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How do I get an SYRF Organizing Guide?
What is a Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom chapter?
What do SYRF chapters do?
Are all members of SYRF chapters religious?
Why should I start a SYRF chapter?
What resources are offered to SYRF chapters?
Are there certain things that our group must do to qualify to become a SYRF campus chapter?
What do I do if I want to start a SYRF chapter in my congregation? Does a congregational SYRF chapter have to be interfaith?
What if there are already pro-choice and progressive groups on my campus or in my community? Instead of starting a SYRF chapter, are there ways that these already-existing groups can associate with SYRF?
How do I start a SYRF chapter?
What are some pointers to make our SYRF chapter successful?
How do I get an SYRF Organizing Guide?
Click here to
download the Guide.
What is a Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom chapter?
Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom (SYRF) chapters are interfaith and multicultural pro-choice groups affiliated with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. SYRF chapters are comprised of young people ages 16-30.
What do SYRF chapters do? [ BACK TO TOP ]
SYRF chapters make religious pro-choice perspectives visible on campus, in congregations, and in local communities. They work to protect or implement pro-choice policies, challenge the work of anti-choice groups, and hold events and educational forums to raise awareness about religious support for reproductive choice!
Are all members of SYRF chapters religious? [ BACK TO TOP ]
Most SYRF members are either part of an organized religious faith group / denomination or have personal spiritual feelings and beliefs. All pro-choice people (ages 16-30), regardless of their faith background (or lack thereof), are welcome to participate in SYRF chapters. We value religious liberty and do not proselytize.
Why should I start a SYRF chapter? [ BACK TO TOP ]
The support and resources of the Religious Coalition will make your SYRF chapter much more effective than if it were a group working without the Religious Coalition's assistance. In addition, the Religious Coalition has been the leading voice of religious, pro-choice Americans for more than 30 years. By becoming a part of the Religious Coalition's family, your chapter will become connected to a critical piece of the pro-choice movement.
What resources are offered to SYRF chapters? [ BACK TO TOP ]
The Religious Coalition can help SYRF chapters find pro-choice religious speakers for campus events, provide funds for SYRF projects, give free materials about religion and reproductive choice, training and technical assistance, participation in pro-choice listserv networks, internship opportunities, networking opportunities and pro-choice career preparation.
Are there certain things that our group must do to qualify to become
a SYRF campus chapter? [
BACK TO TOP ]
Yes, SYRF campus chapters must be interfaith, strive
for racial and cultural diversity, adopt the mission of the
Religious Coalition and work towards goals consistent with
this mission, not proselytize, submit an annual plan to articulate
program work, attempt to secure funds to support SYRF projects,
and be approved by the Field Services Committee for SYRF status.
This may seem like a lot, but remember, we're here to help
you, and it is worth the effort!
Click here to download a complete SYRF Guide that details
everything you must do to start a chapter.
What do I do if I want to start a SYRF chapter in my congregation? Does a congregational SYRF chapter have to be interfaith? [ BACK TO TOP ]
Congregational chapters do not have to be interfaith. In communities where there is more than one congregational chapter, we encourage these groups to work together on some interfaith programming.
What if there are already pro-choice and progressive groups on my campus
or in my community? Instead of starting a SYRF chapter, are
there ways that these already-existing groups can associate
with SYRF? [ BACK
TO TOP ]
Yes, groups that qualify can become official SYRF
associated groups. We offer SYRF associated groups many of
the same benefits as we offer our SYRF chapters. If the already
existing groups are uninterested or unable to associate with
SYRF and if your campus or community can sustain more than
one pro-choice group, then consider adding a SYRF chapter
to the mix since it will inevitably offer an important perspective
that the other groups are not raising. Because the Religious
Coalition values cooperative relationships with our allies,
we encourage our SYRF chapters to work in coalition with the
already existing groups.
Click here to download a memo about becoming an SYRF Associated
Group.
How do I start a SYRF chapter? [ BACK TO TOP ]
First, read the SYRF Organizing Guide. Then reach out to campus groups of Religious Coalition member organizations, religious student groups, local Religious Coalition affiliate organizations, local socially progressive clergy, campus clergy including chaplains, women's studies programs, nonreligious students, pro-choice activists, and progressive student groups.
What are some pointers to make our SYRF chapter successful? [ BACK TO TOP ]
Successful SYRF chapters are rich in religious, racial and cultural diversity; use collaborative and inclusive styles to make group decisions; share responsibility; differentiate roles fairly and equitably; recruit the support of community leaders, faculty, staff and campus clergy; stay in frequent conversation with the Religious Coalition and ask for help when it is needed; and remember to reward themselves for their hard work and reflect on the positive change that they have created in their communities!
If you want to start a chapter or associate your already-existing student group with SYRF, please let us know. Check the box on the join us form or write to info@syrf.org.
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Copyright 2005-2007 Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom.
This website is a project of Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom, a program of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). The contents of this website and linked websites do not necessarily reflect the positions of the RCRC or the member faith groups of the RCRC.
info@syrf.org
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