GLSEN Annual Chapter Accreditation Guidelines

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PURPOSE

Establish standards for chapter programming and operations;

Provide a structure for GLSEN chapters to plan and evaluate their programs, enabling them to more effectively plan how they use their resources and fulfill the GLSEN mission (see attached) in their communities;

Fulfill IRS reporting requirements and submit the annual tax return; and

Provide the opportunity for GLSEN staff to learn the needs of chapters and deliver technical support for the programming, fundraising and operations/ administration of chapters.

HOW TO APPLY

Chapters accrediting for the first time – Use Accreditation A.

Chapters that accredited for the first time 3 or 6 years ago – Use Accreditation B.

All other chapters – Use Accreditation C.

An interim chapter must apply for accreditation status using Form A on or before the second annual accreditation deadline following its letter of intent.

A list of chapters and the accreditation application each is required to complete will be made available with the Annual Chapter Accreditation Guidelines.

APPLICATION FORMATTING

Please use 12-point font with 1-inch margins.

Do not use binding, folders or slip-covers.

Keep in mind that we will not return any materials submitted.

Submit only one copy (and keep the original for the chapter).

FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

Please go to www.glsen.org for help with your application. Go to the Local Chapters section and click on Chapter Intranet –which is located in the Chapter Library box- and log-in with your password. Accreditation resources are in the Chapter Admin section. Also contact the Chapter Support Assistant early and often for assistance with planning.

ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The staff of the GLSEN Public Policy department will review accreditation materials and follow up with chapters by phone as needed. They will then recommend to the National Board chapters for accreditation, and the National Board will adopt a resolution authorizing accredited chapters to be included in GLSEN’s IRS group exemption.

REVIEW CRITERIA

The following review criteria will be used by GLSEN Public Policy staff to assess each application.

1. Strategic Alignment
All of the chapter’s programming is within GLSEN’s mission, and aims to advance at least one of the organization’s strategic imperatives, approved by the National Board in 2002 for FY 2003-2005 (also see attached):

Focus Area #1: Make anti-LGBT bullying, harassment, and name-calling unacceptable in America’s schools by

A. Encouraging students to intervene when their peers use such language.
B. Instituting state and local policies that make anti-LGBT harassment and bullying illegal.




Focus Area #2: Engage and empower educators as partners in creating schools where every student can fully participate in school life regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression by…

A. Changing teacher preparation and training so that their attitudes on LGBT issues become more positive and they become more likely to take action.

Focus Area #3: Ensure that the national education agenda to create effective schools includes LGBT issues by...

A. Documenting and publicizing the impact of both anti-LGBT bias and interventions against it upon student health and performance.
B. Building issues-based partnerships with education and civil rights organizations so that our power to create change is amplified.

2. Public Policy Platform
The chapter’s success in advancing the organization’s Public Policy Platform (see attached) in its community. Please note: GLSEN chapters may work on issues outside of the strategic imperatives but within the Public Policy platform. However, staff time and assistance – other than basic chapter support – will be focused on projects that advance the strategic imperatives.

3. Organizational Capacity
The organizational health of the chapter, measured in part by the Chapter Self-Assessment.

4. Policy Compliance
The chapter is in full compliance with organizational policies in the GLSEN Chapter Manual and the Uniform Chapter By-Laws.

ACCREDITATION STATUS