FAQs: About Chapters

GLSEN chapters are community-based groups of people accredited as a GLSEN chapter, who work to bring GLSEN’s programs and visions to their communities on a local level. They are supported in their work by the GLSEN National offices in New York City and Washington, DC.

There are currently almost 40 GLSEN chapters serving communities large and small around the country. Most chapters are volunteer-based, although a few have a full or part-time staff member.

What do GLSEN chapters do?

All chapters work within GLSEN’s Mission, Vision, and Policy Platform but no two chapters have exactly the same list of projects. Most chapter work focuses on one of three things: supporting, educating or training youth, teachers and/or administrators within local schools. This work takes many different forms from providing trainings or building networks to distributing resources and lobbying and policy work.

Chapters can choose to engage in a diverse selection of programming related to GLSEN's mission. Some of the areas that chapters work on include student organizing (student leadership development, GSA networking, Days of Actions, etc.), education (workshops/trainings for students, educators, community members, etc.), resource development (curriculum, film, publications, etc.), public policy (passing and implementing local, state, and federal safe schools legislation), media, research, and fundraising.

You can find out more about the menu of GLSEN programs in public policy, research & public awareness, education and student organizing throughout www.glsen.org.

Who are the volunteers within a GLSEN chapter?

Chapter leaders are a diverse range of people from students to parents, teachers to administrators, and local community members who have an interest in ensuring safe schools for all.

Is there a GLSEN chapter in my area?

Click on the Chapter Finder to the right to find the closest chapter to you. If there is not a chapter in or around your area, you may want to consider working from national resources or even starting a chapter in your area.

How can I support my local GLSEN chapter??

There are many ways you can support your local GLSEN chapter and the best way to find out is to contact that chapter directly. While all chapters benefit from having more volunteers to assist with their work, some chapters need specific assistance in getting the word out about their existence and other chapters may need help getting more donations from the local community.

What is the leadership structure for a chapter?

A chapter's leadership is the Chapter Board headed by the co-chairs. Each chapter organizes its leadership slightly differently but the usual structure is two co-chairs, a treasurer and various other posts as determined by the Chapter’s need and size.

I’m interested in starting a GLSEN chapter. What should I do?

Please look at the online resource here and contact GLSEN’s Community Initiatives Staff at chapterinfo@glsen.org.

What is the relationship between chapters and GLSEN National?

Each chapter has a designated liaison from the Community Initiatives Department who is their contact for all questions and support. Community Intiatives staff conduct monthly calls and yearly visits with each chapter as well as providing ongoing support via email and phone. Chapters receive a regular newsletter from the Community Initiatives Department, information via a password-protected Chapter Intranet and access to various GLSEN National resources like copies of the research reports and support from the Development and Communications Departments.

Chapters must report on their programmatic and financial activities on a quarterly basis and complete an annual accreditation process in order to be officially recognized as a GLSEN chapter.

Who should I contact with questions about GLSEN chapters?

Send an email to chapterinfo@glsen.org or call the New York or DC office and a Community Inititaves staff member will be able to answer your questions.