Dear PFLAG Supporter,

As chapter election season approaches in September, it is important to prepare for leadership turnover to prevent volunteer burnout and to support your chapter’s sustainability. When your chapter has regularly planned leadership transitions, it signals a chapter is strong and healthy, helping to combat volunteer fatigue and contributing to a chapter's longevity.

Plan Ahead: Work with your board to build out a communications plan for your elections and annual meeting. Consider using a variety of communication methods that work best for your chapter including phone trees, emails, social media posting, and announcements during chapter meetings and events.

Check your bylaws & governance documents: They should include sections that describe when and how elections should take place, term limits in board roles, who is eligible to vote in chapter elections, and guidance around things like nominating committees or procedures. Bylaws will also tell you if you can hold virtual or hybrid meetings for elections and the annual meeting. 

Is your chapter struggling to find new leadership? If you’re not planning on holding an election this year, reach out to your Chapter Engagement Coordinator to talk about succession planning. We’re here to help!

September Branding and Media Office Hours

The Communications Team has their monthly drop-in office hours for media/messaging and branding this week! Drop in at any time during the times below to get help with talking to the media or get questions answered about the new branding, Canva, and more!

Convention Corner

Learning With Love: The 2023 PFLAG National Convention is just over a month away, here are items that need your attention:

• September 18th is the deadline to register for PFLAG Lobby Day at the 2023 PFLAG National Convention! Register today! 
• If you registered for the convention but did not sign up for PFLAG Lobby Day and would like to attend, there’s still time! Fill out this form if you’d like to attend Lobby Day so we can schedule meetings for you with your elected officials.
• Book your hotel room at a special convention rate today! Rooms are limited and are likely to sell out! The cut off date for the room rate is September 27th.

Regional Roundup

Rural Think Tank is TODAY! Rural PFLAG chapters may face different challenges than urban and suburban chapters, including having different access to resources. September’s Rural Think Tank will address assessing resources outside the big city. Register for the Tuesday, September 12th: 6pm-7:30pm PT / 9pm-10:30pm ET meeting.

Need more convincing? Here’s what chapter leaders have to say about attending Rural Think Tank!

Sandy from PFLAG Sturgeon Bay / Door County said “I love the opportunity to connect with other rural chapters across the country. It's great to hear what's worked for them, and that I can try in our local chapter! It’s also good to know we are not alone in our struggles.”

Sarah from PFLAG Sauk Valley said “Being a PFLAG chapter leader is both rewarding and exhausting. Sometimes I must remind myself that it's not that other community members don't care about LGBTQ+ issues, it's that life is full of personal struggles or obligations that prevent them from making commitments to PFLAG...raising children, taking care of aging parents, grueling hours at one's place of employment, battling mental and/or physical health issues, coaching little league teams, serving their faith communities, etc. The Rural Think Tank creates a space where dedicated, yet sometimes weary, leaders can gather to reflect on successes and struggles, share ideas and strategies, and leave rejuvenated about the important work we are doing as PFLAG volunteers.”

Register today!

Stay safe,

Sachelle Brooks (she/her)

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