Gay and Lesbian Switchboard Collection
Provenance
Collection donated by Peg Fox, a former board member of the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York, on August 27, 1998.
Use Restrictions
No names may be published unless (1) they are publicly known to be gay or lesbian,or (2) their permission has been obtained, or (3) they are deceased. Restrictions are only in regards to publication; any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection.
Scope and Content
The Gay and Lesbian Switchboard is an all-volunteer telephone service providing information, referrals and friendly listening for New York’s gay and lesbian community. In the Spring of 1971, a group of gay people, many of whom were members of the Gay Liberation Front, the Gay Activists Alliance, met to determine what services were needed by the community that had emerged in the wake of the Stonewall Riots. On January 13th 1972, they began operation. In October 1977, they incorporated so they could lease an office in their own name to prevent frequent location change. In June of 1987 they officially changed their name from the Gay Switchboard to the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. In 1996 several members left to form the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline, and in 1998 the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York became a program of the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline. They continue to operate in this status as of March 2005. The collection consists of organizational files from the 1970s to 1990s, including: mission statements; by-laws; organizational charts; financial records; meeting minutes and agendas (1973 – 1997); correspondences (1980s – 1990s); Switchboard newsletters (1980s – 1990s); fundraising and grant-seeking information; donor lists; volunteer lists and applications; training material and evaluations; and extensive lists of organizations and businesses used for referrals (1980s – 1990s). No names may be published unless (1) they are publicly known to be gay or lesbian, or (2) their permission has been obtained, or (3) they are deceased. Restrictions are only in regards to publication. Any researcher may view or copy any document in the collection.
History or Bio
From the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York’s Handbook, there is the following description of the Switchboard:
“We are an all-volunteer telephone service providing information, referrals and friendly listening for New York’s gay and lesbian community…”
And a description of the Switchboard’s beginnings:
“The idea for a Switchboard was conceived in the Spring of 1971. A group of gay people, members of the Gay Liberation Front, the Gay Activists Alliance and interested individuals, met to determine what services were needed by the community that had emerged in the wake of the Stonewall Riots… On January 13th 1972, we began operation. In the next five years, were given space at a number of locations. These were not always secure arrangements and we had to move often… Tired of this, we incorporated so we could lease an office in our own name, which we did in October 1977… In June of 1987 we officially changed our name from the Gay Switchboard to the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard…”
In 1996, several members of the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York, left to form the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline. In 1998 the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York became a program of the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline and continues to operate in this status as of March 2005.
Folder List
Box 1
1. [Mission Statement]
2. [By-Laws]
3. [Organization Charts]
4. [Interview and articles about the Switchboard]
5. Current Work
6. Mailing List Printout
7. [Mailing lists]
8. Source + What Codes
9. Strub [Strubco, Inc. “…database of direct mail responsive gay men, lesbians and community supporters…”]
10. [Volunteer membership lists, 1981-1996]
11. [Call and volunteer statistics, 1983-1994]
12. Donation Breakdowns
13. [Donor Card File (photocopy)]
14. [GLSB stationery, fax cover sheets]
15. [Financial Control Procedures]
16. Tax Returns [1979-1986, 1989-1990]
17. [Financial Report, 12/01/93-11/30/94]
18. [Comparative Financial Statements, 1984-1993]
19. Expenses, 1974-1976
20. Telephone Bills, 1974-1976
21. [Bank statements, canceled checks, deposit slips, 1974-1976]
22. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1977]
23. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1978]
24. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1979]
25. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1980]
26. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1981]
27. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1982]
28. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1984]
29. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1985]
30. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1986]
31. [Financial Ledgers, FY 1987]
32. 1988 Bills Paid
Box 2
33. [Bank statements, canceled checks, deposit slips, 1988]
34. [Misc. financial information, 1991-1992]
35. [Bank statements, 4/22/92-6/21/93]
36. [Misc. financial information, 1994]
37. [Misc. financial information, 1995–]
38. Undated deposit slips
39. [Food and drink ledger (from binder)]
40. Pantry #2 receipts
081 page 5
41. [Budget Reports, mid 1980s – mid 1990s]
42. IRS Form 1023 Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3), 1978
43. [Dreyfus Fund]
44. Correspondence [1980s]
45. Correspondence [1990s]
46. [Correspondence and articles concerning volunteer convicted of crime]
47. [Switchboard newsletters, 1980s]
48. [Switchboard newsletters, 1990s]
49. [Volunteer Development Committee]
50. [Volunteer Recognition Committee]
51. [Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony]
52. [Volunteer Help-line job description and training procedures, 1993]
53. [Volunteer solicitation cards]
54. Filled-in NV Forms – Packages Sent [new volunteer information forms (random selection)]
55. [New Volunteer Application]
56. [Volunteer forms and form letters]
57. [Volunteer applications, assessments and evaluations]
58. Accepted [volunteer applications]
59. Rejected [volunteer applications]
60. No Show [volunteer applications]
Box 3
61. [Volunteer Committment Pledge and Certification Requirements]
081 page 6
62. [Presentation outlines for AIDS education talks]
63. [Maxwell’s Mulberrybush Manual Describing the Skills Necessary for Contact Telephone
Counseling]
64. Suicide Info
65. [Suicide Prevention Information for Teachers and Counselors in New York City]
66. Miscellany [training material + misc.]
67. [Training material – Handbook, Information Checklist, etc.]
68. Brochures [volunteer solicitation]
69. Screening Info / Info Checklist [new volunteers]
70. [Volunteer Handbook, Orientation, Certification Requirments, Commitment Pledge, etc.]
71. Training originals [volunteer training material]
72. AIDS [volunteer training material]
73. How to Handle Phone Calls
74. Mock [volunteer training scripts, mock conversations]
75. [Volunteer Training Weekend]
76. [Volunteer Training Weekend Evaluations]
77. [Volunteer Orientation Package]
78. In Service Training
79. In Service – Facilitator’s Notes
80. [“Volunteer tracking process” forms]
81. [Volunteer training material]
82. [Volunteer training material]
83. [Volunteer training – evaluations, notes]
84. [Volunteer training – handwritten notes]
85. [“New Volunteer Training – Analysis of Evaluations”]
86. [“Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for the Gay and Lesbian Hotline – A Program of the
Whitman-Walker Clinic”]
87. [Gay and Lesbian Help-Line Handbook, White Plains, NY, March 20, 1993]
88. Repeat Caller List as of February 24, 1992
89. [Repeat Caller Forms]
90. [Handwritten notes, seemingly between two volunteers handling a suicide call]
91. [Telephone Logs, 1998]
92. Sign-up Sheets [volunteer shifts, 1990s]
93. [Sign-up sheets – volunteer shifts, 1970s – 1990s]
94. [Donations – breakdowns and summaries, 1991-1992]
95. Brad [misc. notes, publications, etc.]
Box 4
96. Reggie Phillips [Referrals – working file]
97. [“Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for the Gay and Lesbian Hotline – A Program of the
Whitman-Walker Clinic”]
98. [AIDS Hotline Training Manual, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, January 15, 1990]
99. [Flyers, brochures]
100. [Photo collage in front of a photograph album (photos were removed to the visual collection)]
101. Fred Pattison (member of Board of Directors)
102. [Switchboard Conference, 1993 – 1994]
103. [1992 Board of Directors Election – candidates’ statements]
104. 1994 Matching Grant – Paul Rapoport
105. Survey Results 11/94 [members survey]
081 page 8
106. [Information related to Switchboard moving to a new space]
107. Training Revisions
108. Completed [misc. forms, notes, correspondence etc. – includes some grant information]
109. Eleanor Roosevelt Award 1988
110. [New York Community Trust — Grant Proposal, 1992]
111. Chicago Resource Ctr. 1990 Grant Proposal
112. IRS Not-For-Profit Letter
113. Chicago Resource Center [grant application]
114. Chicago Grant 1991
115. Chicago Resource 1992
116. 1988 Chicago Resource Grant
117. 1988 Chicago Resource Grant/Semi-Annual Report
118. [Chicago Resource Center, 1987]
119. [DIFFA Grant]
120. [David Geffen Foundation Grant Proposal]
121. Grants
122. Questionaire/Blank
123. Questionaire/January-March [volunteer applications and evaluations]
124. Questionaire/April-June [volunteer applications and evaluations]
125. Questionaire/July-September [volunteer applications and evaluations]
126. [Volunteer applications and evaluations]
127. Committee Vol. [volunteer application]
128. Automenu manual [Automenu 2.0 software manual]
129. Style sheets and input instructions
130. Information for updating [volunteer applications and evaluations, contact addresses, returned
envelopes from fundraising mailing]
131. [Realization Center, Alcohol/Substance Abuse Treatment Center]
132. Wills and Estates
133. [Direct mail fundraising proposal with form letters, lists of organizations, etc.]
134. Agendas [organization chart, 11/93]
135. [Fundraising — Funding organizations]
136. Fundraising Grants Correspondence
137. Fund Raising Thank You letters
138. Fund Raising — Letters ’89, 90, 91
Box 5
139. Fund Raising — Letters/MASTER FILE/one copy of each letter
140. Fund Raising Reprints
141. Fund Raising Letters ’92, ’93, ’94
142. Fund Raising Letters ’95, ’96, ’97
143. F.R. Raffle
144. Social [requests for leaves of absence, correspondence, notes, etc.]
145. Fundraising Info
146. 1997 Monthly Minutes
147. [1996 Minutes, Agendas]
148. [1995 Minutes, Agendas]
149. [1994 Minutes]
150. [1993 Minutes, Agendas]
151. [1992 Minutes, Agendas]
152. [1991 Minutes, Agendas]
153. [1990 Minutes, Agendas]
154. [1989 Minutes, Agendas]
155. 1988 Minutes
156. 1987 Minutes
157. 1986 Minutes
158. 1985 Minutes
159. 1984 Minutes
160. 1983 Minutes
161. 1982 Minutes
162. 1981 Minutes
163. 1980 Minutes
164. 1979 Minutes
165. 1978 Minutes
166. 1977 Minutes
167. [Meeting notes, September and October 1976]
168. 1975 Minutes
169. 1973 Minutes
170. [Meeting minutes, notes, agendas — undated]
171. [Comments on by-law change to allow heterosexual volunteers, 1992 (see also: March 1992
minutes in folder #151)]
172. [Board of Directors’ meeting notes]
173. [Various committees — minutes, notes]
174. Professional Screening [professional referrals]
175. Computer Back-up Groups & Organizations, Vol. I [referral file, AIDS — Long Island]
176. Computer Back-up Groups & Organizations, Vol. II [referral file, Miscellaneous — Rap Groups]
177. Computer Back-up Groups & Organizations, Vol. III [referral file, Substance Abuse — Youth]
Box 6
178. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #1]
179. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #2]
180. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #3]
181. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #4]
182. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #5]
183. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #6]
184. [Referrals with contact information and descriptions, updated late 1980s – early 1990s, #7]
185. [Referral list, February 1990]
186. [Referrals, 1992]
187. [Cross-referenced index to referral organizations in GLSB’s files]
188. [Professional referrals questionaire and request for information]
189. [Referrals — data entry forms — sample]
190. [Referrals — updating information — change forms, handwritten notes, etc. — sample]
191. Survey [volunteers — “Tell us what you think and how you feel” questionaire]
192. [Volunteer survey]
193. [Comparison of Gay and Lesbian Switchboards in other cities]
194. [GLSB forms, promotional material, etc.]
195. [Return envelopes]
Box 7
196. [Publications, flyers, brochures, etc. from various organizations]
197. Neil — Info/Comp [computer instructions]
198. [Repartee — automated telephone scripts]
199. [Volunteer training material]
200. [Name lists]
201. HAL Daily Statistics Log
202. Accepted [volunteer forms]
203. Waiting to be scheduled ’97 [volunteers]
204. Trained, Accepted ’97 [volunteers]
205. Interested but can’t come weekends [volunteers]
206. Not Accepted [volunteers]
207. Have been screened but not trained [volunteers]
208. Have not followed through e.g. no calls back no app. sent back ’97 [volunteers]
209. [Training notes, 1993]
210. [Volunteer resignations, requests for leaves, “no show” lists, etc.]
211. [1997 Fundraising letter]
212. Facilitator’s Notes [training weekend]
213. Old NV Lists [new volunteer lists]
214. DOS Handbook
215. James [computer printouts]
216. Rick [computer disks]
217. [Volunteer training material]
218. [Tax information]
219. [Rules and Regulations Governing Municipal Employees’ Charitable Contributions, 1995-96]
220. [Conference evaluation forms]
221. [Volunteer registration forms]
222. [Referral organizations descriptions]
223. [Mailing labels]
224. Move! Pride Week Stuff
225. [Volunteers’ notebooks]
Box 8
226. [“Rap Book” (volunteer logs)]
227. GLSB Media Clippings
228. Raffles
229. Pride Month Social Events
230. Fundraising
231. Funders of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Programs, A Directory for Grantseekers, September 1993
232. Volunteers
233. [Computer equipment — receipts, manuals]
234. TBD [misc. forms, statistics, tax statements, etc. (work to be done?)] (1 of 2)
235. TBD [misc. forms, statistics, tax statements, etc. (work to be done?)] (2 of 2)
236. [Collection of William H. Gronwald, member of the Switchboard’s first Board of Directors]
237. [AIDS and Safe Sex Information, 1995-96]
238. [Misc. volunteer recruitment and training material]
239. [Psychotherapist’s resume — for referral list]
240. [Flyers, letters, etc. for referrals]
241. [AIDS information]
242. [Misc. GLSB mailings, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, stationary, etc.]
243. [National Data Payment System, Inc.]
244. [Various issues, concerns, proposed changes to Switchboard]
245. [Misc. equipment/technical info.]
246. Board Pledges [new volunteer information]
247. [LOFT, Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center, White Plains, NY]
248. [Greeting cards]
249. [Misc. notes]
250. [Information about various advertising sources]
251. [Misc. caller logs and notes]
252. [Misc. tour and travel information]
253. [List of Lesbian and Gay helplines and service centers]
254. [Misc. clippings]
255. [Posters, probably on office walls]
256. [Sign “Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York”]
SEPARATION LIST
1. Approximately 500 photgraphs removed to the visual collection.
2. 2 banners removed to realia collection.
3. Several buttons, rubber stamps removed to button/misc. collection.
4. 19 periodicals removed to periodical collection.
5. 6 titles removed to organizational file.
6. Approximately 2 feet of duplicate forms, flyers, training material etc. discarded.
7. Approximately 3 feet of canceled checks, receipts, bank statments etc. from 1980s and 1990s, for which there are tax returns or financial summaries available, were discarded.
8. Approximately 1 1/2 feet of data entry forms and notes to update referral files were discarded, a random sample of such forms and notes were kept.