Dear <<First Name / Primeiro Nome>>,

Over the past few months, protests, demonstrations, marches, rallies, and vigils have been taking place on Cape Cod, across the country, and around the world. Perhaps you've participated in some or maybe even considered organizing one. After all, exercising your first amendment rights by engaging in these activities is to be encouraged and commended, but it's important to understand that there are certain limitations for members and supporters of PFLAG Cape Cod.

 

That said, below are some guidelines to keep in mind:

• Please make it clear through your signage, verbiage, handouts, interviews with the press, etc. that you are expressing your personal views, and not necessarily those of PFLAG/PFLAG Cape Cod.

• If you would like to organize a protest, demonstration, march, rally, vigil, etc. on behalf of PFLAG/PFLAG Cape Cod, the consent and authorization of the Executive Board of PFLAG Cape Cod will be required.  

• These activities shall not be organized, coordinated, and/or permitted to take place on behalf of PFLAG/PFLAG Cape Cod without the direct participation and planning of the Executive Board of PFLAG Cape Cod. 

• To make arrangements for such consent, authorization, participation and planning, please contact the Executive Board by email at joe@pflagcapecod.org.

In addition, please keep in mind that PFLAG Cape Cod is a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. That being the case, our Chapter may not engage in political campaign activity, such as "supporting or opposing a candidate for public office”, among other things. Therefore, please be mindful, especially during an election year, that whomever you choose to support or oppose should not be interpreted as an endorsement from PFLAG and/or PFLAG Cape Cod. For more guidance on the subject, please refer to this informative article from the National Council of Nonprofits.

Thank you for taking the time to review these simple, common-sense guidelines on how to responsibly engage your first amendment rights as a member and supporter of PFLAG Cape Cod!


Kind regards,



Joe Lima (he/him/his)
President, PFLAG Cape Cod