national RSOL in my opinion is an excellent organization.

i am on a very tight fixed income but this is one of the orgs that i have joined and donated to.

I personally like the state level RSOL groups better than the National. National isn't doing anything to reform the laws on a National scale. I do like organizations like CautionClick and Women Against Registry (WAR) as both organizations are taking their fight even to the national levels.

I've read that RSOL is having a conference in July in Dallas, Tx again this year. If you are able to attend, you may be able to find out more about the organizations and decide on which group(s) you want to support.

They're worthless here in PA. unfortunately.

there are quite a few states that don't have RSOL chapters in them and that hurts.

There's a chapter here. but the woman in charge refuses to do anything. I tried to take the chapter a year ago and was blown off. What a waste.

that's pitiful.... why even bother to have and 'run' a chapter if the person in charge can't be bothered to do anything?

is there no one or 'head' chapter that you can talk to or appeal to? can a 2nd one be created or started in the same state?

Check with WAR to see if they have an advocate in your state.

It is my understanding that National RSOL is just the umbrella organization for the State Affiliates who do all the work on the individual State Levels. Most, not all, states have an affiliate organization. Some are more active, visible and successful due to a number of factors - number of registrants, commitment of leadership, resources available, etc.

Here are the existing state chapters

http://nationalrsol.org/about-us/affiliates/

There are some chapters that are very active and public. California RSOL, Florida Action Committee and Texas Voices I have seen in the news frequently in the recent past with exposure and results that not too long ago seemed unthinkable.

National RSOL also puts on an annual conference which is a great place to learn, network and find support. Those who cannot attend for whatever reason should at the very least view the conference presentations on video.

http://rsolconference.org/conference-videos/

Outside of RSOL organizations I only know of Women Against Registry on a national level.

I would imagine all of these people are volunteers and are up against enormous obstacles and they are David against Goliath, fighting for the rights for all affected. I shudder to think the state of affairs without these brave souls. Support comes in many forms. Financial contributions, volunteering time, spending time speaking up. Some take money, some don't. Some are public, some aren't.

Is it worth it to support these organizations? Who else is there? What other options are there? One big problem I see is that many many people are expecting and waiting for others to take action on their behalf. Ain't gonna happen.

"If not you, who? If not now, when?"

@Dixon73 is right about how RSOL is organized. The big thing they do is put on the annual conference which may not sound like much at first but they do get quality speakers (Lenore Skenazy was one of last years speakers) and it's an opportunity for the successful and active state chapters like California RSOL to show other states how to get started and be effective. With the limited money and people they have it's a pretty monumental task. They also try to attend and network with other associations like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers on behalf of all the state chapters.

It would be nice if we had the luxury of better choices than RSOL. I feel we need an option for people not satisfied with the stealth activism approach utilized by the national RSOL and many other groups. However, there isn't really any other option at this time.

Maybe a little competition will be a good thing. Think of your cable service as an example. Comcast and Time Warner suck big time, but many of us have no choice so we put up with whatever these companies offer. Sure, there are some alternatives, like satellite TV or internet through your phone lines or maybe 4G wireless, but it is a bit of an inconvenience. So, we deal with overpriced service. Same with utilities.

The national RSOL is too namby-pamby for my tastes. They're too concerned with their "professional image" to take risks like invest in a rally, and thus they're shackled and limited in what they can do. Hell, I was amazed they even made a mention of the Rally in Tally in their newsletter (a tiny blurb at the end). I like the freedom of not having to filter my work with easily skittish types obsessed over an image.

I know one thing-- the Rally in Tally is definitely worth supporting. There should be more investment made into other sites, like Once Fallen. I may be a lone wolf but I provide a valuable service that many groups, not even the national RSOL, provide. I don't mean just money (although that helps) but with your time and efforts as well. I'd even dare say if your "state affiliate" isn't doing anything for you, start a rival group! It isn't like we've all been on the same page so much that no one has ever pulled a Martin Luther. I can think of a certain state in need of a rival organization.

If I were still in Floriduh I'd be there with you Once. I don't get along with these organizations, they don't like my attitude. They say I'm 'hard to get along with' and I'm been labeled and these ladies tell others that they should just stay away from me. Just like the rest of the world does to my son. They don't even know me.
They want soldiers not leaders.

You don't like what RSOL is doing in California Derek? They have set precedent that you are seeing being copied all across the U.S. now.

to tell you the truth, if i could i would support and donate to every organization out there that advocates for SO's.

you might not agree with there approach but every voice speaking out helps. even the little voices!

Agreed Echo!

I agree Echo, but I've also been a part of these groups and they don't support me in how I approach things and that's not right. I've given up for now, but I make a good voice and I have resources.. but they've black listed me. So much for inclusion.