How Time Flies

By Dave Pape,
PFLAG Phoenix Chapter President

April, 2007

It seems like only a few weeks ago we were celebrating the New Year.  How time flies, here we are already in April.  Your new officers are now old officers who have already served almost one-third of their terms in office.

One of the many things Mike Crum (former PFLAG Phoenix President) and I talked about during our transition was the involvement of PFLAG Phoenix members in chapter affairs.  This discussion included involvement on the Steering Committee and volunteering to fill key positions.  It has been our observation that a very small percentage of our membership are doing the majority of volunteering and work.  A lot of essential things aren’t getting done because of a lack of membership involvement.

In my mind, volunteering to work, on PFLAG issues, is one of the best ways for me to utilize my time.  Because PFLAG is involved in support, education and advocacy it seems there is always something in the community that needs attention.  PFLAG’s mission and goals are something I truly believe in. I strongly feel PFLAG’s mission will lead to equality for GLBT individuals and a society that is respectful and protective of everyone’s rights and liberty.

With this said, I would like to ask you to consider volunteering for one of the numerous positions that are currently vacant, or to get involved on the Steering Committee to help decide the programs we will be involved in and the direction PFLAG Phoenix will be taking in the future.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Steering Committee, we meet once every two months to discuss & decide what projects and issues to pursue, how funds will be expended, and how PFLAG Phoenix can make positive impacts in the community.

Below is a list of all the vacant volunteer positions.  The positions range from community outreach to special events coordinator, so there might be something that will fit your interests and talents.  Most of these volunteer positions require only an hour or two a week or month – some are only active at certain times of the year and then go dormant for periods of time.  Taking on one (or more) of these volunteer roles is a great way to develop new professional skills and meet fun, supportive people.

Open Volunteer Positions

• Administrative Assistant:  This person assists PFLAG Phoenix by maintaining paper and electronic files, responds to phone inquiries (non-support related), drafts correspondence, makes flyers for support meetings, does research, and does other types of administrative work.

• Advocacy Chairperson:  This person is responsible for keeping the pulse of the GLBT community and legislative and other governmental or private activities that impact the GLBT community.  When warranted this person organizes or coordinates with other organizations demonstrations, marches, member e-mail ‘action alert’ campaigns, sit-ins, lobby day activities, etc.

• Community Outreach Liaisons:  Liaisons attend meetings and sometimes activities of the organization they select.  Liaisons provide information to the PFLAG Phoenix on the activities of the organization and how PFLAG Phoenix might work with the organization, for the benefit of the GLBT community.  These are the organizations we need liaisons for:

• 1N10 (GLBT youth support group):  1n10 provides a safe environment for GLBTQ youth to develop positive self-acceptance through life enhancing programs.  Their vision is to ensure all GLBTQ youth are respected, valued, and can be themselves wherever they are.

• GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network):  GLSEN works primarily in the school systems to establish Gay/Straight Student Alliance groups and safe schools for GLBT youth. 

• Equality Arizona (formerly the Arizona Human Rights Fund):  This group is a strong advocate for GLBT rights and works to elect legislators who are supportive of the GLBT community.  Equality Arizona is affiliated with the national Human Rights Fund.

• ONE VOICE (This group is developing a GLBT Community Center in Phoenix.  They have also developed a series of social gatherings, where a coalition of GLBT groups and their supporters can network and support one another.)

• STRAIGHT SPOUSE NETWORK (Support group for spouses of GLBT individuals):  In this case we need a person from the Straight Spouse Meeting to represent the group at our Steering Committee Meetings.  This person would be a liaison between the Straight Spouse Meeting and the Steering Committee and would inform the Steering Committee of ways we can better support the group and inform the community about the groups purpose.

• CHARLIE’S (GLBT bar that is a huge financial supporter of PFLAG Phoenix):  This is a unique situation where we need several dedicated individuals to represent PFLAG and be present at Charlie’s, when The Men Of Charlie’s announce the non-profits they will be collecting for and also be present at Charlie’s when a check is presented to PFLAG. 

• Fundraising Coordinator:  This individual would coordinate fundraising activities for PFLAG Phoenix in the event we need to raise money to fund a project or activity and our reserves are not sufficient to fund the endeavor.

• Grant Research & Writing:  When requested this person would be responsible for researching sources for grants and the writing of grants to financially support PFLAG Phoenix, projects we take on, or activities we engage in.

• Graphic Designer / Ad Creator:  This individual works closely with our media representative, website designer, and newsletter editor in the creation of paper and electronic graphic design.

• Membership Coordinator:  This person is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date membership database for PFLAG Phoenix, keeping track of membership dues payment, developing membership campaigns, and communicating with members during annual membership campaigns.  This person also generates newsletter mailing labels and reports membership data to PFLAG National.

• Public Relations Coordinator:  This volunteer is responsible for maintaining an ongoing public relations campaign for PFLAG Phoenix including: maintaining a positive relationship with the GLBT community, media representatives, and the public in the metro Phoenix area.  Provides information to the public and media about PFLAG Phoenix and its support, education, and advocacy programs.

• Special Events Coordinator:  This individual coordinates all special events including:  Pride Parade & Festival, Rainbow Festival, Lobby Day, Annual Picnic and other events that PFLAG Phoenix involves itself in outside of regular meetings.  This individual is in a lead role and coordinates the preparation and volunteers for all special events.

• Support Meeting Coordinator - Paradise Valley:  This volunteer is responsible for setting up the meeting space, develops a program schedule and retains speakers, assures that there are facilitators for the support group meetings, assures that literature from the lending library are set-up and available, assists with the sign-in table when needed, and assures that drinks and snacks are available for our break..   This individual is also in a lead role and recruits and coordinates other volunteers assisting with the PV support meeting.

•  Volunteer Coordinator:  This individual coordinates all volunteer activities within PFLAG Phoenix and makes sure volunteer positions are filled.  This position can easily become an overwhelming job for one person.  The Volunteer Coordinator might need to recruit one or two assistants who could help handle volunteer inquiries we receive via e-mail and our helpline.  The assistants could also help with interviewing prospective volunteers, and place new volunteers in positions where they have an interest and their talents can be utilized.

If you’re interested in any of the above positions, or if you have a special interest, please give me a call at 480-917-7608 or e-mail me at grdcanst@wbhsi.net .  I think you will find your volunteer involvement in PFLAG Phoenix will be both rewarding and fulfilling.  Most importantly, you will find that by volunteering you will be taking ownership in this organization we support and love.