Gathering Hope CHARTER agreement
Gathering Hope is an international movement that includes an evening of remembrance, a one-night event specifically for mothers who have suffered from miscarriage or infant loss. Gathering Hope grants permission to the Community listed below, hereafter referred to as Gathering Hope Local, to use the Gathering Hope name, likeness, and the program guidelines when a community demonstrates their readiness. A community’s readiness will be assessed by the Gathering Hope office, determining whether the community is ready and able to lead the event according to this Charter Agreement. Each Gathering Hope local leadership team will annually review and determine whether to renew its Charter Agreement with Gathering Hope. The following statements represent fundamental agreements that exist between the Gathering Hope Corporate Office and local, small groups that use the Gathering Hope program. By signing this Charter Agreement, said local group is agreeing to conduct the Gathering Hope program in a manner that is faithful to these statements and the Gathering Hope Office is agreeing to recognize the group as a “Gathering Hope local” and to support its ministry in the ways outlined below.
1. Each Gathering Hope coordinator will be organized and conduct its business in accordance with the Gathering Hope Corporate Office guidelines in a manner that honors Christ. The local leadership team will stay in communication, whether it be electronic or via telephone, with the Gathering Hope Corporate Office in a consistent manner regarding gathering updates or other developments affecting the quality of the Gathering Hope ministry.
2. The local leadership team will carry out the two-phase method of Gathering Hope in accordance with the most recent guidelines. To avoid misunderstandings, the opportunity for conflict, or violation of the Gathering Hope name, conducting the events using locally written and/or paraphrased materials or written materials from other organizations is prohibited. Interpretation of the Gathering Hope materials is vested in the Gathering Hope Board and staff. The two-phase method includes:
a. Pre-Gathering phase – a plan for sound communication about, and proper preparation of participants for their introductory Gathering Hope experience.
b. Gathering phase – using the Gathering Hope guidelines
3. Translation of and/or printing of any and all Gathering Hope documents in any language must have prior written approval from the Gathering Hope office.
4. The local leadership team will keep leaders and the Gathering Hope Office informed about the activities and fruit of the local Gathering Hope Movement.
5. The local leadership team will maintain Gathering Hope's focus on inviting and supporting loss moms, providing them with local and national resources.
6, The Gathering Hope Office will make available to Gathering Hope Local:
a. guidance and consultation;
b. guides for leading all aspects of Gathering Hope;
c. resource persons for leadership training
7. The Gathering Hope Corporate Office will support participants by making available, upon request, information about other print, video and experiential resources for healing and assistance.
8. The Gathering Hope Corporate Office will maintain regular communication with Gathering Hope Local and will seek to continually improve the Gathering Hope program through a variety of means.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GATHERING HOPE LOCAL LEADERSHIP TEAM
1. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE LOCAL GROUP:
a. Represent the concerns and wishes of the local Group members to the Gathering Hope Office
b. Join and interact in The Gathering Hope Facebook group.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE GATHERING HOPE LOCAL AS PER THE CHARTER AGREEMENT:
a. Protect the intent and integrity of the Gathering Hope Program.
3. TERMS THAT MUST BE HONORED:
a. The Gathering Hope Corporate Office has a set number of terms that must be agreed to by all parties that sign this Covenant. These terms are as such:
The gathering must be Christ-focused
Each gathering must have at least 1 candle per attendee
Each gathering must have a strong internet connection to live-stream 2 speakers and worship time.
Each home gathering must have less than 10 attendees
Each group gathering must have 1 table leader/6 attendees
Each gathering must follow local Covid guidelines and will sign the Covid 19 waiver
Each gathering must follow the format of the Corporate Office’s Event
Worship (live-streamed)
Speakers (live-streamed)
Intermission
Table Discussions (in-person)
Coordinator must attend the virtual volunteer and table leader training
Provide a venue for the mothers to attend
Refreshment to be served during the table discussions
Texts sent by coordinator in advance of the gathering - this ensures a good attendance
Scripts will be provided
3. Core Values – As an organization, we examined what is important to us and is crucial in your charter.
a. Passionately advocate for survivors of miscarriage and infant loss
b. Allow for a safe place to grieve, share, and celebrate babies/children.
c. Use our pain as a delivery system to reach others who may not know Christ.
d. Build safe and meaningful relationships
e. Deliberately pursue our mission while building stability within the organization.
4. Chapter Assessment – Once the assessment fee is paid, these are the items Corporate will provide as part of your chapter assessment.
a. Private landing page for your gathering with registration/ticketing for attendees
b. Graphics for your gathering
c. Virtual Table Leader Training
d. Virtual Volunteer Training
e. Direct access to Gathering Director
f. Private Facebook group for all home site leaders
g. SWAG for each attendee
h. 1 Gathering 2021 t-shirt/ 2 t-shirts for group sites
i. Access to Gathering 2021 SWAG, shirts, & decor at cost
j. Google Drive folder with needed resources
k. Social Media
l. Website/Registration Maintenance
m. PDF/JPEG of marketing material
n. Speakers and Worship music