Organize a chapter

Forming Witherspoon chapters

Forming a local Chapter of the Witherspoon Society

[4-24-01]

Vicki Moss and John Harris, both Presbyterian pastors in West Virginia, were invited recently to meet with a group of seminary students who are interested in forming some kind of on-going organization among progressive students at their seminary. Harris prepared this brief sketch of what might be involved in forming a local Witherspoon chapter, with comments added by some current Witherspoon officers.

We share it here, just in case others (students or anyone else) might be thinking along similar lines. And we hope you will!

A note to friends looking for scandalous doings in the Witherspoon Society: We trust you can read this recognizing that some of it is offered with tongue in cheek.

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What does a chapter of the Witherspoon Society look like? How is one formed? What does the Witherspoon Society expect of its chapters? What can a chapter expect from the Witherspoon Society? What are the potential pitfalls experienced by chapter?

What does a chapter of the Witherspoon Society look like?

Since The Witherspoon Society seems to be composed mainly of people who think for themselves, chapters will be different at every location depending upon the personalities and eccentricities (especially the latter) of the people involved. Certainly the fundamental value of social justice is there, but beyond that your guess is as good as mine. I suspect that none of them eat much red meat or have a concealed weapons license (unless it's a Texas chapter).

How is one formed?

	Call a meeting -- preferably in the most popular nearby gathering place -- and offer door prizes -- a weekend in Chiapas, first dance at the GA Witherspoon party, etc.
	Get in touch with our Membership Coordinator, Trina Zelle, at (915) 855-8167, or by e-mail to zellerev@earthlink.com for advice, support, whatever.
	If you want extra copies of the Witherspoon newsletter, Network News, get in touch with the editor, Doug King, at (651- 731-4885, or by e-mail to dougking2@aol.com

What does the Witherspoon Society expect of its chapters?

To raise tons of money and forward most of it on to the executive committee. If that's not likely, host occasional seminars on how to keep the faith without losing your pulpit. Develop an informal placement process where Witherspoon Society types can find like-minded churches and ministry positions. To develop friendships that are going to offer mutual support throughout what may sometimes be a long and isolated ministry.

What can a chapter expect from the Witherspoon Society?

	"Our thoughts and prayers. Occasional visits to lead a workshop in the area of the particular board member's expertise or experience. Access to our informal and wide-spread network of progressives in the church -- especially the ones who live close to the particular chapter." (Trina Zelle)
	"We welcome creativity. I do not think we expect anything in particular from our chapters; they are free to design their meetings and programs as they see fit. My suggestion is to build a program around an issue or speaker, have a reasonably priced catered dinner (or pot-luck), have a presentation and then brainstorm.. Select a few participants to follow up brainstorming ideas. To me (as a board member) the critical thing is for people to get together and to talk about how these issues effect them and their faith. We are losing some of the debate because we do not get together and talk about our common concerns, questions or ideas. There are too many lone Witherspooners. We can offer extra copies of Network News if we get enough notice before the editor runs a new edition. We encourage regular review of the web site for update d information of the drama unfolding in our church. With our limited budget, we cannot offer a regular presence at meetings. Much of our work is at the GA level and in information sharing with our allies." (Kent Winters-Hazelton)
	"I think that any 'chapter' would be for the purposes of educating people in our presbyteries, recruitment, and mutual support (all three, at least). Experience in presbyteries indicate s that 'chapters' or 'liberal caucuses' can grow around Witherspoon, or More Light, or Covenant Network; we don't want jurisdictional disputes, and boundaries should be porous." (Eugene Teselle)