Would you like to start a FRIDA chapter? Now you can! Help us grow a worldwide feminist disability rights movement! Here are our guidelines and some advice.
Overall Goals for Every Chapter:
Every FRIDA chapter should follow the FRIDA mission, which is:
FRIDA is led by and for women with disabilities
FRIDA responds to issues affecting women with disabilities
FRIDA is radicalized women, representing ourselves
FRIDA raises awareness about the issues that affect us
FRIDA provides a safe space for women with disabilities and those who identify as a woman with a disability, regardless of sexuality
SPECIAL NOTE: We are currently in group discussion regarding gender language in our mission.
FRIDA is FUN!
FRIDA’s trademark is to do new things that spark change, but we also have fun too. Don’t forget to take time to do fun
activities with your chapter! Encourage people to express their creative side. We have had art nights and tshirt making nights. We have also had bake sales. We encourage you to come up with your own ideas too.
That being said, each chapter will always be different. Your chapter will always have a unique flavor because of your location and your members. Local campaigns are up to the discretion of local members, as long as they fit with the mission.
Be aware that FRIDA is not ADAPT or Not Dead Yet, to name some other disability rights grassroots groups. We are also not NOW or NARAL. Some of our concerns overlap theirs, but we are answering a distinct need in our community for gender-based disability rights advocacy. Aim to do what no one else is doing or has been able to do. Stay
focused on advocacy against sexism and ableism.
What is “Response”?
In the beginning, the idea of “response” was just like an emergency team that tackles issues combining sexism and ableism. As we have grown, we realize that some events MUST be responded to under a deadline because that is a way to rally the community around the issue. We have also learned that in order to be more effective, we must also be proactive and develop long term strategies and choose to respond to issues in ways that work within our strategy. This is a work in progress for us. At its core, the idea of “response” is not remaining silent. Silence, above all, oppresses us. Fear and shame contribute to silence, so we seek to combat that as well.
Getting Started:
The easiest way to start and maintain a FRIDA is to develop a group of like-minded people. A team will help each other out and it is a lot easier than working alone. In addition, FRIDA values collective work. You can start by just having a meeting of your friends or interested people to talk about whether something like FRIDA is needed. However, the idea is to move forward by finding ways to get your community involved on the issues you care about.
Chicago FRIDA started off by doing brown bag lunches where people got together at lunch to talk about different issues. One person can serve as the moderator. Others can make a flier or publicize the event. Break the jobs down so everyone can contribute. Starting really small is FINE! Sooner or later, you will probably think of more and more creative ideas to respond to the issues you see around you. Try to aim for changing specific things—community discussion is good, but concrete change is best!
Officers:
In general, FRIDA does not have officers. We want collective action, not top-down leadership. What we DO have is volunteers willing to take on different tasks. We recognize that people have many different skills and everyone has something to contribute. Some of the jobs people have done in FRIDA are:
Treasurer: Someone needs to keep track of any money.
Meeting Chairperson: This person helps us stay on agenda and referees our meetings.
Campaign Committee Chairs: Usually, for any campaign, interested members form a committee and someone volunteers to coordinate things. This person is the committee chair.
Accommodations Contact: When you advertise any FRIDA event, you will need contact information for someone willing to help set up any reasonable accommodations.
Information Contact: If anyone wants to contact your chapter to get more information, you will need a contact person who can answer their questions.
Grant Writer: Someone with good writing skills can help write grant applications to help you get money for accommodations or campaigns.
Special Events: Events like parties or fundraisers may provide opportunities for FRIDA members with event skills, especially for the folks who support FRIDA’s aims but have little experience with advocacy or direct action.
Researcher: Some folks have strong skills in monitoring the news or knowledge about certain areas of disability rights and gender issues.
Membership:
Chicago FRIDA set up membership with the following rates: $30 a year for working people, $10 a year if affordable for people who do not work. The money goes towards campaigns and accommodations. Your chapter can decide what membership benefits are, but generally they can include being on your listserv and getting information, and
voting at meetings or on campaigns.
Meetings:
The Chicago chapter of FRIDA meets once a month, but your chapter can meet as often as it would like. Committee meetings are held between regular chapter meetings. Two hours is usually enough to take care of any business.
We strongly suggest creating an agenda and sticking to it, but allowing an open time at the end for anything that comes up.
We also encourage community building by having people bring food and drinks and finding a play space for any children that may attend.
Chapters can meet at CILs, at accessible homes, at restaurants, at libraries, or any place you may choose.
The point of your chapter meetings is to update on old business and move forward on new business. If you find your chapter simply talking about the same thing every time with now progress or new projects, you may need to think of new activities.
Committees:
FRIDA aims to get our goals accomplished as a team. Committees are very important so we can share work and skills. Committees can be permanent or as needed. Some examples of committees we have set up
include:
Maintaining a Local Network: This includes staying in touch with your membership list by e-mail or phone.
Maintaining the National FRIDA Network: This includes maintaining our online presence, networking, and presenting at national events or conferences.
Local Campaigns: When your group decides on an important issue to take response on, we usually set up a committee of people who are willing to do the work. Each committee reports back at our monthly meetings.
National Campaigns: We have a small group of people across the US who are interested in coordinating campaigns that have national impact. As more chapters start, there should be one representative from each chapter on this committee.
Fundraising:
Fundraising for local chapters is at your discretion. Funds can go towards accommodations and the costs of campaigns. It is a lot easier to DO stuff if you have some cash.
Chicago FRIDA sells t-shirts and buttons to raise money. We can e-mail the logo to new chapters to use for t-shirt and button designs, or whatever you like.
We also have an annual FRIDAfest every November to celebrate the beginning of FRIDA. This event can be a fundraiser or just a community party.
Grants can be a useful source of income, but you have to know what you will want to use the grant for. You will also want to find someone who is good at writing grants to help with this task. Please evaluate carefully as a group, how the grant money will impact how you do your work. We advise you not to become totally dependant on grant money. Membership dues and other grassroots fundraising efforts will help you stay accountable to your members and community rather than foundations. Remember, you should be clear on your strategy and priorities first and then look for grants to support this, instead of adjusting your strategy and priorities to fit whatever funding you find.
Website Presence:
The website www.ourfrida.
For more information, contact Amber Smock at ambity(at)aol.com.
