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Handbook For Network Coordinators

This handbook sets forth national Integrity’s policies and procedures regarding diocesan networks and is designed serve as a guide for network coordinators. The key responsibilities of coordinators are highlighted in yellow. Only a few of these duties are required. Most are suggestions—which you may wish to consider depending on your available time and the conditions in your network.

If you have suggestions for improving this handbook, please contact John Clinton Bradley [].

Introduction

In March 2001, the national board of Integrity authorized diocesan networks—a new means by which local Integrity members could work together at the local level. The board took this step because, at the time, a third of the membership was not affiliated with a local chapter and often felt isolated. Additionally, the board realized that half the dioceses in the Episcopal Church had no organized Integrity presence—hindering Integrity from effective advocacy in those dioceses.

Purpose

The primary missions of diocesan networks are to...

monitor local issues of concern to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] Episcopalians.
organize responses to these local issues.
keep national Integrity informed of these local issues.
promote Integrity within the network.

Network Coordinators

Each diocesan network has a network coordinator. Network coordinators are volunteers who are appointed by the vice president of their region and serve at their pleasure. Integrity members who are interested in serving as a network coordinator should complete the Network Coordinator Application Form. All applications are automatically e-mailed to the appropriate regional vice president for approval.

Network coordinators MUST…

be a member of national Integrity and keep his or her membership current.
have e-mail access and check for messages regularly. E-mail is the primary method by which national Integrity will keep in touch with network coordinators.
be “out.”

Network coordinators SHOULD…

be emotionally stable.
have a private life that can withstand public scrutiny without embarrassing national Integrity. This includes engaging in responsible sexual behavior. NOTE: It is the policy of Integrity's Board of Directors that no person who has been convicted of a crime involving sexual abuse of a minor may serve as an elected or appointed leader of Integrity at either the national or local level.
be familiar with the diocese and its politics.

Upon appointment by the regional vice president, the name and contact information for the network coordinator is listed at www.integrityusa.org/networks/networks.htm so that members and other interested persons can contact the coordinator. The network coordinator is also added to an e-mail list specifically for them. More about this list can be found below.

The terms for network coordinators are open-ended. However, the regional vice president may replace a network coordinator at any time and for any reason. If you decide that you no longer wish to serve as the network coordinator for your diocese, please notify your regional vice president. It would also be helpful if you could nominate another Integrity member to serve in your place.

Membership

A network is composed of all Integrity members in a diocese or state.

A list of all Integrity members in a network is normally sent to a new network coordinator when they are appointed. An updated list is offered to all network coordinators in electronic format (Microsoft Excel or delimited text) on a quarterly basis. If you need a currently list of members, please contact the Database/Internet Administrator.

National Integrity has been capturing diocesan information for new and renewing members for several years. However, not all members have provided this information. So, you may be provided with a list of all members who reside in your state without a diocesan code and asked to indicate who is in your diocese.

You are encouraged to promote Integrity membership in your diocese. You can order membership brochures by using the form at www.integrityusa.org/forms/orderform.htm. You can also download formatted membership brochure or simple membership form at www.integrityusa.org/membership/.

Activities

Unlike chapters, networks are under no obligation to meet. However, networks may want to think about the possibility of four gatherings a year...

a presence at diocesan convention.
an educational activity for local congregations.
an outreach activity to the local LGBT community.
a social event for members and friends of Integrity.

Here’s a bit more about each type of activity…

Diocesan Convention

Diocesan convention is an excellent opportunity to make Integrity visible to the leadership of your diocese. Consider sponsoring an exhibit booth at diocesan convention each year, preferably staffed by Integrity members. National Integrity has a professional display that can be borrowed by Integrity members. It can be reserve by using the form at www.integrityusa.org/display/. National Integrity also has a number of educational materials that Integrity members can order at no charge by using the form at www.integrityusa.org/forms/orderform.htm.

Your network should also be present at diocesan convention to influence the outcome of resolutions. Resolutions may have both local and national implications, especially if the resolution is put forward as a General Convention resolution. You may want to consider putting forward your own gay-positive resolution.

Diocesan leaders and General Convention deputies are also elected at diocesan convention. It is extremely important that LGBT-positive candidates be elected. Consider asking candidates to state their position on issues of concern to LGBT Episcopalians. Consider providing diocesan convention deputies with a sample ballot.

Educational Activities

One of Integrity’s missions is to educate the Episcopal Church about LGBT people and our concerns. Your network should consider holding a seminar once per year in your diocese on a topic such as...

looking at homosexuality from the perspectives of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience
hate crimes
the blessing of same-sex relationships
how to be a more welcoming congregation

Worship events can also be opportunities for educating the church. Some Integrity chapters, for instance, sponsor diocesan-wide Eucharists with themes such as human rights and HIV/AIDS.

Outreach Activities

Since its inception, Integrity has sought to reconcile LGBT people with the church. Through Integrity’s ministry, hundreds of LGBT people, formerly estranged from the church, have returned to full parish life. Your network should consider a presence at events—such as LGBT pride festivals—where unchurched LGBT folk are present.

The network may also wish to consider involving itself with non-profit organizations and events—such as walkathons—that benefit the LGBT community.

Social Activities

Social events are a good way for Integrity members in a diocese to become acquainted and to recruit new members. Consider hosting a cocktail party or similar event each year.

Communications Within the Network

Networks communicate primarily through e-mail, supplemented by postcards for those without e-mail access.

E-mail Lists

Network coordinators are encouraged to set up an Internet mailing list (IML) for the Integrity members and friends in their diocese. IMLs are a great way to quickly and efficiently distribute important information.

IMLs can be used for one-way or two-way communications, depending on its purpose and the preferences of subscribers. In a one-way list, the network coordinator (and perhaps a few other authorized people) initiates all the messages. In a two-way list, any subscriber can post messages to the list. Or, halfway between, any subscriber can initiate a message, but it is held by the system until the moderator approves its release to the list.

National Integrity has been capturing e-mail addresses for new and renewing members for several years. However, not all members provide this information. When you setup your IML, you may wish to send a post card to all members in your diocese and invite them subscribe.

Post Cards

Post cards are an inexpensive means of communicating with members who do not have e-mail access. Network coordinators should not neglect Integrity members in their diocese who do not have e-mail access.

How Are Networks Funded?

National Integrity will fund diocesan network activities up to $100 per calendar year. Network coordinators may request reimbursement from national Integrity for allowable out-of-pocket expenses by using the attached Excel spreadsheet. Allowable expenses include...

postage
photocopying
long-distance telephone calls
exhibit fees (related to diocesan convention, LGBT Pride festivals)
space rental (for educational activities sponsored by the network).
advertising

Other expenses may be reimbursable. Please contact the treasurer of national Integrity, Jeff Martinhauk, or your regional vice president for prior authorization. If you do not have prior authorization for other expenses, reimbursement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If the network’s activities will cost more than $100 per year, network members must pay for these expenses. However, regional vice presidents have budgets as well—they may be able to provide some funding for special projects.

Networks are not permitted to open checking accounts.

Fundraising

Periodically, national Integrity may ask network coordinators to assist with national fundraising efforts. In the year prior to General Convention, for example, Integrity must double its income in order to fund its presence there.

Working With Your Bishop

You may want to inform your bishop that you are the network coordinator for your diocese, offer yourself as a resource on any LGBT issues that may arise in the diocese, and provide an Integrity brochure. This can be done in writing or in person. [Please note, however, that the bishop has no direct authority over Integrity in the diocese. Integrity is completely independent of the Episcopal Church.]

If possible, maintain frequent dialog with your bishop on LGBT issues. If the bishop does something that is LGBT-negative, politely challenge him or her. If the bishop does something LGBT-positive, thank him or her.

Integrity has historically taken the approach of constructive engagement with the institutional church. That is, we speak the truth in love—without being strident. We work within the church to bring positive change. We never threaten to leave the church. Although demonstrations and protests may sometimes be appropriate, they should be used sparingly and only after careful discernment. Even hostile bishops should be treated with the respect due their office. This middle-of-the-road strategy has been highly effective.

Crisis Protocol

Should a situation of national importance arise at the local level (e.g., the murder of Matthew Shepard), attempt to contact your regional vice president and the president as soon as possible. Whichever of these national officers replies to you first will be your single point of contact throughout the crisis. [Conversely, the network coordinator should be the single point of contact with Integrity.] This national Integrity contact will gather as much information as possible and transmit it to the entire national board. The contact will also advise you on any actions that should be taken at the local level.

You are encouraged to consult with national Integrity before making any statements to the press during crisis situations. Only the national president is authorized to make statements on behalf of national Integrity.

Advertising

You may wish to promote Integrity membership in your diocesan newspaper or local LGBT press. Since advertising can be expensive, contact your regional vice president about the possibility of financial assistance. Pre-formatted ads in variety of sizes can be downloaded at www.integrityusa.org/ads.

Communicating with National Integrity

Regional Vice Presidents

Regional vice presidents are the primary liaison between national Integrity and diocesan networks. The contact information for your regional vice president can be found at www.integrityusa.org/board/. If you have difficulty communicating with your regional vice president, the contact information for the president of Integrity can also be found at www.integrityusa.org/board/

Integrity News and Lightspeed

INTEGNEWS-L is the official Internet news list of Integrity and is open to all interest persons. Lightspeed is an unofficial, member-operated news and discussion list that is restricted to Integrity members only. Traffic on INTEGNEWS-L is light while traffic on Integrity Lightspeed is relatively heavy. Network coordinators must subscribe to either INTEGNEWS-L or Lightspeed. You need not subscribe to both lists. All messages posted to INTEGNEWS-L are automatically forward to Lightspeed. To subscribe to INTEGNEWS-L, visit www.integrityusa.org/integnews-l.htm. To subscribe to Lightspeed, visit www.integrityusa.org/lightspeed.

Internet Mailing List For Network Coordinators

An Internet mailing list has been created specifically for coordinators. All coordinators are subscribed to the list upon their appointment. It is a simple distribution list that has no spam filter. You can help prevent spam by not sharing the address with anyone else and by always putting the address in the BCC field of your e-mail.

Networks and Chapters

Diocesan networks are not intended to replace chapters, but to supplement them. In most cases, networks will be established in dioceses currently without chapters. In some cases, however, a network may be established in diocese with a chapter if the chapter cannot effectively minister to the entire diocese [usually because of geographical considerations]. In such cases the network and chapter are co-equals. The regional vice president will work with the network coordinator and chapter leaders to clearly define their respective spheres of ministry within the diocese and encourage them to fully cooperate with one another.

Additionally, an existing chapter may transform itself into a diocesan network. This may be the best option for struggling chapters. Any chapter that wishes to change its status must unincorporate (if necessary) according to state and local law, transfer any assets to national Integrity, and petition the board of national Integrity for a change in status.