Reciprocal Groups

The BOE believes that education starts at home, and therefore we encourage people to join their local education and support group. We hope that someday members of the community will be able to travel the country and feel welcome at any local club’s meeting or event.

• OhioSMART – Cleveland, Ohio
• GRALE – Grand Rapids, Michigan
• TES – New York, New York

Reciprocity with the BOE

BOE members will be admitted to regularly-scheduled educational events and parties put on by a reciprocal organization, without additional and onerous reservation procedures. Further, The BOE members will be admitted for the same fee that a reciprocal organization charges its own members. Each such card-carrying BOE member will be allowed to be accompanied by at least one guest. In return, Reciprocal Group Members will be extended the same benefits by The BOE.

Reciprocity is not expected to extend to special meetings, such as an annual business meeting, or subgroups of a reciprocal organization. Also, Reciprocity is not expected to take precedence over any organization’s minimum-age, gender, or orientation requirements.

The BOE Reciprocity Guidelines

At its discretion, the The BOE Board of Directors may grant reciprocity to clubs or organizations that meet the following criteria:

1. Have officers or boards that are elected by the membership
2. Have at least one regularly scheduled meeting per month
3. Collect dues in some form
4. Issue affiliation cards
5. Extend reciprocity to The BOE (see above)
6. Have met guidelines 1 through 4 for at least 6 months.
7. Reciprocity continues in perpetuity as long as the above criteria are met.

The BOE Reciprocity Procedures

Education and support groups interested in reciprocity with us may e-mail the The BOE Board of Directors at Board@theboe.org with the following information:

1. Primary Group Contact and Contact Information
2. Web Site Address
3. Snail Mail Address
4. Phone Number
5. Mission Statement
6. Group Inception Date
7. Geographic Area Served (if appropriate)
8. Statements explaining how your group meets the guidelines, (e.g. Elected board of 9, Educational Lectures on the 1st Monday of the month, $65/yr per person, Membership Card, etc.)