Did you know that GLAD is not just a nationwide organization but also meets in local chapters? GLAD has active chapters in New York City, Southern California, and Indiana.
These chapters vary in their level of organization and activity. The Pacific-Southwest chapter has it's own Design, officers, and annual business meetings. The New York City Chapter, focused around Park Avenue Christian Church, is much less informal in it's organization. Activities in New York have at various times included people from other churches in the area, Pride Events, movies, and potluck dinners.
The Terre Haute chapter started from a group of 6 people at Central Christian Church about 5 years ago. For several years the chapter met monthly either at the church or in people's homes. Sometimes it was just a fun potluck, other times a service project at the church, or a study or discussion of some kind. The chapter has been supportive to campus groups in town.
In the process Central Christian became Open & Affirming. The Terre Haute GLAD Chapter now includes several leaders and Sunday School teachers from the congregation and the lgbt presence at Central Christian has grown.
The GLAD Chapter now meets about every two months. Phil Ewoldson describes the chapter as "a support, fun, work project kind of group - and the more we become mainstream in he congregation the less we need to meet on a monthly basis. It has been a really neat process, especially in a conservative county of 110,000. We have one bar, two small campus groups and our congregation."
It's also true that many of our chapters are no longer meeting. The Indianapolis GLAD Chapter used to be one of our largest groups. While some efforts are underway to revive the chapter, with people scattered over a large area this has been difficult. Luan Channels remembers the chapter this way: "We used to get together for a meal and discuss whatever was happening in our lives. Several people weren't out and it was a safe place to be themselves."
Chapters need a purpose or they will lose their energy. Often GLAD Chapters have organized around the needs of lgbt Christians in a local area providing support and fellowship. Some Chapters have organized in a particular congregation, others a metropolitan area or a region of the Christian Church. Sometimes that purpose is support of the local lgbt Christian community, working to move congregations towards becoming Open & Affirming, or service, such as to a local student group. Chapters can also provide service to the national GLAD Alliance, perhaps assisting one of the ministry teams. Chapters which combine fellowship, support, and service are the strongest and most active.
To be an official chapter of the GLAD Alliance it only takes two people. Chapters run themselves and their own finances. To be recognized by the Alliance the Chapter must have a purpose that furthers the mission of the GLAD Alliance and apply to the Alliance Council for recognition. Chapter members are not automatically members of GLAD and are encouraged to join the national organization.
| GLAD Alliance Inc. P.O. Box 44400 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0400 |
glad@gladalliance.org | return to www.gladalliance.org |