State of the Organization

Report from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Larry Richman
Given at the Evergreen Annual Conference, Saturday, September 18, 2004

In July of 1989, eleven men got together to form a support group to help each other find their way out of same-sex attraction. Now, fifteen years and two months later, their grass-roots efforts have grown into an international organization that provides referral, resources, and education to thousands of people in dozens of countries. Evergreen International is led by a Board of Trustees who was introduced in the meetings today. Our Executive Director David Pruden and our office manager Sharon Smith handle the day-to-day work and also oversee the work of the many volunteers who so freely donate their time to help in good causes. There is also an operations committee who plans events (such as this conference), creates publications, and helps organize and develop affiliate groups around the world.

The Board of Trustees has asked me to give this State of the Organization message to share with you the organization’s strategies and plans.

PRIORITIES

Evergreen focuses on three major priorities–referral, resources, and education.

1. REFERRAL SERVICE

We continue to build a network of therapists and affiliate support groups where we can refer people for help. Our computer database is the world’s largest listing of therapists, support groups, and other organizations that can help in the area of same-gender attraction.
We are a member of PATH (Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality), a non-profit coalition of organizations from many religious and cultural backgrounds who help individuals overcome same-sex attraction. Working cooperatively with other organizations that have goals similar to ours, we hope to leverage our efforts and learn from each other’s successes.
Thousands of people contact us by phone, e-mail, or through our Web site. E-mail messages are answered in English or Spanish.
We have 29 affiliate support groups for men, women, spouses, friends, and family, with another 21 in the process of forming. Most are in the United States, although a growing number are in other countries. Two are online support groups in German and Spanish. We maintain contact with affiliate group leaders, assist developing groups, and provide guidelines and support materials. We often meet with Area Presidencies and other Church leaders in the United States and in other countries to talk about the needs in their areas and confirm their support for Evergreen programs.
The work in Spanish in the United States is growing. We have sponsored an online support group in Spanish for four years (since 2000). It now has 48 members from many countries. There is also a physical Spanish support group that meets every other week in Salt Lake City. In November, we plan to hold a training session in Spanish to which we will invite leaders from all the Spanish-speaking wards and stakes along the Wasatch Front. We then plan to have a half-day Spanish conference for leaders, family, and individuals about a month later.

2. RESOURCES

Each year, we provide over a thousand information packets and sell more than 1,500 books and other materials. We have some materials in 20 languages. If you have the skills to translate, review, or proofread other languages, please let us know.
Last year, we announced to you our plans to launch an enlarged Web site. We announced the address with the prototype and invited you to review and comment on it. This new site has over 200 separate sections (pages), including all the material from the current site, all current Evergreen publications, many more testimonies and life stories, current and past events, content from old newsletters, links to many other resources, and a new section “The Way Out” with resources for men, women, families and friends, Church leaders, support groups, and therapists. We have incorporated your comments and have begun translating the content into Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese – we need more help with that, if you are interested in translating or proofreading. So keep an eye out for the new site at www.Evergreeninternational.org.
We publish a newsletter, The Journey, six times a year. We also publish other written and audiovisual materials. We are always looking for articles and ideas, as well as the help of qualified editors and graphic artists.
We encourage independent writing in magazines and books, and have helped individuals get several books published in both English and Spanish.
Evergreen is also the home of the Charles Socarides Memorial Library, a collection of 500 books, articles, research papers, and audiovisual materials. We encourage students, professionals, and others to donate items and to use it for individual study and research.

3. EDUCATION

Conferences, seminars, and workshops. For fourteen years, Evergreen has sponsored an annual conference in Salt Lake City with world-renowned speakers. These conferences are attended by about 500 men and women strugglers, therapists, church leaders, and family and friends. We also present seminars, workshops, and firesides throughout the year. Current events are posted on the Web site.
Training for Church leaders. Our Board of Trustees always includes one or more emeritus General Authorities and we continue to build relationships with Area Presidencies and other Church leaders. Upon request, we provide training to hundreds of stake and ward leaders each year. If your ward or stake would like our assistance, please contact us.
Training for Therapists. Evergreen offers training for professional counselors and organizations. We organize and promote education for counselors and therapists on gender-affirmative therapy. Our goal is to provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and professional development opportunities to build more clinical capacity.
Public Relations. Evergreen attempts to expand public awareness of the importance of healthy gender identity and defends the right of individuals to make therapeutic choices in accordance with their freely-chosen value systems.

Let me speak for a few minutes about public relations. As I mentioned at the beginning of this address, two months ago marked the 15th anniversary of the founding of Evergreen. We haven't made a big deal about it, as we try to undersell the organization and focus on the message of helping people. But the louder the world says "you're born this way―accept it," the harder we have to try to get out the message that there are alternatives, that you can choose the Lord's way. We are in the process of recruiting the help of some public relations specialists to help us frame more clearly our messages and determine how and when to speak up in the media as well as develop guidelines on when it is not wise to speak up. If we’re not prudent, we could end up spending all our time and efforts in managing public relations and would have none left to do the real work of helping people.

You may or may not have heard that a national pro-gay organization will hold its national conference in Salt Lake City in October. The first activity on their agenda in Salt Lake is a “Don’t Amend” rally. We expect they will attract a fair amount of media attention and we are preparing plans ahead of time as to how much we want to get involved in the media commotion. We are attempting to anticipate some of the issues that may arise during this conference, and line up experts who are prepared to address specific concerns as they arise. We also plan to approach the major media outlets and provide them information ahead of time so they can provide balanced news reports.

In addition to our mission statement, which reads that “individuals can overcome homosexual behavior and can diminish same-sex attraction,” we have developed five major messages to help focus in communicating with the public:

1. God loves all his children regardless of their circumstances and wants to help them.

2. Same-sex attraction is one of life's many challenges.

To fulfill our eternal destiny, everyone must overcome tests and opposition in life.
While same-sex attraction may be a considerable trial to those who experience it, the discomfort and pain is not dissimilar to that experienced by others with different kinds of trials.

3. People can overcome homosexual behavior and diminish same-sex attractions.

Regardless of our challenges, everyone can control thoughts and actions. We also have a remarkable ability to develop patterns of behavior and self-perception that are consistent with our personal beliefs and values.
Through His own suffering, Jesus Christ knows how to help and guide us in times of need and healing. He can “blot out [our] transgressions according to the power of his deliverance” (see Alma 7:12-13).
Some difficulties require us to “be patient in long-suffering and afflictions” that we might gain strength and capacity and be instruments for God (see Alma 17:11).

4. God expects us to be chaste and reserve sexual activity to the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman.

Following this commandment provides us with protection and is necessary for mortal and eternal progression.

5. You are not alone! Help is available for those who experience same-sex attraction.

You can love and support someone who struggles with same-sex attraction and at the same time stay true to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Evergreen provides valuable resources for those seeking to live LDS values.

Copies of these messages are available for any of you to review and give input.

In the middle of the media excitement, some of you may want to get involved or feel inclined to speak up or write letters to the editor. Let me mention a few key points we should all consider. I mention these, because I believe they are helpful ideas that apply if you are facing an interviewer or even in casual conversation with others.

It's not always appropriate to respond in the media. Sometimes it’s better to let these groups have their brief media opportunity rather than adding more fuel to the fire.
It’s usually not wise to get in a public debate. The spirit of dissension detracts from the Spirit and the message you wish to convey. Although your message may be that people can overcome homosexual behavior and live the gospel, the other person may try to steer the topic to politically-charged issues such as gay marriage or discrimination and try to discredit you as a homophobe or a religious zealot. Find a forum where you can present your message calmly and peacefully.
Always consider “What is the key message I want to get across and how is the best way to do it?” Avoid tangents. Stick with your main point. If the other person asks an off-the-wall question, turn it into the question they should have asked, and answer that. Don't waste time on unimportant details. If asked about your background, for example, don't give lots of details, but summarize it quickly and make your point. Tell the message so clearly and repeatedly that people can’t misinterpret it.
People may ask you to comment on scientific studies about the "gay gene" or other areas in which you are not an expert. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" or "I'll find out." In these situations, answer their question very briefly, then steer the subject back to areas where you are an expert. Remember, you are an expert—in fact, the world’s leading authority—on your own situation or situations you've observed in the lives of those around you. A simple statement like, "I'm not a scientist or an authority on the Simeon LeVay study, but I do know what has happened in my own life, and that is...." It's not a fight if you explain your personal experience or relate the experiences of others. People find it difficult to discount personal experience.
Don't apologize for your religious beliefs, for having experienced same-sex attractions, for believing that homosexual behavior is sin, or for believing that people can overcome same-sex attractions. Tell it like it is.
If you decide to write a Letter to the Editor, be sure it is well-written, well-timed, and targeted according to other events and news. Newspapers will always edit. And they may choose not to run it. Some papers are willing to print letters from authors using pen names and some are not. None of them will run letters submitted anonymously.

We remind you of the policy about who speaks for Evergreen. The group affiliate handbook states: “Group participants may not represent Evergreen International when communicating with the media, counselors, or Church leaders, or when speaking publicly without first receiving the express approval of the Executive Director. All public relations are handled by staff under the direction of the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees. Participants may tell others that they attend Evergreen meetings and discuss their own experiences if they wish to do so, but they should never represent their viewpoints or attitudes as being representative of other participants or of Evergreen as a whole.”

In general, we need to realize that the media will never be on our side. Some things we can change and some things we can't. We need to know the difference and use our time and energies prudently. As we all know, this is an all-encompassing crusade for the Adversary. We just need to be smart and realistic in our communications efforts.

If you want to learn more about how to deal with the media, there is are some useful resources in the Evergreen library, such as an audiocassette of a talk by Sy Rogers on "Making the Most of Media." Also, in the book Desires in Conflict, Joe Dallas gives a good review of gay activism and an insightful description of the genesis of their rage.

HOW TO HELP

Many people ask what they can do to help accomplish Evergreen’s mission. Some of the following ideas require very little time or money but can have a significant impact, especially if we all do our part.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

You don't have to be rich to help. This work relies on small and large donations from people just like you. You can make one-time donations or set up monthly contributions by direct deposit. [show United Way pamphlet] This month, United Way is conducting its campaigns in this area. Did you know that on your donation form, you can write in Evergreen’s name and address and your contributions will be directed to Evergreen? Many employers will also match your contributions. If you know of a company or foundation that may consider donating to Evergreen, please let us know.

Consider gifts of cash, real estate, life insurance, or office equipment. Rather than selling appreciated stocks or bonds (and paying capital gains tax), consider donating them as a tax deduction. Evergreen will be around for a long time, so consider leaving assets to the organization in your will.

We’ve begun our campaign to establish an endowment fund of two or three million dollars, the revenue from which would fund a substantial portion of Evergreen’s annual operating expenses. Then, with only modest efforts, we could raise the remaining funds needed each year. This would allow us to concentrate the majority of our time and efforts on the real work of educating, referring people, and providing resources.

We also would like to acquire a building as a permanent home for Evergreen operations. A group of volunteers is looking for a suitable building, as well considering a fundraising effort for the building.

I assure you that financial procedures are in place to ensure that funds are handled appropriately and that expenses are approved and monitored by the Board of Trustees.

I want to publicly thank those who have contributed financially to support this work. Some have contributed in large amounts and others in smaller amounts but at great sacrifice.

VOLUNTEER

I've mentioned tonight some of the things Evergreen is involved in. It's a great burden for a few people, but manageable service when many people are involved. You help yourself when you help others. Please search your heart and if you have a few hours a month you could devote to this important work, contact the office to volunteer. There are also many day-to-day things we can do.

Find ways to educate your family, your ward, or the community about same-sex attraction. Many of you have helped organize leadership training meetings and Relief Society meetings on how to help those with same-sex attraction. The same could be done in your stake if you have the courage to talk about it.
Thank your local bookstore or library for carrying books about overcoming same-sex attraction. If they don’t carry them, ask them to.
Write to television stations and newspapers to thank them for relaying appropriate information. When incorrect information is presented, respond with the truth.

FAITH AND PRAYERS

Our faith and prayers have an amazing effect on how this work moves forward. Since we consider the fundraising effort pivotal to our ability to move forward in important ways, we ask for your faith and prayers. We invite you to pray with us that potential contributors might understand the issues surrounding same-sex attraction and have a sense of compassion and urgency in the work. We believe that God is guiding this work and is intimately concerned about each one of us. As an organization, we commit to follow the direction of His prophet without reservation or exception.

Yesterday, I had lunch with several friends, and we talked for a moment about heroes. I don’t believe the true hero is someone who makes the winning touchdown a football field or stars in a movie. I’ve met a few heroes in my life—and many of them are in this room tonight. Those of you who are fighters (I used to say “strugglers,” but I think a more appropriate term is “fighters”) are heroes in my eyes. Their spouses and parents are heroes. Their counselors are heroes. The Board of Trustees, David Pruden, Sharon, others who help in the office or on committees are heroes. That’s what a hero is to me.

I love you, brothers and sisters. Many of you carry tremendous burdens. Many of you have overcome significant challenges and I respect you for it. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that everyone in this room has the ability to live the law of morality that Christ taught. He will never give us a commandment we can't live. We can’t control the conflicts we face in this life, but we can choose how to respond to them. May we all learn and grow, and overcome our challenges, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.