores are great places to start.
  
  
• Make sure you tell people where, when, and especially why.
  
  
• Mailing. If you have the resources, a limited mailing of everyone you know or that friends of friends know is another way to ensure people will save the date of your event.
  
  
• Put an ad in a local gay/non-gay newspaper. Often times, other people want the same thing you do and comb the papers for information on meetings.
  
  
• Internet. Communicating your message has never been easier than in the last 5 years! When you become a chapter leader for Marriage Equality USA we provide you access to a variety of internet savvy technology that allows you to communicate easily and effectively with marriage equality supporters in your chapter. You can send e-mails to chapter members and post your local event on the homepage we provide you. Go to Marriage Equality Chapters to learn more. You can also ask other gay organizations who have websites to post a link to your chapter page on Marriage Equality's website. List the organization with Yahoo and all the other search engines. You can instantly promote your future action. This is a particularly useful tool in the huge state of California where nearby chapters work together to promote each other's events.

Once you have been successful in bringing together people who want to be involved, it is essential to pull them in and make them fully understand why they should give a damn about marriage equality! Here are some areas in which to focus:

• Explain that if gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people want equality, we must work for complete and full civil marriage rights.
  
  
• Clarify the difference between civil and religious marriage.
  
  
• Explain all the legal protections, benefits and responsibilities on the state and federal levels which we are denied.
  
  
• Articulate the differences between civil marriage and civil union.
  
  
• Ask people to share personal stories on how the challenge of being denied the right to marry, and all the legal protections marriage affords have affected their own lives.
  
  
• Explain why we, as LGBT people, should not stop the fight until we receive the validity our relationships deserve!

Some of the participants may think fighting for smaller, incremental steps is the answer. Others may believe the institution of marriage should be scrapped all together. Convince them otherwise by pointing out that fighting for marriage must be the ultimate prize our eyes set its sights on, and that Vermonters believe civil unions were clearly a result from the fight for civil marriage. If people fight for c.u.'s, only watered down domestic partnerships will come from them. Furthermore, the institution may be far from perfect, but we are asking for access to it because of its benefits, its responsibilities, and because it elevates status within society; this is a human rights issue, and changing the institution because gay, lesbian and transgender people want 'in' is counter to our desire for equality.

Lastly, make sure people do not leave without your plans or vision for the future of the group. Also, having a brief announcement, which includes the purpose of Marriage Equality as well as specific details of the meeting (time, place, etc.), will be handy.

E. Begin To Build Your Membership
As a grass-roots organization, Marriage Equality depends on the volunteer work of individuals, as well as their financial support, to survive and grow. As you build your membership, you can build toward larger projects. Ask initial attendees to do outreach, and compile a local mailing list of people interested in Marriage Equality from their networks. Make sure you have Marriage Equality educational material 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. 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.

F. Create And Implement Your Action Plan
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. The key thing is this: DO SOMETHING. People are more enthusiastic and focused when they are working toward a concrete goal.

G. Call The National Marriage Equality 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 Marriage Equality USA, so that each chapter does not have to "reinvent the wheel." Take advantage of Marriage Equality's support by learning what has worked and what has not.

H. Build 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 PFLAG which share some of our concerns, and so forth. Designate 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.

I. 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. Check out the book Fundraising for Dummies to learn more!

MAJOR SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY CHAPTERS:

1. Individual donors, memberships, monthly donor club;

2. House Party Fundraisers;

3. Variety Shows or Karaoke Night Fundraisers;

4. Screenings of movies on same-sex marriage(Freedom to Marry, Tying the Knot);

5. Raffles; and

6. Telemarketing/direct mail solicitation.

Marriage Equality USA's goal is for all chapters to help raise funds to continue to provide materials (brochures, stickers, signs, banners, etc.), pay for events for existing chapters, and to help start new chapters so you can do the work you want to do.

HOW DOES MARRIAGE EQUALITY'S GOVERNANCE WORK?

Marriage Equality USA is governed by a National Board of Directors who, like all such Boards, are legally responsible for the corporation. The National Board meets at least four times annually and determines policies, staffing, 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.

States that have a sizable number of chapters are governed by a Statewide Steering Committee (SSC), which adhere to the by-laws and policy directives set out by the National Board and work with the national board to coordinate efforts and ensure that chapters in their state do not violate the guidelines for 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) or 501(h) election status outlined by the IRS.

Chapters within a state, must answer to their statewide steering committee as well as the main headquarters of Marriage Equality USA. The SSC shall oversee each chapter within that state. No chapter or SSC can incorporate as a separate entity, nor form its own Board of Directors, nor maintain a separate bank account. Allthough not forming a Board of its own, the Steering Committee will elect Co-Chairs, a Secretary and a Treasurer, only to keep track of the state's money and reported to the National organization.

Chapters who compromise Marriage Equality USA's mission or violate its by-laws may be de-certified by the National Board, thus losing their rights to use the Marriage Equality name, logo, database, materials, and will no longer derive any income from the organization.

Members may join through their local chapter or through the national office's membership efforts. Regardless of their point of entry, members have joint membership in both the local and the national organizations.

Thank you again for your interest in forming a Marriage Equality USA chapter. We are pleased that you value our work and are interested in joining us to ensure full equality in the eyes of the law for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.