The Monmouth Ocean TransGender affiliate of Renaissance is the newest Renaissance Chapter. In January MOTG sent in its application for chapter status and that new status was announced by Renaissance National Executive Director Angela Gardner at the January 3rd meeting of the National Board.
"This is the first affiliate we have had take advantage of the new, relaxed procedure for obtaining full chapter status," said Gardner. She continued, "In the past all the members of a local support group had to become members of Renaissance National before the group could apply for chapter status. Then the board had to approve the application. This put a large financial burden on the group's members and made it too much like having to pass a test"
The new procedure for gaining chapter status is a simple application form. Any group may apply for chapter status as long as they provide the necessary information, agree to follow the Bylaws of Renaissance National and pay the yearly Chapter Fee. By opening the doors to chapter status the National board cleared the way for more organizations across the country to establish a vital connection to Renaissance National. Such a connection will foster communication between all member groups, and the exchange of information will make the organization and the TG community stronger.
Said Gardner, "In order to help us (the TG community) gain respect and full access to our rights from society at large it's important that we, as a community, become strong, that we all get on the same page, so to speak. By becoming a Renaisance Chapter MOTG Renaissance now has a seat on the Renaissance National Board. That means the concerns and input of their members at the grassroots level will now be expressed to the members of the Board, and myself. That makes it possible for us to turn our attention to issues and areas which we were previously uninformed about."
MOTG will receive an updated copy of the Renaissance Chapter and Affiliaite Manual (as will all other chapters and affiliates) within the next month. The Manual gives groups a starting point on all the aspects of running a local support group. It was compiled in the early days of Renaissance from experience gained running the first Renaissance group, now The Greater Philadelphia Chapter. The Manual remains a great source of information for local units, whether they are just starting out or have been in place for some time.
A big welcome goes out to MOTG Renaissance froom the whole organization. The National Board will do all it can to assist the new chapter to grow and prosper.
Monmouth Ocean TransGender (MOTG)
PO Box 2972,
Princeton, NJ 08543-2972,
Phone: 908-219-9094. Email