Join GSA Network of California!

Thank you for showing interest in joining our CA membership! We value your leadership and we are glad you have decided to join GSA Network of California. During a one-to-one with your regional organizer, you will review this document to confirm your understanding of the criteria and benefits of membership, membership values and finally, discuss your motivations for joining membership. By confirming, you agree and commit to becoming a member and/or member leader of GSA Network of CA. We are excited for you to join us in this collective fight for trans and queer, racial and gender justice!

Criteria and Benefits of Membership

To become an official member or member leader, you must meet the following criteria:

Member Criteria (including all participant criteria) Member Benefits
Your GSA/LGBTQ+ club is registered with GSA Network
  • Access to GSA resources and larger LGBTQ+ network of support
  • 1:1s with regional organizer to support your leadership and your GSA/LGBTQ+ club goals
  • Monthly GSA Network gift packages (eligible with survey completion)
  • Opportunity to give input and feedback on membership meetings, resources, statewide issue agenda and campaigns
  • Get updates on the issues impacting LGBTQ+ students in CA and nationally
  • Collect GSA Network leadership patches
  • Membership incentive “giveaways”
  • Learn activities, leadership tools and practices you can share with your GSA club to support you building community and taking action
Sign membership commitment form which means you agree with organization’s mission and values to advance trans and queer, racial and gender justice
Attend a minimum of 4 California membership meetings (11 total) throughout the school year:

  • Fall 2023: Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec
  • Spring 2024: Jan, Feb, Mar, April, May, June
Participate in a minimum of 2 one-on-ones per semester with your regional organizer (4 per school year)
Support in planning and/or attend in at least one of the following:

  • GSA Day Action event or meeting (Gender Justice- Nov. or Racial Justice in Feb.)
  • Trans Day of Visibility
  • Trans Day Of Rememberance
  • GSA Sponsored Event (regional activity or other)
Member Leader Criteria (including all of the above) Member Leader Benefits
Path 1: Facilitation responsibilities
Lead a training/workshop for statewide membership meetings, GSA Network regional conferences or coalitional spaces
  • All participant and member benefits above ^^^
  • Skills in event planning and facilitation
  • Opportunity to receive gift cards if leading a training/workshop (that is not part of campaign committee)
  • Receive GSA Network member t-shirt
  • Food and transportation (ride share/public transit) support to attend GSAN events
  • Wellness package and meal credit once a semester
  • Building community with youth of different identities from across California
Recruit one other peer into membership by spring semester and hold a one-on-one with that person
Path 2: This member leader criteria option is for those that are selected into the Statewide or a Regional Campaign Committee
Commit and follow through with your campaign committee responsibilities as agreed upon in your program description. Including but not limited to:

  • Attending all committee meetings
  • Participate in necessary district or school meetings that impact your committee goals.
  • And other responsibilities aligned with campaign committee goals.
  • All participant and member benefits above ^^^
  • Direct training in entry level community organizing skills – learn how to basebuild, tell your story and/or run a campaign
  • Opportunities to participate in edu – award advocacy/campaign programs that pay $100 per month
    • Regional Campaign Committee
    • Statewide Campaign Committee
    • LBUSD Trans & Queer School Climate Committee
  • Letter of recommendations or references for college or job applications
  • Exclusive SWAG program gear – TBD on budget

Values of Membership

As members we agree with the org’s mission statement and commit to practicing values set forth by membership.

GSA Network is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.

CA Youth Membership Values: (the following values were created by members and staff in Spring 2023)

  • Support: CA Youth Membership believes in providing youth with a space to feel connected, where they can find resources and share knowledge to advocate for their rights.
  • Trust: CA Youth Membership believes in sharing space, telling our stories, and building relationships rooted in care among our members.
  • Honesty: CA Youth Membership believes in the value of sharing individual perspectives and truths to cultivate spaces where youth can show up authentically.
  • Empathy: CA Youth Membership believes in honoring everyone’s whole selves by respecting each other’s thoughts, feelings, and voices.
  • Joy: CA Youth Membership believes that creativity, humor, and having fun are key components in building relationships and nourishing our power in the fight for our rights.