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Fellowship of Reconciliation SEEDS OF CHANGE: BECOMING A LOCAL GROUP OR AFFILIATE The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) is composed of women and men who recognize the essential unity of all creation and have joined together to explore the power of love and truth for resolving human conflict. While FOR has always been vigorous in its opposition to war, it has insisted equally that this effort must be based on a commitment to the achievement of a just and peaceful world community, with full dignity and freedom for every human being. The FOR is unique in that it is pacifist, seeking social change through active nonviolence. Secondly, it is international, with chapters or affiliates in forty different countries on all continents. Third, FOR is interfaith, with its membership including Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindu and people of other traditions, as well as persons with no formal religious affiliation. Since its founding in 1915, the US FOR has led campaigns to obtain legal rights for conscientious objectors, win civil rights for all Americans, end the Vietnam war, reconcile the people of the US and USSR, reverse the arms race and oppose US intervention abroad. FOR’s current national programs include work on racial and economic justice, disarmament, nonviolence training, gender justice, peace education, youth and campus outreach, and working for peace in Latin America and the Middle East. LOCAL GROUPS AND AFFILIATES The FOR USA has local groups or affiliates in over 90 communities in the United States. These groups provide local FOR members and supporters a vehicle for fellowship, mutual support, and collective action. Through local groups, individuals can explore and act upon FOR’s principles of faith-based nonviolence. Most FOR groups meet regularly for fellowship and to plan events in their communities. They sponsor educational forums, organize public demonstrations, schedule speakers, hold interfaith services and engage in many other kinds of activities. Groups promote peace and justice internationally, perhaps by sending members on a peace delegation to the Middle East; national issues such as disarmament, military spending and racism; or local issues that affect the group’s immediate community. Some groups work on several issues, while others concentrate in only one area. Many groups also include activities such as potluck meals, worship and prayer, speakers, audio-visual presentations, teach-ins, or reports from their committees as a part of their regular meetings. FOR groups and affiliates are very diverse in their structure. Some groups share all decision-making and organizing responsibilities, operating as a collective with no designated officers. Other groups select a steering or coordinating committee to take on decision-making or organizing tasks. Many groups find it helpful to designate officers (chair, secretary, treasurer, etc.), rotating roles annually or at designated intervals. Many groups establish subcommittees to work on particular issues (e.g. racism, the Middle East) or specific needs (e.g. membership development, fundraising). BENEFITS OF FOR AFFILIATION The national FOR seeks to provide resources and services that facilitate local FOR organizing. Some of these benefits include: Program and Organizing Resources: The national office sends a quarterly Local Organizers Mailing to key local group contacts, providing information on current programs, upcoming events, organizing ideas and resources, as well as news of other local group activities. The national office also makes available quantities of literature, including Fellowship magazine, for local events and distribution. (See "Available Resources" below for a list of specific items.) Speakers: National FOR staff visit local groups periodically and are available to speak about the FOR and a variety of peace and justice issues. The national office also sponsors occasional speaking tours by US or international activists, including youth activists. Tours have included Palestinian and Israeli peace activists, Soviet veterans of the Afghanistan war, Lithuanian independence activists, and grassroots organizers from Latin America and the Middle East. Voices FOR Peace, a campus tour of youth peace activists, continues to be popular. National FOR staff also attend regional conferences organized by local groups. Tax Exemption: The national office processes financial contributions for local groups (if needed) who wish to utilize FOR’s tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status, to assure donors that local contributions are tax-deductible. Seed Grants: The national office provides several seed grants every year to help establish new groups, and also assist existing groups with special projects. Seed grants range between $100 and $500 each and will be given to groups no more than once every two years. Seed grant applications are accepted twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. (To apply, please see the Seed Grant Guidelines and Application Note: This is an Adobe Acrobat file that requires you to have Adobe Reader, which is available from the Adobe website if you need it.). Projects that have received seed grants include nonviolence education, military counselor training, teach-ins on the Gulf War, high-school peace essay contests, and projects on gender justice. Local Organizers Gathering: Every two years, the national office organizes a spring Local Organizers Gathering for representatives of local groups and affiliates. The three-day gathering offers opportunities for fellowship, networking, and skills-building. Held at the national office in Nyack, the gatherings have a programmatic thrust: membership development, multi-cultural organizing, fundraising strategies and other specific programs are highlighted. Limited travel assistance is available to enable representatives to attend the gathering. Every other year, special workshops and programming for local organizers is included in the FOR’s National Conference. The next conference will be held August 5-9, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA. Participation in FOR Decision-Making: Local groups and affiliates are encouraged to nominate candidates for the National Council, FOR’s national policy-making body. By participating in the nominations and electoral process, local groups ensure that their concerns and priorities are reflected at the national level. Typically, about 40% of National Council members are active in a local group. Nominations for the National Council are usually solicited in the Fall of the year preceding elections. Throughout the year, local groups are contacted by FOR staff or the National Council’s Local Group Development Committee, providing an opportunity for general information sharing. Computer Listings: The national office can make available computer lists of FOR members for existing and potential groups. These lists can help in the formation of local groups and in publicity for group events and activities. (See Membership Database Policy for more information). DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN GROUPS AND AFFILIATES A "group" (or "chapter") usually identifies itself as an FOR group from the outset, organizing specifically to support local FOR members and to provide a visible FOR presence in the community. Groups usually use the FOR’s name locally (e.g. Louisville FOR, Manchester FOR). It is expected that officers be FOR members. An "affiliate" refers to a group that develops independently of the FOR, but chooses to join the national FOR network. Because affiliates have often developed their own local identity, they usually retain their original name (e.g. San Jose Peace Center, Ashland Peace House), but identify themselves as an FOR affiliate in their literature, newsletter, etc. (For simplicity, the term "local group" is sometimes used to refer to both chapters and affiliates.) FINANCES Most local FOR groups operate on a small budget, with active members volunteering their time to organize projects and activities. However, some local or regional groups raise enough funds to hire staff and maintain an office. Staffed regional offices are currently located in Oregon, Western Washington, Minnesota, Arkansas and other areas. Such offices are financed by members in the state or region, and offer support and resources for the local chapters in the area. EXPECTATIONS OF LOCAL GROUPS AND AFFILIATES The national FOR fosters the local autonomy and grassroots decision-making activities of an FOR group as long as the principles outlined in the Statement of Purpose are maintained. However, since the FOR is a tax-exempt organization with 501(c)(3) status, Internal Revenue Service regulations limit legislative lobbying to 15% of overall activity and strictly forbid certain electoral activities such as endorsing a political party or candidate. The national FOR expects that a local FOR chapter or affiliate will: · use the name "Fellowship of Reconciliation," or if going by another name, refer to itself as "an affiliate of the Fellowship of Reconciliation" in its statement of purpose, by-laws, and all literature, including stationery and newsletters; · observe the IRS 501(c)(3) guidelines that affect FOR’s legislative activity and political endorsements, recognizing that violation of these guidelines will result in an immediate review between the group and the FOR national office; · ensure that the group’s key contact and primary leaders/officers are individual members of the FOR, having signed the FOR Statement of Purpose; · ensure that the group’s local programs and activities are consistent with the FOR’s Statement of Purpose; · provide its list of officers and/or steering committee members to the national FOR on an annual basis and its mailing list when requested; · maintain careful financial records, submitting quarterly or annual reports (depending on the size of the group’s budget) to the national office; · submit an annual activities report to the national office. FOR groups are also encouraged to: · communicate with the national FOR and send the national office copies of its newsletter and periodic news of its activities; · encourage and expand FOR membership; · engage participation of local people in regional and national conferences; · keep abreast of and participate in national FOR programs; · promote Fellowship magazine; · participate in the FOR Local Organizers Gathering when possible.
PRELIMINARY STEPS FOR ORGANIZING A LOCAL GROUP Write or call the Local Groups Coordinator at the FOR National Office. Ask to be placed on the FOR Local Organizer’s mailing list and listserv. Request a computer printout of FOR members in your area (please identify zip codes for the areas that you are requesting) and current FOR literature to be made available at your first meeting. Have a planning meeting to form an FOR group. Consider the possibility of bringing in an outside speaker who is familiar with the FOR. The national FOR office may be able to arrange for a staff person, FOR National Council member or nearby local group member to give a presentation. Invite people on the FOR computer listing, as well as other individuals who may be interested in the FOR. Schedule two or three meetings over the next few months to work out the structure, program, priorities and activities of the local group. Choose a name for the group and fill out the Intention of Affiliation Form (FORM 'A'). (Note: This is an Adobe Acrobat file that requires you to have Adobe Reader, which is available from the Adobe website if you need it.) Plan a community-building event within three to six months, if possible. Examples include: a conference, a public forum with a speaker on a peace and justice issue, a nonviolence workshop, or a retreat. Continue to be in communication with the national office regarding your progress and any needs you may have.
TO BECOME A LOCAL GROUP OR AN AFFILIATE GROUP The process to affiliate with the national FOR is designed to be mutually beneficial for both the local group and the national FOR. The intention of this process is to ensure a strong and effective local group, meeting the needs of the local community. The national FOR will work with the prospective group throughout the entire process of affiliation. The Affiliation Process outlines the steps involved in becoming a local or affiliate group. Prospective groups should feel free to contact the national office’s Local Groups Organizer any time with questions.
National FOR resources that are available in quantity at no charge to local groups:
Information is also available on the following topics:
FOR will routinely send you additional materials promoting special projects, such as:
Your group contact will automatically be placed on the Action Alerts and Local Groups Listserv. Fellowship magazine is also available free in small quantities (up to 25 copies per request) when used for promotional purposes. Thank you for the work you are doing for peace and justice. We look forward to working with you! Local Groups Organizer
©2003
Fellowship of Reconciliation
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