The Basic Elements of a Successful Chapter

By Jacki Ragan

The sole reason for the existence of NRLC, its 50 state affiliates, and its more than 3,000 chapters is to work to protect the right to life of innocent human beings. We are a "single-issue" movement with a laser-like focus on abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia.

We believe that the right to life of innocent human beings is a basic issue upon which all other human rights issues depend. We work peacefully, legally, within the system to change the law.

We seek to offer America another view of the life issues and pro-life movement; to keep the abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia issues always visible; and to clarify what really happens in an abortion, both to the unborn child and to her mother. We are committed to remaining active and organized for however long it takes.

Very consciously, the right to life movement was built from the "bottom up" rather than from the "top down." National Right to Life works closely with our chapters because we know that it is the chapters that keep the movement alive and growing. So what makes for successful chapters?

Present a Positive Image

Everybody wants to be a part of a "winning" organization. By that I mean one that projects a positive image, is active, and is out in front with current, accurate information. To that end it is vitally important that each chapter strive to present a positive, friendly image.

When making public appearances, keep a smile on your face and remember that what most people know about our Movement is limited to what they have seen on television or read in the paper--hardly an accurate image. Present the image that you would like to see if you were in the audience--that we are just ordinary people who love and have a respect for life.

The Team Effort

There is strength in numbers. If we stand firmly together, we show a strong and unified front and cannot be ignored. A well-trained, motivated group of individuals can accomplish more than the same group of people who are each doing and saying "their own thing."

As team members, NRLC and affiliated groups make progress by presenting the same message and issuing the same call for action at the national level, the state level, and the local level. Therefore, it is very important that your chapter be affiliated with your state organization, which is affiliated with NRLC. No one of us can accomplish our goals alone. Working together as a team, we will ultimately win.

Strong, Stable Leadership

A chapter blessed with one or more individuals who can visualize the big picture and see the chapter as an important, key piece of the whole can accomplish a great deal.

If a chapter thinks that the world ends with its own work, in its own community, problems will arise. While in a sense each chapter's work is limited to a local community, when those labors are a part of a nationwide team effort (especially when the same message is being given throughout the country), great things happen! A chapter leader's job is to make sure her people feel like a part of a large team - - the state and national organizations.

Always remember that we can't protect children in small towns and communities across America unless we are protecting children everywhere in the state and everywhere in the nation.

Don't think you have to change officers every year if the ones who currently serve are doing a good job and are willing to continue. The old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," certainly applies. Good leadership will extend the fruits of your labors beyond the community and make them a part of the bigger picture--a part of the whole and thus much more effective.

Realism and Limitations

It is very important to have realistic expectations. If you have illusions that everyone in your community will belong to your chapter, or that dozens of regulars will attend the chapter meetings, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Most active chapters have a core group of four to eight individuals who do the bulk of the work.

Chapters can and do broaden their base to pull in extra people for specific events or special projects, and do reach out to others for financial help. However, the core group of dedicated, like-minded individuals can accomplish the work of a small army.

Don't waste precious time and energy worrying. Spend it productively by working on ways to get the truth into the hearts and minds of the citizens in your community.

Spark Plugs Make It Happen!

What makes a chapter dynamic is a "spark plug." Every chapter needs one and he or she is usually not difficult to identify. It is the individual who is level-headed, full of common sense, someone who keep things happening.

Spark plugs make sure that meetings are held and activities accomplished. They do not take offense if they have to call a handful of other chapter members to remind them to attend a meeting, or other similar tasks. They are generally happy, cheerful, and friendly. Such people consider it a privilege to be able to do the noble work of any pro-life chapter.

Your chapter's spark plug generally won't wait around for someone else to do what needs to be done. He or she somehow just knows how to get the job done.

Nurture and care for your chapter's spark plug(s) with great love and respect.

"IG" and Matching Talents

Beware of the "instant gratification" factor. It is a constant temptation much to be avoided.

Everyone needs to feel a part of something that is making a difference; that is human nature. And your chapter is making a difference. Never question that for a moment.

But rarely do you see instant results. Change is a slow, step-by-step process. And when you do see results, there is still plenty of more work that never seems to stop coming.

That is why some people are very project oriented. Give them a specific goal to accomplish and they put their heart and soul into seeing it through to the end. And when the accomplishment is achieved, they suddenly understand how important a role they have.

By reinforcing the sense that individual contributions do matter, you also help prevent burn out.

A real boost to your chapter is learning how to spot what members' particular talents and interests are and then delegating jobs to them that utilize those interests and talents. The results will be a tangible contribution to the Movement. This is vital to you and to them.

In that vein make sure that every attendee at every chapter meeting leaves with a realistic task to accomplish before the next meeting. Show attendees that you have confidence in them and believe that they are up to the task.

The resulting growing sense of achievement and recognition reinforces a sense of belonging. This sense of responsibility makes it far likely they will continue to attend meetings and take an increasingly active role.

Don't ever allow someone to leave feeling he or she was not needed. And always remember to say "Thank You."

Ask

Many people who are pro-life, but not active, are absolutely shocked to find out that virtually all the work is being done by a handful of people. Once they see you making sacrifices, they are more willing than you may have thought to help out. Never shy away from asking.

By the same token it's crucial not to overwork newcomers. Finding the right balance that gives people a sense of belonging without overwhelming them will keep them coming back.

Start out by asking them to do small tasks. Recognize them for their effort and make them feel a part of the team effort.

Attitudes Make All the Difference

Attitude is one of the most important imponderables. Most of the people who last in the right to life movement are vital, upbeat, positive thinkers and workers who have a sense of humor. You can't last by focusing on what you can't do, only by keeping your eye on what you can do.

Dealing with Burn Out

Burn out at some point, if not in yourself, then in some chapter member(s), is a fact of life. Sometimes the best thing to do is simply take a brief sabbatical and give yourself a break for a few days. Pray for strength to continue in the effort and then pick it back up again.

Pacing is also crucial. If you work at pacing yourself, and have realistic expectations, you can push yourself at key times and then rest and recharge your batteries. And don't overreact to setbacks. They are a way of life, whether in the right to life movement or in our personal lives.

Try always to focus your chapter on the positive aspect, even in battles that were lost. Chances are your chapter benefited from the effort even if you didn't win. Knowing and accepting the fact that we are in this struggle for the long haul, having realistic expectations, and pacing yourself are the recipe for avoiding burn out.

Keeping Our Eye on the Single Issue

Keep your chapter focused. Always remember, there is no "other" right to life movement out there to do the job. We're it!

By adhering strictly to our single-issue standard, we attract people from all walks of life who only have in common a shared belief that killing little babies is wrong and must be stopped. If they perceive your chapter to be limited to a certain religion, or to be a conservative or liberal group, they will stay away. Abortion is the single issue that will unite them.

The Basic Elements of an Effective and Dynamic Chapter Summarized

I am certain that you can add much more to any or all of the topics listed throughout this article, and I encourage you to do so. We all learn from experience - - our own as well as others. The bottom line is the Movement requires flexibility. Great flexibility.

You have to be prepared, nimble, ready to act but also to react. (Occasionally, those needs present themselves at the same time.) Sometimes it seems we spend a lot more time reacting than acting, but the goal to keep in mind is to get the job done: get the message out, and keep it there, on the front burner, at all times.

Once we ourselves are educated and know about the merciless reality of abortion on demand, the inhumanity of euthanasia, and the heartless killing of less-than-perfect newborn babies, there's really no alternative for people like us but to work unceasingly to change the situation. We have no choice: we must fight the good fight to ensure that someday good wins over evil.

Make "life" the focus rather than death. Raise up a successor generation of leadership. Teach our young people to be responsible and to become educated and ready to take up the banner of Life.

Someday, someone will attempt to write the history of the right to life movement. It will be close to impossible. For one thing, historians will want to focus on the national office when the real history is being written at the local chapters by grassroots activists.

Don't ever forget that. When we win--and we will--it will be due to the selflessness of people just like you who stood together to make a difference. You are the heroes in the right to life movement. You are the heart and soul of the Movement, and you keep it alive and growing, community by community.

The Foundation of the Pro-Life Movement

The Four Building Blocks

By Jacki Ragan

Restoring legal protection to and respect for innocent human life requires careful planning and coordination. What makes that possible is a strong, well-organized statewide grassroots organization that follows a clearly defined vision.

Ultimately, what makes it possible for states to save the lives of unborn children are the four building blocks that undergird a powerful grassroots base: Identifying as many pro-lifers as possible; Educating them; Organizing this volunteer army to increase its effectiveness; and Legislating to the maximum extent allowed by law, at the same time we try to creatively extend that circle of legal protection.

The best way to prevail? Communicating the pro-life message in each and every state through strong, stable chapters and an established state right to life organization which the community, the media, and elected officials recognizes as the pro-life voice.

The greatest resource of the pro-life movement is the strength and effectiveness that come from identifying, educating, and organizing pro-life people into a force which can be mobilized at a moment's notice to take action.